vMotion

Term from Virtualization industry explained for recruiters

vMotion is a feature from VMware that allows IT teams to move running computers (called virtual machines) from one physical server to another without any downtime. Think of it like moving a running application from one computer to another without having to close and restart it. This is very important for keeping business systems running 24/7, especially during maintenance or emergencies. It's similar to features like Microsoft's Live Migration or Red Hat's Migration, but vMotion is specifically part of VMware's tools. When you see this term in resumes, it usually means the person has experience managing large-scale computer systems that need to stay running all the time.

Examples in Resumes

Managed data center operations using vMotion to maintain 99.9% uptime

Implemented vMotion technology to enable seamless server maintenance without business disruption

Led migration of 200+ virtual machines using vMotion across multiple data centers

Typical job title: "VMware Administrators"

Also try searching for:

Virtualization Engineer VMware Engineer Systems Administrator Cloud Infrastructure Engineer Data Center Engineer Infrastructure Specialist VMware Specialist

Where to Find VMware Administrators

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you plan a large-scale data center migration using vMotion?

Expected Answer: Should discuss planning for network bandwidth, scheduling migrations during low-traffic periods, considering storage requirements, and ensuring minimal business impact. Should mention experience with complex migrations.

Q: What are the main considerations when implementing vMotion in a business environment?

Expected Answer: Should explain network requirements, storage setup, hardware compatibility, and business continuity planning. Should demonstrate understanding of real-world implementation challenges.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the basic requirements for vMotion to work between two servers?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain network requirements, shared storage needs, and compatible processor requirements in simple terms.

Q: How do you troubleshoot common vMotion issues?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic troubleshooting steps for network connectivity, storage access, and compatibility issues.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is vMotion and why is it important?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that vMotion moves running virtual machines between servers without downtime, and why this matters for business operations.

Q: What basic checks do you perform before initiating a vMotion?

Expected Answer: Should mention checking network connectivity, available resources on target server, and basic compatibility requirements.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic virtual machine operations
  • Understanding of vMotion concepts
  • Basic VMware infrastructure knowledge
  • Simple migrations under supervision

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Independent vMotion operations
  • Troubleshooting migration issues
  • Planning small-scale migrations
  • Understanding network requirements

Senior (5+ years)

  • Large-scale migration planning
  • Complex environment management
  • Cross-data center migrations
  • Team leadership and training

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No hands-on experience with VMware products
  • Lack of understanding about basic networking concepts
  • No experience with server hardware
  • Unable to explain basic virtualization concepts