VMware View ICM Pod - Quick Reference Page


This quick reference page provides a summary of the specifications of this topology.

For the implementation of the VMware View ICM Pod, it is necessary to request virtual machine templates for the VMware View ICM pod from CSSIA. Using these templates will simplify your setup, since the virtual machines will be pre-configured. See the NETLAB+ VMware ICM Pod Guide for details.

Please be aware of the robust server requirements that are necessary in order to run nested virtual machines. Review the virtual machine server recommendations.

Topology Supports... Documentation
VMware View ICM Pod

VMware View ICM Pod
 

Lab Topology

View ICM Pod

In the NETLAB+ pod design for the VMware IT Academy View Install, Configure, Manage Course (ICM) course, all lab components are 100% virtualized (i.e. ESXi-in-ESXi) to achieve a high pod to physical host ratio, at a significantly lower cost point relative to traditional delivery of vSphere ICM. Using virtualization and the sharing and scheduling capabilities of NETLAB+, each student (or team of students) has access to their own set of virtual equipment, which they may maintain exclusive use of throughout the course.

Significant Cost Reduction

NETLAB+'s use of virtualized lab components results in a significant cost reduction by allowing several pods to run simultaneously on one physical server (final ratio to be determined). This cost reduction can open up the possibility of participating in the VMware IT Academy Program for many organizations who would be unable to afford it otherwise.

Virtual Machines

A description of the virtual machines in the pod is provided in the table below.

Virtual Machine Role
VMV-STUDENT Virtual Machine for student operations
VMV-AD Virtualized Active Directory Server
VMV-CS Virtual machine for installing and operating a VMware View Connection Server
VMV-VCENTER Virtual machine for a windows-based vCenter server
VMV-ESXi Virtualized ESXi server for implementing and storing virtual machines used by View
 

Virtual Machine Templates

The Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA) provides virtual machine templates to install on the pod.

To request access to the preconfigured virtual machine templates from CSSIA:

  1. Go to the CSSIA Resources page: https://www.cssia.org/cssiaresources/
  2. Select CSSIA VM Image Sharing Agreement.
  3. Complete and submit your access request by following the instructions on the request form.
  4. CSSIA will provide, via email, password-protected download links. Access to the download links is provided only to customers who are current with their NETLAB+ support contract and are participants in the appropriate partner programs (i.e., Cisco Networking Academy, VMware IT Academy, Red Hat Academy, and/or Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy).
  5. Once all virtual machines have been downloaded, they can be deployed following the steps in the appropriate pod installation guide. Each virtual machine is deployed individually.