1. VMware vCenter Server
Module 4

2. Introduction to VMware Virtualization Installing VMware ESX and ESXi
You Are Here
vSphere Environment
Operations
Introduction to VMware Virtualization
Access Control
VMware ESX and ESXi
Resource Monitoring
VMware vCenter Server
Data Protection
Networking
Scalability
Storage
High Availability
Virtual Machines
Patch Management
Installing VMware ESX and ESXi
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3. Importance
VMware vCenter™ Server allows you to centrally manage multiple VMware® ESX™/ESXi hosts and their virtual machines. Failure to properly install, configure, and manage vCenter Server could result in reduced administrative efficiency or possible ESX/ESXi host and virtual machine downtime.
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4. Module Lessons Lesson 1: Installing vCenter Server
Lesson 2: Using vCenter Server
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5. Lesson 1: Installing vCenter Server
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6. Lesson Objectives Describe the vCenter Server architecture
Describe the vCenter Server components
Install vCenter Server
Install the VMware vSphere™ Client
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7. vCenter Server: Management Platform
VMware vCenter Server is a service that acts as a central administration point for ESX/ESXi hosts and their virtual machines, connected on a network:
Up to 1,000 hosts per vCenter Server instance
Up to 10,000 powered-on virtual machines per vCenter Server instance
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8. vCenter Architecture
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9. vCenter Server Components
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10. Additional vCenter Server Modules
Optional vCenter Server modules (plug-ins) provide additional features to vCenter Server.
Examples:
VMware vCenter Update Manager
VMware vCenter Converter
These modules include a server component and a client component:
The client component is a plug-in available for download and installation to the vSphere Client after the server component is installed in vCenter Server.
The client component alters the interface by adding items related to the enhanced functionality.
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11. vCenter Server: Physical or Virtual Machine
When using a physical machine:
A dedicated physical server is required.
vCenter Server is not susceptible to potential VMware vSphere outage.
vCenter Server performance is limited only by the system hardware.
When using a virtual machine:
A dedicated physical server is not required.
vCenter Server is susceptible to potential vSphere outage.
The vCenter Server instance can be migrated from one system to another during maintenance activities.
vCenter Server must contend for resources with the other virtual machines on the host.
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12. vCenter Server Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware requirements (physical or virtual machine):
Number of CPUs – Two 64-bit CPUs or one 64-bit dual-core processor
Processor – 2.0GHz or higher Intel or AMD processor*
Memory – 3GB RAM minimum*
Disk storage – 3GB minimum*
Networking – Gigabit connection recommended
* Higher if database runs on the same machine
Software requirements:
64-bit operating system is required.
Examples of guest operating systems supported:
Windows XP Pro 64-bit, SP2, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise SP2, Windows 2008 R2 64-bit
See “vSphere Compatibility Matrixes.”
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13. vCenter Database Requirements
Each vCenter Server instance must have a connection to a database to organize all the configuration data.
Supported databases:
Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Oracle 10g and 11g
IBM DB2 9.5
Default database – Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express:
Bundled with vCenter Server
Used for product evaluations and demos
Also used for small deployments (up to five hosts and 50 virtual machines)
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14. Calculating the Database Size
Use the VMware vCenter Server 4.x Database Sizing Calculator:
For Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle
Or use the what-if calculator built in to vCenter Server.
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15. Before Installing vCenter Server
Before beginning the vCenter Server installation, make sure that the following prerequisites are met:
Ensure that vCenter Server hardware and software requirements are met.
Ensure that the vCenter Server system belongs to a domain rather than a workgroup.
Create a vCenter Server database, unless you are using the default database.
Obtain and assign static IP address and host name to the vCenter Server system.
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16. Installing vCenter Server and Its Components
Use the VMware vCenter Installer to install vCenter Server and its components.
Install vCenter Server.
Install additional modules, such as Update Manager and vCenter Converter.
Install the vSphere Client.
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17. vCenter Server Installation Wizard
The vCenter Server Installation wizard asks for the following data.
