VMware Administration Imp

Basic System Administration
ESX Server 3.5, ESX Server 3i version 3.5 VirtualCenter 2.5
This document supports the version of each product listed and supports all subsequent versions until the document is replaced by a new edition. To check for more recent editions of this document, see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs.
VI-ENG-Q407-436
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Contents
AboutThisBook
13
GettingStarted
1 VMwareInfrastructureComponents 19
TwoApproachestoManagingVirtualMachines 20 ComponentsofVMwareInfrastructure 21 VMwareInfrastructureClientInterfaces 23 OptionalVirtualCenterComponents 24 VirtualCenterModules 25 ManagedComponents 26 FunctionalComponents 27 AccessPrivilegesComponents 28
2 UsingthisDocument 31
GettingStarted 32 VirtualMachineManagement SystemAdministration 33 Appendixes 34 33
3 StartingandStoppingtheVMwareInfrastructureComponents 35
ESXServer 35 VirtualCenterServer 36 VerifyingThatVirtualCenterServerStarted 37 RestartingtheVirtualCenterServer 37 StoppingtheVirtualCenterServer 38 VIClient 38 StartingtheVIClientandLoggingIn 38 StoppingtheVIClientandLoggingOut 39 VIWebAccess 40 VMwareServiceConsole 41
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UsingDHCPfortheServiceConsole 41 ConnectingtotheServiceConsole 42 UsingCommandsontheServiceConsole 42
4 UsingtheVIClient 45
AbouttheVIClient 45 MenuBar 47 PopUpMenus 50 ConsoleMenu 50 NavigationBar 51 InventoryViewTabs 53 GettingStartedTabs 56 UsingtheTutorial 57 Toolbar 57 StatusBar,RecentTasks,andTriggeredAlarms 58 PanelSections 59 SortingandFilteringLists 60 UsingCustomAttributes 61 SelectingandViewingObjects 63 SelectingObjects 64 MonitoringObjects 65 PerformingActionsonObjects 65 ManagingVirtualCenterModules 67
5 SystemConfiguration 69
HostConfigurationforESXServerandVirtualCenter 69 HardwareTab 70 SoftwareTab 71 ESXServerNetworkConfiguration 72 ESXServerStorageConfiguration 72 ViewingSecurityConfigurationInformation 73 ViewingESXServerCommandInformation 74 VirtualCenterConfiguration 74 ConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunication 76 ConfiguringthePortThatVirtualCenterServerUses 77 ConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationoveraWebConnection 78 VirtualMachineConfiguration 79 WorkingwithActiveSessions 81 AboutSNMPandVMwareInfrastructure 83 AboutMIBFiles 83
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VMWAREROOTMIB 84 VMWAREENVMIB 84 VMWAREPRODUCTSMIB 85 VMWARERESOURCESMIB 86 VMWARETCMIB 89 VMWARETRAPSMIB 90 VMWAREVMINFOMIB 91 VMWAREVMKERNELMIB 93 UsingSNMPwithVirtualCenterServer 93 UsingSNMPwithESXServer3 95 ConfiguringtheESXServerAgentfromtheServiceConsole 95 ConfiguringSNMPTrapDestinationsforESXServer3 96 UsingSNMPwithESXServer3i 97 ConfiguringSNMPManagementClientSoftware 98 ConfiguringSNMPSecurityforESXServer3 98 SNMPDiagnostics 98 UsingSNMPwithGuestOperatingSystems 99 SystemLogFiles 100 ViewingSystemLogEntries 100 ExternalSystemLogs 101 ConfiguringSyslogonESXServerHosts 103 ExportingDiagnosticData 104 CollectingLogFiles 105
6 ManagingtheVIClientInventory 107
UnderstandingVIClientObjects 108 AddinganInventoryObject 110 MovingObjectsintheInventory 111 RemovinganInventoryObject 112 WorkingwithFilesintheDatastoreBrowser 112 AboutCopyingVirtualMachineDisks 113 PerforminganInitialDatacenterConsolidation 113
VirtualMachineManagement
7 ManagingHostsinVirtualCenter 117
AboutHosts 118 UnderstandingHostStates 119
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AddingaHost 119 ConnectingorDisconnectingaHost 122 RemovingaHostfromaCluster 124 RemovingaHostfromVirtualCenter 125 HostAdvancedConfigurationOptions 127
8 ConsolidatingtheDatacenter 129
AboutDatacenterConsolidation 130 ConsolidationPrerequisites 130 FirstTimeUse 131 AboutConsolidationServices 131 SpecifyingConsolidationSettings 132 DiscoveringPhysicalSystems 132 SpecifyingScope 133 SupplyingSystemlevelAdministratorCredentials 134 ViewingAnalysisResults 134 AbouttheConfidenceMetric 135 ConsolidatingCandidates 135 AboutDiskResizing 136 ViewingConsolidationTasks 136 TroubleshootingConsolidation 137 VirtualCenterPerformance 137 AnalysisLimit 137
9 ImportingandExportingVirtualMachines 139
AboutOVF 140 ImportingaVirtualAppliance 140 ExportingaVirtualMachine 141
10 CreatingVirtualMachines 143
UsingtheNewVirtualMachineWizard 144 PerformingAdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletion 144 CreatingTypicalVirtualMachines 145 CreatingCustomVirtualMachines 148 MappingaSANLUN 153 InstallingaGuestOperatingSystem 154 InstallingandUpgradingVMwareTools 155 DisplayingtheVMwareToolsPropertiesDialogBox 162 VMwareToolsUpgrades 163
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Contents
CustomVMwareToolsInstallation 165 WYSEMultimediaSupport 166 InstallingWYSEMultimediaSupportwithVMwareTools 166 InstallingWYSEMultimediaSupportaspartofaVMwareTools Upgrade 166
