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VMware ESX 4.0 - INSTALLATION GUIDE UPDATE 1 Installation Manual

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ESX and vCenter Server Installation
Guide
Update 1
ESX 4.0
vCenter Server 4.0
This document supports the version of each product listed and
supports all subsequent versions until the document is replaced
by a new edition. To check for more recent editions of this
document, see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs.
EN-000258-02

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Summary of Contents for VMware ESX 4.0 - INSTALLATION GUIDE UPDATE 1

  • Page 1 ESX 4.0 vCenter Server 4.0 This document supports the version of each product listed and supports all subsequent versions until the document is replaced by a new edition. To check for more recent editions of this document, see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs. EN-000258-02...
  • Page 2 VMware products are covered by one or more patents listed at http://www.vmware.com/go/patents. VMware is a registered trademark or trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Updated Information 7 About This Book 9 Introduction to VMware vSphere 11 System Requirements 13 ESX Hardware Requirements 13 vCenter Server and vSphere Client Hardware Requirements 16 vCenter Server Software Requirements 17 vSphere Client Software Requirements 18 Support for 64-Bit Guest Operating Systems 18...
  • Page 4 Install vCenter Server 102 Postinstallation Considerations for vCenter Server 105 Install the vSphere Client 106 Install the vSphere Host Update Utility 107 Uninstall VMware vSphere Components 108 Creating vCenter Server Linked Mode Groups 109 Linked Mode Prerequisites 109 Linked Mode Considerations 110...
  • Page 5 Isolate a vCenter Server Instance from a Linked Mode Group 112 Linked Mode Troubleshooting 113 Install Additional Modules 117 Install VMware vCenter Guided Consolidation 117 Install VMware vCenter Update Manager 118 Install VMware vCenter Converter 119 Managing ESX/ESXi and vCenter Server Licenses 121...
  • Page 6 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 7: Updated Information

    “Use a Script to Create the Microsoft SQL Server Database Schema (Optional),” on page 86. Added commands to Step 3 in the topic “Use a Script to Create the Oracle Database Schema (Optional),” on page 91. EN-000258-00 Initial release. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 8 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 9: About This Book

    The information is written for experienced Windows or Linux system administrators who are familiar with virtual machine technology and datacenter operations. Document Feedback VMware welcomes your suggestions for improving our documentation. If you have comments, send your feedback to docfeedback@vmware.com. VMware vSphere Documentation The vSphere documentation consists of the combined VMware vCenter Server and ESX/ESXi documentation set.
  • Page 10 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide Services provides offerings to help you assess, plan, build, and manage your virtual environment. To access information about education classes, certification programs, and consulting services, go to http://www.vmware.com/services. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 11: Introduction To Vmware Vsphere

    Introduction to VMware vSphere These topics describe VMware vSphere. The following figure illustrates the basic components of VMware vSphere. Figure 1-1. VMware vSphere Components vSphere Web Access vSphere Client machines machines databases vCenter Server ESX hosts additional modules Each vCenter Server system manages multiple ESX hosts. You can run the vSphere Client and vSphere Web Access on multiple workstations.
  • Page 12 Installs on a Windows machine and is the primary method of interaction with vSphere Client VMware vSphere. The vSphere Client acts as a console to operate virtual machines and as an administration interface into the vCenter Server systems and ESX hosts.

  • Page 13: System Requirements

    ESX Hardware Requirements Using ESX requires specific hardware and system resources. 64-Bit Processor VMware ESX 4.0 will only install and run on servers with 64-bit x86 CPUs. Known 64-bit processors: All AMD Opterons support 64 bit. All Intel Xeon 3000/3200, 3100/3300, 5100/5300, 5200/5400, 7100/7300, and 7200/7400 support 64 bit.
  • Page 14 ATA and IDE disk drives – ESX supports installing and booting on either an ATA drive or ATA RAID is supported, but ensure that your specific drive controller is included in the supported hardware. IDE drives are supported for ESX installation and VMFS creation. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 15 Before you install ESX, you might need to burn the ESX installation ISO image onto DVD or USB media. Review the firmware and software that VMware has tested and has confirmed works. VMware has tested these combinations, however, other combinations might work as well.

  • Page 16: Vcenter Server And Vsphere Client Hardware Requirements

    Memory – 3GB RAM. Memory requirements might be higher if the database runs on the same machine. vCenter Server includes a service called VMware VirtualCenter Management Webservices. This service requires 128MB to 1.5GB of additional memory. The VirtualCenter Management Webservices process allocates the required memory at startup.

