ESX Server Setup

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide
ESX Server 3i version 3.5 Installable and VirtualCenter 2.5
ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide Revision: 20090612 Item: VI-ENG-Q407-447
You can find the most up-to-date technical documentation on our Web site at http://www.vmware.com/support/ The VMware Web site also provides the latest product updates. If you have comments about this documentation, submit your feedback to: docfeedback@vmware.com
20072009 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws. VMware products are covered by one or more patents listed at http://www.vmware.com/go/patents. VMware, the VMware boxes logo and design, Virtual SMP and VMotion are registered trademarks or trademarks 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. VMware VirtualCenter 2.5 is distributed with certain third party technology licensed from Tom Sawyer Software. Tom Sawyer Visualization (c) 2004 Tom Sawyer Software, Oakland, California. All Rights Reserved.
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Contents
AboutThisBook
1 IntroductiontoVMwareInfrastructure 13
VMwareInfrastructureataGlance AboutESX Server 3i 16 14
2 InstallingESX Server 3i 19
AboutInstallingESX Server 3i 19 ESX Server 3iRequirements 20 MinimumServerHardwareRequirements 20 EnhancedPerformanceRecommendations 21 HardwareandSoftwareCompatibilityGuides 22 InstallingESX Server 3i 23 WheretoGoNext 24
3 SettingUpESX Server 3i 25
NetworkAccesstoYourESXServer3iHost 26 SettinguptheDirectConsoleUserInterface 27 ConfiguringtheKeyboardLayout 27 ConfiguringaSecurityBannerfortheDirectConsole ConfiguringESX Server 3iBootSettings 28 SelectingtheBootDevice 28 ConfiguringtheBootSettingforESX Server 3i 29 ConfiguringtheBootSettingforAnotherMode 29 ConfiguringtheBootSettingforVirtualMedia 30 ConfiguringNetworkSettings 31 ChoosingNICSfortheManagementNetwork 31 SettingtheVLANID 31 ConfiguringIPSettings 32 ConfiguringDNS 33 ConfiguringDNSSuffixes 34 TestingNetworkConnectivity 34
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ConfiguringStorageBehavior 35 ConfiguringtheScratchPartition 35 ConfiguringESX Server 3iSecurity 37 RecordingtheESX Server 3iSerialNumber 37 ConfiguringtheAdministrativePassword 38 ConfiguringLockdownMode 38 ResettingtheConfigurationDefaults 39 ManagingESX Server 3iRemotely 40 RestartingManagementAgents 41 ViewingSystemLogs 41
4 BackingUpandRestoringESX Server 3i 43
AboutBackingUpandRestoringanESX Server 3iConfiguration 44 ConsiderationsWhenUsingtheRemoteCLIVirtualAppliance 44 BackingUpESX Server 3iConfigurationData 45 RestoringESX Server 3iConfigurationData 46 RecoveringtheESX Server 3i InstallableSoftware 47 RemovingESX Server 3ifromthehost 49
5 AddingESX Server 3itoVMwareInfrastructure 51

VirtualCenter 51 VirtualMachines 52 VirtualMachineTools 52 ESXServerUpgrades 52
6 VMwareInfrastructureSystemRequirements 53
VirtualCenterRequirements 53 VirtualCenterHardwareRequirements 54 VirtualCenterSoftwareRequirements 54 VirtualCenterDatabaseRequirements 55 EndofSupportLifeforMicrosoftAccessandMSDEDatabases VI ClientHardwareRequirements 55 VI ClientSoftwareRequirements 56 LicenseServerRequirements 56 SupportedGuestOperatingSystems 57 VirtualMachineRequirements 57 VirtualProcessor 57 VirtualChipSet 57 VirtualBIOS 58
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Contents
7 VirtualCenterandESX Server 3iLicensingOverview 59

LicensingTerminology 60 ESX Server 3iEditions 60 VirtualCenter ServerEditions 62 VirtualCenterandESX Server 3iLicensingModel 62 SingleHostandCentralizedLicenseTypes 62 CentralizedLicensing 64 SingleHostLicensing 64 LicenseKeyFunctionality 65 PerProcessorLicensing 66 PerInstanceLicensing 68 LicenseExpirationConsiderations 68 LicenseServerAvailability 68 UsinganExistingFLEXnetLicenseServer 72 ContactingSupport 73
8 RunningVMwareVirtualCenterandVMware ESX Server

in EvaluationMode 75
UsingEvaluationModeforESX Server 75 UsingEvaluationModeforVirtualCenter 76 LicensingVirtualCenterandESX ServerAftertheEvaluationPeriodExpires 76 ConsiderationswhenSwitchingESX ServerandVirtualCentertoLicensed Modes 77
9 LicensingVirtualCenterandESX Server 3i 79
LicensingProcess 80 ObtainingLicenseFiles 83 SettingUpCentralizedLicensing 83 InstallingLicenseFiles 83 LocationoftheLicenseServer 84 ConfiguringCentralizedLicensing 84 DefaultLicenseServerPorts 87 ChangingfromSingleHosttoCentralizedLicensing 87 SettingUpSingleHostLicensing 88 ConfiguringanESX Server 3iMachinetoUseaHostBasedSerialNumber 88 ConfiguringanESX ServerMachineforHostBasedLicensing 88 SingleHostandCentralizedLicensingintheSameEnvironment 89 ConfiguringLicensingforaMixedESX Server2.xandESX Server3.x Environment 90 ChangingfromCentralizedtoSingleHostLicensing 90
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LicenseFileContents 91 LicenseFileLocations 93 AddingNewLicenseFilestoLicenseServers 93 AddingNewLicenseFilestoSingleHosts 94 InstallingaLicenseServer 95 TroubleshootingLicensing 96 ReceivingLicenseActivationCodes 96 CheckingtheLicenseServer 96 CheckingtheLicenseFile 98 CheckingLicenseConfiguration 99
10 InstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagement 101
PreparingtheVirtualCenter ServerDatabase 101 ConfiguringYourVirtualCenterDatabase 102 ConfiguringanOracleConnectiontoWorkLocally 102 ConfiguringanOracleConnectiontoWorkRemotely 103 ConfiguringaSQLServerODBCConnection 104 ConfiguringMicrosoftSQLServer2005Express 106 MaintainingYourVirtualCenterDatabase 107 InstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementSoftware 107 VirtualCenterInstallationPrerequisites 107 ComponentsInstalled 108 InstallationProcedure 109 ConfiguringCommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponents 111 ConnectingtoYourVirtualCenter ServerThroughaFirewall 112 ConnectingtoYourManagedHostsThroughaFirewall 112 ConnectingHostswiththeLicenseServerThroughaFirewall 113 UninstallingVMwareInfrastructureComponents 113 InstallingVirtualCenteronaVirtualMachine 114
11 MaintainingESX Server 3iandtheVI Client 115

PerformingMaintenancewithInfrastructureUpdate 115 SystemRequirementsforInfrastructure Update 116 SchedulingAutomaticUpdateNotifications 116 SelectingHoststoBeManaged 117 InstallingAvailableUpdates 117 DisablingAutomaticUpdateNotifications 118 ManuallyCheckingforAvailableUpdates 118 UsingRemovableMediatoInstallUpdates 118
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PerformingMaintenancewiththevihostupdateUtility 119 HowthevihostupdateMaintenanceUtilityInstallsSoftwareUpdates 120 OptionsforthevihostupdateUtility 121 Examples:thevihostupdateUtility 121 RollingBackanUpdate 122
12 MonitoringtheConditionofESX Server 3i 123

Index 125
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About This Book
Thismanual,theESXServer3iInstallableSetupGuide,describeshowtoinstallandset upnewconfigurationsofVMware VirtualCenterandESX Server 3i.Itdiscusses ESX Server 3ionly.ToreadaboutESX Server 3.5,see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html. Foreaseofdiscussion,thisbookusesthefollowingproductnamingconventions: FortopicsspecifictoESXServer3.5,thisbookusesthetermESXServer3. FortopicsspecifictoESXServer3iversion3.5,thisbookusestheterm ESX Server 3i. Fortopicscommontobothproducts,thisbookusesthetermESXServer. Whentheidentificationofaspecificreleaseisimportanttoadiscussion,thisbook referstotheproductbyitsfull,versionedname. WhenadiscussionappliestoallversionsofESXServerforVMwareInfrastructure 3,thisbookusesthetermESXServer3.x.
Intended Audience
Thismanualisintendedforanyonewhoneedstoinstall,setup,orrepair ESX Server 3i Installable.Theinformationinthismanualiswrittenforexperienced WindowsorLinuxsystemadministratorswhoarefamiliarwithvirtualmachine technologyanddatacenteroperations.
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Document Feedback
VMwarewelcomesyoursuggestionsforimprovingourdocumentation.Ifyouhave comments,sendyourfeedbackto: docfeedback@vmware.com
VMware Infrastructure Documentation

TheVMwareInfrastructuredocumentationconsistsofthecombinedVMware VirtualCenterandESXServerdocumentationset.
Abbreviations Used in Figures

ThefiguresinthismanualusetheabbreviationslistedinTable 1. Table 1. Abbreviations
Abbreviation database datastore dsk# hostn SAN tmplt user# VC VM# Description VirtualCenterdatabase Storageforthemanagedhost Storagediskforthemanagedhost VirtualCentermanagedhosts Storageareanetworktypedatastoresharedbetweenmanagedhosts Template Userwithaccesspermissions VirtualCenter Virtualmachinesonamanagedhost
Technical Support and Education Resources

Thefollowingsectionsdescribethetechnicalsupportresourcesavailabletoyou.You canaccessthemostcurrentversionsofthismanualandotherbooksbygoingto: http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs
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About This Book
Online and Telephone Support

Useonlinesupporttosubmittechnicalsupportrequests,viewyourproductand contractinformation,andregisteryourproducts.Goto http://www.vmware.com/support. Customerswithappropriatesupportcontractsshouldusetelephonesupportforthe fastestresponseonpriority1issues.Goto http://www.vmware.com/support/phone_support.html.
Support Offerings
FindouthowVMwaresupportofferingscanhelpmeetyourbusinessneeds.Goto http://www.vmware.com/support/services.
VMware Education Services

VMwarecoursesofferextensivehandsonlabs,casestudyexamples,andcourse materialsdesignedtobeusedasonthejobreferencetools.Formoreinformationabout VMwareEducationServices,gotohttp://mylearn1.vmware.com/mgrreg/index.cfm.
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Introduction to VMware Infrastructure
ThisbookdescribesVMwareESX Server 3iandVMwareVirtualCenter.Thischapter describesthecomponentsindividually,tohelpyoudecidewhichcomponentsto install.ThefollowingsectionsintroduceVMwareESX Server 3iandVirtualCenter. VMwareInfrastructureataGlanceonpage 14 AboutESX Server 3ionpage 16
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VMware Infrastructure at a Glance

Figure 11illustratesthesixbasiccomponentsofVMwareInfrastructure.Thefigure showsthelicenseserveronaseparatemachine.Youcaninstallthelicenseserveronthe samemachinethathostsVirtualCenter. Figure 1-1. VMware Infrastructure Components
VMware Infrastructure Client
license server
ESX Server 3i hosts
VirtualCenter
database
OneVirtualCenter ServermanagesmultipleESX Server 3ihosts. Eachshadedblockrepresentsaseparateinstallerorprocedure.TheVMware InfrastructureClient(VI Client)appearstwice,becauseyoucanrunitonmultiple workstations.
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Chapter 1 Introduction to VMware Infrastructure
ThemajorcomponentsofVMwareInfrastructureare: VMwareESX Server 3iProvidesavirtualizationlayerthatabstractsthe processor,memory,storage,andnetworkingresourcesofthephysicalhostinto multiplevirtualmachines.YoucaninstallESX Server 3ionanyharddriveonyour server.SeetheESX Server 3i InstallableSetupGuide. VMwareVirtualCenter Server(VirtualCenter)InstallsonaWindowsmachine, eitherphysicalorvirtual,tocentrallymanageyourVMwareESX Server 3ihosts andVMwareServerhosts.VirtualCenterallowstheuseofadvancedVMware InfrastructurefeaturessuchasVMwareDRS,VMwareHA,andVMware VMotion. AVMwareSDKWebserviceisinstalledwithVirtualCenter.SeeConfiguring CommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 111. VirtualCenterPluginsOptionalapplicationsthatprovideadditional capabilitiesandfeaturestoVirtualCenter.Generally,pluginsarereleased separately,installontopofVirtualCenter,andcanbeupgradedindependently. Youcaninstallservercomponentsofpluginsonthesamecomputerwherethe VirtualCenter Serverresides,oronaseparateone.Aftertheservercomponentof apluginisinstalled,youcanactivatethepluginsclientcomponent,which enhancestheVI ClientwithappropriateUIoptions. Documentationprovidedwitheachpluginoffersinformationabouthowserver componentsofpluginsareinstalled. Forinformationabouthowtoinstalltheclientcomponent,verifywhichplugins arealreadyinstalled,andhowtodisableoruninstallpluginsthatyouarenot using,seeBasicSystemAdministration. Thefollowingpluginsareavailable: VMwareConverterConvertsphysicalorvirtualmachinesinto ESX Server 3ivirtualmachines.Afterconvertingthevirtualmachines,you canaddthemtoyourVirtualCenterinventory. VMwareUpdateManagerProvidessecuritymonitoringandpatching supportforESX Server 3ihostsandvirtualmachines. Inadditiontoanindependentservercomponentinstallation,thisrelease supportsthecombinedinstallationfortheVirtualCenter Serverand Update Manager.FormoreinformationoninstallingtheVMwareUpdate ManagerservercomponentalongwithVirtualCenter,seeConfiguring CommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 111.If upgrading,seetheUpgradeGuide.ForgeneralinformationonUpdate Manager,seetheVMwareUpdateManagerAdministrationGuide.
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VI ClientInstallsonaWindowsmachineandistheprimarymethodof interactionwithVMwareInfrastructure.TheVI Clientactsas: Aconsoletooperatevirtualmachines. AnadministrationinterfaceintotheVirtualCenter ServerandESX Server 3i hosts. LicenseserverInstallsonaWindowssystemtoauthorizeVirtualCenterhosts andESX Server 3ihostsappropriatelyforyourlicensingagreement. AdministratorsmakechangestosoftwarelicensesusingtheVI Client.SeeSetting UpCentralizedLicensingonpage 83. DatabaseVirtualCenterusesadatabasetoorganizealltheconfigurationdatafor theVMwareInfrastructureenvironment.Forsmalldeployments,thebundled MicrosoftSQLServer2005Expressdatabaseletsyousetupalimitednumbersof hostsandvirtualmachines(5hostsand50virtualmachines).VirtualCenter supportsseveralotherdatabaseproductsforlargerdeployments.SeePreparing theVirtualCenter ServerDatabaseonpage 101.
About ESX Server 3i

AnESXServer3ihostisaphysicalserverthatcontainsanESXServerimageinstalled onalocalharddrive. WhenyoufirstbootuptheESX Server 3ihost,youusethedirectconsoleuserinterface forinitialconfigurationandtroubleshootingoftheESXServersoftware.Thedirect consoleappearsifyouattachamonitortothehost.IfyouinstalltheVMware InfrastructureManagementsoftware,youcanalsousetheVMwareInfrastructure clientapplicationstomanagethehost. WhenyoupowerontheESXServer3ihostforthefirsttime(orwhenyoupoweronthe hostafteryouresetthehosttotheconfigurationdefaults),thehostentersabootup phaseduringwhichsystemnetworkandstoragedevicesareconfiguredwithdefaults. ThedefaultbehaviorfornetworkingisfortheDynamicHostConfigurationProtocol (DHCP)toconfigureIP.Thedefaultbehaviorforstorageisforallvisibleblankinternal diskstobeformattedwiththevirtualmachinefilesystem(VMFS)sothatvirtual machinescanbestoredonthedisks. Afterthehostcompletesthebootupphase,thedirectconsoleappearsontheattached monitor.Usingakeyboardandmonitorattachedtothehost,youcanexaminethe defaultnetworkconfigurationappliedduringthebootupphaseandchangeany settingsthatarenotcompatiblewithyournetworkenvironment.
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Chapter 1 Introduction to VMware Infrastructure
Keyoperationsavailabletoyouinthedirectconsoleinclude: ConfiguringESX Server 3ihostdefaults Settingupadministrativeaccess TroubleshootingESX Server 3i ForinformationaboutsettingupyourESX Server 3ihostandusingthedirectconsole, seeSettingUpESX Server 3ionpage 25. ForinformationaboutinstallingESX Server 3i,seeInstallingESX Server 3ion page 19.
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Installing ESX Server 3i
ThischapterprovidesESX Server 3i Installablesystemrequirementsandinstructions onhowtoinstalltheESX Server 3isoftware. Seethefollowingtopics: AboutInstallingESX Server 3ionpage 19 ESX Server 3iRequirementsonpage 20 InstallingESX Server 3ionpage 23 WheretoGoNextonpage 24
About Installing ESX Server 3i

YouusetheESX Server 3iCDROMtoinstalltheESX Server 3isoftwareontoaSATA, SAS,orSCSIharddrive.InstallingonaUSBdrive,anIDE/ATAdrive,oraSANbased drive,suchasFCSANoriSCSISAN,iscurrentlynotsupported. Duringtheinstallationoperation,theinstallerreformatsandpartitionsthefirst750MB ofthetargetdiskandinstallstheESX Server 3ibootimage.Alldatalocatedonthispart ofthedrivewillbeoverwritten.Thisincludeshardwarevendorpartitions,operating systempartitions,previousversionsofESX Server,ESX Serverconfigurationsettings, andassociateddata.Toensureyoudontloseanydata,migratethedatatoanother machinebeforeyouinstallESXServer3i. AfterESX Server 3iisinstalled,youmustrebootthehost.Duringtherebootoperation, theVFATscratchpartitioniscreatedonthediskfromwhichtheESX Server3ihostis booting.EachblankdiskontheinstallationharddriveisformattedandtheVMFS3 partitioniscreated.
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Aftertheinstallationiscomplete,youcanmigrateexistingVMFSdatatothe ESX Server 3i Installablehost.Forinformationonmigratingdata,seetheUpgrade Guide.
ESX Server 3i Requirements

Thissectiondiscussestheminimumhardwareconfigurationssupportedby ESX Server 3i.
Minimum Server Hardware Requirements

Youneedthefollowinghardwareandsystemresourcestoinstallanduse ESX Server 3i: Oneofthefollowingservers: Dell2950 HPDL380(Experimentalsupport) Atleasttwoprocessorsofoneofthefollowingtypes: 1500 MHzIntelXeonandlaterorAMDOpteron(32bitmode)for ESX Server 3i 1500 MHzIntelXeonandlaterorAMDOpteron(32bitmode)forVirtual SMP 1500 MHzIntelViivorAMDA64x2dualcoreprocessors 1GBRAMminimum. OneormoreofthefollowingEthernetcontrollers. BroadcomNetXtreme570xgigabitcontrollers IntelPRO/1000adapters NOTEThe3Com3c990driverdoesnotsupportallrevisionsofthe3c990. For example,3CR990Bisincompatible. OneofthefollowingSCSIadapterorinternalRAIDcontroller: BasicSCSIcontrollersAdaptecUltra160andUltra320,LSILogic FusionMPT,andmostNCR/SymbiosSCSIcontrollers. RAIDadaptersDellPercRAID(AdaptecRAIDandLSIMegaRAID),and IBM(Adaptec)ServeRAIDcontrollers.
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Chapter 2 Installing ESX Server 3i
ASCSIdiskoralocal(nonnetwork)RAIDLUNwithunpartitionedspaceforthe virtualmachines. ForSATA,adiskconnectedthroughsupporteddualSASSATAcontrollers. NOTEYoucannotconnectaSATACDROMdevicetoaVirtualMachineonan ESXServer3ihost.TousetheSATACDROMdeviceyoumustuseIDEemulation mode. ESX Server 3i Installablesupportsinstallingonandbootingfromthefollowingstorage systems: SerialATA(SATA)diskdrivesWhenpluggedintodualSATA/SAScontrollers, supportedforinstallingESX Server 3iandforstoringvirtualmachines.Ensure thatyourSATAdrivesareconnectedthroughsupportedcontrollers. NOTESharingVMFSdatastoresonSATAdisksacrossmultipleESX Server 3i hostsisnotsupported. SCSIdiskdrivesSupportedforinstallingESX Server 3iandforstoringvirtual machines. SerialAttachedSCSI(SAS)diskdrivesSupportedforinstallingESX Server 3i andforstoringvirtualmachinesonVMFSpartitions.
Enhanced Performance Recommendations

TherequirementslistedintheprevioussectionsareforabasicESX Server 3i configuration.Inpractice,youcanusemultiplephysicaldisks,whichincludeSCSI disks,RAIDLUNs,andsoon. NOTEYoucannotinstallESX Server 3ionaLUN,butyoucancreateyourvirtual machinesonone. Considerthefollowingrecommendationsforenhancedperformance: RAMSufficientRAMforallyourvirtualmachinesisimportanttoachieving goodperformance.ESX Server 3ihostsrequiremoreRAMthantypicalservers.An ESX Server 3ihostmustbeequippedwithsufficientRAMtorunconcurrent virtualmachines.
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For example,operatingfourvirtualmachineswithRed Hat Enterprise Linuxor Windows XPrequiresthatyourESX Server 3ihostbeequippedwithoverone gigabyteofRAMforbaselineperformance.ThisincludesRAMforthe ESX Server 3ibootimageandapproximately1024MBforthevirtualmachines (256MBminimumperoperatingsystemasrecommendedbyvendors 4). Runningtheseexamplevirtualmachineswithamorereasonable512MBRAM requiresthattheESX Server 3ihostbeequippedwithapproximately2.2GBRAM, whichincludes2048MBforthevirtualmachines(512MB 4). Thesecalculationsdonottakeintoaccountpossiblememorysavingsfromusing variableoverheadmemoryforeachvirtualmachine.See theResourceManagement Guide. DedicatedfastEthernetadaptersforvirtualmachinesPlacethemanagement networkandvirtualmachinenetworksondifferentphysicalnetworkcards. DedicatedgigabitEthernetcardsforvirtualmachines,suchasIntelPRO/1000 adapters,improvethroughputtovirtualmachineswithhighnetworktraffic. DisklocationPlacealldatausedbyyourvirtualmachinesonphysicaldisks allocatedspecificallytovirtualmachines.Performanceisbetterwhenyoudonot placeyourvirtualmachinesonthediskcontainingtheESX Server 3iInstallable bootimage.Usephysicaldisksthatarelargeenoughtoholddiskimagestobeused byallthevirtualmachines. VMFS3partitioningTheESX Server 3iinstallercreatestheinitialVMFS volumesautomatically.Toadddisksormodifytheoriginalconfiguration,use VI ClientorVIWebAccess.Bothapplicationsensurethatthestartingsectorsof partitionsare64Kaligned,whichimprovesstorageperformance. ProcessorsFasterprocessorsimproveESX Server 3iperformance.Forcertain workloads,largercachesimproveESX Server 3iperformance. HardwarecompatibilityUsedevicesinyourserverthataresupportedby ESX Server 3idrivers.SeetheESX ServerI/OCompatibilityGuide.
Hardware and Software Compatibility Guides

Formoreinformationaboutsupportedhardwareandsoftware,downloadthe followingESX Server 3icompatibilityguidesfrom www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html. SystemscompatibilityListsthestandardoperatingsystemsandserver platformsagainstwhichVMwaretests.
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Chapter 2 Installing ESX Server 3i
I/OcompatibilityListsdevicesthatareaccesseddirectlythroughdevicedrivers intheESX Serverhost. StoragecompatibilityListsthecombinationsofHBAsandstoragedevices currentlytestedbyVMwareanditsstoragepartners. BackupsoftwarecompatibilityDescribesthebackuppackagestestedby VMware. VMwareInfrastructureCompatibilityMatrixesContainscompatibility matrixesforVMwareInfrastructurecomponents,includingESX Server, VirtualCenter,VIClient,andVMwareConsolidatedBackup.
Installing ESX Server 3i