11 ManagingVirtualMachines 169
ChangingVirtualMachinePowerStates 169 UnderstandingVirtualMachinePowerStates 170 UnderstandingTransitionalPowerStates 172 ManuallyPoweringaVirtualMachineOnandOff 172 UsingSuspendandResume 173 SchedulingaPowerStateChangeforaVirtualMachine 174 AddingandRemovingVirtualMachines 175 AddingExistingVirtualMachinestoVirtualCenter 175 RemovingVirtualMachinesfromVirtualCenter 175 ReturningaVirtualMachineorTemplatetoVirtualCenter 176 StartingandShuttingDownVirtualMachines 177
12 ConfiguringVirtualMachines 179
VirtualMachinePropertiesEditor 179 ChangingtheHardwareConfigurationofaVirtualMachine ChangingVirtualMachineOptions 186 ChangingVirtualMachineResourceSettings 192 CPUResources 192 AdvancedCPUSettings 193 MemoryResources 194 DiskResources 196 AddingNewHardware 196 LegacyVirtualMachines 201 UpgradingVirtualHardware 202 180
13 WorkingwithTemplatesandClones 203
UnderstandingTemplates 203 CreatingTemplates 204 EditingaTemplate 206 DeployingVirtualMachinesfromTemplates 207 DeletingTemplates 209 RegainingTemplates 210
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CloningVirtualMachines 210 CreatingaScheduledTasktoCloneaVirtualMachine
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14 CustomizingGuestOperatingSystems 215
PreparingforGuestCustomization 216 VirtualHardwareRequirementsforGuestCustomization 216 WindowsRequirementsforGuestCustomization 217 LinuxRequirementsforGuestCustomization 218 CustomizingaWindowsGuestOperatingSystem 218 CustomizingaLinuxGuestOperatingSystem 222 UsingtheCustomizationSpecificationWizard 224 UsingtheCloneVirtualMachineWizard 228 CompletingaGuestOperatingSystemCustomization 229 CompletingLinuxGuestOperatingSystemCustomization 229 CompletingWindowsGuestOperatingSystemCustomization 229
15 MigratingVirtualMachines 231
AboutMigration 232 Migration 233 MigrationwithVMotion 233 VMotionRequirements 234 SharedStorage 234 SharedVMFSVolumeorNASStorage 234 CPUCompatibility 234 NetworkingRequirements 236 SwapfileLocationCompatibility 237 MigratingVirtualMachineswithSnapshots 238 VMotionCompatibility 238 CPUCompatibilityMasks 240 MigrationWizard 241 MigrationwithStorageVMotion 245 StorageVMotionRequirementsandLimitations 246 StorageVMotionRemoteCommandLineSyntax 247 StorageVMotionExamples 248
16 UsingSnapshots 249
UnderstandingSnapshots 249 RelationshipBetweenSnapshots 250 SnapshotsandOtherActivityintheVirtualMachine 251
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Contents
TakingaSnapshot 251 ChangingDiskModetoExcludeVirtualDisksfromSnapshots 252 UsingtheSnapshotManager 253 RestoringaSnapshot 255 ParentSnapshot 255 Revert toSnapshotCommand 256
SystemAdministration
17 ManagingUsers,Groups,Permissions,andRoles 261
AccessElements 262 AccessRules 262 HierarchicalInheritance 263 MultiplePermissionSettings 263 TasksRequiringSettingsonMultipleObjects 264 Users 265 Groups 267 Permissions 267 Roles 268 CreatingRoles 271 CloningRoles 272 EditingRoles 273 RemovingRoles 273 RenamingRoles 274 AccessPermissions 274 AssigningAccessPermissions 275 AdjustingtheSearchListinLargeDomains 278 ChangingAccessPermissions 279 RemovingAccessPermissions 280
18 SettingUpandMonitoringPerformanceStatisticsandResource
Maps 281
StatisticsCollection 281 AboutCollectionIntervalsandCollectionLevels 282 CollectionLevelScenarios 284 UsingCollectionLevelsEffectively 285 Howstatisticaldataisstoredinthedatabase 285 ConfiguringStatisticsCollectionIntervals 287 PerformanceCharts 289
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ViewingCharts 290 SavingChartDatatoaFile 291 CustomizingChartViews 291 ResourceMaps 293 AboutVMotionResourceMaps 294 MapElementsandIcons 294 ViewingMaps 295 PrintingMaps 296 ExportingMaps 296
19 ManagingTasks,Events,andAlarms 297
ManagingTasks 297 UnderstandingTasks 298 ViewingandPerformingTasks 298 ManagingScheduledTasks 301 ReschedulingaScheduledTask 304 RemovingaScheduledTask 305 CancelingaTask 305 ManagingEvents 307 ViewingAllEventMessages 308 ViewingSelectedEventMessages 309 SortingandFilteringEventMessages 310 ExportingEventMessages 311 ManagingAlarms 312 UnderstandingAlarms 314 PreparingforEmailMessageSMTPAlarmNotification 315 PreparingforSNMPAlarmNotification 316 CreatingAlarms 317 EditingAlarms 322 RemovingAlarms 323
Appendixes
A DefinedPrivileges 327
Alarms 328 Datacenter 329 Datastore 329 Extensions 330 Folders 330
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Global 331 HostCIM 333 HostConfiguration 333 HostInventory 335 HostLocalOperations 337 Network 337 Performance 338 Permissions 339 Resource 339 ScheduledTask 341 Sessions 341 Tasks 342 VirtualMachineConfiguration 342 VirtualMachineInteraction 345 VirtualMachineInventory 346 VirtualMachineProvisioning 347 VirtualMachineState 348
B InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepTools 351 C PerformanceChartMetrics 355