  • Page 17: Vcenter Server Software Requirements

    (optional), and Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable 375MB for the custom drive directory %temp% vCenter Server Software Requirements Make sure that your operating system supports vCenter Server. See the Compatibility Matrixes on the VMware vSphere documentation Web site. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 18: Vsphere Client Software Requirements

    The vSphere Client requires the Microsoft .NET 3.0 SP1 Framework. If your system does not have it installed, the vSphere Client installer installs it. For a list of supported operating systems, see the Compatibility Matrixes on the VMware vSphere documentation Web site.

  • Page 19: Supported Remote Management Firmware Versions

    Chapter 2 System Requirements VMware uses designated ports for communication. Additionally, the managed hosts are listening for data from the vCenter Server system on designated ports. If a firewall exists between any of these elements and Windows firewall service is in use, the installer opens the ports during the installation. For custom firewalls, you must manually open the required ports.
  • Page 20 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 1.45 (09.01.16) 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 1.33 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,13 DRAC 4 1.4.2_06 2,1,0,14 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 1.4.2_19 Not applicable ILO2 1.91 (07/26/2009) 1.6.0_07 2,1,0,14 1.29 (2/28/2007) 1.4.2_13 Not applicable 1.09 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 1.06 1.6.0_11 2,1,0,14 VMware, Inc.

  • Page 21: Introduction To Installing Esx

    ESX installer needs a live network connection to properly detect certain network settings, such as the host name under DHCP. IPv6 is not supported for ESX installation. Installation options that require a network connection include PXE booting the installer, accessing a remote ESX installation script, and accessing remote installation media. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 22: About The Esxconsole.vmdk

    AUTION folder or the VMDK file, the ESX host cannot reboot. VMware recommends that you allow only administrators to modify datastores and make certain that users who have permission to modify datastores are aware of the problems that occur when the folder or the file is renamed.

  • Page 23: About Esx Evaluation Mode

    ESX Installation Options This topic describes the methods for installing ESX and the information required for installation. The following methods are available for installing VMware ESX software: Graphical mode – This is the recommended method for interactive installations. Text mode – Use this method if your video controller does not function properly using graphical mode.
  • Page 24 The disk that you install the /boot partition onto The service console VMDK file must be the disk that the BIOS chooses to boot contains /swap, and /var/ from. log, by default, and any other partitions that you specify. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 25 Once you correct the system time, however, ESX saves it to the battery-backed clock, and the time will be correct on subsequent boots. For best accuracy, VMware recommends using NTP to correct and maintain the system time.
  • Page 26 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 27: Location Of The Esx Installation Media

    If you do not have an ESX installation DVD, you can create one. Procedure If you are not already logged into VMware Communities, log on using your VMware store account. Download the ISO image for ESX from the VMware download page at http://www.vmware.com/download/.
  • Page 28 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide You can type the askmedia option at the end of the boot options list. For example: Boot Options initrd=initrd.img vmkopts=debugLogToSerial:1 mem=512M askmedia The boot options list appears when you boot the installer and press F2. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 29: Booting The Esx Installer

    Performs a scripted installation with the script at <path>, ks=file://<path> which resides inside the initial ramdisk image. Performs a scripted installation with a script located at the ks=ftp://<server>/<path>/ given URL. Performs a scripted installation with a script located at the ks=http://<server>/<path> given URL. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 30: Boot The Esx Installer From The Installation Dvd

    When you boot the installer from a DVD, you use the local DVD-ROM drive or remote media, such as iLO or DRAC. Prerequisites You must have an ESX installation DVD. See “Download the ESX ISO Image and Burn the Installation DVD,” on page 27. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 31: Pxe Booting The Esx Installer

