VMware vSphere PowerCLI Reference: Automating vSphere Administration

If you have hit the wall using cmdlets in your scripts this is the book to transport you to the next level! I had a sticking point in a script I had written for a mass configuration change and five minutes after I got the Kindle version I had what I needed. Not only did I find out what to do to fix my script I learned the actual REASONS it wasn't working as written. This book is a must have for someone who finds themselves suddenly going from quick and dirty "admin" scripts to being requested to script a solution that will save the organization lots of time and ensure consistency.If you are where I was I suggest you read the following parts/chapters/topics first:=Part VI Chapter 25 Running Scripts: Has lots of information that other books assumed the reader knew. Like logging and proper commenting formats. It includes the MUST READ Script Tips and Hints.=Part V Chapter 18 the SDK - Take your time and use a lab session to walk thru this and the light bulb just comes on! This is boot camp for the vSphere web client API and whatever your level was when you start this chapter you will be at minimum twice the scripter when you complete it IF you take the time to fully walk thru it. I can't impress that enough.=Part V Chapter 23 - Power Actions shows you how to incorporate your scripts into the actual web client!=Part 5 Chapter 24 - Source control. You are in a new league after reading chapter 18 so you should really get organized.The other topics are great advise on other projects my organization has coming up and after my recent success I want to be ready when called upon.

Great book, learning Power CLI eliminates the left click, right click UI action in VSphere.

The book has several good examples and is well written. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good book on PowerCLI.

I have the first edition of this book and figured I may as well pick up the second edition. It's written by Luc Dekens so you know it's good.

Excellent reference for automating your vSphere infrastructure.

This is the missing documentation for PowerCLI.

The ultimate PowerCLI reference!

Power CLI 2nd Edition - A “must have” book for anyone who is working with VMware products and wants to add value and save time.The book has been helpful to me for three reasons: it has taught me how to automate those mundane tasks that everybody hates to, it has enabled me to remove the human error - making sure results are consistent, and most importantly it has given me back some much needed time to tackle more interesting problems/tasks (after all once you have written a script once it can be re-used on many projects!).Firstly, I will admit I haven’t read every single line on every single page. However, in my opinion, this isn’t the kind of book you will necessarily read from cover to cover in one sitting. It is, after all, a reference book, therefore whilst some people may read it cover to cover, some people (like myself) will read the sections/pages that are relevant at the specific project or task at that point in time. One thing is clear, it is a book you will keep returning to when you are sitting there scratching your head and mutter to yourself “there has to be a better/faster and more consistent way to do this”.The authors have a created a good balance of both empowering and informing the reader. Where it needs to, it is specific about the steps required to accomplish a particular task and the end goal, but the book is more than that. The book is about providing the reader with the concise information and background they need to be able to create their own scripting toolkit which will help them make their day to day work easier. The Code Listings provided throughout the book (which are downloadable from the publishers website) provide an invaluable source to add to your own scripting toolkit and I would advise anyone reading to ensure they download and use them.In my opinion, the mark of a good technical reference book is when it is the first book you think of when you have to solve a problem/complete a task and over the last few months this has been one of those books. In my continual journey through PowerShell and VMware PowerCLI, this is definitely a book I will be referring back to again and again.What are you waiting for? If you are planning to buy a PowerCLI book, you won’t find better.