CPU 356 VirtualMachine 357 Host 358 ResourcePool 358 Cluster 359 Disk 359 HostandVirtualMachine Memory 360 VirtualMachine 360 Host 362 ResourcePool 364 Cluster 366 ClusterServices 367 Cluster 368 Network 368 HostandVirtualMachine System 370
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Index 371
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About This Book
Thismanual,BasicSystemAdministration,describeshowtostartandstoptheVMware InfrastructureClient(VIClient)components,buildyourVMwareInfrastructure environment,monitorandmanagetheinformationgeneratedaboutthecomponents, andsetuprolesandpermissionsforusersandgroupsusingtheVMwareInfrastructure environment.Thismanualalsoprovidesinformationformanaging,creating,and configuringvirtualmachinesinyourdatacenter. Inaddition,thismanualprovidesbriefintroductionstothevarioustasksyoucan performwithinthesystemaswellascrossreferencestothedocumentationthat describesallthetasksindetail. BasicSystemAdministrationcoversbothVMwareESXServer3.5andVMwareESX Server3i,version3.5.Foreaseofdiscussion,thisbookusesthefollowingproduct namingconventions:

FortopicsspecifictoESXServer3.5,thisbookusesthetermESXServer3. FortopicsspecifictoESXServer3iversion3.5,thisbookusesthetermESXServer 3i. Fortopicscommontobothproducts,thisbookusesthetermESXServer. Whentheidentificationofaspecificreleaseisimportanttoadiscussion,thisbook referstotheproductbyitsfull,versionedname. WhenadiscussionappliestoallversionsofESXServerforVMwareInfrastructure 3,thisbookusesthetermESXServer3.x.
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Intended Audience
Theinformationpresentedinthismanualiswrittenforsystemadministratorswhoare experiencedWindowsorLinuxsystemadministratorsandwhoarefamiliarwith virtualmachinetechnologyanddatacenteroperations.
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
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About This Book
Technical Support and Education Resources

Thefollowingsectionsdescribethetechnicalsupportresourcesavailabletoyou.You canaccessthemostcurrentversionsofthismanualandotherbooksbygoingto: http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs
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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Getting Started
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VMware Infrastructure Components
ThischapterintroducesVMwareInfrastructurecomponentsandtheoperationsthat youusewhenmanagingyourvirtualmachinesthroughESXServerorVirtualCenter Server. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

TwoApproachestoManagingVirtualMachinesonpage 20 ComponentsofVMwareInfrastructureonpage 21 VMwareInfrastructureClientInterfacesonpage 23 OptionalVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 24 VirtualCenterModulesonpage 25 ManagedComponentsonpage 26 FunctionalComponentsonpage 27 AccessPrivilegesComponentsonpage 28
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Two Approaches to Managing Virtual Machines