    Web server for transferring the kernel and ramdisk required to boot the ESX installer. If you use PXELINUX without gPXE, the binary, the configuration file, and the kernel and ramdisk pxelinux.0 are transferred via TFTP. VMware tests PXE booting with PXELINUX version 3.63. This is not a statement of limited support. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 32 IP & TFTP Give me the network boot loader TFTP server gpxelinux.0 Give me kernel and ramdisk Web server kernel and ramdisk Installer Give me a script starts scripts depot ks.cfg Give me media media depot RPMs ESX host VMware, Inc.
  • Page 33 When the client receives the information, it contacts the TFTP server asking for the file the DHCP server told it to ask for (in this case, the network boot loader). The TFTP server sends the network boot loader, and the client executes it. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 34 If your environment does not have a TFTP server, you can use one of the packaged appliances on the VMware Marketplace. If you do this, note that certain functions, such as correct operation of the text menu system, are operating system dependent.
  • Page 35 This sample shows how to configure the ISC DHCP server to enable gPXE. allow booting; allow bootp; # gPXE options option space gpxe; option gpxe-encap-opts code 175 = encapsulate gpxe; option gpxe.bus-id code 177 = string class "pxeclients" { VMware, Inc.
  • Page 36 PXE configuration file without gPXE is the HTTP path to the required files. See also the file on the ESX installation DVD. /isolinux/isolinux.cfg default menu.c32 menu title ESX Boot Menu timeout 30 VMware, Inc.
  • Page 37 ##local or remote media (RPM files), as specified in the installation script label scripted menu label Scripted Installation kernel test/vmlinuz append initrd=test/initrd.img vmkopts=debugLogToSerial:1 mem=512M ks=nfs://10.20.118.55/ks.cfg ##PXE boot the installer and perform an interactive installation ##with the media (RPM files) at a remote location VMware, Inc.

  • Page 38: Required Files

    MAC address of the target ESX host, prefixed with its ARP type code (01 for Ethernet). If that fails, it tries with the hexadecimal notation of target ESX system IP address. Ultimately, it tries to load a file named default VMware, Inc.
  • Page 39 DVD media. VMware recommends that instead of using the virtual CD media for the entire installation, you boot from the virtual CD, enter the askmedia option in the ESX installer boot screen, and then complete the installation with NFS, HTTP/HTTPS, or FTP.
  • Page 40 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 41: Installing Vmware Esx

    Installing VMware ESX You have multiple options for installing ESX. You can install ESX interactively or by using a script. For an interactive installation, you can use graphical mode or text mode. This chapter includes the following topics: “Install ESX Using the Graphical Mode,”...
  • Page 42 12 Configure the network settings. VMware recommends that you use a static IP address to simplify client access. If you want to use static settings but you do not have the required information, you can use DHCP for the installation and configure static settings after you consult with your network administrator.
  • Page 43 SAN disk that is masked and zoned to that particular host only. The datastore cannot be shared between hosts. Create new partitions and edit or delete the default partitions. VMware recommends that you retain the partition of 2000MB. /var/log...
  • Page 44 For ESX 4.0, mounting the partitions would not be helpful in resolving the issue. If after installation the system does not boot up, the most likely cause is that the BIOS is configured to boot from the wrong disk. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 45: Install Esx Using The Text Mode

    Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX Install ESX Using the Text Mode Use the text interface if your video controller does not function properly when you use graphical mode. Prerequisites “Prerequisites for Installing ESX,” on page 21. Procedure Choose a method for booting the installer.
  • Page 46 11 Configure the network settings. VMware recommends that you use a static IP address to simplify client access. If you want to use static settings but you do not have the required information, you can use DHCP for the installation and configure static settings after you consult with your network administrator.

