This book covers the native tools that VMware provides with ESX Server. It then discusses in detail the different scripting API's and how they can be leveraged to provide some very useful, practical and time saving tools to manage a virtual infrastructure. From virtual server provisioning to backups and everything in between, all are covered in detail with real world examples that have been tested and will work either copied directly from the book or with slight modifications for the reader's specific environments.This book is a one stop shop for virtual tools. VMware provides the most robust virtualization platform in the market and it has very cool management tools like VirtualCenter and the MUI. Yet more often then not, the most overlooked and most powerful management tools are either not considered ort unknown. These are the native command line tools and scripting possibilities the ESX Server has built right in it. From simple shell scripts to COM and Perl and new in ESX Server 2.5 Common Information Model (CIM) VMware provides API's to access your virtual infrastructure and leverage 100% of its functionality.Additionally, VMware has included outstanding command line tools the provide powerful possibilities for those willing to use them. The scripts found in this book have been used in real world engagements and deployments of ESX Server. The reader will be able to copy almost directly with very little customization if any. By combining the graphical tools such like those found in the MUI and VirtualCenter with the power you'll find with the scripts detailed within the following chapters, you will be able to get under the hood of your virtual infrastructure, tune it up and make it purr.