VMwareInfrastructureClient(VIClient)isaflexible,configurablesolutionfor managingyourvirtualmachines.Therearetwoprimarymethodsformanagingyour virtualmachines:
DirectlythroughanESXServerhost(asingleorstandalonehost)thatcanmanage onlythosevirtualmachines,andtheirresources,installedonit. ThroughaVirtualCenterServerthatmanagesmultiplevirtualmachinesandtheir resourcesdistributedovermanyESXServerhosts.
ThefigurebelowillustratesthecomponentsinanESXServerVirtualInfrastructure. Figure 1-1. VMware Infrastructure Components with an ESX Server Host
VI Client VI Client
Host Agent
VM
VM
VM
ESX Server host
datastore
ThefigurebelowillustratesthecomponentsinaVirtualCenterServerVirtual Infrastructure.
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Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components
Figure 1-2. VMware Infrastructure Components with a VirtualCenter Server

VI Client VI Client VI Client VI Client VI Client
VirtualCenter License Server
VirtualCenter Server
VC database
VirtualCenter Agent
VirtualCenter Agent
VirtualCenter Agent
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
VM
ESX Server host
ESX Server host
ESX Server host
datastore
shared datastore
Components of VMware Infrastructure

TorunyourVMwareInfrastructureenvironment,youneedthefollowingitems:
ESXServerAvirtualizationplatformusedtocreatethevirtualmachinesasaset ofconfigurationanddiskfilesthattogetherperformallthefunctionsofaphysical machine. ThroughESXServer,yourunthevirtualmachines,installoperatingsystems,run applications,andconfigurethevirtualmachines.Configurationincludes identifyingthevirtualmachinesresources,suchasstoragedevices. Theserverprovidesbootstrapping,management,andotherservicesthatmanage yourvirtualmachines. EachESXServerhasaVIClientavailableforyourmanagementuse.IfyourESX ServerisaregisteredhostwiththeVirtualCenterServer,aVIClientthat accommodatestheVirtualCenterfeaturesisavailable.
VirtualCenterAservicethatactsasacentraladministratorforVMwareESX Serverhoststhatareconnectedonanetwork.VirtualCenterdirectsactionsonthe virtualmachinesandthevirtualmachinehosts(theESXServerhosts).
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VirtualCenterServerTheworkingcoreofVirtualCenter.VirtualCenterServerisa singleWindowsServiceandisinstalledtorunautomatically.AsaWindows Service,theVirtualCenterServerrunscontinuouslyinthebackground, performingitsmonitoringandmanagingactivitiesevenwhennoVIClientsare connectedandevenifnobodyisloggedontothecomputerwhereitresides.It musthavenetworkaccesstoallthehostsitmanagesandbeavailablefornetwork accessfromanymachinewheretheVIClientisrun. VirtualCenterServercanbeinstalledinaWindowsvirtualmachineonanESX Serverhost,allowingittotakeadvantageofthehighavailabilityaffordedby VMwareHA.SeetheInstallationGuidefordetailsonsettingupthisconfiguration.
VirtualCentermodulesApplicationsthatprovideadditionalfeaturesand functionalitytoVirtualCenter.Typically,modulesconsistofaservercomponent andaclientcomponent.Aftertheservercomponentofamoduleisinstalled,itis registeredwiththeVirtualCenterserverandtheclientcomponentisavailableto VirtualCenterclientsfordownload(seeManagingVirtualCenterModuleson page 67).AfteramoduleisinstalledonaVirtualCenterclient,itmightalterthe interfacebyaddingviews,tabs,toolbarbuttons,ormenuoptionsrelatedtothe addedfunctionality. ModulesleveragecoreVirtualCentercapabilities,suchasauthenticationand permissionmanagement,butcanhavetheirowntypesofevents,tasks,metadata, andprivileges. ModulesrequireVirtualCenter,buttheycanbeinstalledanytimeafter VirtualCenterhasbeeninstalled.ModulesandVirtualCentercanbeupgraded independentofeachother.
VirtualCenterdatabaseApersistentstorageareaformaintainingstatusofeach virtualmachine,host,andusermanagedintheVirtualCenterenvironment.The VirtualCenterdatabasecanberemoteorlocaltotheVirtualCenterServermachine. ThedatabaseisinstalledandconfiguredduringVirtualCenterinstallation. IfyouareaccessingyourESXServerhostdirectlythroughaVIClient,andnot throughaVirtualCenterServerandassociatedVIClient,youdonotusea VirtualCenterdatabase.
DatastoreThestoragelocationsforthevirtualmachinefilesspecifiedwhen creatingvirtualmachines.Datastoreshidetheidiosyncrasiesofvariousstorage options(suchasVMFSvolumesonlocalSCSIdisksoftheserver,theFibreChannel SANdiskarrays,theiSCSISANdiskarrays,orNetworkAttachedStorage(NAS) arrays)andprovideauniformmodelforvariousstorageproductsrequiredby virtualmachines.
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VirtualCenteragentOneachmanagedhost,softwarethatcollects, communicates,andexecutestheactionsreceivedfromtheVirtualCenterServer. TheVirtualCenteragentisinstalledthefirsttimeanyhostisaddedtothe VirtualCenterinventory. HostagentOneachmanagedhost,softwarethatcollects,communicates,and executestheactionsreceivedthroughtheVIClient.ItisinstalledaspartoftheESX Serverinstallation. VirtualCenterlicenseserverAserverthatstoressoftwarelicensesrequiredfor mostoperationsinVirtualCenterandESXServer,suchaspoweringonavirtual machine. VMwareInfrastructuresupportsmultiplemodesoflicensing.Notallmodesof licensingrequirealicenseserver.VirtualCenterandfeaturesthatrequire VirtualCenter,suchasVMwareVMotion,requirealicenseserver. FormoreinformationonVirtualCenterandESXServer3licensing,seethe InstallationGuide.FormoreinformationonESXServer3ilicensing,seetheSetup GuideforyourESXServer3iproduct. Forcompleteinformationoninstallingthesecomponents,seetheInstallationGuide. ForcompleteinformationonconfiguringESXServer3,seetheESXServer3 ConfigurationGuide.ForcompleteinformationonconfiguringESXServer3i,seethe ESXServer3iConfigurationGuide.
VMware Infrastructure Client Interfaces