  • Page 47: Installing Esx Using Scripted Mode

    Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX 18 (Optional) To specify kernel arguments for the GRUB bootloader, enter , or to skip this option, enter The software writes the arguments to the file and passes them to the ESX kernel every time ESX grub.conf...
  • Page 48 ESX host separately to assign a unique host name and IP address. VMware recommends that you use static IP addresses. The IPAPPEND PXE configuration option specifies that the same network adapter the machine boots from is also used for connecting to the network.
  • Page 49 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX Default ks-first.cfg Script The ESX installer comes with a default installation script that performs a standard installation to the first hard drive. The default script reformats the disk and sets up default partitioning. ks-first.cfg /dev/sda This default script runs if you select the ESX Scripted Install to first disk (overwrite VMFS) option in the boot options menu.
  • Page 50 Specifies the disk to partition. For the accepted disk name formats, see “Disk --disk= or --drive= Device Names,” on page 58. Partitions the first non-USB disk found. This is the same disk as found by the --firstdisk= command. clearpart --firstdisk VMware, Inc.
  • Page 51 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX <disk-type1>, You can add an optional string argument to the --firstdisk flag to select the disk types. The strings that you can use are as follows: [<disk-type2>,...] local remote Device driver name in the vmkernel You can combine multiple values in a comma-separated list to concatenate other matches onto the list of matches.
  • Page 52 Overwrites VMFS partitions on the specified drives. Required if the disk --overwritevmfs contains a VMFS partition. Initializes the disk label to the default for your architecture. --initlabel Clears partitions on the first non-USB disk found. This is the same disk as found --firstdisk= command. autopart --firstdisk <disk-type1>, [<disk-type2>,...] VMware, Inc.
  • Page 53 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX You can add an optional string argument to the --firstdisk flag to select the disk types. The strings that you can use are as follows: local remote Device driver name in the vmkernel You can combine multiple values in a comma-separated list to concatenate other matches onto the list of matches.
  • Page 54 DVD-ROM drive. For example: cdrom install cdrom Installs from the specified NFS server. For example: install nfs --server=example.com --dir=/nfs3/VMware/ESX/40 downloads across the network. For example: install url http://example.com Installs from the first USB media found to contain the installation image.
  • Page 55 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX network (optional) Configures network information for the system. Specifies network settings. --bootproto=[dhcp|static] Specifies either the MAC address of the network card or the device name, as --device= in vmnic0. This option refers to the uplink device for the virtual switch created for the service console.
  • Page 56 The service console must be installed on a VMFS datastore that is resident on a host's local disk or on a SAN disk that is masked and zoned to that particular host only. The datastore cannot be shared between hosts. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 57 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX Creates a new virtual disk. Specifies the name of the virtual disk. If you omit the --path= option, the name <name>-<system-uuid>/ of the VMDK is default-<name>.vmdk <name>/default-<name>.vmdk Specifies the size of the virtual disk in megabytes.
  • Page 58 ESX scripts generally allow file and NFS URLs. ESX command options and their values require an equal sign ( ) instead of a space. For example: --location=mbr # Correct --location mbr # Incorrect Specific command differences are noted in the following summary. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 59 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX accepteula or vmaccepteula Only in ESX. autopart Compared to kickstart, the behavior of the ESX 4.0 command is significantly different. Carefully edit autopart command in your existing scripts. autopart auth or authconfig Only in ESX.
  • Page 60 Only in ESX. Only in kickstart. harddrive interactive Only in kickstart. keyboard Optional in ESX. Mandatory in kickstart. lang Only in kickstart. langsupport Only in kickstart. lilocheck Only in kickstart. logvol Only in kickstart. mouse Only in kickstart. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 61 Chapter 6 Installing VMware ESX network Only in kickstart. --bootproto=bootp Only in ESX. --vlanid=<vlanid> Only in ESX. --addvmportgroup=(0|1) identifiers are only in kickstart. --device= ethX Only in kickstart. --nodns paranoid Only in ESX. part or partition Compared to kickstart, the behavior of the ESX 4.0 command is significantly different.
  • Page 62 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 63: Esx Partitioning

    /usr partition. VMFS volume system and services, accessible By default, the minimum size is through the service console. Also contains third-party add-on 5GB and no /usr partition is services or applications you defined. install. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 64: Optional Partitions

    Virtual disk in a VMFS volume Used for user programs and data. /var/log ext3 2000MB Virtual disk in a VMFS volume Used to store log files. The graphical and text installers create this 2000MB partition by default. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 65: Post-Installation Considerations For Esx

    Click Yes in the security warning dialog box that appears. What to do next Install the vSphere Client. Licensing the Host After you purchase a host license, VMware provides a vSphere license key. Chapter 16, “Managing ESX/ESXi and vCenter Server Licenses,” on page 121. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 66: Set An Esx/Esxi Host To Evaluation Mode

    If you entered a license for ESX, you can switch to evaluation mode to explore the full functionality of ESX. Procedure From the vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory. Click the Configuration tab. Under Software, click Licensed Features. Click Edit next to ESX License Type. Click Product Evaluation. Click OK to save your changes. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 67: Installing, Removing, And Updating Third-Party Extensions

    ESX/ESXi. For example, an extension might be a VMkernel module, a driver, or a CIM provider. VMware provides the following tools for installing, removing, and updating extensions to ESX/ESXi hosts: Graphical utility for ESXi only. See the Upgrade Guide.

  • Page 68: About The Vihostupdate Command-Line Utility

    Before you can update or patch an ESX/ESXi host from the command line, you must have access to a machine on which you can run the VMware vSphere Command-Line Interface (vSphere CLI). You can install the vSphere CLI on your Microsoft Windows or Linux system or import the VMware vSphere Management Assistant (vMA) virtual appliance onto your ESX/ESXi host.

  • Page 69: Update An Esx/Esxi Host Using A Depot With The Vihostupdate Utility

    (Optional) Remove individual bulletins. <server> --remove --bulletin bulletin1 vihostupdate.pl --server Use this option only for removing bulletins that are third-party or VMware extensions. Do not remove bulletins that are VMware patches or updates. can remove only one bulletin at a time.