Thefollowingprocedurepresumesyouareusingakeyboardandmonitorattachedto thehost. NOTEBeforeyoubegin,VMwaresuggestsyoudisconnectyournetworkconnections. Thisdecreasesthetimeittakestheinstallertosearchforavailablediskdrives. To install ESX Server 3i 1 2 InserttheESX Server 3i InstallableCDintotheCDdrive. SettheBIOStobootfromtheCD. TheESX ServerrunsthroughitsbootprocessuntiltheWelcomescreendisplays.If thisscreendoesnotdisplay,dothefollowing: a b Rebootthemachine. PressthekeyrequiredtoenteryourmachinesBIOSSetuppage. ThiskeyisoftenF1,F2,orF10. c d 3 4 SettheCDdriveasthefirstbootdevice. Rebootthemachine.
PressEntertocontinuewiththeInstallation. ReadtheVMwareenduserlicenseagreementandacceptitbypressingF11. Youcannotinstallthisproductunlessyouacceptthelicenseagreement.Usethe PageDownbuttontoscrollthroughthetext.
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IntheSelectaDiskscreen,choosethediskdriveonwhichtoinstallESX Server 3i. NOTEThediskorderintheinstallersDiskSelectionlistisdeterminedbyBIOS andmightappearoutoforderinsomecircumstances.Forexample,thismight occuronsystemswheredrivesarecontinuouslybeingaddedandremoved.Dont relyonthediskordertoselectadisk. a b Usetheuparrowanddownarrowkeystonavigateinthedisklist. Selecttherowcontainingthedisk. Therowishighlightedyellow. c PressEnter.
Ifthediskyouselectedcontainsdata,aConfirmDiskSelectionscreendisplays, warningyouthattheselecteddiskisabouttobeoverwritten.Confirmthedisk choiceorchangethetargetdisk: Toconfirmthediskyouchoseforinstallation,pressEnter. Tochangethetargetdisk,pressBackspaceandrepeatStep 5. 6 ConfirmyouarereadytoinstallESX Server 3i.
WARNINGThisisyourlastopportunitytocanceltheinstallation.Ifyoucontinue, theinstallerwilloverwritethediskandinstalltheESX Server 3isoftware. 7 PressF11tostarttheinstallation. Whentheinstallationiscomplete,theInstallationCompletescreendisplays. 8 9 RemovetheinstallationCDfromtheCDdrive. PressEntertorebootthehost.
Where to Go Next
SettingUpESX Server 3ionpage 25 BackingUoandRestoringESX Server 3ionpage 43 AddingESX Server 3itoVMwareInfrastructureonpage 51
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Setting Up ESX Server 3i
Thischapterprovidesinformationaboutusingthedirectconsoleuserinterfaceand configuringdefaultsforESX Server 3i.Itincludesthefollowingsections: NetworkAccesstoYourESXServer3iHostonpage 26 SettinguptheDirectConsoleUserInterfaceonpage 27 ConfiguringESX Server 3iBootSettingsonpage 28 ConfiguringNetworkSettingsonpage 31 ConfiguringStorageBehavioronpage 35 ConfiguringESX Server 3iSecurityonpage 37 ResettingtheConfigurationDefaultsonpage 39 ManagingESX Server 3iRemotelyonpage 40 RestartingManagementAgentsonpage 41 ViewingSystemLogsonpage 41
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Network Access to Your ESX Server 3i Host

ThedefaultbehaviorfornetworkingisforDHCPtoconfigureIP.Youcanacceptthe defaultbehavior,preventthedefaultbehaviorfromtakingeffectduringthebootup phase,oroverridethedefaultbehaviorafterittakeseffect.Youcanchangeanysettings thatarenotcompatiblewithyournetworkenvironment.Table 31summarizestheuse casesandapproachesfornetworkconfigurationthatESX Server 3isupports. Table 3-1. Network Configuration Scenarios and Approaches
Scenario Youwanttoacceptthe DHCPconfiguredIP settings. Oneofthefollowingistrue: Youdonothavea DHCPserver. TheESX Server 3ihost isnotconnectedtoa DHCPserver. YourconnectedDHCP serverisnot functioningproperly. TheESX Server 3ihostis connectedtoafunctioning DHCPserver,butyoudo notwanttousethe DHCPconfiguredIP address. Approach NotetheIPaddressthatDHCPassignsandusetheVI Clientoranother desktopclientinterfacetoconnecttotheESX Server 3ihost. Duringtheinitialbootupphase,thesoftwareassignsadefaultIPaddress (169.254.0.1/16). IfyouareconnectingtotheESX Server 3ihostremotelythroughthe VI Clientoranotherdesktopclientinterface,Aftertheinitialconnectionis made,youcanmaketheinitialconnectionbyusingthedefaultIPaddress. ThenyoucanconfigureastaticIPaddress. IfyouarelocaltotheESX Server 3ihost,youcanoverridethedefaultIP addressbyconfiguringastaticIPaddressusingthedirectconsole. Duringtheinitialbootupphase,thesoftwareassignsaDHCPconfigured IPaddress. IfyouareconnectingtotheESX Server 3ihostremotelythroughthe VI Clientoranotherdesktopclientinterface,youcanmaketheinitial connectionbyusingtheDHCPconfiguredIPaddress.Thenyoucan configureastaticIPaddress. IfyouarelocaltotheESX Server 3ihost,youcanoverridethe DHCPconfiguredIPaddressbyconfiguringastaticIPaddressusingthe directconsole. Yoursecuritydeployment policiesdonotpermit unconfiguredhoststobe poweredonthenetwork. Setupprocedure: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Makesurethatnonetworkcablesareconnectedtothehost. Poweronthehost. Usethedirectconsoletoconfiguretheadministrativepassword. UsethedirectconsoletoconfigureastaticIPaddress. Connectanetworkcabletothehost. UsetheVI ClienttoconnecttoVirtualCenter. AddthehosttotheVirtualCenterinventory.
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Chapter 3 Setting Up ESX Server 3i
Setting up the Direct Console User Interface

ThedirectconsoleissimilartotheBIOSofacomputerwithakeyboardonlyuser interface.Table 32liststhekeysyoucanusetonavigateandperformactionsinthe directconsole. Table 3-2. Navigating in the direct console
Actions Viewandchangeconfiguration Shutdownorrestartthehost Movethehighlightbetweenselection fields Selectamenuitem Toggleavalue Confirmsensitivecommands,suchas resettingconfigurationdefaults Saveandexit Exitwithoutsaving Exitsystemlogs Keys F2 F12 Arrowkeys Enter Spacebar F11 Enter Esc q
Configuring the Keyboard Layout

Youcanconfigurethelayoutforthekeyboardthatyouusewiththedirectconsole. To configure the keyboard layout 1 2 3 4 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureKeyboardandpressEnter. Selectthelayouttouse. Pressthespacebartotoggleselectionsonandoff. PressEnter.
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Configuring a Security Banner for the Direct Console

AsecuritybannerisamessagethatisdisplayedonthedirectconsoleWelcomescreen. To add a security banner to the direct console 1 2 3 4 LogintothehostfromtheVIClient. FromtheConfigurationtab,selectAdvancedSettings. FromtheAdvancedSettingswindow,selectAnnotations. Enterasecuritymessage.
ThemessageisdisplayedonthedirectconsoleWelcomescreen.
Configuring ESX Server 3i Boot Settings

WhenyoupowerontheESX Server 3ihostforthefirsttime(orwhenyoupoweronthe hostafteryouresetthehosttotheconfigurationdefaults),thehostentersabootup phaseduringwhichyoucanselectabootdevice.Youcanalwaysbootinto ESX Server 3imodeorintoanothermode.Duringthebootupphase,systemnetwork andstoragedevicesareconfiguredwithdefaults. Afterthehostcompletesthebootupphase,thedirectconsoleuserinterfaceappearson theattachedmonitor.Usingakeyboardandmonitorattachedtothehost,youcanuse thedirectconsoletoconfiguretheESX Serverhost,toexaminethedefaultnetwork configurationappliedduringthebootupphase,andtotroubleshoottheESX Server software.
Selecting the Boot Device

Thebasicinput/outputsystem(BIOS)bootconfigurationdeterminesinwhichmode yourserverboots.Generally,theCDROMdeviceislistedfirst.Youcanchangetheboot settingbyconfiguringthebootorderintheBIOSduringstartuporbyselectingaboot devicefromtheBootOptionsmenu.Thisisusefulifyouhaveothersupported operatingsystemsonthehost. WhenyouchangethebootorderintheBIOS,thenewsettingaffectsthecurrentboot andallsubsequentreboots.WhenyouselectabootdevicefromtheBootOptionsmenu, theselectionaffectsthecurrentbootonly.TheBootOptionsmenuisusefulforonetime bootswhenyoudonotwanttochangethedefaultBIOSsettings.
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SomeserversdonothaveaBootOptionsmenu,inwhichcaseyoumustchangethe bootorderintheBIOS,evenforonetimeboots,andthenchangeitbackagainduring thesubsequentreboot. NOTETheBootOptionsmenudiscussedinthissectionisdifferentfromthesystem bootoptionsthatyoucanconfigurebyloggingintotheVI Client,selectingahost,and clickingConfiguration>Processors>BootOptions. ThissectiondiscussesthesystemBIOSBootOptionsmenu.Thebootoptionsinthe VI Clientonlyallowyoutoconfigurethebootsequenceforfloppy,CDROM,andthe harddisk(C:drive).Forsomeservers,thesystemBIOShastwooptions.Oneisforthe bootsequence(floppy,CDROM,harddisk)andanotherfortheharddiskbootorder (USBkey,localharddisk).WhenyouareusingtheVIClient,thebootoptions correspondtotheBIOSbootsequence(floppy.CDROM,harddisk).
Configuring the Boot Setting for ESX Server 3i

FollowthisprocedureifyouneedtoconfigureBIOStobootintoESX Server 3imode. To configure the boot setting for ESX Server 3i mode 1 WhiletheESX Server 3ihostispoweringon,pressthekeyrequiredtoenteryour hostsBIOSSetuppage. Dependingonyourserverhardware,thekeymightbeF1,F2,F10,F11,F12,orDel. TheoptiontoopentheBIOSSetuppagemightbedifferentforyourserver. 2 SelectthediskdriveontowhichyouinstalledtheESX Server 3isoftwareandmove ittothefirstpositioninthelist. ThehostpowersoninESX Server 3imode.Ifthehostdoesnotpoweronin ESX Server 3imode,youmightneedtorepairtheESX Server3iimage,as describedinRestoringESX Server 3iConfigurationDataonpage 46.
Configuring the Boot Setting for Another Mode

Ifyouuseyourserverformultiplepurposes,youcanchangethebootconfigurationas appropriate. Followtheprocedureforonetimebootsifyourserverhasabootoptionmenuandyou donotwanttochangethedefaultbootorder.Thefollowingprocedureisusefulfor bootingfromvirtualmedia,forexample. Ifyourserverdoesnothaveabootoptionmenuorifyouwanttochangethedefault bootorder,followtheproceduretochangethebootorder.
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To select a one-time boot option 1 2 Reboottheserver. Whiletheserverispoweringon,openthebootoptionmenu. Forexample,onsomeserversyoucanselectF11toopenthebootmenuoption. 3 Fromthisbootoptionmenu,followtheinstructionstoselectadevicefromwhich toboot. Theserverbootsintheconfiguredmodeonetimeandgoesbacktothedefaultboot orderforsubsequentreboots. To change the boot order 1 2 Reboottheserver. Whiletheserverispoweringon,pressthekeyrequiredtoenteryourhostsBIOS Setuppage. Dependingonyourserverhardware,thekeymightbeF1,F2,F10,F11,F12,orDel. TheoptiontoopentheBIOSSetuppagemightbedifferentforyourserver. 3 Changethebootorderbyselectingadeviceandmovingittothefirstpositionin thelist. Thehostpowersonintheconfiguredmodeforthisbootandforallsubsequent reboots.
Configuring the Boot Setting for Virtual Media

Virtualmediaisaccessstoragemedia(suchasflashmemory,externaldrive,USB, floppy,orCDROM)thatcanbemadeavailabletoanymachineonanetwork. To boot from virtual media 1 Connectmediatothevirtualdevice. Forexample,ifyouareusingaDellserver,logintotheDellRemoteAccess Controller(DRAC)(orasimilarremotemanagementinterface)andselecta physicalfloppyorCDROMdrive,orprovideapathtoafloppyimageor CDROMimage.ThenclickConnecttoconnecttheselectedmediatothevirtual device. 2 Reboottheserver. Whiletheserverispoweringon,configurethebootsettingtobootfromthevirtual mediadevice.SeeConfiguringtheBootSettingforAnotherModeonpage 29.
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Configuring Network Settings

YoumustsetupyourIPaddressbeforeyourESX Server 3ihostisoperational. To configurebasicnetworksettings,usethedirectconsoleortheVIClient.
Choosing NICS for the Management Network

TrafficbetweenanESX Server 3ihostandanyexternalmanagementsoftwaremovesin andoutthroughanEthernetnetworkinterfacecard(NIC)onthehost.Examplesof externalmanagementsoftwareincludetheVI Client,VirtualCenter,andSNMPclient software.NICsonthehostarenamedvmnic<N>,whereNisthenumberoftheNIC(for example,vmnic0,vmnic1,andsoforth.) Duringthebootupphase,theESX Server 3ihostchoosesvmnic0formanagement traffic.YoucanoverridethedefaultchoicebymanuallychoosingtheNICthatcarries managementtrafficforthehost.Insomecases,forbestavailability,youmightwantto useaGigabitEthernetNICforyourmanagementtraffic.Anotherwaytohelpensure availabilityistoselectmultipleNICsformanagementtraffic.ChoosingmultipleNICs enablesloadbalancingandfailovercapabilities. To choose NICs 1 2 3 4 5 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureManagementNetworkandpressEnter. SelectNetworkAdaptersandpressEnter. SelectaNIC. PressthespacebartotoggleNICselectionsonandoff. PressEnter.
Afterthenetworkisfunctional,youcanusetheVI ClienttoconnecttotheESX Server 3i host.
Setting the VLAN ID

Optionally,youcansetthevirtualLAN(VLAN)IDnumberoftheESX Server 3ihost. To set the VLAN ID 1 2 3 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureManagementNetworkandpressEnter. SelectVLAN(optional)andpressEnter. EnteraVLANIDnumber. VLANIDnumbersrangefrom1through4094.
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Configuring IP Settings
YoucanchooseeithermanualorautomaticIPconfigurationoftheESX Server 3ihost. Bydefault,IPconfigurationisautomatic.TheautomaticsettingenablesDHCPtoset theIPaddress,subnetmask,anddefaultgateway.ThedirectconsoledisplaystheIP addressthatDHCPassignstothehost.Forfuturereference,VMwarerecommendsthat youwritedownthisIPaddress. ForDHCPtowork,yournetworkenvironmentmusthaveaDHCPserver.IfDHCPis notavailableornotdesirable,thehostmightbeassignedthebuiltindefaultIPaddress, whichis169.254.0.1/16.Youcanusethisdefaultaddresstoconnectinitiallyandthen configureastaticnetworkaddress.Thedefaultsubnetmaskis255.255.0.0.Thedefault gatewayisblank.IftwohostspowerupwithnoDHCPservice,bothhostsreceivethe default169.254.0.1IPaddress.NooutboundtrafficisallowedthroughthisIPaddress. ThisiswhythedefaultIPaddressisnotalongtermalternativetoDHCP.Itprovidesa temporarymethodtoconnecttothehostsothatyoucanconfigurestaticIPsettings. Ifyouarenotlocaltothehost,youcanusetheVI ClienttoconfigurestaticIPsettings, ifyouareonthesamephysicalsubnetandyouconfiguretheVIClientIPtobeonthe 169.254.0.xnetwork. Ifyouarelocaltothehost,youcanusethedirectconsoletoconfigurestaticIPsettings, includingtheIPaddress,subnetmask,anddefaultgateway. To configure static IP settings from the direct console 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureManagementNetworkandpressEnter. SelectIPConfigurationandpressEnter. NavigatetoSetstaticIPaddressandnetworkconfiguration. Pressthespacebartoselectthehighlighteditem. SelectanddeletethecurrentIP address,subnetmask,anddefaultgateway. EnterastaticIPaddress,subnetmask,anddefaultgateway. PressEnter.
To configure static IP settings from the VI Client 1 2 3 4 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. SelecttheConfigurationtabandclickNetworking. ClickPropertiesnexttoVirtualSwitch:vSwitch0. SelectManagementNetworkandclickEdit.
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5 6 7
OntheGeneraltab,clickUsethefollowingIPsettings. EnterastaticIPaddress,subnetmask,anddefaultgateway. ClickOK.
Configuring DNS
YoucanchooseeithermanualorautomaticDomainNameSystem(DNS)configuration oftheESX Server 3ihost.Bydefault,DNSconfigurationisautomatic.Theautomatic settingenablesaDHCPservertoacquireDNSinformation.ForautomaticDNSto work,yournetworkenvironmentmusthaveaDHCPserverandaDNSserver. InnetworkenvironmentswhereautomaticDNSisnotavailableornotdesirable,you canconfigurestaticDNSinformation,includingahostname,aprimarynameserver,a secondarynameserver,andDNSsuffixes. Ifyouarenotlocaltothehost,youcanusetheVI ClienttoconfigureDNSinformation. Ifyouarelocaltothehost,youcanusethedirectconsoletoconfigureDNSinformation. To configure DNS settings from the direct console 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureManagementNetworkandpressEnter. SelectDNSConfigurationandpressEnter. NavigatetoUsethefollowingDNSserveraddressesandhostname. Pressthespacebartoselectthehighlighteditem. Selectanddeletethecurrentprimaryserver,alternateserver,andhostname. Enterastaticprimaryserver,alternateserver,andhostname. PressEnter.
To configure DNS settings from the VI Client 1 2 3 4 5 6 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. SelecttheConfigurationtabandclickNetworking. ClickPropertiesnexttoVirtualSwitch:vSwitch0. SelectManagementNetworkandclickEdit. OntheGeneraltab,clickUsethefollowingIPsettings. ClickEditnexttoVMkernelDefaultGateway.
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7 8
OntheDNSConfigurationtab,enterastaticprimaryserver,alternateserver,host name,andDNSsuffixes. ClickOK.
Configuring DNS Suffixes

Bydefault,DHCPacquirestheDNSsuffixes. To configure the DNS suffixes 1 2 3 4 5 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureManagementNetwork. SelectCustomDNSSuffixesandpressEnter. PresstheBackspacekeytodeletethecurrentDNSsuffixes. EnternewDNSsuffixes. PressEnter.
Testing Network Connectivity

Youcanusethedirectconsoletoperformsomesimplenetworkconnectivitytests.By default,thedirectconsolepreformsthefollowingtests: Pingsthedefaultgateway PingstheprimaryDNSnameserver PingsthesecondaryDNSnameserver ResolvestheDNShostname To test the management network 1 2 Fromthedirectconsole,selectTestManagementNetworkandpressEnter. PressEntertostartthetest.
TheESX Server 3ihosttestsyournetworkconfiguration. To test connectivity to other devices or networks 1 2 3 4 Fromthedirectconsole,selectTestManagementNetworkandpressEnter. Selectanddeleteoneormoredefaultaddressesorthedefaulthostname. TypeotheraddressestopingoranotherDNShostnametoresolve. PressEntertostartthetest.
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Configuring Storage Behavior

WhenyoureboottheESX Server 3ihostafterinstallingtheESX Server 3iimage,the hostconfiguresthesystemstoragedeviceswithdefaults.Thedefaultbehaviorfor storageisforthesoftwaretoformatallvisibleblankinternaldisksontheinstallation harddrivewithVMFS,soyoucanstorevirtualmachinesonthedisks. OntheharddrivefromwhichtheESXServer3ihostisbooting,thediskformatting softwareretainsexistingdiagnosticpartitionsthatarecreatedbythehardwarevendor. Intheremainingspace,thesoftwarecreates: One4GBVFATscratchpartitionforsystemswap,ifthispartitionisnotpresenton anotherdisk.SeeConfiguringtheScratchPartitiononpage 35. OneVMFS3partitionontheremainingfreespace. TheVFATscratchpartitioniscreatedonlyonthediskfromwhichtheESX Server3i hostisbooting.Ontheotherdisksontheinstallationharddrive,thesoftwarecreates oneVMFS3partitiononeachdiskthatcontainsafreeprimarypartition,usingthe wholedisk.Thesoftwareformatsblankdisksonly. Youmightwanttooverridethisdefaultbehaviorif,forexample,yourpolicyistouse sharedstoragedevicesinsteadoflocalstorage. Topreventautomaticdiskformattingfromoccurring,detachlocalstoragedevicesfrom thehostbeforeyoupoweronthehostforthefirsttime(orbeforeyoupoweronthehost afteryouresetthehosttotheconfigurationdefaults).Theautomaticdiskformatting occursthefirsttimeyoupoweronthehostandwhenyoupoweronthehostafteryou resetthehosttotheconfigurationdefaults.Forsubsequentreboots,youdonotneedto detachlocalstoragedevices.Ifautomaticdiskformattingalreadyoccurredandyou wanttooverridetheVMFSformatting,youcanremovethedatastore.Seethe Server ConfigurationGuide.
Configuring the Scratch Partition

ThefirsttimeyoupowerontheESXServer3ihost(andwhenyoupoweronthehost afteryouresetthehosttotheconfigurationdefaults),thesoftwarecreatesandenables one4GBVFATscratchpartitionforsystemswap,ifthispartitionisnotpresenton anotherdisk.Thehostusessystemswapforitsownoperation.Systemswapisdifferent fromvirtualmachineswap. Ifthehostdoesnothaveascratchpartition,thehostuses512MBmorememorythanit wouldotherwiseuse.Ifyoudonotwantthehosttousethisadditionalmemory,keep thescratchpartitionenabled.Ifthescratchpartitionisdisabled,youcanenableit.
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Beforeyoucanenablethescratchpartition,youmusthaveaccesstoamachineon whichyoucanruntheRemoteCommandLineInterface(CLI).Forinformationabout importingorinstallingtheRemote CLI,seetheRemoteCommandLineInterfaces appendixoftheESXServer3iConfigurationGuide. To enable the scratch partition 1 PowerontheRemoteCLIandlogin. Youdonotneedtotypethepasswordonthecommandline.Ifnopasswordis specified,thetoolpromptsyouforthepasswordwithoutechoingtheoutputtothe terminal.Thismeansthepasswordyoutypeisnotvisibleinthewindowasyou runthecommand. YoucancreateasecureconnectiontotheRemoteCLIbyusingtheRemoteCLIIP address.IfyouareusingtheVI Client,youcanrightclicktheRemoteCLIand selectOpenConsole. IftheRemoteCLIisinstalledonyourWindowsorLinuxsystem,youcanusethe installedapplication,inwhichcaseyoudonotneedtologin. 2 Togetthecurrentstate,runthefollowingreadonlycommands:
vicfg-advcfg.pl --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -s /ScratchConfig/CurrentScratchLocation vicfg-advcfg.pl --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -s /ScratchConfig/ConfiguredSwapState
Runthefollowingcommandstoenableordisablesystemswap: Toenableswap:
vicfg-advcfg --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -s true ScratchConfig.ConfiguredSwapState
Todisableswap:
vicfg-advcfg --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -s false ScratchConfig.ConfiguredSwapState
Ifyouenabledsystemswap,runthefollowingcommandtoenterthelocationofa datastoreonwhichtocreateandenablethesystemswappartition:
vicfg-advcfg --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -s "/vmfs/volumes/<NameOfDatastore>/<DirectorySpecificToHost>" ScratchConfig.ConfiguredScratchLocation
Theconfigureddirectorymustbeuniqueacrosshosts.
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Toretrievetheswapstate: vicfg-advcfg --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -g ScratchConfig.ConfiguredSwapState Toretrievescratchlocation:
vicfg-advcfg --server <ip-address> --username root --password <root_password> -g ScratchConfig.ConfiguredScratchLocation
Tomakethechangestakeeffect,rebootthehost.
Configuring ESX Server 3i Security