Parameter
Description
User name and organization
User identification
License key
Evaluation or valid license key
Database information
Default database or remote database connection information
SYSTEM account information
User for running the vCenter Server service
Destination folder
Software location
Standalone or join a Linked Mode group
Standalone instance (vCenter Linked Mode is discussed in a later module.)
Ports
Ports used for communicating with client interfaces and managed hosts
JVM memory
JVM memory configuration for the vCenter Server Web service
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18. vCenter Server Services
vCenter Server is installed on a Windows system.
After it is installed, vCenter Server services can be managed from the Windows Control Panel (Administrative Tools > Services).
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19. Installing the vSphere Client
The vSphere Client is an interface used to connect remotely to vCenter Server from a Windows system.
Two ways to install the vSphere Client:
Use the VMware vCenter Installer.
Download the client from the main Web page of the vCenter Server system.
Point to the vCenter Server.
Download the vSphere Client to a supported Windows system.
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20. Logging In to the vSphere Client
To log in to the vSphere Client, enter:
Host name or IP address of the vCenter Server system
Windows user and password
(Optional) Use your Windows session credentials.
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21. Default vCenter Server Plug-Ins
vCenter Server is installed with a set of default plug-ins.
To install a new plug-in, use the Plug-in Manager in the vSphere Client.
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22. Lab 2 In this lab, you will install vCenter Server components.
Access your vCenter Server system.
Configure a SQL Server ODBC connection to a remote database.
Install vCenter Server.
Install the vSphere Client on the vCenter Server system.
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23. Lesson Summary Describe the vCenter Server architecture
Describe the vCenter Server components
Install vCenter Server
Install the vSphere Client
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24. Lesson 2: Using vCenter Server
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25. Lesson Objectives Create and organize vCenter Server inventory objects
Navigate using the vSphere Client
Add license keys to vCenter Server
View vCenter Server logs and events
Create a vCenter Server administrator
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26. Datacenter Object
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27. Organizing Inventory Objects into Folders
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28. Navigating the vSphere Client
Home page
search box
navigation bar
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29. vCenter Server Views: Hosts and Clusters, VMs and Templates
Hosts and Clusters inventory view
VMs and Templates inventory view
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30. vCenter Server Views: Datastores and Networks
Datastores inventory view
Networking inventory view
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31. Adding a Host to the vCenter Server Inventory
To add an ESX/ESXi host to the vCenter Server inventory, use the Add Host wizard. Specify:
Fully qualified domain name
User name and password
(ESXi hosts only) Lockdown mode enabled
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32. ESX/ESXi and vCenter Server Communication
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33. vCenter License Overview
Licenses are managed and monitored from vCenter Server.
Licensing consists of:
Product – License to use a vSphere software component or feature
License key – 25-character string that corresponds to a product
Asset – Machine on which a product is installed
product
license key
assets
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34. details of selected event
vCenter Server Events
event search
details of selected event
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35. vCenter Server System Logs
log search
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36. Creating a vCenter Server Administrator
Avoid using the Windows Administrator user to run vCenter Server after it has been installed.
By default, the Windows local Administrators group is given the vCenter Server role named Administrator.
Use a nonadministrative Windows account to run vCenter Server.
Group vSphereAdmins and user Rawlinson are assigned the vCenter Server Administrator role.
Remove the Windows Administrators group from the list.
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37. Lab 3
In this lab, you will perform basic vCenter Server inventory operations.
Log in to the vCenter Server system from your desktop virtual machine.
Add your ESXi host to the vCenter Server inventory.
Create folder objects.
Manage vSphere license keys.
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38. Lesson Summary Create and organize vCenter Server inventory objects
Navigate using the vSphere Client
Add license keys to vCenter Server
View vCenter Server logs and events
Create a vCenter Server administrator
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39. Key Points
The vCenter architecture consists of vCenter Server, the vCenter Server database, Active Directory, and managed ESX/ESXi hosts.
Use the inventory views to organize inventory objects in a meaningful way.
It is a good practice to assign the vCenter Server Administrator role to a normal Windows user account and to remove this role from the Windows Administrator group.
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