  • Page 70: Remove Custom Packages On Esx Using The Service Console

    (Optional) Remove individual bulletins. vihostupdate.pl --server <server> --remove --bulletin bulletin1 Use this option only for removing bulletins that are third-party or VMware extensions. Do not remove bulletins that are VMware patches or updates. can remove only one bulletin at a time.
  • Page 71 <server> --query vihostupdate.pl --server Note the bundle ID for the bundle to uninstall. Run the command. vihostupdate <server> --remove --bulletin <bulletin ID> vihostupdate --server can remove only one bulletin at a time. vihostupdate The specified custom package is removed. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 72 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 73: Preparing The Vcenter Server Databases

    AUTION of vCenter Server. See the Upgrade Guide. VMware recommends using separate databases for vCenter Server and vCenter Update Manager. However, for a small deployments, a separate database for vCenter Update Manager might not be necessary. Each vCenter Server instance must have its own database. vCenter Server instances cannot share the same database schema.
  • Page 74 Server installer copies the file from the Oracle client install location to the vCenter Server tomcat directory (<vCenter install location>\Infrastructure\tomcat\lib) If the ojdbc14.jar file is not found in the Oracle 11g client location, the vCenter Server installer prompts you to copy the file manually. You can download the file from http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/tech/java/sqlj_jdbc/htdocs/jdbc101040.html. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 75: Create A 32-Bit Dsn On A 64-Bit Operating System

    One way to test this is by pinging the computer name. For example, if the computer name is , run the following command in the Windows command prompt: host-1.company.com ping host-1.company.com If you can ping the computer name, the name is updated in DNS. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 76: About The Bundled Microsoft Sql Server 2005 Express Database Package

    Use a Script to Create the DB2 Database Schema (Optional) on page 81 The vCenter Server installer creates the schema automatically during installation. Experienced database administrators who need more control over schema creation due to environmental constraints can optionally use a script to create their database schema. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 77 This command affects all databases in this instance. You now have a DB2 database user that you can reference in the vCenter Server installer. What to do next Add the database instance registry variables. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 78 DB2_SKIPDELETED=ON Stop and restart the database instance. db2stop force db2start These commands affect all databases in this instance. All the required registry variables are now set up. What to do next Add the client instance registry variable. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 79 To simplify the process of creating the database, you can run a DB2 script. Prerequisites Before you create the database, perform the following tasks: Configure an IBM DB2 database user and group. Add the database instance registry variables. Add the client instance registry variable. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 80 CREATE SYSTEM TEMPORARY TABLESPACE VCTEMPTS_32K PAGESIZE 32K MANAGED BY AUTOMATIC STORAGE BUFFERPOOL VCBP_32K; GRANT USE OF TABLESPACE VCTS_16K TO USER vcx WITH GRANT OPTION; GRANT USE OF TABLESPACE VCTS_32K TO USER vcx WITH GRANT OPTION; GRANT USE OF TABLESPACE VCTS_8K TO USER vcx WITH GRANT OPTION; VMware, Inc.
  • Page 81 “Configure a Connection to a Remote DB2 Database on Linux, UNIX, or Microsoft Windows,” on page 84, depending on your environment. Prerequisites Create the DB2 database and user. You can create the DB2 database manually or by using scripts. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 82 If you leave your existing database in place, you cannot join the vCenter Server to a Linked Mode group during the installation. You can join after the installation is complete. (See “Join a Linked Mode Group After Installation,” on page 111.) When prompted, provide the database user login. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 83 You do not need to save the user name and password. The DB2 database is configured. What to do next You can now install vCenter Server. When the vCenter Server installer prompts you for a DSN, point to the DSN that you created in this procedure. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 84 /etc/services You have completed the DB2 database configuration. What to do next You can now install vCenter Server. When the vCenter Server installer prompts you for a DSN, point to the DSN that you created in this procedure. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 85: Configure Microsoft Sql Server Databases

    VCDB and MSDB databases. To change this, remove the two occurrences of this line: sp_addrolemember @rolename = 'db_owner', @membername = 'vpxuser' If you remove these lines, you must also run the script that creates the vCenter Server database MPORTANT schema, instead of allowing the vCenter Server installer to create the schema. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 86 Before you use this script, create the SQL Server database. You can create the SQL Server database manually or by using a script. Procedure Create a vCenter Server database user with the db_datawriter and db_datareader permissions. Open a query analyzer window with a user having DBO rights on the vCenter Server and MSDB databases. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 87 When you install the vCenter Server system, you can establish a connection with a SQL Server database. If you use SQL Server for vCenter Server, do not use the master database. See your Microsoft SQL ODBC documentation for specific instructions regarding configuring the SQL Server ODBC connection. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 88 Finish. Type an ODBC datastore name (DSN) in the Name text box. For example, VMware vCenter Server. (Optional) Type an ODBC DSN description in the Description text box. Select the server name from the Server drop-down menu and click Next.