Theproceduresinthissectiondescribehowtosettheroot usernameandpassword tosecureyourESX Serverhostandtoconfigurehostlockdownmode,whichprevents remotepersonnelfromloggingintotheESX Server 3ihostbyusingtherootlogin name.Inaddition,itdescribeshowtodeterminetheESX Server 3iserialnumber, whichisrequiredforrecoveryoperations,ifnecessary.
Recording the ESX Server 3i Serial Number

IftheESX Server 3ihostislicensedtousetheStandaloneedition,aserialnumberis assignedtothehost.VMwarerecommendsthatyouwritedowntheserialnumberand tapeittotheserver,ifpossible,orputtheserialnumberinasecure,easilyaccessible location.YoucanaccesstheserialnumberfromthedirectconsoleortheVI Client. Whenyouperformaconfigurationbackup,theserialnumberisbackedupwiththe configurationandisrestoredwhenyourestoretheconfiguration. To access the ESX Server 3i serial number from the direct console Fromthedirectconsole,selectViewSupportInformation. ThelicenseserialnumberappearsintheformXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. Thephysicalmachineserialnumberalsoappears.Donotconfusethelicenseserial numberwiththephysicalmachineserialnumber. To access the ESX Server 3i serial number from the VI Client 1 2 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. SelecttheConfigurationtabandclickLicensedFeatures. TheserialnumberislistedunderLicenseSource.Iftheserialnumberisnotlisted, anotherhostlicensesourceisconfigured.
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Configuring the Administrative Password

TheadministrativeusernamefortheESX Server 3ihostisroot.Bydefault,the administrativepasswordisnull,meaningthereisnoadministrativepassword. To create an administrative password 1 2 Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureRootPassword. Ifpromptedforanoldpassword,pressEnter. Ifyouaresettingthepasswordforthefirsttime,youarenotpromptedforanold password. 3 4 Enteranewpassword. RetypethenewpasswordandpressEntertosavethepasswordconfiguration.
Configuring Lockdown Mode

LockdownmodepreventsremotepersonnelfromloggingintotheESX Server 3ihost byusingtherootloginname.Ifyouconfigurelockdownmodeandyoudonot configureotherlocalhostuseraccounts,directhostaccessisrestricted.Thismeans standalonehostaccessthroughtheVI Client,accessthroughtheVIAPI,andtheremote commandlineinterface(CLI)arenotallowedforuserroot. Whenlockdownmodeisenabled,userscanstillaccessthehostthroughthedirect consoleorthroughanauthorizedcentralizedmanagementapplication,suchas VirtualCenter.Bydefault,lockdownmodeisdisabled. Whenlockdownmodeisenabled,youcancreateauser(otherthanroot)with administratorprivilegestoconnecttoastandalonehost.Donotusethisapproachin environmentswithnumeroushostsbecausemaintainingseparateuserpassword databasesforeachhostmightbedifficulttomanage. EnablelockdownmodeonlyafteryouaddthehosttotheVirtualCenterinventory.The operationtoenablelockdownmodefailsifyoutryitbeforeyouaddthehostto VirtualCenter.InVirtualCenter,youcanchoosetoenablelockdownmodewhenyou addthehosttotheVirtualCenterinventory.Ifyoudoso,youdonotneedtoenable lockdownmodeinthedirectconsole.
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To configure lockdown mode 1 2 3 4 AddtheESXServer3ihosttotheVirtualCenterinventory. Fromthedirectconsole,selectConfigureLockdownModeandpressEnter. PressthespacebartoselectEnableLockdownModeandpressEnter. PressEnter.
Resetting the Configuration Defaults

Whenyouresettheconfigurationdefaults,thesoftwareoverridesallconfiguration changesthatyouhavemade,deletestheadministrativepassword,andrebootsthehost. Someconfigurationchangesthatyourhardwarevendormighthavemadeinthe factoryaredeletedaswellwhenyouresettheconfigurationdefaults.Thesechanges includeIPaddresssettingsandlicenseconfiguration. Beforeyouresettheconfigurationdefaults,firstbackuptheESX Serverconfiguration. Afteryouresettheconfigurationdefaults,youcanusethebackupfiletorestoreyour configuration. Resettingtheconfigurationdefaultsdoesnotremoveanyvirtualmachinesthatareon theESX Server 3ihost.VirtualmachinesarenotstoredontheESX Serverbootpartition. Afteryouresettheconfigurationdefaults,thevirtualmachinesarenotvisible,butyou canretrievethembyreconfiguringstorage(ifthehostdoesntrecognizeandconfigure storageduringthereboot),andreregisteringthevirtualmachines. CAUTIONWhenyouresettheconfigurationdefaults,usersaccessingthishostthrough theVI ClientorVirtualCenterloseconnectivity. To reset configuration defaults 1 2 3 (Recommended)BackuptheconfigurationbyrunningtheRemoteCLI vicfg-cfgbackupcommand. Fromthedirectconsole,selectResetCustomizedSettingsandpressEnter. PressF11toconfirm. Thesystemprocessorrebootstheserverafterallsettingsarereset. 4 (Optional)Torestoreoverriddenconfigurationdata,usetheRemoteCLItorunthe vicfg-cfgbackupcommand.
SeeAboutBackingUpandRestoringanESX Server 3iConfigurationonpage 44.
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Managing ESX Server 3i Remotely

AftertheESX Server 3ihostisbootedintothedirectconsole,youcanmanagethehost byusingtheVI ClientandVirtualCenter.Todothis,installbothapplicationsona computerservingasamanagementstationwithnetworkaccesstotheESX Server 3i host.YoucaninstallVirtualCenterinlicensedmodeorinevaluationmode. YoucandownloadVirtualCenterfromwww.vmware.comorusetheVMware InfrastructureManagementInstallerCD.YoucandownloadtheVI Clientdirectlyfrom theESXServer3ihostorusetheVMwareInfrastructureManagementInstallerCD. FollowingarebriefinstructionsforinstallingtheVI ClientandVirtualCenter: VI ClientUsetheVI ClienttoconnecttoasingleESX Server 3ihostorto VirtualCenter. ToinstalltheVI Client,useabrowsertopointtotheIPaddressoftheESX Server 3i host(http://ESXhostIPaddress).OntheWelcomepage,clickDownloadthe VI Client.Alternatively,youcanusetheVMwareInfrastructureManagement InstallerCD,whichisincludedwithESX Server 3i. AfteryouinstalltheVI Client,youcanconnecttotheESX Server 3ihostbyusing theESX Server 3ihostIPaddresswithusernamerootandnopassword.Ifyou configureanadministrativepassword(asdescribedinConfiguringthe AdministrativePasswordonpage 38),usetheconfiguredpassword.Fordetailed informationaboutinstallingtheVI Client,seeInstallingVMwareInfrastructure Managementonpage 101. VirtualCenterIfyouhavemultipleESX Serverhosts,considerusing VirtualCenter,whichletsyoumanageallhostsfromasingleinterfaceanduse advancedfeatures,suchasVMwareHA,DRS,andVMotion. ToinstallVirtualCenter,downloadthelatestversionfrom http://www.vmware.com/download/vi/.Alternatively,youcanusetheVMware InfrastructureManagementInstallerCD,whichisincludedwithESX Server 3i. AfteryouinstallVirtualCenter,youcanmanageallofyourESX Serverhosts (includingESX Server 3i)fromasingleinterface.ToaccessVirtualCenter,usethe VI ClienttoconnecttotheVirtualCenterIPaddresswithyourWindowslogin usernameandpassword.Specifically,usethelogincredentialsappropriatetothe WindowsmachineonwhichVirtualCenterisinstalled.TheVirtualCenter usernameandpasswordmightbedifferentthantheusernameandpasswordyou useforESX Server 3i. FordetailedinformationaboutinstallingVirtualCenter,seeInstallingVMware InfrastructureManagementonpage 101.
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AfteryouinstalltheVI ClientandVirtualCenter,youcanconvertaphysicalmachine intoavirtualmachine.Alternatively,youcandownloadsamplevirtualmachinesat http://www.vmware.com/appliances/.Forinformationaboutimportingvirtual machines,seetheBasicSystemAdministrationGuide.
Restarting Management Agents

AmanagementagentissoftwarethatsynchronizesVMwarecomponentsandletsyou accesstheESX Server 3ihostthroughtheVI ClientorVirtualCenter.Itisinstalledwith theVMwareInfrastructureManagementsoftware.Youmightneedtorestartthe managementagentsifremoteaccessisinterrupted. Whenyourestartmanagementagents,thesoftwarerestartsallmanagementagentsand servicesthatareinstalledandrunningin/etc/init.d ontheESXServerhost. Typically,theseagentsincludehostd,ntpd,sfcbd,slpd,andwsmand.Thesoftwarealso restartstheAutomatedAvailabilityManager(AAM)ifitisinstalled. CAUTIONWhenyourestartmanagementagents,usersaccessingthishostthroughthe VI ClientorVirtualCenterloseconnectivity. To restart management agents 1 2 Fromthedirectconsole,selectRestartManagementAgentsandpressEnter. PressF11toconfirmtherestart.
TheESX Server 3ihostrestartsthemanagementagents.
Viewing System Logs

Systemlogsprovidedetailedinformationaboutsystemoperationalevents. To view system logs 1 2 Fromthedirectconsole,selectViewSystemLogs. Pressacorrespondingnumberkeytoviewalog: 1Messages 2Configuration 3ManagementAgent(hostd) 4VirtualCenterAgent(vpxa) VirtualCenterAgent(vpxa)logsappearifyouaddthehosttoVirtualCenter.
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3 4
PressEnterorthespacebartoscrollthroughthemessages. (Optional)Performaregularexpressionsearch: a b c Presstheslashkey(/). Typethetexttofind. PressEnter. Thefoundtextishighlightedonthescreen.
Pressqtoreturntothedirectconsole.
To redirect system log files to a remote host 1 2 3 4 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. SelecttheConfigurationtabandclickAdvancedSettings. ClickSyslog. ForSyslog.Remote.Hostname,enterahostnametowhichsyslogdatacanbe forwarded.
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Backing Up and Restoring ESX Server 3i
ThischapterprovidesinformationaboutbackingupandrestoringtheESX Server 3i configurationandrecoveringtheESX Server 3ibootimageifitbecomesdamaged.In addition,itdescribeshowtoremoveESX Server 3ifromthehost. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingsections: AboutBackingUpandRestoringanESX Server 3iConfigurationonpage 44. RecoveringtheESX Server 3i InstallableSoftwareonpage 47. RemovingESX Server 3ifromthehostonpage 49. ForinformationoninstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementsoftware,see InstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementonpage 101.Forinformationabout usingthedesktopclients,seetheVMwareInfrastructure3documentationset.
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About Backing Up and Restoring an ESX Server 3i Configuration

YoucanbackuptheESX Server 3ihostconfigurationdataafterpreliminarytasksare completed.Alwaysbackupyourhostconfigurationafteryouchangetheconfiguration orupgradetheESX Serverimage. Whenyouperformaconfigurationbackup,theserialnumberisbackedupwiththe configurationandisrestoredwhenyourestoretheconfiguration.However,theserial numberisnotpreservedwhenyouruntherepairoperation.Forthisreason,the recommendedprocedureistofirstbackuptheconfiguration,runtherepairoperation ifneeded,thenrestoretheconfiguration. Youperformthebackupbyusingthevicfg-cfgbackupcommand,whichyourun fromtheRemoteCommandLineInterface(RemoteCLI).TheRemoteCLIisavailable intwoforms: AsavirtualappliancethatyouimportintoESXServer,VMwareWorkstation,or VMwarePlayer. AsapackagethatyouinstallonMicrosoftWindowsandLinuxmachines. Yourunthevicfg-cfgbackupcommandfromtheserviceconsoleofthevirtual applianceorfromacommandpromptonthesystemwhereyouinstalledtheRemote CLIs.YourunCLIcommandsonanESX Server 3ihosttowhichyouconnectremotely. ForinformationaboutsettingupandusingtheRemoteCLI,seetheESXServer3i ConfigurationGuideappendices.
Considerations When Using the Remote CLI Virtual Appliance

Whenyoubackupthehostconfiguration,youcanrunthevicfg-cfgbackup commandfromaRemoteCLIvirtualappliancethatisrunningonthetargethost(the hostyouarebackinguporrestoring),oronaremotehost.However,torestorea configurationonthetargethost,youmustruntheRemoteCLIvirtualappliancefrom aremotehost. Whenyourestoretheconfiguration,thetargethostmustbeinmaintenancemode, whichmeansallvirtualmachines(includingtheRemoteCLIvirtualappliance)must bepoweredoff. Forexample,supposeyouhavetwoESX Server 3ihosts(host1andhost2)andyou importthevirtualapplianceintobothhosts.Tobackupthehost1configuration,runthe vicfg-cfgbackupcommandintheRemoteCLIoneitherhost1orhost2andpointto host1inthe--servercommandlineoption.
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Chapter 4 Backing Up and Restoring ESX Server 3i
Likewise,tobackupthehost2configuration,runthevicfg-cfgbackupcommandin theRemoteCLIoneitherhost1orhost2andpointtohost2inthe--server commandlineoption.Torestorethehost1configuration,runthevicfg-cfgbackup commandintheRemoteCLIonhost2andpointtohost1inthe--server commandlineoption.Torestorethehost2configuration,runthevicfg-cfgbackup commandintheRemoteCLIonhost1andpointtohost2inthe--server commandlineoption.
Backing Up ESX Server 3i Configuration Data

ThefollowingproceduredescribeshowtobackupyourESX Server 3iconfiguration data. To back up host configuration data 1 StarttheRemoteCLIandlogin. Youdonotneedtotypethepasswordonthecommandline.Ifnopasswordis specified,thetoolpromptsyouforthepasswordwithoutechoingtheoutputtothe terminal.Thismeansthepasswordyoutypeisnotvisibleinthewindowasyou runthecommand. YoucancreateasecureconnectiontotheRemoteCLIbyusingtheRemoteCLIIP address.IfyouareusingtheVI Client,rightclicktheRemoteCLIandselectOpen Console.IftheRemoteCLIisinstalledonyourWindowsorLinuxsystem,youcan usetheinstalledapplication,inwhichcaseyoudonotneedtologin. 2 Runthevicfg-cfgbackupcommandwiththe-sflagtosavethehost configurationtothespecifiedbackupfilename.
vicfg-cfgbackup --server <3i-host-ip> --portnumber <port_number> --protocol <protocol_type> --username root --password <root_password> -s <backup-filename>
The-portnumberand-protocoloptionsareoptional.Ifyouexcludethem,the defaultsareport443andprotocolHTTPS. Ifyouradministrativepasswordincludesspecialcharacters,suchas$or&,youmust includeabackslashescapecharacter(\)beforeeachspecialcharacter. Forthebackupfilename,includethebuildnumberthatiscurrentlyrunningonthe hostthatyouarebackingup.IfyouarerunningtheRemoteCLIasavirtualappliance, thebackupfileissavedlocallyonthevirtualappliance.Localstorageforbackupfiles issafebecausevirtualappliancesarestoredinthe/vmfs/volumes/<datastore> directory,whichisseparatefromtheESX Server 3iimageandconfigurationfiles.
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Restoring ESX Server 3i Configuration Data

YoucanrestoretheESX Server 3ihostconfigurationdataifyouhavecreatedabackup. To restore host configuration data 1 2 Poweroffanyvirtualmachinesthatarerunningonthehostthatyouwantto restore. (Optional)RestorethehosttotheESX Serverbuildthatwasrunningwhenyou createdtheconfigurationbackup. Whenyourestoreconfigurationdata,thebuildnumbercurrentlyrunningonthe hostmustbethesameasthebuildnumberthatwasrunningwhenyoucreatedthe backupfile.Youcanoverridethisrequirementbyincludingthe-f(force)flagwith thevicfg-cfgbackupcommand. 3 Onahostotherthanthehostyouarerestoring,starttheRemoteCLIvirtual applianceandlogin. Youdonotneedtotypethepasswordonthecommandline.Ifnopasswordis specified,thetoolpromptsyouforthepasswordwithoutechoingtheoutputtothe terminal.Thismeansthepasswordyoutypeisnotvisibleinthewindowasyou runthecommand. YoucancreateasecureconnectiontotheRemoteCLIbyusingtheRemoteCLIIP address.IfyouareusingtheVI Client,rightclicktheRemoteCLIandselectOpen Console.IftheRemoteCLIisinstalledonyourWindowsorLinuxsystem,youdo notneedtologin. 4 Runthevicfg-cfgbackupcommandwiththe-lflagtoloadthehost configurationfromthespecifiedbackupfile.
vicfg-cfgbackup --server <3i_host_IP> --portnumber <port_number> --protocol <protocol_type> --username root --password <root_password> -l <backup_filename>
Thehostyouarerestoringrebootsandthebackupconfigurationisrestored. The-portnumberand-protocoloptionsareoptional.Ifyouexcludethem,the defaultsareport443andprotocolHTTPS. Ifyouradministrativepasswordincludesspecialcharacters,suchas$or&,youmust includeabackslashescapecharacter(\)beforeeachspecialcharacter.
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Recovering the ESX Server 3i Installable Software

IfthehostdoesnotbootinESXServermode,thefilepartitionsormasterbootrecord ontheinstallationdiskmightbecorrupted.Toresolvethisproblem,youcanrestorethe softwarebyrunningtheinstallationCDinrepairmode.(NoseparaterecoveryCDis availableforESX Server 3i Installable.)Runtheinstallerinrepairmodeonlywhen directedtodosobyVMwareCustomerService. Whenyouruntheinstallerinrepairmode,allhostconfigurationdataisoverwrittenby systemdefaults.Ifyoubackeduptheconfiguration,youcanrestoreitafteryou performtherepairoperation. NOTEBeforeyouruntherepairoperation,backupyourexistingVMFSasa precaution. Duringtherepairoperation,yourexistingESX Server 3i InstallableVMFSdatastoreis preservedifitisinitsoriginallocationontheESX Server 3ibootdisk,orifitislocated onanotherdisk(separatefromthebootdisk). IfyouchangedtheVMFSlocationonthebootdisk,itispreservedifitislocatedbeyond the750MBpartition.Insituationswherethepartitiontableiscorrupt,theVMFScannot berecoveredautomaticallybytherepairoperation.Inthiscase,youaredirectedtocall VMwarecustomerserviceforhelpinrecoveringyourVMFS. IfyoudonothavetheoriginalinstallationCD,contactyoursupportrepresentativefor helpobtainingtheappropriateISOfile.AfteryouobtaintheISOfile,youcanburnit ontoablankCD. ThefollowingproceduredescribeshowtorecovertheESX Server 3i Installable software. To recover ESX Server 3i Installable 1 2 InserttheESX Server 3i InstallableinstallationCDintoESX Server 3i Installable hostCDROMdrive. UsethesystemBIOStochangethebootordersothattheCDROMdriveislisted first.Tomodifythebootsequence: a b c Rebootthehost. Whilethehostispoweringon,pressF2toopentheBIOSSetuppage. SelecttheCDROMdriveandmoveittothefirstpositioninthelist.
TheoptiontoopentheBIOSSetuppagemightbedifferentforyourserver.You mightneedtoopentheBIOSconfigurationscreenstomodifythebootsetting.
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Asthehostcontinuestopoweron,theinstallationWelcomescreenappears. 3 4 PressRtorepairESX Server 3i. ReadtheVMwareenduserlicenseagreementandacceptitbypressingF11. Youcannotreinstallthisproductunlessyouacceptthelicenseagreement. 5 FromtheSelectADiskscreen,choosethediskdrivethatcontainedtheoriginal installationofESX Server 3i. NOTEIfyoudonotchoosethesameinstallationdisk,thedamagedESX Server 3i imageisnotfixedandanewimageisinstalled. a b c Usetheupanddownarrowkeystonavigateinthedisklist. Highlighttherowcontainingthedisk. PressEnter.
AConfirmDiskSelectionscreendisplays,warningyouthatthedataonthe selecteddiskisabouttobeoverwritten.Ifyoudidnotchangethedefaultpartitions createdduringtheESX Server 3iinstallation,thedataexistinginthethirdand fourthprimarypartitionsispreserved.ThisincludesyourVMFSdatastore. 6 Dooneofthefollowing: Toconfirmthediskyouchoseforrepair,pressEnter. Tochangethetargetdisk,PressBackspaceandrepeatStep 5. 7 IntheConfirmRepairscreen,confirmyouarereadytoinstallESX Server 3i. CAUTIONThisisyourlastopportunitytocancelthereinstallation.Ifyoucontinue, theinstallerreformatsthediskandinstalltheESX Server 3isoftware. PressF11tostarttherecovery. 8 Whentheoperationiscomplete,oneofthefollowingcompletionscreensdisplays: RepairCompleteTheESX Server 3iimagewasrepairedsuccessfullyandthe partitiontablewasrestored.Theinstallerrecreatedthepartitiontableto recoveryourVMFSpartitionsorcustompartitions.Therepairoperation addedtheseentriesinthepartitiontableforyou.
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RepairIncompleteTheESX Server 3iimagewasrepairedsuccessfully,but thepartitiontablecouldnotberestored.Theinstallercouldnotrecreatethe partitiontabletorecoveryourVMFSpartitionsorcustompartitions.Youmust manuallyaddthepartitionentriestothepartitiontabletorecoveryourdata. CallVMwaresupportforhelp. 9 10 RemovetheinstallationCDfromtheCDdrive. PressEntertorebootthemachine.
Yourdiskstorageareamayhavechangedduringtherebootandyourvirtualmachines mightnotbevisibleintheVIClientInventory.Ifyourstorageareaisvisiblebutyour virtualmachinesarenotvisible,dooneofthefollowing: ReregisterthevirtualmachineswithVIClient.SeetheVIClientHelp. Restoreyourhostconfigurationdata.Thisoptionisavailableonlyifyoubacked upyourhostconfigurationdata.SeeRestoringESX Server 3iConfiguration Dataonpage 46. Ifyourstorageareaisnotvisible,theESXServer3irepairoperationdidnotcomplete successfully.Donottrytorecreateyourdatastorageareabecausethismayoverwrite existingdataandcoulddestroyyourvirtualmachines.CallVMwaresupportforhelp inrecoveringyourexistingdatastore.
Removing ESX Server 3i from the host