VMwareInfrastructureClientinterfaceoptionsinclude:
VMwareInfrastructureClient(VIClient)Arequiredcomponentandthe primaryinterfaceforcreating,managing,andmonitoringvirtualmachines,their resources,andtheirhosts.Italsoprovidesconsoleaccesstovirtualmachines. VIClientisinstalledonaWindowsmachinewithnetworkaccesstoyourESX ServerorVirtualCenterServerinstallation.Theinterfacedisplaysslightlydifferent optionsdependingonwhichtypeofserveryouareconnectedto.Whileall VirtualCenteractivitiesareperformedbytheVirtualCenterServer,youmustuse theVIClienttomonitor,manage,andcontroltheserver.AsingleVirtualCenter ServerorESXServerhostcansupportmultiple,simultaneouslyconnectedVI Clients.
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VirtualInfrastructureWebAccess(VIWebAccess)AWebinterfacethrough whichyoucanperformbasicvirtualmachinemanagementandconfigurationand getconsoleaccesstovirtualmachines.ItisinstalledwithyourESXServerhost. SimilartotheVIClient,VIWebAccessworksdirectlywithahostorthrough VirtualCenter.SeetheVIWebAccessAdministratorsGuideforadditional information. VMwareServiceConsoleAcommandlineinterfaceforconfiguringanESX Server3host.ForanESXServer3ihost,usetheremotecommandlineinterface. RemoteCommandLineInterface(RemoteCLI)Acommandlineinterfacefor configuringanESXServer3ihost.TheRemoteCLIcanalsobeusedtoperform StorageVMotionoperationsonbothESXServer3iandESXServer3version3.5 hosts.
Optional VirtualCenter Components