  • Page 89: Configure Oracle Databases

    91 The vCenter Server installer creates the schema automatically during installation. For experienced database administrators who need more control over schema creation due to environmental constraints, you can optionally use a script to create your database schema. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 90 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide Configure an Oracle Connection for Local Access on page 92 VMware recommends that the vCenter Server database be located on the same system as vCenter Server. Configure an Oracle Connection for Remote Access on page 93 A vCenter Server system can access the database remotely.
  • Page 91 Procedure Open a SQL*Plus window with a user that has schema owner rights on the vCenter Server database. Locate the dbschema scripts in the vCenter Server installation package <installation directory> /vpx/ directory. dbschema VMware, Inc.
  • Page 92 When prompted, provide the database user login. Configure an Oracle Connection for Local Access VMware recommends that the vCenter Server database be located on the same system as vCenter Server. Prerequisites Before configuring an Oracle connection, review the required database patches specified in “vCenter Server...
  • Page 93 Configure the TNS Service Name option in the ODBC DSN. The TNS Service Name is the net service name for the database to which you want to connect, in this case, VPX. You can find the net service name in the file. tnsnames.ora VMware, Inc.
  • Page 94 Server database user. Create an ODBC connection to the database. These are example settings. Data Source Name: VMware vCenter Server TNS Service Name: VPX User Id: vpxAdmin You now have a database that you can connect to locally.

  • Page 95: Introduction To Installing Vcenter Server

    If you want to keep your existing VirtualCenter configuration, see the Upgrade Guide. MPORTANT There must be no Network Address Translation (NAT) between the vCenter Server system and the hosts it will manage. Create a vCenter Server database, unless you plan to install the bundled SQL Server 2005 Express. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 96: Using A User Account For Running Vcenter Server With Sql Server

    Server system. In this case, the only requirement is that the user account is an administrator on the local machine. For SQL Server DSNs configured with Windows authentication, use the same user account for the VMware VirtualCenter Management Webservices service and the DSN user.

  • Page 97: About Installing Vcenter Server On Ipv6 Machines

    You can run the installers from a network drive, but you cannot install the software on a network drive. In Windows, you can map a network drive, run the installers from the network drive, and install the software on the local machine. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 98: Vcenter Server Components

    Note the values entered in case you need to reinstall vCenter Server and want to use the same values. VMware Knowledge Base article 1010023 contains a linked worksheet that complements Table 11-1.
  • Page 99 ESX/ESXi hosts LDAP port for the Directory Services for the local vCenter Server instance SSL port for the Directory Services for the local vCenter Server instance VMware VirtualCenter 8080 Management Webservices VMware VirtualCenter 8443 Management Webservices VMware, Inc.
  • Page 100 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 101: Installing Vcenter Server

    Download the vCenter Server Installer You must download the installer for vCenter Server, the vSphere Client, and the additional modules. Procedure Download the zip file for the vCenter Server from the VMware product page at http://www.vmware.com/products/. The installer filename is , where xx is the two-character language VMware-VIMSetup-xx-4.0.0-yyyyyy.zip...

  • Page 102: Install Vcenter Server

    Install vCenter Server vCenter Server allows you to centrally manage hosts from either a physical or virtual Windows machine, and enables the use of advanced features such as VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), VMware High Availability (HA), and VMware VMotion.
  • Page 103 Server installation might fail. 10 Select Create a standalone VMware vCenter Server instance or Join Group and click Next. Join a Linked Mode group to enable the vSphere Client to view, search, and manage data across multiple vCenter Server systems.
  • Page 104 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 105: Postinstallation Considerations For Vcenter Server

    Install the vSphere Client and make sure that you can access the vCenter Server instance. Check the license server configuration. A license server is required if this vCenter Server is managing ESX 3.x/ESXi 3.5 hosts. For information about installing the VMware License Server, see the documentation for VMware Infrastructure 3.

  • Page 106: Install The Vsphere Client

    Select I agree to the terms in the license agreement and click Next. Type your user name and company name and click Next. Select Install VMware vSphere Host Update Utility to manage host patches, updates, and upgrades from this machine and click Next.