IfyoudonotwantyourservertobeanESX Server 3ihost,youcandeactivatethe ESX Server 3isetup.Todothis,youdothefollowing: 1 RemoveVMFSdatastoresontheinternaldiskssothattheinternaldisksareno longersetuptostorevirtualmachines.SeeConfiguringStorageBehavioron page 35. ChangethebootsettingintheBIOSsothatthehostnolongerstartsupin ESX Server 3imode.SeeConfiguringtheBootSettingforAnotherModeon page 29.
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Adding ESX Server 3i to VMware Infrastructure
Thischapterdiscussestherequirementsandrecommendationsforadding ESX Server 3ihoststoadatacenterthathasexistingVMwareInfrastructure components,suchasESX ServerhostsandVirtualCenter Server. Specifically,thischapterdiscussestheimplicationsforVirtualCenter,virtualmachines, virtualmachinetools,andESXupgrades,whenyouaddESX Server 3itoyourVMware Infrastructure. UpgradingVMwareInfrastructurecomponentsfromearlierversionsisamultistage processinwhichproceduresmustbeperformedinaparticularorder.Theupgrade pathdependsonyourESX Serveranddatastoreconfigurations.Fordetailed informationaboutpreparingforandexecutingVMwareInfrastructureupgrades,see theUpgradeGuideforESX Server 3.5andVirtualCenter 2.5.
VirtualCenter
IfyouhaveanolderversionofVirtualCenterandyouwanttouseVirtualCenter tomanageESX Server 3i(orESX Server 3),youmustupgradetheVirtualCenter softwaretoversion2.5. ESX Server 3iversion3.5hostsandESX Server 3.5hoststhataremanagedtogether inVirtualCentercanrunthesamevirtualmachines,useVMotiontomigrate virtualmachinesbetweenthehosts,andaccessthesamedatastores. YoucanmanageESX Server 3.0hostsinthesameclusterwithESX Server 3iand ESX Server 3.5hosts. YoucanmanageESX Server2.0.xasstandalonehostsinVirtualCenter. ESX Server 2.0.xhostscannotbeaddedtoclusters.
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Virtual Machines
Ingeneral,virtualmachinesthatyoucreateonESX Server 3i(orESX Server 3) hostsaresupportedonESX Server 3.0.xhosts.Thiscapabilitymeansthatyoucan migratethevirtualmachinesbetweenthehostsanduseVMotion.Ifyoucreate virtualmachinesthatuseparavirtualization(VMI)oranenhancednetworking device(vmxnet),VMotionisnotsupported.Inthiscase,youcanmovethevirtual machinetotheESX Server 3.0.xhostifthevirtualmachineispoweredoff. VirtualmachinesthatyoucreateonESX Server 3i(orESX Server 3.5)hostsarenot supportedonESX Server2.xhosts.
Virtual Machine Tools

ForESXServer3iversion3.5,thereisavirtualhardwareupgradeandaVMware Toolsupgrade.TheVMwareToolsupgradeisnotrequiredbutisavailablefor version2.xandversion3.xvirtualmachines. IfyouupgradeVMwareToolsforavirtualmachinetoVMwareToolsversion3.5, youcanusetheupgradedvirtualmachineonanESX Server 3.0.xhost.Ifyoudo migratethevirtualmachinetoanESX Server3.0.xhost,VMwarerecommendsthat youuninstalltheESX Server3.5ToolsandinstallESX Server3.0.xTools.
ESX Server Upgrades

UpgradesfromearlierversionsofESX ServertoESX Server 3ihavenoinplace upgrade,butyoucanmigrateexistingvirtualmachinesanddatastores. ToreplaceESX Server 3iversion3.5withESX Server3,youcandisable ESX Server 3i(as describedinRemovingESX Server 3ifromthehostonpage 49) andtheninstallESX Server3inplace.Alternatively,youcanmigratevirtual machinesfromanESX Server3ihosttoanESX Server 3host.Youmustreregister thevirtualmachinesundertheESX Server3hostwithVIClient.SeetheVIClient Help. ToreplaceESX Server 3withESX Server 3i Installable,youcanuninstall ESX Server 3andtheninstallESX Server 3i Installableinplace.Alternatively,you canmigratevirtualmachinesfromanESX Server3hosttoanESX Server 3ihost. YoumustreregisterthevirtualmachinesundertheESX Server3ihostwithVI Client.SeetheVIClientHelp. ESXServer3iversion3.5isthefirstreleaseofESXServer3i.Thereiscurrentlyno ESXServer3iupgradeavailable.
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VMware Infrastructure System Requirements
YoucanmanageastandaloneVMwareESX ServerwithoutVirtualCenter Server. However,ifyouhavemultipleESX Serverhostsandyouwanttomanagethem centrally,considerinstallingtheVirtualCenter Server.Thisserverinstallsona Windowsmachine,eitherphysicalorvirtual.VirtualCenterallowstheuseofadvanced VMwareInfrastructurefeaturessuchasVMwareDRS,VMwareHA,andVMotion. Thischapterdescribesthehardwareandoperatingsystemrequirementsforhosts runningVirtualCenterandotherVMwareInfrastructurecomponents.Usethe informationinthischaptertoensurethatyourenvironmentmeetstherequirementsfor installation.Topicscoveredhereare: VirtualCenterRequirementsonpage 53 VI ClientHardwareRequirementsonpage 55 VI ClientSoftwareRequirementsonpage 56 LicenseServerRequirementsonpage 56 SupportedGuestOperatingSystemsonpage 57 VirtualMachineRequirementsonpage 57 ForinformationonESX Server 3irequirements,seeInstallingESX Server 3ion page 19.
VirtualCenter Requirements
VirtualCentermanagesESX Serverhostsbyusingaserverandthreetypesofremote managementclients.TheVirtualCenter Serverisaphysicalmachineorvirtualmachine configuredwithaccesstoasupporteddatabase.
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VirtualCenter Hardware Requirements

VirtualCenterhardwaremustmeetthefollowingrequirements: Processor2.0GHzorlaterIntelorAMDx86processor.Processorrequirements canbelargerifyourdatabaseisrunonthesamehardware. Memory2GBRAMminimum.RAMrequirementscanbelargerifyourdatabase isrunonthesamehardware. Diskstorage560MBminimum,2GBrecommended.Youmusthave245MBfree onthedestinationdriveforinstallationoftheprogram,andyoumusthave315MB freeonthedrivethatcontainsyour%temp%directory. NOTEStoragerequirementscanbelargerifyourdatabaserunsonthesame hardwareastheVirtualCentermachine.Thesizeofthedatabasevarieswiththe numberofhostsandvirtualmachinesyoumanage.Usingdefaultsettingsfora yearwith25hostsand8to16virtualmachineseach,thetotaldatabasesizecan consumeupto2.2GB(SQL)or1.0GB(Oracle). MicrosoftSQLServer2005ExpressdiskrequirementsThebundleddatabase requiresupto2GBfreediskspacetodecompresstheinstallationarchive. However,approximately1.5GBofthesefilesaredeletedaftertheinstallationis complete. NetworkingGigabitrecommended.
VirtualCenter Software Requirements

VirtualCenterissupportedonthe32bitversionsoftheseoperatingsystems: Windows2000ServerSP4withUpdateRollup1(DownloadUpdateRollup1at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollu p.mspx) WindowsXPProSP2 Windows2003ServerSP1 Windows2003ServerR2 VirtualCenter 2.xinstallationisnotsupportedon64bitoperatingsystems. TheVirtualCenterinstallerrequiresInternetExplorer5.5orlater.
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Chapter 6 VMware Infrastructure System Requirements
VirtualCenter Database Requirements

VirtualCentersupportsthedatabaseformatslistedinTable 61. Table 6-1. Supported Database Formats (SEE UPDATE)
Database Type MicrosoftSQLServer2000Standard MicrosoftSQLServer2000Enterprise Service Pack, Patch, and Driver Requirements SP4 ForWindows2000andWindowsXP,apply MDAC2.8SP1totheclient. UseSQLServerdriverfortheclient. SP1orSP2 ForWindows2000andWindowsXP,apply MDAC2.8SP1totheclient. UseSQLnativeclientdriverfortheclient. ForWindows2000andWindowsXP,apply MDAC2.8SP1totheclient. UseSQLnativeclientdriverfortheclient. Applypatch9.2.0.8.0totheserverandclient. None Firstapplypatch10.2.0.3.0totheclientandserver. Then applypatch5699495totheclient.
MicrosoftSQLServer2005Enterprise
MicrosoftSQLServer2005ExpressSP2
Oracle9irelease2Standard Oracle9irelease2Enterprise Oracle10gStandardRelease1(10.1.0.3.0) Oracle10gEnterpriseRelease1(10.1.0.3.0) Oracle10gStandardRelease2(10.2.0.1.0) Oracle10gEnterpriseRelease2(10.2.0.1.0)
Eachdatabaserequiressomeconfigurationadjustmentsinadditiontothebasic installation.SeePreparingtheVirtualCenter ServerDatabaseonpage 101.
End of Support Life for Microsoft Access and MSDE Databases

SupportforMicrosoftAccesswasdiscontinuedwithVMwareVirtualCenter version 2.0.SupportforMSDEisdiscontinuedwithVMwareVirtualCenterversion 2.5. VirtualCenter 2.5includesabundledversionofMicrosoftSQLServer2005Express,for useinsmalldeploymentsofupto5hostsand50virtualmachines.
VI Client Hardware Requirements

TheVI Clienthardwaremustmeetthefollowingrequirements: Processor266MHzorfasterIntelorAMDx86processor(500MHz recommended). Memory256MBRAMminimum,512MBrecommended.
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DiskStorage150MBfreediskspacerequiredforbasicinstallation.Youmust have55MBfreeonthedestinationdriveforinstallationoftheprogram,andyou musthave100MBfreeonthedrivethatcontainsyour%temp% directory. NetworkingGigabitrecommended.
VI Client Software Requirements

TheVI Clientisdesignedfortheseoperatingsystems: Windows2000ProSP4 Windows2000ServerSP4withUpdateRollup1(DownloadUpdateRollup1at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollu p.mspx) WindowsXPProSP2 Windows2003SP1(allreleasesexcept64bit) Windows2003ServerR2 WindowsVistaBusiness(including64biteditions) WindowsVistaEnterprise(including64biteditions) TheVI ClientrequirestheMicrosoft.NETFramework.Ifyoursystemdoesnthaveit installed,theVI Clientinstallerinstallsit.
License Server Requirements

Thissectiondescribesthelicenseserverrequirements. Thelicenseserverhardwaremustmeetthefollowingrequirements: Processor266MHzorfasterIntelorAMDx86processor. Memory256MBRAMminimum,512MBrecommended. DiskStorage25MBfreediskspacerequiredforbasicinstallation. NetworkingGigabitrecommended. VMwarerecommendsthatyouinstallthelicenseserveronthesamemachineasyour VirtualCenter Servertoensureconnectivity.TheVMwareInfrastructureManagement InstallationCDinstallsalicenseserverwhenyouinstallVirtualCenter.
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Chapter 6 VMware Infrastructure System Requirements
Thelicenseserversoftwareissupportedonthe32bitversionsofthefollowing operatingsystems: Windows2000ServerSP4 WindowsXPPro(atanySPlevel) Windows2003(allreleasesexcept64bit)
Supported Guest Operating Systems

TheVMwareGuestOperatingSystemInstallationGuideincludesinformationon supportedguestoperatingsystems.Thisdocumentisavailablefordownloadat: http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html ESX Serverversion3.5offerssupportforanumberof64bitguestoperatingsystems. Foracompletelist,seetheGuestOperatingSystemInstallationGuide. A64bitguestoperatingsystemrequiresspecifichardware.ForAMDOpteronbased systems,theprocessorsmustbeOpteronRevEandlater.ForIntelXeonbasedsystems, theprocessorsmustincludesupportforIntelsVirtualizationTechnology(VT).Many serversthatincludeCPUswithVTsupportmighthaveVTdisabledbydefault,andVT mustbeenabledmanually.IfyourCPUssupportVT,butyoudonotseethisoptionin theBIOS,contactyourvendortorequestaBIOSversionthatletsyouenableVT support. Todeterminewhetheryourserverhasthenecessarysupport,youcanuseaCPU CompatibilityToolathttp://www.vmware.com/download/vi/drivers_tools.html.
Virtual Machine Requirements

EachESX Servervirtualmachinehastherequirementsspecifiedinthissection.
Virtual Processor
IntelPentiumIIorlater(dependentonsystemprocessor) One,two,orfourprocessorsforeachvirtualmachine Ifyouplantocreateatwoprocessorvirtualmachine,yourESX Servermachinemust haveatleasttwophysicalprocessors.Forafourprocessorvirtualmachine,your ESX Servermachinemusthaveatleastfourphysicalprocessors.
Virtual Chip Set

Intel440BXbasedmotherboardwithNS338SIOchip
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Virtual BIOS
PhoenixBIOS4.0Release6
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VirtualCenter and ESX Server 3i Licensing Overview
ThischapterdescribesthelicensingmodelsavailablewithESX Server 3iand VirtualCenter. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingsections: LicensingTerminologyonpage 60 ESX Server 3iEditionsonpage 60 VirtualCenter ServerEditionsonpage 62 VirtualCenterandESX Server 3iLicensingModelonpage 62 LicenseKeyFunctionalityonpage 65 LicenseExpirationConsiderationsonpage 68 LicenseServerAvailabilityonpage 68 UsinganExistingFLEXnetLicenseServeronpage 72 ContactingSupportonpage 73
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Licensing Terminology
Youmightencounterthefollowingtermsduringthelicenseredemptionand configurationprocess: LicenseactivationcodeAlicenseactivationcode(LAC)isauniquecodethatis associatedwithoneormoreVMwareproductspurchased.Youreceivethiscode afteryourorderisprocessed,unlessyoupurchasedyourproductsfroman authorizedVMwarereseller,inwhichcaseyoureceiveapartneractivationcode. PartneractivationcodeApartneractivationcodeisauniquecodeidentifying ordersplacedthroughVMwarepartners.IfyoupurchasedVMware Infrastructure 3fromanauthorizedVMwarereseller,youusethiscodetoregister yourpurchasetoyourVMwarestoreaccount. LicenseactivationportalThelicenseactivationportalisaselfserviceWebportal thatyoucanusetoredeemyourlicenseactivationcodesanddownloadlicense filesforVMwareInfrastructure3. PartneractivationportalApartneractivationportalisaselfserviceWebportal usedtoregisterapurchasemadefromanauthorizedVMwareresellertoyour VMwarestoreaccount.Youenteryourpartneractivationcodeintotheportaland downloadyourlicensefilesfromthelicenseactivationportal.
ESX Server 3i Editions

DependingontheeditionofVMwareInfrastructuresoftwareyoupurchased,you mightbeentitledtodifferentESX Server 3ilicencetypes. SomeeditionsincludelimitedaccesstothefeaturesetofESX Server 3i.Certain standardfunctionalityisavailableonlywithanoptionaladdonlicense,atadditional cost.OthereditionsincludefullaccesstothefullfeaturesetofESX Server 3i. LicensesfrompreviousreleasesofESXServerworkwithESX Server 3iversion 3.5. However,licensingcapabilitiesaddedtoESXServer3iversion3.5editions (for example,VMwareConsolidatedBackup)arenotsupportedwithpreviouseditions ofESXServer.
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Chapter 7 VirtualCenter and ESX Server 3i Licensing Overview
Table 71displaysESX Server 3ifeaturesarrangedbyedition. Table 7-1. Edition Features for ESX Server 3i Machines
Feature Licensetype ESX Server 3i Standalone Serialnumber VI Foundation Flexlicensefiles (centralizedor singlehost) Yes Yes Yes Yes Addon Addon Addon VI Standard Flexlicensefiles (centralizedor singlehost) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Addon Addon VI Enterprise Flexlicensefiles (centralizedor singlehost) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
VMFS VirtualSMPsupport VMwareConsolidated Backup(VCB) VMwareUpdateManager VMwareHA ServerVMotionand Storage VMotion VMwareDRSandDPM (DistributedResource Managementand DistributedPower Management) Manageablebythe VI Client RemoteCLIaccess Manageableby VirtualCenter in productionmode Manageableby VirtualCenterinevaluation mode VirtualCenterManagement Agent
Yes Yes No No No No No
Yes Restricted Addon
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
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VirtualCenter Server Editions

AtleastoneinstanceofaVirtualCenterlicenseisrequiredforVIFoundation, VI Standard,andVIEnterpriseeditions.ThefollowingVirtualCentereditionsare available: VirtualCenterFoundationLetsyoumanageuptothreeESX Serverhosts.Ifyou needtomanagemorethanthreehosts,upgradetoVirtualCenteredition. VirtualCenterAnenterpriseleveleditionthatletsyoumanageuptothesystem maximumnumberofhosts.Forinformationaboutsystemmaximums,see ConfigurationMaximumsforVMwareInfrastructure3. VirtualCentereditionsrequireflex,centralizedlicensefiles.Youcanconvert VirtualCenterFoundationeditiontoVirtualCentereditionbyaddinganappropriate licensefileandswitchingtheeditions.Thesoftwaredoesntneedtobereinstalled.For informationaboutswitchingbetweentheeditions,seeToconfigurecentralized licensingforVirtualCenteronpage 84. YoucanconvertVirtualCenterExpresseditiontoVirtualCenterFulleditionbysimply addinganappropriatelicensefileandswitchingtheeditions.Thesoftwaredoesnt needtobereinstalled.Forinformationonswitchingbetweentheeditions,seeTo configurecentralizedlicensingforVirtualCenteronpage 84.
VirtualCenter and ESX Server 3i Licensing Model

ForESX Server 3i,theStandaloneeditionletsyouperformmostoperations.Touse someadvancedoperations,youcanusetheevaluationmodeoryoucanpurchasean upgradedlicense. ForVirtualCenter,unlessyouareusingevaluationmode,asoftwarelicenseisrequired formostoperations,suchasaddinghoststoyourVirtualCenterinventory.However, youcaninstall,launch,andconfigureVirtualCenterversion2.5withoutasoftware license. Twomodesoflicensingareavailable:singlehostandcentralized.Bothsinglehostand centralizedlicensesarebasedonFLEXnetmechanisms.Aflexlicenseiseitherserved (centralized)orunserved(singlehost).
Single-Host and Centralized License Types

Forsinglehostlicenses,theserialnumberorlicensefilesarestoredonindividual ESX Serverhosts.Centralizedlicensesarestoredonalicenseserver,whichmakesthese licensesavailabletooneormorehosts.Youcanrunamixedenvironmentemploying bothsinglehostandcentralizedlicensing.
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VirtualCenterandfeaturesthatrequireVirtualCenter,suchasVMotion,musthave centralizedlicensing.ESX Serverspecificfeaturescanbelicensedforeithercentralized orsinglehostlicensing. Figure 71illustratesthethreetypesoflicenseenvironments. Figure 7-1. License File Locations in Single-Host, Mixed, and Centralized Licensing Environments
single-host licensing
VI Client ESX host license file ESX host license file ESX host serial number
mixed: single-host and centralized licensing

VI Client ESX host license file ESX host license file VirtualCenter (recommended) ESX host ESX host
centralized licensing
VI Client ESX host
ESX host
VirtualCenter (recommended)
license server
license server
license file
license file
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Centralized Licensing
Centralizedlicensingsimplifieslicensemanagementinlarge,dynamicenvironments byallowingaVMwarelicenseservertoadministerlicenses.Withcentralizedlicensing, youmaintainallofyourVirtualCenter ServerandESX Serverlicensesfromone console. Withcentralizedlicensing,alicenseservermanagesalicensepool,whichisacentral repositoryholdingyourentirelicensedentitlement.Whenahostrequiresaparticular licensedfunctionality,thelicenseforthatentitlementischeckedoutfromthelicense pool.Licensekeysarereleasedbacktothepoolwhentheyarenolongerbeingusedand areavailableagaintoanyhost. Theadvantagesofcentralizedlicensinginclude: Youadministeralllicensingfromasinglelocation. Newlicensesareallocatedandreallocatedbyusinganycombinationof ESX Serverformfactors.Forexample,youcanusethesame32processorlicense forsixteen2processorhosts,eight4processorhosts,four8processorhosts,two 16processorhosts,oranycombinationtotaling32processors. Ongoinglicensemanagementissimplifiedbyallowinglicensestobeassignedand reassignedasneeded.Assignmentchangesastheneedsofanenvironment change,suchaswhenhostsareaddedorremoved,orpremiumfeatureslike VMotion,DRS,orHAaretransferredamonghosts. Duringperiodsoflicenseserverunavailability,althoughnewlicensescannotbe issued,existingVirtualCenter Serverlicensedfunctionalitycontinuestooperate indefinitelyandexistingESX Serverlicensedfunctionalitycontinuestooperate withina14daygraceperiod.SeeLicenseServerAvailabilityonpage 68. VMwarerecommendsthatyouusecentralizedlicensingforlarge,changing environments.
Single-Host Licensing
Therearetwoscenariosforsinglehostlicensing: HostbasedserialnumberFortheESXServer3iStandaloneedition,eachhost hasaserialnumbersuppliedbyVMware. HostbasedlicensefileForallotherESXServer3ieditionsincludingVI3 Foundation,VI3Standard,andVI3 Enterpriseeachhosthasalicensefile.
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Forhostbasedlicensefiles,thefollowingrulesapply: Yourtotalentitlementforpurchasedfeaturesisdividedamongseparatelicense filesresidingonESX ServerhostsandtheVirtualCenter Server. Whensomeoneactivatesalicensedfeature,thefeatureforthatentitlementmust resideinthelicensefileonthathost. YoumaintainseparatelicensefilesoneachESX Serverhost.Distributionof unusedlicensesisnotautomatic,andyoudonotdependonanexternalconnection forlicensing. Theadvantagesofhostbasedlicensefilesinclude: SinglehostfilesrequirenolicenseservertobeinstalledforESX Serverhostonly environments. InaVirtualCenterandlicenseserverenvironment,hostbasedlicensefilesallows ESX Serverhostlicensestobemodifiedduringperiodsoflicenseserver unavailability.
License Key Functionality

LicensekeysdeterminespecificentitlementtorunVMwaresoftware.Dependingon theESX ServerandVirtualCenterfeaturesyouwanttouse,youpurchasesuchkeys basedononeofthefollowingcriteria: PerprocessorbasisToactivateafeature,ahostrequiresafeaturelicenseforeach ofitsprocessors. PerinstancebasisToactivateasingleinstanceofacertainfeature,asinglelicense isrequiredregardlessofhowmanyprocessorsareused. Licensedfeaturesalsodifferintheiroperationbasedonwhethertheyareconsideredto beESX ServerorVirtualCenterfeatures.YoucanlicenseESX Serverfeaturesbyusing eithersinglehostorcentralizedlicensing.TheydonotrequireVirtualCenterora licenseserver.VirtualCenterfeaturesrequirecentralizedlicensing.ESX Serverfeatures andVirtualCenterfeaturesalsodifferintheirbehaviorwhenthelicenseserverisnot available.SeeLicenseServerAvailabilityonpage 68.
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Table 72summarizesthelicensefeaturetypesforVMwareInfrastructure3. Table 7-2. Summary of License Feature Types