OptionalVirtualCentercomponentsarepackagedandinstalledwiththebaseproduct, butrequireaseparatelicense.Optionalfeaturesinclude:
VMotionAfeaturethatenablesyoutomoverunningvirtualmachinesfromone ESXServerhosttoanotherwithoutserviceinterruption.Itrequireslicensingon boththesourceandtargethost.TheVirtualCenterServercentrallycoordinatesall VMotionactivities. VMwareHAAfeaturethatenablesaclusterwithHighAvailability.Ifahostgoes down,allvirtualmachinesthatwererunningonthehostarepromptlyrestarted ondifferenthostsinthesamecluster. WhenyouenabletheclusterforHA,youspecifythenumberofhostsyouwould liketobeabletorecover.Ifyouspecifythenumberofhostfailuresallowedas1, HAmaintainsenoughcapacityacrosstheclustertotoleratethefailureofonehost. Allrunningvirtualmachinesonthathostcanberestartedonremaininghosts.By default,youcannotpoweronavirtualmachineifdoingsoviolatesrequired failovercapacity.SeeResourceManagementGuideformoreinformation.
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VMwareDRSAfeaturethathelpsimproveresourceallocationandpower consumptionacrossallhostsandresourcepools.VMwareDRScollectsresource usageinformationforallhostsandvirtualmachinesintheclusterandgives recommendations(ormigratesvirtualmachines)inoneoftwosituations:
InitialplacementWhenyoufirstpoweronavirtualmachineinthecluster, DRSeitherplacesthevirtualmachineormakesarecommendation. LoadbalancingDRStriestoimproveresourceutilizationacrossthecluster byperformingautomaticmigrationsofvirtualmachines(VMotion)orby providingarecommendationforvirtualmachinemigrations.
VMwareDRSincludesexperimentaldistributedpowermanagement(DPM) capabilities.WhenDPMisenabled,thesystemcomparesclusterandhostlevel capacitytothedemandsofvirtualmachinesrunninginthecluster.Basedonthe resultsofthecomparison,DPMrecommends(orautomaticallyimplements) actionsthatcanreducethepowerconsumptionofthecluster.
VMwareInfrastructureSDKpackageAPIsformanagingvirtualinfrastructure anddocumentationdescribingthoseAPIs.TheSDKalsoincludesthe VirtualCenterWebServiceinterface,WebServicesDescriptionLanguage(WSDL), andexamplefiles.Thisisavailablethroughanexternallink.TodownloadtheSDK package,seehttp://www.vmware.com/support/developer.
VirtualCenter Modules
VirtualCentermodulesextendthecapabilitiesofVirtualCenterbyprovidingadditional featuresandfunctionality.Somemodulesarepackagedseparatelyfromthebase productandrequireseparateinstallation.Modulesandthebaseproductcanbe upgradedindependentlyofeachother.VMwaremodulesinclude:
VMwareUpdateManagerEnablesadministratorstoapplyupdatesandpatches acrossESXServerhostsandallmanagedvirtualmachines.Thismoduleprovides theabilitytocreateuserdefinedsecuritybaselineswhichrepresentasetofsecurity standards.Securityadministratorscancomparehostsandvirtualmachines againstthesebaselinestoidentifyandremediatesystemsthatarenotin compliance. VMwareConverterEnterpriseforVirtualCenterEnablesuserstoconvert physicalmachines,andvirtualmachinesinavarietyofformats,toESXServer virtualmachines.ConvertedsystemscanbeimportedintotheVirtualCenter inventory.
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Managed Components
VirtualCentermonitorsandmanagesvariouscomponentsofyourvirtualandphysical infrastructure.Somecomponentsareavailablefororganizingpotentiallyhundredsof virtualmachinesandotherobjects.Theycanberenamedtorepresenttheirpurposes; forexample,theycanbenamedaftercompanydepartmentsorlocationsorfunctions. Themanagedcomponentsare:
VirtualMachinesandTemplatesAvirtualizedx86personalcomputer environmentinwhichaguestoperatingsystemandassociatedapplication softwarecanrun.Multiplevirtualmachinescanoperateonthesamemanagedhost machineconcurrently.Templatesareadesignatedtypeofvirtualmachine. HostsTheprimarycomponentuponwhichallvirtualmachinesreside.Ifthe VMwareInfrastructureClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,allhosts managedbythatVirtualCenterServerareavailableformanagement.Ifthe VMwareInfrastructureClientisconnecteddirectlytoanESXServerhost,onlythat hostisavailableformanagement. NOTEWhenVirtualCenterreferstoahost,thismeansthephysicalmachineon whichthevirtualmachinesarerunning.AllvirtualmachineswithintheVMware InfrastructureenvironmentrunonESXServerorhosts.Thetermhostinthis manualmeanstheESXServerhostthathasvirtualmachinesonit.
ResourcepoolsAstructurethatallowsdelegationofcontrolovertheresources ofahost.Resourcepoolsareusedtocompartmentalizeallresourcesinacluster. Youcancreatemultipleresourcepoolsasdirectchildrenofahostorclusterand configurethem.Thendelegatecontroloverthemtootherindividualsor organizations.ThemanagedresourcesareCPUandmemoryfromahostorcluster. Virtualmachinesexecutein,anddrawtheirresourcesfrom,resourcepools. ClustersAcollectionofESXServerhostswithsharedresourcesandashared managementinterface.Whenyouaddahosttoacluster,thehostsresources becomepartoftheclustersresources.Theclustermanagestheresourcesofall hosts.SeetheResourceManagementGuide. DatastoresVirtualrepresentationsofcombinationsofunderlyingphysical storageresourcesinthedatacenter.Thesephysicalstorageresourcescancome fromthelocalSCSIdiskoftheserver,theFibreChannelSANdiskarrays,theiSCSI SANdiskarrays,orNetworkAttachedStorage(NAS)arrays. NetworksNetworksthatconnectvirtualmachinestoeachotherinthevirtual environmentortothephysicalnetworkoutside.
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FoldersContainersusedtogroupobjectsandorganizethemintohierarchies. Thisisnotonlyconvenientbutalsoprovidesanaturalstructureuponwhichto applypermissions. Therearethreetypesoffolders,eachofwhichcancontainotherfolders(ofthe sametype)andexactlyoneothertypeofobject.Theseobjectsare:

Datacenters Virtualmachines(whichincludetemplates) Computeresources(whichincludehostsandclusters)
Thedatacenterfoldersformahierarchydirectlyundertherootnodeandallow userstogrouptheirdatacentersinanyconvenientway.Withineachdatacenteris onehierarchyoffolderswithvirtualmachinesandtemplatesandonehierarchyof folderswithhostsandclusters.
DatacentersUnlikeafolder,whichisusedtoorganizeaspecificobjecttype,a datacenterisanaggregationofallthedifferenttypesofobjectsneededtodowork invirtualinfrastructure:hosts,virtualmachines,networks,anddatastores. Withinadatacentertherearefourseparatehierarchies.