  • Page 107: Install The Vsphere Host Update Utility

    ESX/ESXi. Click Login. If you cannot connect to the vCenter Server system, you might need to start the VMware VirtualCenter Management Webservices service manually. To do this, select Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools >...

  • Page 108: Uninstall Vmware Vsphere Components

    ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide Uninstall VMware vSphere Components The VMware vSphere components are uninstalled separately, even if they are on the same machine. You must have administrator privileges to uninstall the vCenter Server component. Uninstalling a vCenter Server system while it is running disrupts the vSphere Client connections, AUTION which can cause data loss.

  • Page 109: Creating Vcenter Server Linked Mode Groups

    “Linked Mode Troubleshooting,” on page 113 Linked Mode Prerequisites Prepare the system for joining a Linked Mode group. All the requirements for standalone vCenter Server systems apply to Linked Mode systems. See “vCenter Server Prerequisites,” on page 95. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 110: Linked Mode Considerations

    VC machine>:<installed-webservices-port>/vws Procedure Isolate the vCenter Server system from the Linked Mode group. “Isolate a vCenter Server Instance from a Linked Mode Group,” on page 112. Change the domain name or the machine name to make them match. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 111: Joining To A Linked Mode Group During And After Installation

    “Linked Mode Considerations,” on page 110. Procedure Select Start > All Programs > VMware > vCenter Server Linked Mode Configuration. Click Next. Select Modify linked mode configuration and click Next. Click Join this vCenter Server instance to an existing linked mode group or another instance and click Next.

  • Page 112: Isolate A Vcenter Server Instance From A Linked Mode Group

    You can isolate a vCenter Server instance from a Linked Mode group. Procedure Select Start > All Programs > VMware > vCenter Server Linked Mode Configuration. Click Modify linked mode configuration and click Next. Click Isolate this vCenter Server instance from linked mode group and click Next.

  • Page 113: Linked Mode Troubleshooting

    If you cannot join a vCenter Server instance, you can resolve the problem with the following actions: Ensure that the machine is grouped into the correct organizational unit in the corresponding domain controller. When you install vCenter Server, ensure that the logged in user account has administrator privileges on the machine. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 114 RPC ports for replication. When you install vCenter Server in Linked Mode, the firewall configuration on any network-based firewalls must be modified. Incorrect configuration of firewalls can cause licenses and roles to become inconsistent between instances. VMware, Inc.
  • Page 115 Chapter 14 Creating vCenter Server Linked Mode Groups Procedure Configure Windows RPC ports to generically allow selective ports for machine-to-machine RPC communication. Choose one of the following methods. Change the registry settings. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/154596/en-us. Use Microsoft's tool. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908472/en-us. RPCCfg.exe VMware, Inc.
  • Page 116 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 117: Install Additional Modules

    This procedure describes how to install vCenter Guided Consolidation as an additional module (sometimes called a plug-in) on the same machine that hosts vCenter Server or on a remote machine. The VMware vCenter Guided Consolidation service includes the following components: This service discovers computers in your network and collects performance vCenter Collector data.

  • Page 118: Install Vmware Vcenter Update Manager

    Update Manager, or you can install the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express database that is bundled with vCenter Update Manager. vCenter Update Manager can use the same database as vCenter Server, but VMware recommends that you have separate databases for vCenter Server and vCenter Update Manager. Procedure...

  • Page 119: Install Vmware Vcenter Converter

    What to do next Install the Update Manager client plug-in. See the vCenter Update Manager Administration Guide. Install VMware vCenter Converter vCenter Converter enables you to automate and simplify physical to virtual machine conversions as well as conversions between virtual machine formats.
  • Page 120 10 Select the vCenter Server identity from the drop-down menu and click Next. 11 Click Install to begin the installation. 12 Click Finish to complete the installation. vCenter Converter is installed. What to do next Install the Converter client plug-in. See the vCenter Converter Administration Guide. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 121: Managing Esx/Esxi And Vcenter Server Licenses

    For solutions, licensing can be based on processors, asset instances, virtual machines, and so on. Therefore, the licensing for a solution such as VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager might differ entirely from the licensing of another solution. For information about licensing a specific solution, see the documentation for that solution.

  • Page 122: About License Key Capacity

    The vCenter Server is an example of a product that requires this type of license. If you purchase a vCenter Server license key with a capacity greater than one, you assign one unit of the capacity to each instance of vCenter Server. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 123: About Vsphere And Vcenter Server License Keys

    Server 4.0 does not require a license server to manage ESX 4.0/ESXi 4.0 hosts. vCenter Server 4.0 requires a license server to manage ESX 3.x/ESXi 3.5 hosts. If you do not have a license server installed and you need one, download the VMware License Server from the VMware Web site.