Feature ESX Server VirtualCenter Server VirtualCenterAgentforESX Server VMwareConsolidatedBackup(VCB) ServerVMotionandStorageVMotion VMwareHA VMwareDRSandDPM ESX Server or VirtualCenter ESX Server VirtualCenter VirtualCenter ESX Server VirtualCenter VirtualCenter VirtualCenter Per-Processor or Per-Instance PerProcessor PerInstance PerProcessor PerProcessor PerProcessor PerProcessor PerProcessor
Per-Processor Licensing
FormostVMwareInfrastructureproducts,youpurchaselicensesonaperprocessor basis,whichmeansthatyouneedtoindicatethetotalnumberofprocessors,nothosts, thatwillruntheproducts.Youcanthendeployandredeploythepurchasedprocessor capacity,soldinincrementsoftwoprocessors,onanycombinationofhosts. Forexample,youpurchaseESX ServerlicensesfortenprocessorsandVMotionlicenses forsixprocessors.Youcanthendeploythoselicensesonanyofthefollowing combinationsofservers: ESX Serveronfive2processorhosts.EnableVMotiononthreehosts. ESX Serveronthree2processorhostsanda4processorhost.EnableVMotionon three2processorhosts,oronone2processorhostanda4processorhost. ESX Serverontwo4processorhostsandone2processorhost.EnableVMotionon one4processorhostandone2processorhost. ESX Serveronone8processorhostandone2processorhost.VMotionbetween thesetwohostscannotbeenabledunlessyoupurchaseanadditional4processor VMotionlicense.
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Specialconsiderationsinclude: Dualcoreandquadcoreprocessors,suchasIntelx86processorsthatcombinetwo orfourindependentcentralprocessingunitsonasinglechip,countasone processor. Youcannotpartiallylicenseamultiprocessorhost.Forexample,a4CPUhost requiresalicensewiththecapacityforfourprocessors. Singleprocessorlicensingissupportedforserverbasedlicenses.Ingeneral,for serverbasedlicensing,checkoutoflicensesinoddquantitiesissupported. However,hostbasedfilescannotbegeneratedwithoddquantities.Theymustbe generatedinmultiplesoftwo. Thefollowingfeaturesarelicensedonaperprocessorbasis: ESX ServerTopoweronavirtualmachine,ahostmusthavelicensingona perprocessorbasis.Thismeansadualprocessorhostrequirestwomatching ESX Serverlicenses.AfourprocessormachinerequiresfourmatchingESX Server licenses.SeeESX Server 3iEditionsonpage 60. VMwareConsolidatedBackup(VCB)TousetheConsolidatedBackup capabilitiesandbackupofallvirtualmachinesrunningonanESX Serverhosta VCBlicensekeymustbeavailableforeachprocessorwithinthathost.Fora descriptionofthisfeature,seetheVirtualMachineBackupGuide. VirtualCenterAgentforESX ServerThisagentisinstalledonanESX Server hostwhenitisaddedtotheVirtualCenter Server.Youmusthaveoneagentlicense keyforeachESX ServerprocessortobeaddedtoVirtualCenter. ServerVMotionandStorageVMotionTomigrateapoweredonvirtualmachine betweenhosts,eachESX ServerprocessorinvolvedmusthaveaVMotionlicense key.Forexample,ifyouuseVMotionfromadualprocessorESX Serverhostto anotherdualprocessorhost,youmusthavefourVMotionlicenses.SeeBasic SystemAdministration. VMwareHATorestartvirtualmachineswhoseESX Serverhosthasfailed,the VirtualCenter ServermusthaveanHAlicensekeyforeachESX Serverprocessor intheHAcluster.Foradescriptionofthisfeature,seetheResourceManagement Guide. VMwareDRSandDPMToprovideautomaticloadbalancingofvirtual machinesamonghostsanddistributedpowermanagement,the VirtualCenter ServermusthaveaDRSandDPMlicensekeyforeachESX Server processorintheDRScluster.Asaprerequisite,DRSrequiresappropriateVMotion licensekeysforallhostsintheDRScluster.Foradescriptionofthisfeature,seethe ResourceManagementGuide.
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Per-Instance Licensing
Featuresthatarelicensedonaperinstancebasisrequireonlyonelicensekeyforeach featureinstance,regardlessofthenumberofprocessorsused.TheVirtualCenter Server iscurrentlytheonlyfeaturelicensedonaperinstancebasis.Forinformationabout differenteditionsofVirtualCenter,seeVirtualCenter ServerEditionsonpage 62.
License Expiration Considerations

WhentheFLEXnetlicenseserverexpiresalicense,theVIClientdoesnotdisplaya messagethatthelicenseisexpiringunlessyouusetheVIClienttomanageyourvirtual machines,forexampletopowerthemonorresetthem. ThemessageappearseverytimeyouusetheVIClienttoperformanoperationona virtualmachine.
License Server Availability

VMwareprovidesthefollowingmechanismsthathelppreventthelicenseserverfrom beingasinglepointoffailure.Thelicenseserveractsprimarilyasalicensedistribution mechanism.Ifyourlicenseserverbecomesunavailable,youcannotissueanynew licensestoenablenewhostsornewfeatures.However,alllicensedfunctionality currentlyoperatingatthetimethelicenseserverbecomesunavailablecontinuesto operateasfollows: AllVirtualCenterlicensedfeaturescontinuetooperateindefinitely,relyingona cachedversionofthelicensestate.Thisincludesnotonlybasic VirtualCenter Serveroperation,butlicensesforVirtualCenteraddons,suchas VMotionandDRS. ESX Serverlicensedfeatureshavea14daygraceperiodduringwhichhosts continueoperation,relyingonacachedversionofthelicensestate,evenacross reboots.Afterthegraceperiodexpires,certainESX Serveroperations,suchas poweringonvirtualmachines,becomeunavailable.
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DuringtheESX Servergraceperiod,whenthelicenseserverisunavailable,the followingoperationsareunaffected: Virtualmachinescontinuetorun.YoucanusetheVI Clienttoconfigureand operatevirtualmachines. ESX Serverhostscontinuetorun.YoucanconnecttoanyESX Serverhostinthe VirtualCenterinventoryforoperationandmaintenance.Connectionsto VirtualCenterremain.YoucanusetheVI Clienttooperateandmaintainvirtual machinesfromthehosteveniftheVirtualCenter Serverconnectionisalsolost. Duringthegraceperiod,restrictedoperationsinclude: AddingESX ServerhoststotheVirtualCenterinventory.Youcannotchange VirtualCenteragentlicensesforhosts. Addingorremovinghostsfromacluster.Youcannotchangehostmembershipfor thecurrentVMotion,HA,orDRSconfiguration. Addingorremovinglicensekeys. Whenthegraceperiodexpires,cachedlicenseinformationisnolongerstored.Asa result,virtualmachinescannolongerbepoweredon.Runningvirtualmachines continuetorunbutcannotberebooted. Whenthelicenseserverbecomesavailableagain,hostsreconnecttothelicenseserver. Norebootingormanualactionisrequiredtorestorelicenseavailability.Thegrace periodtimerisresetwheneverthelicenseserverbecomesavailableagain. Table 73displaysESX Serverlicensedoperationspermittedwhilethelicenseserveris unavailable.Operationsthatarenotpermittedareoperationsthatrequirethe acquisitionofnewlicensesfromthelicenseserver.
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Table 7-3. Permitted ESX Server Operations When the License Server Is Unavailable
During Grace Period Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted NotPermitted After Grace Period Expires NotPermitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted NotPermitted NotPermitted
Component Virtualmachine
Attempted Action Poweron Createanddelete Suspendandresume ConfigurevirtualmachinewithVI Client
ESX Serverhost
Continueoperations Poweronandpoweroff ConfigureESX ServerhostwithVI Client Modifylicensefileforsinglehostlicensing Restartvirtualmachineswithinthefailed hostsHAcluster Addorremovelicensekeys
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Table 74listsVirtualCenterlicensedoperationsthatarepermittedwhenthelicense serverisunavailable.Operationsthatarenotpermittedareoperationsthatrequirethe acquisitionofnewlicensesfromthelicenseserver. Table 7-4. Permitted VirtualCenter Operations When the License Server Is Unavailable
When License Server Is Unavailable Permitted NotPermitted Permitted Permitted Permitted Permitted NotPermitted Permitted Permitted Permitted NotPermitted
Component VirtualCenter Server
Attempted Action RemoveanESX Serverhostfrominventory(see nextentry) AddanESX Serverhosttoinventory ConnectandreconnecttoanESX Serverhostin inventory Moveapoweredoffvirtualmachinebetween hostsininventory(coldmigration) MoveanESX Serverhostamongfoldersin inventory MoveanESX Serverhostoutofa VMotionDRSHAcluster(seenextentry) MoveanESX Serverhostintoa VMotionDRSHAcluster ConfiguretheVirtualCenter Serverwith VI Client StartVMotionbetweenhostsininventory ContinueloadbalancingwithinaDRScluster Addorremovelicensekeys
CAUTIONIfyoureleaselicensesforlicensedfeatureswhilethelicenseserveris unavailable,thereleasedlicensescannotberedistributeduntilthelicenseserver becomesavailableagain.Forexample,ifyouremovethenetworkadapterassociated withVMotionwhilethelicenseserverisunavailable,thatVMotionlicenseisreleased andisunavailableuntilthelicenseserverisavailableagain.Removingahostfromthe VirtualCenterinventoryorremovingahostfromaclusterhasasimilareffect.
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VirtualCenterusesaheartbeatmechanismtocheckwhetherthelicenseserveris reachableandtoseeifthereareanychangesinthelicensefile.Theheartbeatintervalis fiveminutes.Therefore,itmighttakeVirtualCenteraslongasfiveminutestodetect licensechangesorifthelicenseserverhasbecomeunavailable. Whenthelicenseserverbecomesunavailable,orifachangeinthelicensefilecausesa checkedoutlicensetoberemoved,VirtualCentermarkstheaffectedlicensesas UnlicensedUse,andthelicensedfeaturescontinuetooperateaspreviously described.Whenthelicenseserverbecomesavailableagain,orwhenlicensesareadded tothelicensefileagain,VirtualCenterchecksoutthelicensesagainandrevertsthemto theLicensedstate.Ifalicensecannotbecheckedout,thelicenseremainsinthe UnlicensedUsestate. Iflicenseserveravailabilityisaparticularconcerninyourenvironment,considerone ofthefollowingstrategies: InstallthelicenseserveronthesamemachineastheVirtualCenter Server.Thisis thedefaultoptionthattheVirtualCenterinstallerprovides. Installthelicenseserveronavirtualmachine,andplacethatvirtualmachineinan HAcluster.VMwareHArestartsthelicenseservermachineonanotherESX Server hostincaseoffailure. UsesinglehostlicensefilesonESX Serverhosts.
Using an Existing FLEXnet License Server

Inmostcases,VMwarerecommendsinstallingthelicenseserveronthesamemachine astheVirtualCenter Server.However,ifyoualreadyhaveaFLEXnetlicenseserverin yourenvironmentprovidinglicensesforotherproducts,youmightwanttoinstallthe VMwarelicenseserveronthatsystem. TheVMwarelicenseserverissupportedonlyonWindowsoperatingsystems.You cannotinstalltheVMwarelicenseserveronaLinuxbasedFLEXnetserver.SeeLicense ServerRequirementsonpage 56. ToinstalltheVMwarelicenseserveronyourexistingFLEXnetserver,usethe standalonelicenseserverinstallerasdescribedinInstallingaLicenseServeron page 95.ThisinstallstheVMwarelicenseservervendordaemon,whichcancoexist withothervendordaemonsalreadyinstalledontheserver.
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Contacting Support
Ifyourequireassistancewithlicensing,contactVMwareforsupportasfollows: IfyoudidnotreceivelicenseactivationcodesforyourVI3purchaseorhave difficultiesinusingyourlicenseactivationcodestoobtainlicensefiles,email vihotline@vmware.com. Ifyouhavelicensefilesandhavedifficultyconfiguringortroubleshootinglicensed features,fileasupportrequestathttp://www.vmware.com/support.
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Running VMware VirtualCenter and VMware ESX Server in Evaluation Mode
Thischapterprovidesinformationabouthowtoevaluateanupgradedlicenseof VirtualCenter 2.5andESX Serverversion3.5andhowtoobtainlicenseswhenthe evaluationmodeexpires.Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics: UsingEvaluationModeforESX Serveronpage 75 UsingEvaluationModeforVirtualCenteronpage 76 LicensingVirtualCenterandESX ServerAftertheEvaluationPeriodExpireson page 76
Using Evaluation Mode for ESX Server

BeforepurchasingandactivatinglicensesforyourESXServer 3iandVirtualCenter2.5, youcaninstallbothproductsandruntheminevaluationmode.Whenrunin evaluationmode,intendedfordemonstrationandevaluationpurposes,yoursoftware iscompletelyoperationalimmediatelyafterinstallation,doesnotrequireanylicensing configuration,andprovidesfullfunctionalityofESXServerandVirtualCenterfor60 daysfromthetimeyouinstallthem.Toinstallyoursoftwareinevaluationmode,skip thechapter,LicensingVirtualCenterandESX Server 3i,andgodirectlytothe followingchapters: InstallingESX Server 3ionpage 19 InstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementonpage 101 Ifyouareupgrading,seetheUpgradeGuide.
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Using Evaluation Mode for VirtualCenter

YoucanuseESX ServerwithoutVirtualCenter.However,ifyouhavemultiple ESX Serverhostsandyouwanttomanagethemcollectively,VMwarerecommendsthat youuseVirtualCenter.BeforepurchasingandactivatinglicensesforVirtualCenter 2.5, youcaninstallandrunVirtualCenterinevaluationmode.Whenruninevaluation mode,intendedfordemonstrationandevaluationpurposes,yoursoftwareis completelyoperationalimmediatelyafterinstallation,doesnotrequireanylicensing configuration,andprovidesfullfunctionalityofVirtualCenterfor60daysfromthe timeyoufirstinstallVirtualCenter.Duringthe60dayevaluation,thesoftwarenotifies youofthetimeremaininguntiltheevaluationmodeexpires.Theevaluationperiod cannotbepausedanditcannotberestarted.
Licensing VirtualCenter and ESX Server After the Evaluation Period Expires
Afterthe60dayevaluationperiodexpires,unlessyouobtainlicensesforyour software,youcannotperformmostoperationsinVirtualCenterandESX Server.For example,youcannotpoweronvirtualmachines,addnewhosts,oruseadvanced ESX ServerandVirtualCenterfeatures. IfyoudonotlicenseVirtualCenterbeforetheevaluationperiodexpires,allofthehosts intheVirtualCenterinventoryaredisconnected. NOTEReinstallingtheVirtualCenter Serverafterthe60dayevaluationexpiresdoesnt restartevaluationmode. Table 81detailstheESX Serverbehaviorafterevaluationmodeexpires.Theoperations thatarenotpermittedrequiretheacquisitionofnewlicenses. Table 8-1. ESX Server Operations After the 60-Day Evaluation Period
Component Virtualmachine Attempted Action Poweron Createanddelete Suspendandresume ConfigurevirtualmachinewiththeVI Client After 60 Days NotPermitted Permitted Permitted Permitted
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Chapter 8 Running VMware VirtualCenter and VMware ESX Server in Evaluation Mode
Table 8-1. ESX Server Operations After the 60-Day Evaluation Period (Continued)
Component ESX Serverhost Attempted Action Continueoperationsonexistinghosts Poweronandpoweroff ConfigureESX ServerhostwiththeVI Client Restartvirtualmachineswithinthefailed hostsHAcluster Addorremovelicensekeys After 60 Days Permitted Permitted Permitted NotPermitted Permitted
Considerations when Switching ESX Server and VirtualCenter to Licensed Modes

WhenyouswitchVirtualCenterandESX Serverfromevaluationmodetothelicensed mode,keepinmindthefollowingitems: IfthenumberofESX Serverhostsyouaddtoyourinventoryexceedsthenumber thatyourcurrentlicensingtypeallows,youcannotmanagetheexcesshosts.You candeletethemfromtheVirtualCenterinventoryorusetheVI Clienttodirectly accessthehostsandconfiguretheirlicensing. Makesureallrequiredlicensesareonyourlicenseserver.
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Licensing VirtualCenter and ESX Server 3i
Thischapterprovidesproceduresforredeeminglicensefilesandconfiguringlicense options. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingsections: LicensingProcessonpage 80 ObtainingLicenseFilesonpage 83 SettingUpCentralizedLicensingonpage 83 SettingUpSingleHostLicensingonpage 88 LicenseFileContentsonpage 91 LicenseFileLocationsonpage 93 AddingNewLicenseFilestoLicenseServersonpage 93 AddingNewLicenseFilestoSingleHostsonpage 94 InstallingaLicenseServeronpage 95 TroubleshootingLicensingonpage 96
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Licensing Process
Figure 91summarizesthelicenseconfigurationprocessforESX Server 3i Installable. Figure 9-1. ESX Server 3i Installable License Configuration Process
Purchase and install ESX Server 3i
Start in evaluation mode
Change to licensed mode
Install the serial number Local
Install a license server or enter path to .lic file
Served
Choose licensing type
Install a local file on the disk (/etc/vmware/)
Set the edition and add-on licenses
ESX Server 3i host is licensed
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Chapter 9 Licensing VirtualCenter and ESX Server 3i
Figure 92summarizesthelicenseconfigurationprocessesfortheVirtualCenter Server. Figure 9-2. License Configuration Process for VirtualCenter
Acquire VirtualCenter installer Purchase licenses
Evaluate VirtualCenter? Yes Run installer
No
Receive email from VMware or VMware partner
Follow email instructions to redeem licenses
Select Evaluation check box
Run installer
VirtualCenter 60-day evaluation
Deselect Evaluation check box
Install license server
Yes
Install license server?
No
Enter path to existing license server and VirtualCenter edition
Select license file that contains purchased licenses
(optional) Change license server configuration VirtualCenter is licensed
Copy purchased licenses to license directory
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AfteryoupurchaseVMwareInfrastructuresoftware,dothefollowingtoobtainanduse yourlicenses: 1 Decidewhichlicensetypetouse. ForESXServer3iStandaloneaddition,youcanuseahostbasedserialnumber. VI3 editionsofESXServerandVirtualCenteruseFLEXnetlicensing,whichoffers achoiceoflicensetypes:centralized,singlehost,ormixed.See VirtualCenterand ESX Server 3iLicensingModelonpage 62. 2 Registeryourpurchase. WhetheryoupurchasedVMwareInfrastructure3fromanauthorizedVMware resellerordirectlyfromVMware,youmustregisteryourpurchasetoyour VMwarestoreaccount.SeeObtainingLicenseFilesonpage 83. 3 Obtainlicensefiles. Afteryourpurchaseisregistered,usetheWebbasedlicenseactivationportalto generateanddownloadlicensefilesappropriatetothelicensetypeyouchosein Step 1.SeeObtainingLicenseFilesonpage 83. 4 InstallVirtualCenterandESX Server 3i.IfyoualreadyinstalledyourVirtualCenter andESXServerinunlicensedevaluationmode,skipthisstepandgotoStep 5. PerformthissteponlyifyoudonothaveaVMwarelicenseserverinstalled.The VMwareInfrastructureunifiedinstallerautomaticallyinstallsalicenseserver.To checkwhetheralicenseserverisinstalled,selectStart>Programs>VMwareand lookforVMwareLicenseServer.Ifalicenseserverisinstalled,skipthisstepand gotoStep 5. 5 ConfigureyourlicensingaccordingtothelicensetypeyouchoseinStep 1: Toconfigurecentralizedlicensing,seeSettingUpCentralizedLicensingon page 83. Toconfigurelicensingforasinglehost,seeSettingUpSingleHost Licensingonpage 88. Toconfigureamixedlicenseenvironment,seeSingleHostandCentralized LicensingintheSameEnvironmentonpage 89.
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Obtaining License Files

Theprocessofobtaininglicensefilesvariesslightlydependingonhowyoupurchased VMwareInfrastructure3.Thefirststepinobtaininglicensefilesistoobtainoneormore licenseactivationcodes,whichyoureceiveinoneofthefollowingways: IfyoupurchasedVMwareInfrastructure3fromanauthorizedVMwarereseller, suchasDell,HewlettPackard,orIBM,youreceiveanemailmessagecontaining instructionsonhowtoredeemandactivateyourlicenses.Entereithertheserial numberorapartneractivationcodeintothepartneractivationportaltoregister yourpurchase. ForothernewpurchasesofVMwareInfrastructure3,youreceiveanemailthat containsalicenseactivationcode. Whenyoureceivetheemailthatcontainsyouractivationcodes,followtheinstructions intheemailtoregisterlicenseactivationcodesandgeneratelicensefilesthroughthe Webbasedlicenseactivationportal. SeethelicenseactivationportalonlineHelp.
Setting Up Centralized Licensing

Youcanconfigurecentralizedlicensingatinstallationtime.Afterinstallation,youcan makechangestolicensingthroughtheVI Client.
Installing License Files

Afteryouobtainyourlicensefiles,savethemasASCIItextfilesinadirectoryyoucan accessfromyourlicenseservermachine.Usethe.licextensionwhensavingyour licensefiles.Thefileextension.licisrequired. WhenyouinstalltheVMwarelicenseserver,youcanthenimportthelicensefilesinto yourlicenseserver.Centralizedlicensefilesareplacedatthefollowingdefaultlocation onthemachinerunningthelicenseserver:
C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware License Server\Licenses
Forinstructionsregardingtherecommendedlicenseserverinstallation,see ConfiguringCommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 111. Forinstructionsoninstallingastandalonelicenseserver,seeInstallingaLicense Serveronpage 95.
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Location of the License Server

VMwarerecommendsthatyoufollowthedefaultinstallationandplaceyourlicense serveronthesamemachineasyourVirtualCenter Server.Thislocationhasthe advantageofsimplicityofsetup,aswellasguaranteeingVirtualCentertolicense servercommunications.Changethisonlyifyouhaveagoodreason,suchasanexisting FLEXnetlicenseserver. Toaccessthelicenseserverdocumentation,chooseStart>Programs>VMware> VMware License ServerandselecttheVMwareLicenseServerUserGuide.
Configuring Centralized Licensing

Thefirstprocedureinthissectiondescribestheconfigurationforcentralizedlicensing. IfyourenvironmentusesthedefaultVirtualCenterinstallation,orifyouhaveno VirtualCenter Server,godirectlytoToconfigurecentralizedlicensingforan ESX Serverhostonpage 85. To configure centralized licensing for VirtualCenter 1 2 3 4 FromtheVI Client,chooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServer Configuration. ClickLicenseServerinthelistontheleft. ClickUsetheFollowingLicenseServer. Enterthemachinenameand,optionally,aport. Ifyoudonotspecifyaport,thedefaultport,27000,isused. Forexample,withthedefaultlicenseserverport27000onalicenseservercalled license,yourentrymightlooklikethis:
license.vmware.com:27000
IfyouwanttochangetheVirtualCenterServeredition,selectoneofthefollowing: VCFoundationEdition VCFullEdition FormoreinformationontheVirtualCentereditions,seeVirtualCenter Server Editionsonpage 62.
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(Optional)IfyoudonotwantVirtualCentertooverridethehostscurrentlicense setting,deselectChangehostlicenseserversettingstomatchVirtualCenters settingwhentheyareaddedtoinventory. SelectingthischeckboxcausesVirtualCentertooverridethehostscurrentlicense settingandinsteadusethelicenseserverthatVirtualCenteruses.
ClickOKtosaveyourchanges. Youdonotneedtochangeanyothersettingstoenablecentralizedlicensing.
Thetotalnumberoflicensesconsumedandavailableonthelicenseserverare summarizedontheLicensestabintheAdminviewoftheVI Clientconnectedto VirtualCenter.ThistabwaslabeledLicenseViewerinearlierversionsof VirtualCenter. NOTEIfyoudidnotselectthecheckboxfortheoptionalsetting,seeToconfigure centralizedlicensingforanESX Serverhostonpage 85tomanuallyconfigure ESX Serverhoststousecentralizedlicensing. To configure centralized licensing for an ESX Server host 1 2 3 4 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. ClicktheConfigurationtab. UnderSoftware,clickLicensedFeatures. Tosetthelicenseserver: a b ClickEdittotherightofLicenseSources. ClickUseLicenseServer. Thisisthedefaultconfiguration. c EntertheportnumberandlicenseservermachinenameintheAddressfield, asinport@host. Forexample,withthedefaultlicenseserverport27000onalicenseserver calledlicense1,yourentrymightlooklikethis:
27000@license-1.vmware.com
ClickOKtoclosethedialogboxandsaveyourchanges.
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SettheESX Serveredition: a b ClickEdittotherightofESX ServerLicenseType. Specifytheeditionforthehost,orselectUnlicensedtoreleasethishosts licensesbacktothelicenseserver.TheESX ServerLicenseTypedialogbox displaysonlythoseeditionsthatareavailabletoyourESX Serverhost. ClickOKtoclosethedialogboxandsaveyourchanges.
c 6
Toconfigureaddonlicenses: a b ClickEdittotherightofAddOns. SelecttheaddonproductstouseandclickOK.
Thetotalnumberoflicensesconsumedandavailableonthelicenseserverare summarizedontheLicensestabintheAdminviewoftheVI Clientconnectedto VirtualCenter.ThistabwaslabeledLicenseViewerinearlierversionsof VirtualCenter. To configure local license server licensing for VirtualCenter 1 2 3 4 FromtheVI Client,chooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServer Configuration. ClickLicenseServerinthelistontheleft. ClickUselicenseservicesonthisVirtualCenter Server. IfyouwanttochangetheVirtualCenterServeredition,selectoneofthefollowing: VCFoundationEdition VCFullEdition FormoreinformationontheVirtualCentereditions,seeVirtualCenter Server Editionsonpage 62. 5 (Optional)IfyoudonotwantVirtualCentertooverridethehostscurrentlicense setting,deselectChangehostlicenseserversettingstomatchVirtualCenters settingwhentheyareaddedtoinventory. SelectingthischeckboxcausesVirtualCentertooverridethehostscurrentlicense settingandinsteadusethelicenseserverthatVirtualCenteruses. MakesurethatyouuseanIPaddressthatisaccessiblefromtheESX Serverhost. IfyouconfigureVirtualCentertousealocallicenseserverandthehostnameofthe locallicenseserver(theVirtualCenterhost)isnotresolvablefromtheESX Server host,thentheESX Serverhostcannotacquirelicensesfromthelocallicenseserver.
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ClickOKtosaveyourchanges. Youdonotneedtochangeanyothersettingstoenablelocallicenseserver licensing.
Thetotalnumberoflicensesconsumedandavailableonthelicenseserverare summarizedontheLicensestabintheAdminviewoftheVI Clientconnectedto VirtualCenter.ThistabwaslabeledLicenseViewerinearlierversionsof VirtualCenter. NOTEIfyoudidnotselectthecheckboxfortheoptionalsetting,seeToconfigure centralizedlicensingforanESX Serverhostonpage 85tomanuallyconfigure ESX Serverhoststousecentralizedlicensing.
Default License Server Ports