Virtualmachines(andtemplates) Hosts(andclusters) Networks Datastores
Becauseitisnotpossibletoputnetworksordatastoresintofolders,theNetworks andDatastoreshierarchiesarealwaysflatlists Datacentersactasthenamespaceboundaryfortheseobjects.Youcannothavetwo objects(forexample,twohosts)withthesamenameinthesamedatacenter,but youcanhavetwoobjectswiththesamenameindifferentdatacenters.
Functional Components
ThefunctionalcomponentsmonitorandmanagetasksintheVMwareInfrastructure environment.Thefunctionalcomponentsareavailablethroughanavigationbuttonbar intheVIClient.Theoptionsare:
InventoryAviewofallthemonitoredobjectsinVirtualCenter.Monitored objectsincludedatacenters,resourcepools,clusters,networks,datastores, templates,hosts,andvirtualmachines. ScheduledtasksAlistofactivitiesandameanstoschedulethoseactivities.This isavailablethroughVirtualCenterServeronly.

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EventsAlistofalltheeventsthatoccurintheVirtualCenterenvironment.Use theNavigationoptiontodisplayalltheevents.Useanobjectspecificpanelto displayonlytheeventsrelativetothatobject. AdminAlistofenvironmentlevelconfigurationoptions.TheAdminoption providesconfigurationaccesstoRoles,Sessions,Licenses,Diagnostics,and SystemLogs.WhenconnectedtoanESXServerhost,onlytheRolesoption appears. MapsAvisualrepresentationofthestatusandstructureoftheVMware Infrastructureenvironmentandtherelationshipsbetweenmanagedobjects.This includeshosts,networks,virtualmachines,anddatastores.Thisisavailableonly throughVirtualCenterServer.
VariousinformationlistsaregeneratedandtrackedbyyourVMwareInfrastructure Clientactivity:
TasksTheseactivitiesarescheduledorinitiatedmanually.Tasksgenerateevent messagesthatindicateanyissuesassociatedwiththetask. EventsMessagesthatreportVMwareInfrastructureactivity.Eventmessagesare predefinedintheproduct. AlarmsSpecificnotificationsthatoccurinresponsetoselectedevents.Some alarmsaredefinedbyproductdefault.Additionalalarmscanbecreatedand appliedtoselectedinventoryobjectsorallinventoryobjects. LogsStoredreferenceinformationrelatedtoselectedeventmessages.Logsare predefinedintheproduct.Youcanconfigurewhetherselectedlogsaregenerated.
Access Privileges Components

EachuserlogsontoaVirtualCenterServerorahostthroughtheVIClient.Eachuser isidentifiedtotheserverassomeonewhohasrightsandprivilegestoselectedobjects, suchasdatacentersandvirtualmachines,withintheVMwareInfrastructure environment.VirtualCenterServeritselfhasfullrightsandprivilegesonallhostsand virtualmachineswithintheVMwareInfrastructureenvironment.Theserverpasseson onlythoseactionsandrequestsfromauserthattheuserhaspermissiontoperform. TheservergrantsaccesstoeachVMwareInfrastructureClientobject,datacenter,folder, orvirtualmachine.Todothis,youassignaroleandauser(orgroup)toeachobject.
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IndividualpermissionsareassignedthroughtheVIClientbypairingauserandarole andassigningthispairtoaVMwareInfrastructureClientobject:
UsersandGroupsForVirtualCenter,usersandgroupsarecreatedand maintainedthroughtheWindowsdomainorActiveDirectorydatabase.Usersand groupsareregisteredwithVirtualCenter,orcreatedandregisteredwithanESX Server,throughtheprocessthatassignsprivileges. RolesAsetofaccessrightsandprivileges.Thereareselecteddefaultroles.You canalsocreaterolesandassigncombinationsofprivilegestoeachrole.
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Using this Document
BasicSystemAdministrationdescribesthetasksyoumustcompletetoconfigurethe VMwareInfrastructureClient(VIClient)andvirtualmachines.Beforeusingthe informationinBasicSystemAdministration,readtheIntroductiontoVMware Infrastructureforanoverviewofsystemarchitectureandthephysicalandvirtual devicesthatmakeupaVMwareInfrastructuresystem. Thischaptersummarizestheinformationcontainedinthismanualonthefollowing topics:

