VMware has released a new version of the vSphere hardening guide tailored to version 4.1 of vSphere which was released in July last year. The hardening guide which contains 113 pages provides guidance on how to securely deploy VMware vSphere 4.1 in a production environment and focuses on the initial configuration of the virtualization infrastructure layer.
Recommendations are given for Enterprise, DMZ and Specialized Security Limited Functionality (SSLF) environments.
The must-read document covers the following aspects of a virtual infrastructure, including:
- Virtual Machines (covering the VM container, not the guest OS or applications running on the guest OS)
- ESX/ESXi host
- Virtual Network Infrastructure
- vCenter Server, the database and the client components.
- vCenter Update Manager
- Console Operating System