Bydefault,VirtualCenterandESX Serversoftwareisconfiguredtousethe27000and 27010TCP/IPportstocommunicatewiththelicenseserver.ForESXServer3i,youneed tousethedefaultportnumbersforthelicenseserver.
Changing from Single-Host to Centralized Licensing

YoucanchangeyourESX Serverhostsfromsinglehostlicensingtocentralized licensing.Todothis,youmustgenerateanewlicensefile,installalicenseserver(ifyou donothaveoneinstalled),andconfigureyourhoststousethenewlicensetype. To change ESX Server hosts from single-host licensing to centralized licensing 1 UsetheVMwarelicenseactivationportaltogenerateanddownloadacentralized licensefilethatcontainsthelicensesforyourESX Serverhostsandanyassociated VirtualCenter Serverfeatures.Thelicenseactivationportalletsyougenerate singlehostandcentralizedlicensefilesfromthesamelicenseactivationcode. Ifyoudidnotalreadyinstallalicenseserver,dosoasfollows: ToinstallalicenseserveraspartofaVirtualCenterinstallation,see Chapter 10,InstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagement,onpage 101. Toinstallastandalonelicenseserver,seeInstallingaLicenseServeron page 95. TouseanexistingFLEXnetlicenseserveralreadyinstalledinyour environment,seeUsinganExistingFLEXnetLicenseServeronpage 72. 3 ConfigureyourVirtualCenter ServerandESX Serverhostsasdescribedin ConfiguringCentralizedLicensingonpage 84.
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Setting Up Single-Host Licensing

Therearetwoscenariosforsinglehostlicensing: HostbasedserialnumberFortheESXServer3iStandaloneedition,eachhost hasaserialnumberthatissuppliedbyVMware. HostbasedlicensefileForallotherESXServer3ieditionsincludingVI3 Foundation,VI3Standard,andVI3 Enterpriseeachhosthasalicensefile.
Configuring an ESX Server 3i Machine to Use a Host-Based Serial Number

UsetheVI ClienttoinstalltheESX Server 3iserialnumber. To use the VI Client to install a host-based serial number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. ClicktheConfigurationtab. UnderSoftware,clickLicensedFeatures. ClickEdittotherightofLicenseSources. ClickUseSerialNumber. Entertheserialnumber. ClickOKtosaveyourchanges.
Configuring an ESX Server Machine for Host-Based Licensing

HostbasedlicensingrequiresavalidlicensefileoneachESX Serverhost. Whenyoureceiveyourlicensefile,renameittovmware.licandplaceitonafilesystem youcanaccessfromyourVI Client.Thefileextension.licisrequired. To use the VI Client to configure host-based licensing 1 2 3 4 5 FromtheVI Client,selectthehostintheinventory. ClicktheConfigurationtab. UnderSoftware,clickLicensedFeatures. ClickEdittotherightofLicenseSources. ClickUseHostLicenseFile.
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ClickBrowseandlocatethelicensefile. Thisfilemustbelocatedontheclientmachine,notontheESX Serverhost. Files musthavea.licextensiontoappearinthefilebrowser.
ClickOKtosaveyourchanges.
Single-Host and Centralized Licensing in the Same Environment

UsingsinglehostlicensesforESX Serverfeaturesandcentralizedlicensingfor VirtualCenterfeaturesinthesameenvironmentispermitted.Doingsorequires changestothedefaultVirtualCenterconfigurationsettings.Ifyoudonotchangethe VirtualCentersettings,thesettingscanoverridesinglehostlicensefiles: WhenVirtualCenterrestarts WhenthesinglehostESX Servermachinesareaddedtoinventoryagain AnysinglehostlicensefileontheESX Servermachineremainsunchangedbutignored. CAUTIONIfyourestoreanESX Servermachinetosinglehostlicensingwithout changingtheVirtualCenterdefaultconfiguration,VirtualCentersettingsmight overridethesinglehostsettingsontheESX Servermachine. TheESXServer3iStandaloneeditionisnotlicensedforVirtualCentermanagement. ThismeansthatthecombinationofserialnumberhostlicensingandVirtualCenter managementisnotanoption. To change VirtualCenter settings to allow single-host ESX Server licensing 1 2 3 4 5 FromtheVI Client,chooseAdministration>ServerSettings. ClickLicenseServerinthelistontheleft. DeselectthecheckboxforChangehostlicenseserversettingstomatch VirtualCenterssettingwhentheyareaddedtoinventory. ClickOKtosaveyourchanges. RemoveandAddanyaffectedESX Servermachineintheinventory.
NowitissafetoreconfiguresinglehostlicensingonanychangedESX Server machines.SeeConfiguringanESX ServerMachineforHostBasedLicensingon page 88.
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Configuring Licensing for a Mixed ESX Server 2.x and ESX Server 3.x Environment
YoucanusetheVirtualCenter Server2.xtomanageamixedenvironmentofboth ESX Server2.xandESX Server3.xhosts.Youreceivelicenseactivationcodeswith purchasesofVMwareInfrastructure3.Youcanredeemthecodesforboth ESX Server 2.xserialnumbersandVMwareInfrastructure3licensefiles. To configure licensing for the ESX Server 2.x hosts in the mixed environment 1 2 LeavethelicensingunchangedonexistingESX Server2.xhoststhatuseserial numbers. FornewESX Server2.xinstallations,redeemyourlicenseactivationcodesonthe licenseactivationportalforESX Server2.xserialnumbers. Providetheseserialnumbersatthetimeofinstallationorconfiguration. 3 Redeemyourlicenseactivationcode(s)togenerateacentralizedlicensefilethat containslicensesforVirtualCenter Server,VirtualCenterManagementAgents, VMotion,andESX Server3.x. Ifnecessary,combinemultiplegeneratedlicensefilestoproduceasinglefile. YourgeneratedlicensefilecanincludeESX Serverversion3.xlicensesforthe ESX Serverversion2.xhoststhatyouobtainedESX Server2.xserialnumbersforin Step 2.Thisletsyoueasilydistributelicensestothesehostsiftheyarelater upgradedtoESX Server3.x. 4 InstallandconfiguretheVirtualCenter Server2.xtousethelicenseserver.
ForinformationaboutinstallingVirtualCenter,seeChapter 10,InstallingVMware InfrastructureManagement,onpage 101.
Changing from Centralized to Single-Host Licensing

YoucanchangeyourESX Serverhostsfromcentralizedlicensingtosinglehost licensing.VirtualCenterandadditionalfeaturessuchasVMotion,VMwareDRS,and VMwareHAmusthavecentralizedlicensing.Tochangethelicensetypeforyour ESX Serverhosts,youmustgeneratenewlicensefilesforeachhostandconfigurethe hoststousethenewlicensetype.
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To change ESX Server hosts from centralized licensing to host-based licensing 1 UsetheVMwarelicenseactivationportaltogenerateanddownloadnew singlehostlicensefilesforeachESX Serverhost. Thelicenseactivationportalletsyougeneratebothsinglehostandcentralized licensefilesfromthesamelicenseactivationcode.Forhostbasedlicensing,you needonelicensefileforeachESX Serverhost. 2 IfyouareusingVirtualCenter,changeyourVirtualCenter Serversettingssothat VirtualCenterdoesnotoverridehostlicensesettings,asdescribedinSingleHost andCentralizedLicensingintheSameEnvironmentonpage 89. ConfigureyourESX ServerhostasdescribedinConfiguringanESX Server MachineforHostBasedLicensingonpage 88.
License File Contents

Bothcentralizedandsinglehostoperationrequirelicensefiles.LicensefilesareASCII textfilesthatcontaintwotypesofinformation:thelicensetypeandlicensekeys. LicensetypesectionSpecifiestheTCP/IPportsthatusethelicenseserverto communicatewithESX Serverhosts.VMwarerecommendsthatyounotmodify thesedefaultports.Ifyoudoneedtochangetheports,useanASCIItexteditorand validateyoureditedlicensefileathttp://www.vmware.com/checklicense/. Alicensetypeheaderlookssimilartothefollowing:
SERVER this_host ANY 27000 VENDOR VMWARELM port=27010 USE SERVER
Thissectionappearsonlyinalicenseserverfileandindicatesthatlicensekeys shouldbeservedonalicenseserver.Singlehostlicensefileshavenotypesection. LicensekeysectionContainsencryptedlicensekeys,oneforeachfeatureto whichyouareentitled.Table 91liststheavailablelicensekeys. Table 9-1. License Keys

Feature Name ESX ServerFoundationedition ESX ServerStandardedition ESX ServerEnterpriseedition VMwareConsolidatedBackup VirtualCenter ServerFoundation License File Key PROD_ESX_STARTER PROD_ESX_FULL ESX_FULL_BACKUP PROD_VC_EXPRESS License Type Available Centralizedorsinglehost Centralizedorsinglehost Centralizedorsinglehost Centralizedonly
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Table 9-1. License Keys (Continued)

Feature Name VirtualCenter Server VirtualCenterManagementAgent VMwareServerVMotion VMwareStorageVMotion VMwareDRS VMwareDPM VMware HA License File Key PROD_VC VC_ESXHOST VC_VMOTION VC_DRS VC_DAS License Type Available Centralizedonly Centralizedonly Centralizedonly Centralizedonly Centralizedonly
Centralizedfilesandsinglehostfilescanbedifferentiatedbythefollowing distinguishingfeatures: Singlehostlicensefilescontainnolicensetypesection.Centralizedfilescontaina licensetypesectionasthefileheader. SinglehostlicensefilescontainthestringlicenseType=Hostaspartofeach licensekeyblockinthefile.Centralizedlicensefilescontainthestring licenseType=Serveraspartofeachlicensekeyblockinthefile,asshowninthe followingexamples. Example 91showsatypicalsinglehostlicensekey. Example 9-1. Single-Host License Key
INCREMENT PROD_ESX_FULL VMWARELM 2005.05 31-dec-2008 uncounted \ VENDOR_STRING="licenseType=Host;vmodl=esxFull;desc=ESX Server \ Enterprise;capacityType=cpuPackage;gp=14;exclude=BACKUP;count=8" \ HOSTID=ANY ISSUED=06-AUG-2007 \ NOTICE="FulfillmentId=777;Name=VMware Internal" TS_OK \ SIGN="095A 14A7 ..."
Example 92showsatypicalcentralizedlicensekey. Example 9-2. Centralized License Key

INCREMENT PROD_ESX_FULL VMWARELM 2005.05 31-dec-2008 8 \ VENDOR_STRING="licenseType=Server;vmodl=esxFull;desc=ESX Server \ Enterprise;capacityType=cpuPackage;gp=14;exclude=BACKUP" \ ISSUED=06-AUG-2007 NOTICE="FulfillmentId=1201;Name=VMware \ Internal" TS_OK SIGN="1F7F 98D5 ..."
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License File Locations

AlicensefileresidesoneveryESX Servermachineoreverylicenseserver,depending onwhetheryouusecentralizedorhostbasedlicensing: Centralizedlicensefilesareplacedatthefollowingdefaultlocationonthe machinerunningtheVMwarelicenseserver:
NOTEInVirtualCenter 2.0,thedefaultlocationofthelicensefilewas C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\ VMware License Server\vmware.lic.Thislocationnolongerexists. Youcanaddnewlicensefilestothelicensedirectory.SeeAddingNewLicense FilestoLicenseServersonpage 93. Singlehostlicensefilesareplacedatthefollowingdefaultlocationonthe machinerunningESX Server.
/etc/vmware/vmware.lic
NOTEIncentralizedlicensing,thisfileexistsontheESX Servermachine,but containsnolicensekeys. Youcanaddnewlicensestothesinglehostbyusingthelicenseactivationportal. SeeAddingNewLicenseFilestoSingleHostsonpage 94.
Adding New License Files to License Servers

Thelicenseserversupportsalicensedirectoryformultiplelicensefiles.Ifyouobtained multiplelicensefiles(forexample,fromseparateorders)andyouwanttomanageall oftheselicensesfromthesamelicenseserver,addthemtothelicenseserverdirectory andthenrestarttheserver. To add new licenses to the license server directory 1 Addthenewlicensefiletothefollowingdefaultdirectoryonthemachinerunning theVMwarelicenseserver:
RestarttheVMwareLicenseServerservice.
ThefollowingprocedureisforWindows2000Professional.Themenusandcommands forotherversionsofWindowscanvary.
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To restart the license server Windows Service 1 2 3 4 ChooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel. DoubleclickAdministrativeTools. DoubleclickServices. Scrolldown,rightclickVMwareLicenseServer,andchooseRestart.
Youcanchangethedefaultlocationofyourcentralizeddirectory,oryourlicensefile. To change the default location of the license directory 1 2 3 Onthecomputerthatrunsthelicenseserverapplication,chooseStart>Programs >VMware>VMwareLicenseServer>VMwareLicenseServerTools. ClicktheConfigServicestab. ClickBrowsenexttothePathtolicensefilefield,andchoosealicensefilefrom thelicensedirectory. Ifyouwantthelicenseservertousetheentirelicensedirectory,manuallyremove thenameofthefile,leavingonlythenameofthedirectory. 4 5 6 7 ClicktheStart/Stop/Rereadtab. ClickStop. ClickStart. ClickReReadLicenseFiletoloadthenewlicensefiles.
Adding New License Files to Single-Hosts

Hostbasedlicensingdoesnotsupportamultiplelicensefiledirectory.Ifyouhave multiplelicensefiles,youneedtocombinethemintoasinglelicensefilebyusingthe licenseactivationportal.Forexample,youcanaddnewlypurchasedlicensestoan existinglicensefile,orcombineentitlementsfromtwoseparatepurchasesintoasingle licensefile.Youcancombineevaluationlicensesandproductionlicensesinasinglefile, butproductsmightrequireconfigurationchangeswhentheevaluationlicensesexpire. YoucancombinethefilesbyusingtheVMwareWebbasedlicenseactivationportal. Forexample,youcancombinetwoESX Serverlicensefilesintoasinglelicensefile. See ObtainingLicenseFilesonpage 83.
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Installing a License Server

Thissectiondescribesanindependentinstallationofthelicenseserver.Youcanskip thissectionifyouareusingtheVMwareInfrastructureManagementInstaller,as describedinInstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementSoftwareonpage 107. TheVMwareInfrastructureManagementInstallerinstallsalicenseserver. Tocheckwhetheralicenseserverisalreadyinstalled,chooseStart>Programs> VMwareandlookforVMwareLicenseServer.Ifalicenseserverisinstalled,VMware recommendsreinstallingorupgradingthelicenseservertothelatestversion. Youcanusethefollowingprocedurewithanyinstallationtohaveastandalonelicense serveronamachineotherthanyourVirtualCenter Serverhost. YoucaninstallthelicenseserveronthesamemachinewheretheVirtualCenter Server residesoronaseparatemachine.Toensurethebestpossiblelicensepoolavailability, VMwarerecommendsinstallingthelicenseserveronthesamemachinewherethe VirtualCenter Serverresides. ToinstalltheVMwarelicenseserversoftware,youmusthave: HardwarethatmeetsVMwareInfrastructureSystemRequirementsonpage 53 AstaticIPaddressormachinenamethatyourlicenseservercanuse ThefollowingprocedureassumesthatyouhaveAdministratorprivilegesona Windowssystem. To install a VMware license server 1 InserttheVMwareInfrastructureInstallationCD. IftheVMwareInfrastructureManagementInstallerappears,clickcanceltoexit. 2 3 4 5 6 Navigatetothe\vpxfolderontheinstallationCDanddoubleclick VMwarelicenseserver.exe. VerifythatyouareinstallingthelicenseserverandclickNext. Toacceptthelicenseagreement,selectIacceptthetermsinthelicenseagreement andclickNext. SelectthefolderinwhichyouwanttoinstallthelicenseserverandclickNext. TypethefullpathtoyourlicensefileorclickBrowsetolocatethisfileandclick Next. Thelicensefileshouldbelocatedinadirectoryyoucanaccessfromyourlicense servermachine.
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ClickInstalltobegintheinstallation. ClickFinishtocompletethelicenseserverinstallation.
Afteryouinstallthelicenseserver,youcanaccessdetailedinformationaboutusingand configuringtheserverbyclickingStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareLicense ServerandselectingtheVMwareLicenseServerUserGuide.
Troubleshooting Licensing
Thissectionprovidesguidelinesfortroubleshootingyourlicensesetup.Ifyouarenot abletoresolveyourproblemswithlicensingbyusingtheinformationgiveninthis section,contactVMwareforsupportasfollows: IfyoudidnotreceivelicenseactivationcodesforyourVI3purchaseorhave difficultiesinusingyourlicenseactivationcodestoobtainlicensefiles,email vihotline@vmware.com. Ifyouhavelicensefilesandhavedifficultiesinconfiguringortroubleshooting licensedfeatures,fileasupportrequestathttp://www.vmware.com/support.
Receiving License Activation Codes

VMwaresendslicenseactivationcodesandlicensinginformationtothelicense administratorlistedforaparticularpurchase.Ifyouarenotthelicenseadministrator, contactyourorganizationslicenseadministratorforyourlicenseactivationcodes. Ifyouneedtochangethelicenseadministratorforyourorder,contact vihotline@vmware.com.Includetherelevantordernumbersinyouremail. IfyoupurchasedVMwareInfrastructure3fromanauthorizedVMwarereseller,you mustregisteryourpurchasebyusingthepartneractivationcode(s)suppliedbythe partnertogenerateyourlicensefiles.
Checking the License Server

Ifyouarehavingtroublecommunicatingwithyourlicenseserver,checkthefollowing: ThelicenseserverWindowsserviceisrunning. Thelicenseserverislistening. Thelicenseserverstatus.
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To check that the license server Windows service is running 1 2 3 Onthemachineonwhichthelicenseserverisinstalled,chooseStart>Control Panel>AdministrativeTools>ServicestodisplaytheServicescontrolpanel. VerifythattheStatuscolumnfortheVMwareLicenseServerentryreadsStarted. IftheVMwareLicenseServerisnotstarted,startitbyrightclickingontheservice andchoosingStart.
To check that the license server is listening 1 2 3 Onthemachineonwhichthelicenseserverisinstalled,chooseStart>Command Prompt. Typenetstat -abatthecommandline. Verifythatthelmgrd.exeprocessislisteningonport27000andthatthe VMWARELM.exeprocessislisteningonport27010. Ifnot,thelicenseservermightnotbeinstalledormightnotbestarted.
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To check the license server status 1 Onthemachineonwhichthelicenseserverisinstalled,chooseStart>Programs> VMware>VMwareLicenseServer>VMwareLicenseServerToolstolaunchthe LMTOOLSutility. ClicktheServerStatustabtodisplaytheServerStatuspage. ClickPerformStatusInquiry. Licenseserverinformation,includingthelocationofthelicensefile,appearsatthe bottomofthepage.
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Checking the License File

Ifyourlicenseserverisoperatingproperly,orifyouareusinghostbasedlicensing,but youstillcannotuselicensedfeatures,yourlicensefilemighthaveaproblem.Checkthe following: Validateyourlicensefileathttp://www.vmware.com/checklicense/. Ensurethatyouareusingthecorrecttypeoflicensefile.Ifyouareusingalicense server,useacentralizedfile.Ifyouareusinghostbasedlicensing,makesurethat youareusingasinglehostlicensefileoneachhost. Filesforcentralizedlicensingcontainablockofheadertextatthetop,andthe stringVENDOR_STRING=licenseType=Serverappearsineachlicensekeyinthe file.Singlehostlicensefileshavenoheadertext,andthestring VENDOR_STRING=licenseType=Hostappearsineachlicensekeyinthefile. Ifyouareusingacentralizedlicensefile,checkthatthelicensetypeheader informationappearsonlyonce,atthetopofthefile. Checkthatthelicensefilecontainsthecorrectkeysforthefeaturesyouwanttouse. Foralistofkeys,seeTable 91,LicenseKeys,onpage 91. Ifyoueditedthelicensefile,checkthatyoudidnotmixcentralizedandsinglehost keysinasinglefile.
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Checking License Configuration

Ifyourlicenseserver(ifused)appearstobeworkingcorrectly,andyourlicensefileis correct,usetheVI Clienttocheckthatyoucorrectlyconfiguredlicensingforyourhosts: Ifyouareusingcentralizedlicensing,followtheinstructionsinConfiguring CentralizedLicensingonpage 84. Ifyouareusingsinglehostlicensing,followtheinstructionsConfiguringan ESX ServerMachineforHostBasedLicensingonpage 88.
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Installing VMware Infrastructure Management
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ThischapterdescribeshowtoprepareyourVirtualCenterdatabase,installVMware InfrastructureManagementsoftware,andconfigurecommunicationbetween components.YoucaninstallVMwareInfrastructureManagementsoftwareona physicalsystemoronavirtualmachinerunningonanESX Serverhost. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics: PreparingtheVirtualCenter ServerDatabaseonpage 101 InstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementSoftwareonpage 107 ConfiguringCommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 111 UninstallingVMwareInfrastructureComponentsonpage 113 InstallingVirtualCenteronaVirtualMachineonpage 114
Preparing the VirtualCenter Server Database

ToinstallVirtualCenter,youmustalsoinstalladatabase.VirtualCenter Serverrequires adatabasetostoreandorganizeserverdata.VirtualCenterversion2.5supportsOracle, SQLServer,andMicrosoftSQLServer2005Express. TheVirtualCenter Serverrequiresadministrationcredentials(IDandpassword)tolog intoanOracleorSQLdatabase.ContactyourDBAforthesecredentials,orinstallthe bundledMicrosoftSQLServer2005Expressdatabaseforsmallerdeployments. NOTEMicrosoftSQLServer2005Expressissupportedonlyforsmalldeployments withupto5hostsand50virtualmachines.
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Configuring Your VirtualCenter Database

Thissectiondiscussesconfigurationrequirementsforallsupporteddatabases.
Configuring an Oracle Connection to Work Locally

