Eric Sloof

Best practices are described for optimizing Big Data applications running on VMware vSphere. Hardware, software, and vSphere configuration parameters are documented, as well as tuning parameters for the operating system,

Hadoop, and Spark. The Dell 12-server cluster (10 of which were dedicated to Hadoop worker processes) used in the test is described in detail, showing how the best practices were applied in its configuration. Test results are shown from two MapReduce and two Spark applications running on vSphere as well as directly on the hardware, and results from a reduced-size cluster of 5 worker servers.


The virtualized cluster outperformed the bare metal cluster by 5-10% for all MapReduce and Spark workloads with the exception of one Spark workload, which ran at parity. All workloads showed excellent scaling from 5 to 10 worker servers and from smaller to larger
dataset sizes.

Download the Technical White Paper: Big Data Performance on vSphere 6 Best Practices for Optimizing Virtualized Big Data Applications

A demo showing how a multi-site Cross-VC NSX can be used with third party security services; an example is demonstrated using Palo Alto Networks. Cross-VC NSX provide for consistent security across multiple vCenter domains and sites with Universal Distributed Firewall. Further, third party security services such as Palo Alto Networks can be leveraged for Application/L7-level security.

This comprehensive Horizon 7 Network Ports diagram specifies ports for View in VMware Horizon 7, VMware Identity Manager, VMware App Volumes, VMware vRealize Operations for Horizon, and VMware Access Point.

The VMware App Volumes Reviewer’s Guide is a comprehensive technical overview to help you evaluate VMware App Volumes. You learn about App Volumes architecture and components, and storage, network, and security.


The installation and configuration sections present a basic App Volumes deployment. Exercises in the remaining sections allow you to evaluate some of the App Volumes key features.

VMware Software-Defined Storage, A Guide to the Policy Driven, Software-Defined Storage Era presents the most in-depth look at VMware's next-generation storage technology to help solutions architects and operational teams maximize quality storage design.

Written by a double VMware Certified Design Expert, this book delves into the design factors and capabilities of Virtual SAN and Virtual Volumes to provide a uniquely detailed examination of the software-defined storage model. Storage-as-a-Service (STaaS) is discussed in terms of deployment through VMware technology, with insight into the provisioning of storage resources and operational management, while legacy storage and storage protocol concepts provide context and demonstrate how Virtual SAN and Virtual Volumes are meeting traditional challenges.

The discussion on architecture emphasizes the economies of storage alongside specific design factors for next-generation VMware based storage solutions, and is followed by an example in which a solution is created based on the preferred option identified from a selection of cross-site design options.

Storage hardware lifecycle management is an ongoing challenge for IT organizations and service providers. VMware is addressing these challenges through the software-defined storage model and Virtual SAN and Virtual Volumes technologies; this book provides unprecedented detail and expert guidance on the future of storage.

Learn why Containers are interesting for developers and IT operations, how to take a data-centric approach to Containerizing applications, how Containers and storage integrate, what deployment scenarios are available for Containers with persistent storage and finally customer use cases for containers with storage.