What is an RDM?

A Raw Device Mapping, can be thought of as a proxy for a physical disk. With ESXI, an RDM is a .vmdk file on a vmfs volume, that points to the physical disk.

Often you'll use RDM's where performance is needed. The VM, database or whatever …

Step by Step how to create a VM

• From the vSphere console click, 
  File > New > Virtual Machine

• Select Typical
• Name your VM
• Select a datastore, this is where the .vmdk will reside
• Select the operating system that will be installed
• Modify network settings as needed or click next
• Choose a …

Choose your hardware carefully. Search online for ESXi whiteboxes or HCL's. Some drivers for hardware will have been included with a particular version of ESXi, other versions will have dropped it.

Google for other people's whitebox setups. When I first started this, it was a lot harder to piece things …

What the hell is virtualization, why should I care and how can I use it?

There's a joke: "Try explaining virtualization to your grandma"

Virtualization, or virtual infrastructures are accepted, as a basic requirement in the work place. Many know how to successfully implement and maintain it, few, including myself …