TouseanOracledatabaseasyourVirtualCenterdatabaseandhaveVirtualCenter accessthedatabaselocally,usethefollowingprocedure. Beforeyoubeginthisprocedure,reviewtherequireddatabasepatchesspecifiedin Table 61,SupportedDatabaseFormats(SEEUPDATE),onpage 55.Ifyoudonot prepareyourdatabasecorrectly,theVirtualCenterinstallermightdisplayerrorand warningmessages. To prepare an Oracle database to work locally with VirtualCenter 1 FromtheOracledatabasemachine,installandprepareOracle: a b c d 2 DownloadOracle9iorOracle10gfromtheOracleWebsite,installit,and createadatabase(VirtualCenter). DownloadOracleODBCfromtheOracleWebsite. InstalltheOracleODBCcorrespondingdriverthroughtheOracleUniversal Installer(directionsareprovidedwiththedriver). Increasethenumberofopencursorsforthedatabase.Addtheentry open_cursors = 300totheC:\Oracle\ADMIN\VPX\pfile\init.orafile.
ConnectOraclelocally: a CreateanewtablespacespecificallyforVirtualCenterbyusingthefollowing SQLstatement:

CREATE TABLESPACE "VPX" DATAFILE 'C:\Oracle\ORADATA\VPX\VPX.dat' SIZE 1000M AUTOEXTEND ON NEXT 500K;
Createauser,suchasvpxAdmin,foraccessingthistablespacethroughODBC:
CREATE USER vpxAdmin IDENTIFIED BY vpxadmin DEFAULT TABLESPACE vpx;
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Eithergrantdbapermissiontotheuser,orgrantthefollowingpermissionsto theuser:
grant grant grant grant grant grant grant grant connect to <user> resource to <user> create view to <user> create any sequence to <user> # For VirtualCenter upgrade only create any table to <user> # For VirtualCenter upgrade only execute on dbms_job to <user> execute on dbms_lock to <user> unlimited tablespace to <user> # To ensure space limitation is not an issue
CreateanODBCconnectiontothedatabase.Thefollowingareexample settings:
Data Source Name: VMware VirtualCenter TNS Service Name: VPX User Id: vpxAdmin
Configuring an Oracle Connection to Work Remotely

TouseanOracledatabaseasyourVirtualCenterdatabaseandhaveVirtualCenter accessthedatabaseremotely,usethefollowingprocedure. Beforeyoubeginthisprocedure,reviewtherequireddatabasepatchesspecifiedin Table 61,SupportedDatabaseFormats(SEEUPDATE),onpage 55.Ifyoudonot prepareyourdatabasecorrectly,theVirtualCenterinstallermightdisplayerrorand warningmessages. To prepare an Oracle database to work remotely with VirtualCenter 1 2 InstalltheOracleclientontheVirtualCenter Servermachine. ConnecttoOracleremotely: a b DownloadandinstalltheODBCdriver. Editthetnsnames.orafilelocatedatOra9Ior10g,asappropriate:
C:\Oracle\Oraxx\NETWORK\ADMIN
Inthisexample,xxiseither 9Ior10g.
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UsetheNet8ConfigurationAssistanttoaddthefollowingentry:
VPX = (DESCRIPTION = (ADDRESS_LIST = (ADDRESS=(PROTOCOL=TCP)(HOST=vpxd-Oracle)(PORT=1521)) ) (CONNECT_DATA = (SERVICE_NAME = VPX) ) ) HOST =
Inthisexample,HOSTisthemanagedhosttowhichtheclientneedstoconnect.
Configuring a SQL Server ODBC Connection

WhenyouinstallVirtualCenter,youcanestablishaconnectionwithaSQLServer database.ThefollowingproceduredescribeshowtoconfigureaSQLServerODBC connection. ForspecificinstructionsabouthowtoconfiguretheSQLServerODBCconnection,see yourMicrosoftSQLODBCdocumentation. IfyouuseSQLServerforVirtualCenter,donotusethemasterdatabase. NOTEMicrosoftWindowsNTauthenticationisnotsupportedwithremoteSQL Server. Beforeyoubeginthisprocedure,reviewtherequireddatabasepatchesspecifiedin Table 61,SupportedDatabaseFormats(SEEUPDATE),onpage 55.Ifyoudonot prepareyourdatabasecorrectly,theVirtualCenterinstallermightdisplayerrorand warningmessages. To prepare a SQL Server database to work with VirtualCenter 1 OnyourMicrosoftSQLServer,performthefollowingtasks: a b CreateaSQLServerdatabasebyusingEnterpriseManagerontheSQLServer. CreateaSQLServerdatabaseuserwithdatabaseoperator(DBO)rights. ThedefaultdatabasefortheDBOuseriswhatyoudefinedinStep a. Makesurethedatabaseuserhaseitherasysadminserverroleorthe db_ownerfixeddatabaseroleontheVirtualCenterdatabaseandtheMSDB database.(SEEUPDATE)Thedb_ownerroleontheMSDBdatabaseisrequired forinstallationandupgradeonly.Thisrolecanberevokedafterthe installationorupgradeprocessiscompleted.
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OnyourVirtualCenter Server,opentheWindowsODBCDataSource Administrator. ClickSettings>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>DataSources(ODBC). ClicktheSystemDSNtab. TomodifyanexistingSQLServerODBCconnection: a b SelecttheappropriateODBCconnectionfromtheSystemDataSourcelist. ClickConfigure. ProceedwithStep 7.
TocreateaSQLServerODBCconnection: a b ClickAdd. ForSQLServer2000,selectSQLServerandclickFinish. ForSQLServer2005,selectSQLNativeClientandclickFinish.
TypeanODBCdatastorename(DSN)nameintheNamefield. Forexample,typeVMware VirtualCenter.
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(Optional)TypeanODBCDSNdescriptionintheDescriptionfield. SelecttheservernamefromtheServerdropdownmenu. TypetheSQLServermachinenameinthetextfieldifyoucannotfinditinthe dropdownmenu.
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ClickNext. Selectoneoftheauthenticationmethods: IfyouareusinglocalSQLServer,selectWindowsNTauthentication. WindowsNTauthentication,alsoknownastrustedauthentication,is supportedonlyiftheSQLServerisrunningonthesamesystemas VirtualCenter. IfyouareusingremoteSQLServer,selectSQLServerauthentication. WindowsNTauthenticationisnotsupportedonremoteSQLservers.
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Toidentifytheauthenticationtype: a b c OpenSQLServerEnterpriseManager. ClickthePropertiestabtoviewproperties. Checkthemode. ThemodeindicateseitherWindowsNTorSQLServerauthenticationtype. 12 TypeyourSQLServerloginnameandpassword. Askyourdatabaseadministratorforthisinformation. 13 14 15 16 ClickNext. SelectthedatabasecreatedforVirtualCenterfromtheChangethedefault databasetomenuandclickNext. ClickFinish. FromtheODBCMicrosoftSQLServerSetupmenu,chooseTestDataSource. Ifthetestdatasourceisacceptable,clickOK.Ifitisnotacceptable,clickBackand reconfigureanyincorrectitems. 17 18 ToclosetheODBCDataSourceAdministrator,clickClose. EnsurethattheSQLAgentisrunningonyourdatabaseserver. ThisappliestoSQLServer2000andSQLServer2005editions.
Configuring Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express

VirtualCentersupportsbothMicrosoftSQLServer2005Express(32bit)andMicrosoft SQLServer2005Express(64bit).TheMicrosoftSQLServer2005Expressdatabase packageisinstalledandconfiguredwhenyouselectMicrosoftSQLServer2005Express asyourdatabaseduringVirtualCenterinstallationorupgrade.Thisisshownin ConfiguringCommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 111.No additionalconfigurationisrequired. IfMicrosoftSQLServer2005Expressisalreadyinstalled,reviewtherequireddatabase patchesspecifiedinVirtualCenterDatabaseRequirementsonpage 55.Ifyoudonot prepareyourdatabasecorrectly,theVirtualCenterinstallermightdisplayerrorand warningmessages. Seewww.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/default.mspx. NOTEVMwaredoesnotsupportMicrosoftSQLServer2005Expressfordeployments withmorethan5hostsand50virtualmachines.
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Maintaining Your VirtualCenter Database

AfteryourVirtualCenterdatabaseinstanceandVirtualCenterareinstalledand operational,performstandarddatabasemaintenanceprocesses.Theseinclude: Monitoringthegrowthofthelogfileandcompactingthedatabaselogfile,as needed.Seethedocumentationforthedatabasetypeyouareusing. Schedulingregularbackupsofthedatabase. BackingupthedatabasebeforeanyVirtualCenterupgrade. Formoreinformationonbackingupyourdatabase,seeyourdatabasedocumentation.
Installing VMware Infrastructure Management Software

ThissectiondescribeshowtoinstallmanagementsoftwarebyusingtheVMware InfrastructureManagementCDordownloadpackage.TheVMwareInfrastructure ManagementCDallowsyoutochoosethecomponentsyouwanttoinstallandinstalls allselectedcomponentsinasingleprocedure.
VirtualCenter Installation Prerequisites

IfyouchoosetoinstallVirtualCenter,firstdothefollowing: EnsurethatyourhardwaremeetsVMwareInfrastructureSystemRequirements onpage 53. MakesurethatthesystemyouuseforyourVirtualCenterinstallationbelongstoa domainratherthanaworkgroup.Ifassignedtoaworkgroup,your VirtualCenter Servercannotdiscoveralldomainsandsystemsavailableonthe networkwhenusingsuchfeaturesasVirtualCenterConsolidation.Todetermine whetherthesystembelongstoaworkgrouporadomain,rightclickMyComputer andclickPropertiesandtheComputerNametab.TheComputerNametab displayseitheraWorkgrouplabeloraDomainlabel. CreateaVirtualCenterdatabase,unlessyouwanttouseSQLServer2005Express. SeePreparingtheVirtualCenter ServerDatabaseonpage 101. ObtainandassignastaticIPaddressandhostnametotheWindowsserverthat willhostVirtualCenterandthelicenseserver.ThisIPaddressmusthaveavalid (internal)DNSregistrationthatresolvesproperlyfromallmanagedESX Server hosts.Forbestresults,ensurethattheWindowsservernameisexactlythesameas theDNShostname.
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YoucandeployVirtualCenterbehindafirewall.However,makesurethereisno NetworkAddressTranslation(NAT)firewallbetweenVirtualCenterandthehosts itwillmanage. Theinstallerautomaticallyinstallsalicenseserverforyou,unlessyouenterapath toanexistinglicenseserver. Ifyouwanttouseanexistinglicenseserver,obtainthehostnameorIP address. Ifyouaregoingtoallowtheinstallertoinstallalicenseserver,youneeda validservedlicensefile. Becausethelicenseserverdoesnotsupportlicensefilesonanetworkshare, placeyourlicensefilesinadirectoryonasystemwhereyouareinstallingthe licenseserver.
Components Installed
TheVMwareInfrastructureManagementinstallerincludesthefollowingcomponents: VMwareVirtualCenterServerAWindowsservicetomanageESXServerhosts. VIClientAclientapplicationusedtoconnectdirectlytoanESXServeror indirectlytoanESXServerthroughaVirtualCenterServer. Microsoft.NETFrameworkSoftwareusedbytheVirtualCenterServer,Database Upgradewizard,andtheVIClient. MicrosoftSQLServer2005ExpressAfreeversionoftheMicrosoftSQLServer databaseforsmallerscaleapplications.Ifyouenterapathtoanexistingdatabase, theinstallerdoesnotinstallMicrosoftSQLServer2005Express. VMwareUpdateManager(optional)AVirtualCenterpluginthatprovides securitymonitoringandpatchingsupportforESXServerhostsandvirtual machines. VMwareConverterEnterpriseforVirtualCenterServer(optional)A VirtualCenterpluginthatenablesyoutoconvertyourphysicalmachinestovirtual machines. VMwarelicenseserverAWindowsserviceallowingallVMwareproductstobe licensedfromacentralpoolandmanagedfromoneconsole.Ifyouenterapathto anexistinglicenseserver,theinstallerdoesnotinstallalicenseserver.
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Installation Procedure
ThefollowingproceduredescribeshowtoinstallallVMwareInfrastructure managementcomponents. To install VMware Infrastructure Management 1 2 AsAdministratorontheWindowssystem,inserttheinstallationCD. WhentheVMwareInfrastructureManagementInstallerscreenappears,click Next. IftheVMwareInfrastructureManagementInstallerscreendoesnotappear, doubleclicktheautorun.exeicon. 3 4 5 6 ReadtheIntroductionpageandclickNext. SelectIacceptthetermsinthelicenseagreementandclickNext. TypeyourusernameandcompanynameandclickNext. SelectoneoftheinstallationtypesandclickNext. Thechoicesare: InstalltheVI Client. InstallVirtualCenter. Chooseacustominstallationtoinstallmultiplecomponents. 7 Selecttheoptioncorrespondingwiththedatabaseyouconfigured. Ifyouhavenotconfiguredasupporteddatabase,clickInstallMicrosoftSQL Server2005Express.Thisdatabaseissuitableforsmalldeploymentsofupto 5 hostsand50virtualmachines. Ifyouhaveconfiguredasupporteddatabase,clickUseanexistingdatabaseand enteryourdatabaseconnectioninformation: a Typethedatasourcename(DSN)associatedwithyourdatabase. ThismustbeasystemDSN. b IfyourdatabaseisalocalSQLServerdatabaseusingWindowsNT authentication,leavetheusernameandpasswordfieldsblank.Otherwise, typetheusernameandpasswordassociatedwiththedatasourcenameand clickNext. Ifyourconnectionfails,awarningappears.ClickOKandreenteryour databaseconnectioninformationuntilyoucancontinue.
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Selectoneofthefollowingoptions: TouseVirtualCenterinevaluationmode,selectIwanttoevaluate VirtualCenterServerandclickNext. Ifyouchoosethisoption,theenterpriseleveleditionofVirtualCenteris installedinevaluationmode.TheVMwareLicenseServerisalsoinstalledso thatyoucanswitchtolicensedmodeduringoraftertheevaluationperiod. TouseVirtualCenterinlicensedmodewithanexistinglicenseserver: i ii iii SelectUseanexistingLicenseServer. Enterthepathtoyourexistinglicenseserver. SelecttheVirtualCentereditionthatyoupurchasedandclickNext.
Ifyouchoosethisoption,theVMwareLicenseServerisnotinstalled. TouseVirtualCenterinlicensedmodewhenyoudonothaveanexisting licenseserver: i ii Leavebothcheckboxesunselected. SelecttheVirtualCentereditionthatyoupurchasedandclickNext.
Ifyouchoosethisoption,theVMwareLicenseServerisinstalled. 9 Entertheportandproxyinformationthatyouwanttouseoracceptthedefault informationshownonscreenandclickNext.Thisstepappliesonlytocustom installations. ThedefaultportforHTTPSis443.IfyouconfigureVirtualCentertouseadifferent portforHTTPS,youmustusetheconfiguredportnumberwhenyouloginto VirtualCenter. 10 EnterinformationaboutthesystemonwhichyouareinstallingVirtualCenterand clickNext. Enter: TheIPaddressordomainnameofthesystemonwhichyouareinstalling VirtualCenter. Theloginandpasswordthatyouusetologintothesystemonwhichyouare installingVirtualCenter. 11 ForVMwareUpdateManager,youcanusethesamedatabasethatyouusefor VirtualCenter,oryoucanuseanotherdatabase.SeeStep 7.
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ForVMwareUpdateManager,entertheportandproxyinformationthatyouwant touseoracceptthedefaultinformationshownonscreen.Thisstepappliesonlyto custominstallations. ForVMwareConverter,entertheportinformationthatyouwanttouseoraccept thedefaultinformationshownonscreen.Thisstepappliesonlytocustom installations. ClickNexttocontinuethroughthedeploymentoptionsscreens.
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AcceptthedefaultdestinationfoldersandclickNext. Ifyoudonotwanttoacceptthedefaultdestinationfolders: ForVMwareInfrastructure,clickChangetoselectanotherlocationandclick Next. Fordownloadingpatches,clickChangetoselectanotherlocationandclick Next. CAUTIONToinstalltheVMwareInfrastructurecomponentsonadriveotherthan theC:drive,verifythereisenoughspaceintheC:\WINDOWS\Installerfolderto installtheMicrosoftWindowsInstaller.msifile.Ifyoudonothaveenoughspace, becauseofaknownissuewithWindowsInstaller,yourVMwareInfrastructure installationmightfail.
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ClickInstall. Installationmighttakeseveralminutes.Multipleprogressbarsappearduring installationoftheselectedcomponents.
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ClickFinishtocompletetheVMwareInfrastructureinstallation.
Configuring Communication Between VirtualCenter Components

VirtualCentermustbeabletosenddatatoeveryVirtualCentermanagedhostand receivedatafromeachVI Client.Toenableanymigrationorprovisioningactivities betweenVirtualCentermanagedhosts,thesourceandtargethostsmustbeableto receivedatafromeachother.(SEEUPDATE)
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Duringnormaloperations,VirtualCenterislisteningfordatafromitsmanagedhosts andclientsondesignatedports.Additionally,VirtualCenterassumesthatitsmanaged hostsarelisteningfordatafromVirtualCenterondesignatedports.Ifafirewallis betweenanyoftheseelements,anopeningmustbecreatedtoallowdatatransferto thesedesignatedports. Thefollowingsectionsdescribehowtofacilitatethiscommunication.Forinformation aboutSDKcommunications,seetheVMwareSDKdocumentation.Foramore thoroughdiscussionoffirewallconfiguration,seetheServerConfigurationGuide.
Connecting to Your VirtualCenter Server Through a Firewall

ThedefaultportsthatVirtualCenterusestolistenforconnectionsfromtheVI Clientare ports80,443,and902.VirtualCenteralsousesport443tolistenfordatatransferfrom SDKclients. IfyouhaveafirewallbetweenyourVirtualCenter Serveranditsclients,youmust configureameansforVirtualCentertoreceivedatafromthem. ToenableVirtualCentertoreceivedatafromtheVI Client,openports80,443,and902 inthefirewalltoallowdatatransferfromtheVI ClienttoVirtualCenter.Toenable VirtualCentertoreceivedatafromSDKclients,openport443inthefirewall.For additionalinformationonconfiguringportsinafirewall,seeyourfirewallsystem administrator. IfyouwantVirtualCentertouseadifferentporttoreceiveVI Clientdata,seeBasic SystemAdministration. TotunneltheVI ClientdatathroughthefirewalltothereceivingportonVirtualCenter, seeBasicSystemAdministration.VMwarerecommendsthatyounotusethismethod becauseitdisablestheVirtualCenterconsolefunction.
Connecting to Your Managed Hosts Through a Firewall

ThedefaultportthatVirtualCenterusestosenddatatothemanagedhostsisport902. IfyouhaveafirewallbetweenyourVirtualCenter ServerandVirtualCentermanaged host,youmustconfigureameansforVirtualCentertosenddatatothe VirtualCentermanagedhost. IfyouhaveafirewallbetweentwoVirtualCentermanagedhostsandyouwantto performanysourceortargetactivities,suchasmigrationorcloning,youmust configureameansforthemanagedhoststoreceivedata. ManagedhostsalsosendaregularheartbeatoverUDPport902toVirtualCenter. Firewallsmustnotblockthisport.
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To enable a VirtualCenter-managed host to receive data on the default port Openport902inthefirewalltoallowdatatransfertotheVirtualCentermanagedhost fromVirtualCenteroranotherVirtualCentermanagedhost.Foradditionalinformation onconfiguringtheports,seeyourfirewallsystemadministrator.
Connecting Hosts with the License Server Through a Firewall

ThedefaultportsthatthelicenseserverusestocommunicatewithESX Serverhostsare 2700and27010.IfyouareusingcentralizedlicensingwithyourESX Serverhosts,and haveafirewallbetweenyourESX Serverhostsandyourlicenseserver,openthese ports. Youcanchangethedefaultportsbyeditingthelicensefile.Whenyoueditthelicense file,useanASCIItexteditor.Validatetheeditedlicensefileat http://www.vmware.com/checklicense/.Afterchangingtheports,openthenewports youchoseinthefirewall.Consultyourfirewallsystemadministratorforadditional informationonconfiguringtheports.ForinformationonconfiguringtheESX Server firewall,seetheServerConfigurationGuide.
Uninstalling VMware Infrastructure Components

TheVMwareInfrastructurecomponentsareuninstalledseparately,eveniftheyareon thesamemachine.YoumusthaveAdministratorprivilegestouninstallthe VirtualCentercomponent. CAUTIONIfyoutrytouninstallVirtualCenterwhileitisrunning,youmustconfirm thatyouwanttotakeaction.Uninstallinginthiswaycausesadisruptiontoany VI Clientsconnectedtotheservice.Thiscancausedataloss. UninstallingtheVMwareInfrastructurecomponentsdoesnotuninstalltheMicrosoft .NETFramework.DonotuninstalltheMicrosoft.NETFrameworkifyouhaveother applicationsonyoursystemthatdependuponit. To uninstall a VMware Infrastructure Component using the Add/Remove Programs Tool 1 2 AsAdministratorontheWindowssystem,chooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel >Add/RemovePrograms. ToselectaVMwareInfrastructurecomponent,scrollthroughthelistofinstalled programs,selectthecomponenttoremove,andclickChangeorRemove.
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ClickYestoconfirmthatyouwanttoremovetheprogram. ClickFinish.
Installing VirtualCenter on a Virtual Machine

YoucaninstallyourVirtualCentercomponentsonaWindowsvirtualmachine,which runsonanESX Serverhost.DeployingVirtualCenteronavirtualmachinehasthe followingadvantages: RatherthandedicatingaseparateservertoVirtualCenter,youcaninstallitona virtualmachinerunningonthesameESX Serverhostwhereyourothervirtual machinesrun. YoucanprovidehighavailabilityforVirtualCenterbyusingVMwareHA. YoucanmigratethevirtualmachinethatcontainsVirtualCenterfromonehostto another,enablingmaintenanceandotheractivities. YoucancreatesnapshotsoftheVirtualCentervirtualmachineandusethemfor backups,archiving,andsoon. To install VirtualCenter on a virtual machine 1 2 OnanymachinethathasnetworkaccesstoyourESX Serverhost,installthe VI Client. UsingtheVI Client,accesstheESX Serverhostdirectlytocreatethevirtual machineforhostingVirtualCenter. Forinformationaboutcreatingvirtualmachines,seeBasicSystemAdministration. 3 Onthevirtualmachine,installVirtualCenter.
SeeInstallingVMwareInfrastructureManagementSoftwareonpage 107. FormoredetailsoninstallingandrunningVirtualCenteronavirtualmachine,see RunningVirtualCenterinaVirtualMachineatwww.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_vc_in_vm.pdf
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Maintaining ESX Server 3i and the VI Client
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Softwareupdatesmightbepatchesforaddressingcriticalsecurityissuesorurgentbug fixes,ortheymightbegeneralupdatesormaintenancereleases.Theymightbelocated onthelocalfilesystemoronanNFS,FTP,orHTTPserver.Eachupdateconsistsofa descriptorfileandasetofpackages.Thedescriptorcontrolstheinstallationprocessand checksthatrequirementsaremet.Forexample,youmightberequiredtopoweroffall virtualmachinesrunningontheserveryouareabouttoupdate,oryoumightneedto reboottheserveraftertheupdate. Thischapterdiscussestwoutilitiesyoucanusetoapplysoftwareupdatestothe VI ClientandESX Server 3isoftware.TheVMwareInfrastructureUpdateisagraphical userinterface(GUI)application.Thevihostupdateutilityisaremotecommandline interface(CLI)tool.Theseutilitiesarediscussedinthefollowingsections: PerformingMaintenancewithInfrastructureUpdateonpage 115 PerformingMaintenanceWiththevihostupdateUtilityonpage 119 RollingBackanUpdateonpage 122
Performing Maintenance with Infrastructure Update