  • Page 124: About License Inventories

    Solutions vary greatly. For example, some solutions are not licensed separately from vCenter Server. Furthermore, solutions licensing can be based on processors, asset instances, virtual machines, and so on. Therefore, for license information specific to a solution, see the documentation for that solution. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 125: Controlling License Permissions

    Though licensing is applicable to solutions as well as ESX/ESXi hosts and vCenter Server, solutions licensing management is too variable and, therefore, specific to each solution to be discussed in general terms. For information about licensing a specific solution, see the documentation for that solution. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 126: View License Information

    In this example, you select the Product view in the Licensing Report window. In the Evaluation Mode list, right-click a vCenter Server instance and select Change license key. You can then assign a license key that is in the license inventory or add a new license key and assign it in a single operation. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 127: Add A License Key To The License Inventory And Assign It To An Asset

    From a vSphere Client host that is connected to a vCenter Server system, select Home > Licensing. Click Manage vSphere Licenses. In the Add License Keys text area, enter license keys one per line. You can paste a list of keys in one operation. (Optional) Type a brief description of the keys. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 128: Assign A License Key To Multiple Assets

    The capacity of the license key must be greater than or equal to the sum of the asset CPUs. If you are not ready to remove any license keys, click Next to skip the Remove License Keys page and click Finish to save your changes. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 129: Export Report Data

    Select the view that you want to export. Product License key Asset From the report screen, click Export. In the Save As dialog box, select a folder, a filename, and a format for the exported license data and click Save. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 130: License A Host Without Vcenter Server

    If you try to configure features that are not included in the host license, the vSphere Client displays an error message. Procedure From the vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory. Click the Configuration tab. Under Software, click Licensed Features. The Licensed Features window displays the list of features that you can configure on the host. VMware, Inc.

  • Page 131: Set An Esx/Esxi Host To Evaluation Mode

    ESXi 4.0 hosts and environments that have a mixture of ESX 4.0/ESXi 4.0 and legacy ESX 3.x/ESXi 3.5 hosts. If you cannot resolve the problem, contact VMware for support as follows: If you have difficulties in configuring licensed features, file a support request at http://www.vmware.com/support.
  • Page 132 VMotion and DRS. You must assign Enterprise licenses to the ESX hosts or disable VMotion and DRS. For detailed information about how to disable features, see the VMware Knowledge Base. Also, make sure you are applying the correct license key, as follows: To license vCenter Server assets, you must apply a vCenter Server license key.
  • Page 133 When you switch your vCenter Server system and ESX from evaluation mode to licensed mode, consider the following: If a vCenter Server system is managing VMware Infrastructure 3 hosts (for example, ESX 3.x or ESXi 3.5), the vCenter Server system must have access to a license server. You can download the VMware License Server from the VMware Web site.
  • Page 134 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

  • Page 135: Index

    ESX installer 29 DBO privileges 85 booting the ESX installer from the DVD 30 default installation scripts 48 bootloader 50 default root password 48 bootloader kernel options 29 depot, for patching ESX/ESXi 69 bootstrap commands 29 VMware, Inc.
  • Page 136 39 Windows 114 keyboard command 50 firewall command 50 kickstart, differences with ESX 58 firewallport command 50 kickstart commands 58 FTP 31 kickstart file, creating 48 ks-first-safe.cfg 48 ks-first.cfg 48 global data 111, 112 Global.licenses permission 125 VMware, Inc.
  • Page 137 636 18 Microsoft .NET Framework 18, 98 port 80 18 Microsoft SQL Native Client 76 ports Microsoft SQL Server, requirements 73 configuring 18 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express 76, 98 firewall 18 ports 1025 through 65535 18 VMware, Inc.
  • Page 138 URLs 97, 110, 113 first detected disk 49 DB2 database (local) 83 scripted installation of ESX 47, 49 DB2 database (remote) 84 SCSI 13 downloading the installer 101 SCSI disks 13 hardware requirements 16 SDK 97, 110, 113 VMware, Inc.
  • Page 139 68, 69 vSphere Host Update Utility virtual CD 39 installing 107 virtual disk 22, 63 patching hosts 67 virtual machine, installing vCenter Server in 101 vSphere license 123 virtual machines, requirements 18 VWS 97, 110, 113 virtualdisk command 50 VMware, Inc.
  • Page 140 ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide VMware, Inc.

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Vcenter server 4.0Esx 4.0

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