Here’s a really good book I came across, and ended up buying, at Foyles (my favourite local London bookstore).  It is by Merle & John Illgenfritz and titled ‘VMware Certified Professional Test Prep’.

I am always on the look out for good VMware ESX related books and although I already have my VMware VCP I ended up buying it anyway as I found it engaging to read and gave plenty of good real world examples complete with screen shots. Besides I could loan it to a friend or colleague if they were ever going for their VCP (at least that was the justification for buying it  ).

As is the case with most study guides at the end of each chapter there are multi-choice test questions that will test what you have read during the chapter.

For those of you thinking about going for your VCP I personally don’t think you can go far wrong with this book.

VMware Certified Professional Test Prep
by Merle Ilgenfritz (Author), John Ilgenfritz (Author)
Hardcover: 881 pages
Publisher: Auerbach Publications; 1 edition (26 Feb 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420065998
ISBN-13: 978-1420065992
Product Dimensions: 25.7 x 18.3 x 4.6 cm

On the topic of VCP study/prep guides…  Although I didn’t buy it, I did have a good flick through this book (see picture to left) whilst at the bookshop.  It appeared clear and concise and covered all the necessary topic areas. 

VMware Certified Professional (VCP Exam Cram)
by Elias Khnaser (Author)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: QUE; 1 Pap/Com edition (12 Dec 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0789738058
ISBN-13: 978-0789738059
Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 15 x 2.4 cm

Whilst I’m on the subject to books check out these other titles below.  They are also both well worth a read – especially for those of you with some VMware ESX experience under your belt.

VMware ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers
by Edward L. Haletky (Author) 
Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Prentice Hall; 1 edition (10 Jan 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0132302071
ISBN-13: 978-0132302074
Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 17.8 x 2.8 cm

VMware Infrastructure 3: Advanced Technical Design Guide and Advanced Operations Guide
by Scott Herold (Author), Ron Oglesby (Author), Mike Laverick (Author)
Paperback: 816 pages
Publisher: BRIANMADDEN.COM PUBLISHING; illustrated edition edition (15 Jul 2008)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0971151083
ISBN-13: 978-0971151086
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 5.3 cm

There are obviously plenty of other VMware ESX related books out there though due to the usual lack of time and money I haven’t been able to read them yet.  If you have any recommendations that you’d like to share with others please drop us a comment.