WhenyouinstalltheVI Client,thesoftwareinstallsInfrastructure Update. Infrastructure Updateletsyoulearnabout,download,andinstallmaintenanceand patchreleases,whichprovidesecurity,stability,andfeatureenhancementsfor VMwareInfrastructure.
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TheInfrastructure Updateperiodicallychecksfornewupdatesthatareapplicableto ESX Server 3ihostsconnectedtotheVI Client.Ifnewupdatesarediscovered, Infrastructure Updatedownloadstheimageandthecompanionsoftwareinthe background,andcachesthedownloadedupdatesinalocalrepository. NOTESoftwareupgradesaredifferentfromupdates.Upgradesareformajorreleases ofthetypex.0andminorsoftwarereleasesofthetypex.y.Forexample,ESX Server 2.0 andESX Server 2.5. VMwareupdatesareformaintenancereleasesofthetypex.y.zandpatches.For example,ESX Server2.5.3andESX Server2.5.3Patch2.Updatesarediscussedinthis chapter. Seehttp://www.vmware.com/download.
System Requirements for Infrastructure Update

TouseInfrastructure Update,youmusthave: AworkstationorlaptopwiththeVI Clientinstalled. YoucaninstalltheVI ClientbyusingtheVMwareInfrastructureManagementCD orbydownloadingtheVI Clientathttp://<ipaddressofyour3ihost>. AnetworkconnectionbetweentheESX Server 3ihostandthecomputerthatis runningtheVI Client.
Scheduling Automatic Update Notifications

Bydefault,automaticupdatenotificationisenabled.Ifyoukeepautomaticupdate notificationsenabled,youdonothavetosearchfornewupdatesorworrythat somethingimportantmightbemissing.Infrastructure Updatechecksforavailable updatesforthefollowingsoftwarecomponents: ESX Server 3i RemoteCLI VI Client VMwareTools VMwareUpdate Thedefaultdayandtimefortheupdateservicetocheckforavailableupdatesisevery Sundayat12:00a.m.
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To schedule a different day and time for update checks 1 2 ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>Infrastructure Update. OntheUpdatestab,enteradifferentdayandtime.
Selecting Hosts to Be Managed

Infrastructure UpdatecompilesalistofESXhostsinyourdatacenter.Thislistofhosts hasasubsetofhoststhatarecurrentlyreachable.Bydefault,theservicemanages reachablehostsbyperiodicallycheckingthemforavailableupdates. To configure the list of managed hosts 1 2 ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareInfrastructure Update. OntheHoststab,selectthehoststomanageandclickApply. Infrastructure Updateverifiesthattheselectedhostsarereachable.
Installing Available Updates

Infrastructure Updatedownloadsavailableupdates.Thedownloadsarebackground tasksanddonotdisruptnormaloperation.Theupdateservicedoesnotinstallupdates foryou.Instead,theupdateservicedisplaysalistofavailableupdatesthatyoucan choosetoinstall. Whennewupdatesareavailable,thesystemtrayiconforInfrastructure Update displaysanotification.Thenotificationsappearonlyifyoukeepautomaticupdate notificationsenabled. To install available updates 1 2 3 ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareInfrastructure Update. OntheHoststab,selectahostandclickApply. Entertheusernameandpasswordfortheselectedhost. Aninstallationwizardletsyouchoosethesoftwarepackagestoinstallandguides youthroughtheinstallationprocess. 4 5 ClickContinuetoinstallavailableupdatesonthenexthost. RepeatStep 3andStep 4untilallhostsareupdated.
Afterallupdatesareapplied,VMwareUpdaterestartsallaffectedservices.
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Disabling Automatic Update Notifications

WhenyouusetheVI Clienttoconnecttoahostdirectly,theVI Clientchecksfor availableupdatesandnotifiesyouwhenupdatesareavailable. To disable automatic update notifications 1 2 ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareInfrastructure Update. OntheUpdatestab,deselectAutomaticallycheckforrecommendedupdatesand clickOK.
Manually Checking for Available Updates

Youcanmanuallycheckwhetherupdatesareavailableforthereachablehostsinyour datacenter. To manually check for updates 1 2 3 ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareInfrastructure Update. OntheHoststab,selectthehoststocheckforupdates. OntheUpdatestab,clickCheckNow.
Theupdateservicerepliestoyourquery,indicatingeitherthatanupdateisavailableor thatthereisnoupdate. Forinformationabouthowtoinstallupdates,seeInstallingAvailableUpdateson page 117.
Using Removable Media to Install Updates

Optionally,youcanmanuallydownloadandburnupdatefilesontoremovablemedia, suchasaCDROMorDVD,andthenusetheremovablemediatoupdatearemote system.ThisoptionisusefulwhenyouupdateESX Server 3ihoststhatarenot connectedtotheInternet. To install software that is stored on removable media 1 2 3 4
118
Fromhttp://www.vmware.com/download,downloadoneormorepackageZIP files. Burnthefilesontoremovablemedia,suchasaCDROMorDVD. InserttheremovablemediaintoaworkstationorlaptopwiththeVI Client installed. ConnecttheVI Clienttothehostthatneedstobeupdated.

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5 6 7
ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareInfrastructure Update. OntheUpdatestab,clickAddFiles. NavigatetotheremovablemediaandselectaZIPfile. ThisactionaddstheZIPfiletotheinstallationcache.Ifapplicableupdatesare availableforhoststhattheupdateserviceismanaging,aninstallwizardguides youthroughtheinstallationprocess.Toupdatehoststhatarenotalreadybeing managed,addthemtothemanagedhostslist.
To add hosts to the managed hosts list 1 2 3 ChooseStart>Programs>VMware>VMwareInfrastructure Update. OntheHoststab,selectthehoststocheckforupdates. OntheUpdatestab,clickCheckNow.
Performing Maintenance with the vihostupdate Utility

YoucanusethevihostupdateRemoteCLIutilityformaintenanceofyourESX Server 3i hostsandtheVI Client.Thecommandcaninstallsoftwareupdates,enforcesoftware updatepolicies,andtrackinstalledsoftware.Onlytherootusercanrunthecommand. NOTEIncontrasttomostotherRemoteCLIcommands,youmustrunthiscommand ontheESX Server 3ihostdirectly,thatis,the--vihostoptionisnotsupported. TheRemoteCLIisavailableintwoforms: AsavirtualappliancethatyoucanimportintoESX Server,VMwareWorkstation, orVMwarePlayer. AsapackagethatyoucaninstallonMicrosoftWindowsandLinuxmachines. ForinformationaboutimportingorinstallingtheRemoteCLI,seetheRemote CommandLineInterfacesappendixoftheESX Server 3iConfigurationGuide. Beforeyoucanbackupyourhostconfigurationdata,youmusthaveaccesstoa machinethatisrunningtheRemoteCLI.AfteryoupowerontheRemoteCLI,ashell promptletsyourunCLIcommandsonanESX Server 3ihosttowhichyouconnect remotely.
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To update a host 1 Poweroffanyvirtualmachinesthatarerunningonthehosttoupdate. Whenyourunthevihostupdateutility,thesoftwareplacesthehostinto maintenancemode.Thehostcannotbeplacedintomaintenancemodeunlessyou firstpoweroffallvirtualmachinesthatarerunningonthehost. 2 Onahostotherthanthehostyouareupdating,powerontheRemoteCLIandlog in. Youdonotneedtotypethepasswordonthecommandline.Ifnopasswordis specified,thetoolpromptsyouforthepasswordwithoutechoingtheoutputtothe terminal.Thismeansthepasswordyoutypeisnotvisibleinthewindowasyou runthecommand. YoucancreateasecureconnectiontotheRemoteCLI,byusingtheRemoteCLIIP address.IfyouareusingtheVI Client,youcanrightclicktheRemoteCLIand selectOpenConsole.IftheRemoteCLIisinstalledonyourWindowsorLinux system,youcanusetheinstalledapplication,inwhichcaseyoudonotneedtolog in. 3 4 5 DownloadthefileandcopyittotheRemoteCLIfilesystem. Runthevihostupdateutility. Rebootthehostfortheupdatestotakeeffect.
Forcommandsyntaxexamples,seeExamples:thevihostupdateUtilityonpage 121.
How the vihostupdate Maintenance Utility Installs Software Updates

Duringtheinstallationprocess,thevihostupdateutilityproceedsasfollows: 1 2 3 Checksforprerequisites.Forexample,checkswhetherthecorrectversionofthe ESX Serverhostisinstalledorwhetherallvirtualmachinesarepoweredoff. UpdatesanESXServer3ihostwithavailableupdates.Youmustensurethatthe updatebundleisinadirectorythatisaccessiblefromthevihostupdatetool. InstallsthreeseparatecomponentsincludingtheESXServer3isoftware, VMware Toolsforvirtualmachines,andaVI Clientinstaller.
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Options for the vihostupdate Utility

YoucanrunthevihostupdateutilitywiththeoptionsshowninTable 111.For informationaboutgeneraloptionsavailablewiththeRemoteCLIcommands,seethe RemoteCommandLineInterfacesappendixoftheESXServer3iConfigurationGuide. Table 11-1. Options for the vihostupdate utility
Option --bundle <bundle_file_name> --install -b -i Description UnpackthedownloadedZIPfile.Ifyouspecifythisoption, youcannotspecify--metadata. Patchthehostwithapplicablepackagesintheupdate bundle.Thisoptiontakesnoarguments,butyoumustalso includeeither-b tospecifyabundleor-mtospecifya metadatafile. Pathtothemetadata.xmlfilethatcontainsinformation abouttheupdatebundle.Ifyouspecifythisoption,you cannotspecify--bundle. Listinstalledpackagesonthehost.Thisoptionreturns versioninformationfortheESX Serverhost,aswellasall packagesinstalledandtheirversionnumbers.
--metadata <metadata_xml_file> --query
-m
-q
Examples: the vihostupdate Utility

Assumethepathtoafileis<mypatch>.zip.Ifyouthengotothedirectorywhereyou copiedthatfile,youcanexecutethecommandsshowninTable 112. Table 11-2. Examples for the vihostupdate utility
Example vihostupdate -server 3i-host-ip -username root -password password -i -b mypatch.zip vihostupdate -server 3i-host-ip -username root -password password -b mypatch.zip vihostupdate -server 3i-host-ip -username root -password password -i -m mypatch/metadata.xml Description Unpacksthefileandpatches thehost. Unpacksthefile,butdoesnot patchthehost. Patchesthehost.
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Rolling Back an Update

EachESX Server 3ihostcanstoretwobuilds,onebootbuildandonestandbybuild.The bootbuildistheonefromwhichthesystemisbooted. Foreachupdate,theupdateutilityupdatesthestandbybuild.Aftertheupdate,you thenrebootthehost.Onreboot,thenewlyupdatedbuildbecomesthebootbuild.Ifthe updateissuccessful,thehostcontinuestobootfromthenewbootbuilduntilthenext update.Uponthenextupdate,theupdateserviceupdatesthestandbybuild,andthe standbybuildbecomesthenewbootbuild. Forexample,supposethecurrentbootbuildis52252andthestandbybuildis51605. Whenyouupdatethehosttobuild52386,theupdateprocessreplacesbuild51605with build52386andmakesbuild52252thestandbybuild.Iftheupdateissuccessful,you continuetobootfrombuild52386untilthenextupdate. IfanupdatefailsandtheESX Server 3ihostcannotbootfromthenewbuild,thehost revertstobootingfromtheoriginalbuildthenexttimeyoureboot. Duringthebootprocess,youcanmanuallybootintothestandbybuild.Thiscausesan irreversiblerollback.Inotherwords,whenyoumanuallyselectthestandbybuild,the standbybuildbecomesthenewbootbuildandremainsthebootbuilduntilyou performanotherupdateormanuallyselectthestandbybuild. Iftheupdateprocessisinterrupted,theupdatefails.Forexample,supposeyou performedanupdateandyouarerebootingtheESX Server 3ihost.Thebootmenu displaysBuildXXXXX(upgrading).Ifaninterruptionoccurs,forexamplearebootor apowerfailure,theupdatefails. To switch to the standby build 1 2 3 ReboottheESX Server 3ihost. Whenyouseethepagethatdisplaysthecurrentbootbuild,pressShiftrtoselect thestandbybuild. PressShiftytoconfirmtheselectionandpressEnter.
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12
Monitoring the Condition of ESX Server 3i
12
ESX Server 3imonitoringletsyouchecktheconditionofthefollowinghost components: CPUprocessors Fans Memory Storage Temperature To monitor the condition of a host 1 2 LogontotheVI Clientandselecttheserverfromtheinventorypanel. ClicktheConfigurationtabandclickHealthStatus.
Ifacomponentisfunctioningnormally,thestatusindicatorisgreen.Theindicator changestoyelloworredifasystemcomponentviolatesaperformancethresholdoris notfunctioningproperly.Generally,ayellowindicatorsignifiesdegraded performance.Aredindicatorsignifiesthatacomponenthasstoppedoperatingorhas exceededthehighestthreshold. TheReadingcolumndisplaysthecurrentvaluesforthesensors.Forinstance,this columndisplaysrotationsperminute(RPM)forfansanddegreesCelsiusfor temperature. IfyouareusingVMwareDistributedResourceScheduler(DRS)andVMwareHigh Availability(HA),theseservicescantakeactionwhenhardwareeventsoccur.
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123
124
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Index
Numerics
27000, port 87 27010, port 87
CPU processors, health 123
D
databases Oracle 102 preparing 101 SQL Server 104 deactivating ESX Server 3i 49 default storage behavior 35 DHCP 31 DHCP, direct console 32, 33 direct console 25, 43 alternatives 40 boot setting 29 configuring the keyboard 27 DHCP 32, 33 DNS 33 DNS suffixes 34 IP addressing 32, 34 management network 31 navigating 27 network adapters 31 network settings 31 NICs 31 password configuration 38 security banner 28 static addressing 32, 33, 34 testing management network 34 VLAN ID 31 DNS suffixes, direct console 34 DPM, by edition 61 DRS, by edition 61
A
access, restricting 38 activation code, license 83 administrative password 38 applying patches 119 automatic updates 115
B
backing up a configuration 44, 45 virtual machines 61, 67 banner, security 28 BIOS 29 boot setting 29 build numbers 122
C
CD-ROM, booting from virtual 30 centralized licensing configuring 84 description 64 clients, firewall 111 configuration backup and restore 44, 45, 46 configuration defaults, resetting 39 configuring the keyboard 27 configuring, ports 111 connectivity 41 Consolidated Backup, licensing 61, 67
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125
E
editions 67 ESX Server 3i backing up and restoring the configuration 44 deactivating 49 editions 67 installing 19 recovering 47 update, rolling back 122 evaluation licenses 94
IP 31 IP addressing, direct console 32, 33, 34 iSCSI licensing 61
K
keyboard, localizing 27
L
LAC 60 license activation code 60, 83 license files installing 83 locations of 93 obtaining 83 license keys 64 license pool 64 license server availability 68 grace period 68 install 95 license types ESX Server 60 VirtualCenter Server 62 licenses, evaluation 94 licensing centralized 64 single-host 64 listening ports 111 local Oracle database 102 localizing, keyboard 27 lockdown mode 38
F
factory defaults, restoring 39 fan RPMs 123 firewall 111 floppy, booting from virtual 30
G
grace period, license server 68 guest operating systems 57
H
HA, by edition 61 hardware requirements, ESX Server 3i 20 health monitoring 123 hosts firewall 111 hosts, updates 117
I
IDE disks 21 installing ESX Server 3i 19 license server 95 Oracle database 102 updates 117, 118 VI Client 40 VirtualCenter Server 40, 111
M
management agent, restarting 41 management network direct console 31 testing 34 manual updates 118
126
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Index
memory, ESX Server 3i requirements 20 message, security 28 Microsoft Access database end of support life 55 monitoring, health 123 MSDE, preparing database 106
N
NAS, licensing 61 navigating, direct console 27 network settings, direct console 31 NICs, direct console 31 notifications for updates, disabling 118
O
ODBC databases 104 operating systems, guest 57 Oracle, preparing database 102
P
PAC 60 partitions 35 partner activation code 60 partner activation portal 60 password, administrative 38 patching 119 ports 27000 87 27010 87 configuring 111 firewall 111 license server 87 processor health 123
remote access, restricting 38 management clients 40, 53 Oracle database 102 Remote CLI 44, 119 removable media, updates 118 removing VirtualCenter 113 repairing ESX Server 3i 47 resetting configuration defaults 39 restarting management agent 41 restoring a configuration 44, 46 factory defaults 39 restricting access 38 rolling back an ESX Server 3i update 122 root access, restricting 38 RPMs, fans 123
S
SAS disks 21 SATA disks 21 scheduling, updates 116 scratch storage 35 SCSI 20 SCSI disks 21 SDK 15 security banner 28 serial number 37, 88 single-host licensing configuring 88 description 64 SMP, licensing 61 specifications ESX Server 3i hardware requirements 20 performance recommendations 21 SQL Server, preparing database 104
R
RCLI 44, 119 recovering ESX Server 3i 47 reinstalling VirtualCenter 113
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static addressing about 31 direct console 32, 34 static DNS, direct console 33 storage 35 support information 37 support, guest operating system 57 system requirements license server 56 updates 116 VirtualCenter database 55 system swap 35
V
VCB 61, 67 VI Client connectivity 41 installing 40 vihostupdate 119 bundle option 121 examples 121 install option 121 metadata option 121 query option 121 scan option 121 vihost option 119 virtual appliance, RCLI 44 virtual machines backing up 67 high availability 67 installing VirtualCenter on 114 migrating 52 powering on 68 RAM requirements 21 resource management 67 small deployments 55, 101 specifications 57 upgrading tools 52 virtual media 30 VirtualCenter connectivity 41 installing 40 VLAN ID, direct console 31 VMFS 35 VMotion, licensing 67 VMware Consolidated Backup 61, 67 DRS, licensing 67 HA, licensing 67 Infrastructure Update 115
T
TCP/IP ports 27000 87 27010 87 temperature 123 testing management network direct console 34 troubleshooting 39, 41
U
uninstalling VirtualCenter 113 updates automatic 115 disabling notifications 118 installing 117, 118 manual 115, 118 removable media 118 scheduling 116 selecting hosts 117 system requirements 116 using the RCLI 45, 46
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Updates for the ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide
LastUpdated:June12,2009 ThisdocumentprovidesupdatestotheESXServer3iversion3.5Installableand VirtualCenter2.5versionoftheESXServer3iInstallableSetupGuide.Updated descriptions,procedures,andgraphicsareorganizedbypagenumbersothatyoucan easilylocatetheareasoftheguidethathavechanges.Ifthechangespansmultiple sequentialpages,thisdocumentprovidesthestartingpagenumberonly. ThefollowingisalistofupdatestotheESXServer3iInstallableSetupGuide: UpdatesfortheTableofSupportedDatabaseFormatsonPage 55 UpdatesfortheToprepareaSQLServerdatabasetoworkwithVirtualCenter ProcedureonPage 104 UpdatesfortheConfiguringCommunicationBetweenVirtualCenterComponents SectiononPage 111
Updates for the Table of Supported Database Formats on Page 55

ThefollowingrowshouldappearinTable 61:
MicrosoftSQLServer2005Standard InstallSP1orSP2forMicrosoftSQLServer2005. ForWindows2000andWindowsXP,apply MDAC2.8SP1totheclient. UsetheSQLNativeClientdriverfortheclient.
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Update1
Updates for the ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide
Table 61doesnotmentionsupportforversionslaterthan10.2.0.3.0ofOracle10g EnterpriseRelease2,andthesupportfortwonewOraclepatches.Therowshould appearasfollows:

OracleDatabase10gRelease2 (10.2.0.1.0)StandardEdition OracleDatabase10gRelease2 (10.2.0.1.0)EnterpriseEdition Afterapplyingpatch10.2.0.3.0totheclientand server,applypatch5699495totheclient.Also applypatches6085625and6452485totheserver.
Note:VMwaresupports10.2.0.3.0andlater versionsofOracleDatabase10gRelease2.
Updates for the To prepare a SQL Server database to work with VirtualCenter Procedure on Page 104
ThefollowingtextshouldappearintheToprepareaSQLServerdatabasetoworkwith VirtualCenterprocedure: Makesurethatthedatabaseuserhasthefollowingpermissions: MicrosoftSQLServer2000Makesurethatthedatabaseuserhasthedb_owner fixeddatabaseroleontheVirtualCenterdatabaseandtheMSDBdatabase.The db_ownerroleontheMSDBdatabaseisrequiredforinstallationandupgradeonly. Youcanrevokethisroleaftertheinstallationorupgradeprocessiscompleted. Do notgranttheSystemAdministratorsserverroletothedatabaseuser.However, iftheSystemAdministratorsrolewaspreviouslygrantedwhilethedatabasewas usedwithVirtualCenterServer2.0.x,donotrevoketheSystemAdministrators role.Leaveitasis. MicrosoftSQLServer2005Makesurethatthedatabaseloginhaseitherthe sysadminserverroleorthedb_ownerfixeddatabaseroleontheVirtualCenter databaseandontheMSDBdatabase.Thedb_ownerroleontheMSDBdatabaseis requiredforinstallationandupgradeonly.Youcanrevokethisroleafterthe installationorupgradeprocessiscomplete.
Updates for the Configuring Communication Between VirtualCenter Components Section on Page 111
ThefollowingtextshouldappearintheConfiguringCommunicationBetween VirtualCenterComponentssection: Port443isrequiredforcommunicationfromVirtualCentertoESXServerhosts.
Update2
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ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

ESX Server 3i version 3.5 Installable and VirtualCenter 2.5

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide Revision: 20090612 Item: VI-ENG-Q407-447

VMware, Inc. 3401 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 www.vmware.com

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

5 AddingESX Server 3itoVMwareInfrastructure 51

7 VirtualCenterandESX Server 3iLicensingOverview 59

8 RunningVMwareVirtualCenterandVMware ESX Server

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

11 MaintainingESX Server 3iandtheVI Client 115

12 MonitoringtheConditionofESX Server 3i 123

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

About This Book

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

VMware Infrastructure Documentation

Abbreviations Used in Figures

Technical Support and Education Resources

About This Book

Online and Telephone Support

VMware Education Services

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Introduction to VMware Infrastructure

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

VMware Infrastructure at a Glance

ESX Server 3i hosts

OneVirtualCenter ServermanagesmultipleESX Server 3ihosts. Eachshadedblockrepresentsaseparateinstallerorprocedure.TheVMware InfrastructureClient(VI Client)appearstwice,becauseyoucanrunitonmultiple workstations.

Chapter 1 Introduction to VMware Infrastructure

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

About ESX Server 3i

Chapter 1 Introduction to VMware Infrastructure

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Installing ESX Server 3i

About Installing ESX Server 3i

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Aftertheinstallationiscomplete,youcanmigrateexistingVMFSdatatothe ESX Server 3i Installablehost.Forinformationonmigratingdata,seetheUpgrade Guide.

ESX Server 3i Requirements

Minimum Server Hardware Requirements

Chapter 2 Installing ESX Server 3i

Enhanced Performance Recommendations

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Hardware and Software Compatibility Guides

Chapter 2 Installing ESX Server 3i

Installing ESX Server 3i

PressEntertocontinuewiththeInstallation. ReadtheVMwareenduserlicenseagreementandacceptitbypressingF11. Youcannotinstallthisproductunlessyouacceptthelicenseagreement.Usethe PageDownbuttontoscrollthroughthetext.

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Setting Up ESX Server 3i

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Network Access to Your ESX Server 3i Host

Chapter 3 Setting Up ESX Server 3i

Setting up the Direct Console User Interface

Configuring the Keyboard Layout

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Configuring a Security Banner for the Direct Console

Configuring ESX Server 3i Boot Settings

Selecting the Boot Device

Chapter 3 Setting Up ESX Server 3i

Configuring the Boot Setting for ESX Server 3i

Configuring the Boot Setting for Another Mode

ESX Server 3i Installable Setup Guide

Configuring the Boot Setting for Virtual Media

Chapter 3 Setting Up ESX Server 3i

Configuring Network Settings