VMwareInfrastructurecomponents Administrationtools Systemconfiguration Virtualmachinemanagementandconfiguration Accessandpermissionsmanagement Systemadministrationandmanagement
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Getting Started
Theintroductorydiscussionspanssevenchaptersanddescribesthesystem components,systemmanagementtools,andthebasictasksyoumustcompleteto configureyourVMwareInfrastructureClient.Theintroductorypartcontainsthe followingchapters:
UsingthisDocumentSummarizesthecontentsofthisguidesothatyoucanfind theinformationyouneed. VMwareInfrastructureComponentsIntroducesyoutotheVMware Infrastructurecomponentsandoperationsyouusewhenmanagingyourvirtual machinesthroughESXServerorVirtualCenterServer. StartingandStoppingtheVMwareInfrastructureComponentsDescribeshowto startandstopeachoftheVMwareInfrastructurecomponents.Thisincludesthe ESXServer,VirtualCenterServer,VMwareInfrastructureClient,Virtual InfrastructureWebAccess,VirtualCenterhostagent,VirtualCenterlicenseserver, andtheVMwareServiceConsole. UsingtheVIClientDescribesthespecificlayoutandnavigationoftheVIClient. SystemConfigurationContainsinformationforconfiguringadministration options,VirtualCenterServersettings,andmanaginghostconfigurationoptions. Italsoincludessomebasicsystemconfigurationinformation,suchashowto accessandconfigurelogfilesandsetupSNMP. ManagingtheVIClientInventoryDescribeshowtoperformtaskswithobjectsin yourVMwareInfrastructureenvironment.Thisincludesfolders,datacenters, clusters,resourcepools,networks,anddatastores.Theseobjectsareusedto manageororganizethemonitoredandmanagedhostsandvirtualmachines. ManagingHostsinVirtualCenterDescribeshowtoperformmanaged hostrelatedtasks.
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Chapter 2 Using this Document
Virtual Machine Management

Thevirtualmachinemanagementdiscussionconsistsofsevenchaptersthatprovidea basicunderstandingofvirtualmachinesandhowtomanage,configure,andcustomize them.Thevirtualmachinemanagementpartcontainsthefollowingchapters:
CreatingVirtualMachinesDescribeshowtocreatevirtualmachinesbyusingthe NewVirtualMachinewizardandbycloningexistingvirtualmachines. ManagingVirtualMachinesDescribesvirtualmachinetasks,includingaddinga virtualmachinetoandremovingitfromtheVIClientandpoweringonandoff virtualmachines. ConfiguringVirtualMachinesDescribeshowtoeditandconfigureyourexisting virtualmachines.Italsodiscussesadvancedvirtualmachineconfiguration options. UsingSnapshotsExplainshowtocapturetheentirestateofthevirtualmachine usingthesnapshotsfeature. WorkingwithTemplatesandClonesDescribescreatingtemplatesandusing virtualmachinetemplatestocreateandprovisionnewvirtualmachines. MigratingVirtualMachinesDescribestheprocessofmigratingormovinga virtualmachinefromonehosttoanother. CustomizingGuestOperatingSystemsExplainshowtocustomizetheidentity andnetworksettingsofyourvirtualmachinesguestoperatingsystemsothatitis readytobeginworkimmediatelyinyourtargetenvironment.
System Administration
Thesystemadministrationpartcontainsthefollowingchapters:
ManagingUsers,Groups,Permissions,andRolesDescribeshowtomanage accesstoVMwareInfrastructureinventoryobjects.Itexplainshowtoconfigure users,groups,roles,andpermissions. SettingUpandMonitoringPerformanceStatisticsandResourceMapsDescribes theperformancemonitoringpiecesoftheVMwareInfrastructureClientdata presentedintheVIClient.ItalsodescribestheVMwareInfrastructureClientMaps feature. ManagingTasks,Events,andAlarmsDescribeshowtocreate,configure,anduse tasks,events,andalarms.
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Appendixes
BasicSystemAdministrationprovidesthesefourappendixeswithspecialized informationyoumightfindusefulwhenconfiguringyourVMwareInfrastructure environment:
DefinedPrivilegesIncludestableswiththepermissionsandrolesthatare availablewiththeVMwareInfrastructuresystem. InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepToolsDescribeshowtoinstalltheMicrosoft SyspreptoolsonyourVirtualCenterServermachine.InstallingtheSyspreptools isarequirementifyouplantocustomizeaWindowsguestoperatingsystem. PerformanceChartMetricsIncludestableswiththemeasurementoptionsfor eachresourcemonitoredonahost.
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Starting and Stopping the VMware Infrastructure Components
Thischapterincludesinformationonhowtostartandstopeachoneofthemajor VMwareInfrastructurecomponents,ESXServerandVirtualCenterServer. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

ESXServeronpage 35 VirtualCenterServeronpage 36 VIClientonpage 38 VIWebAccessonpage 40 VMwareServiceConsoleonpage 41
ESX Server
WhenyouinstallESXServer,itstartsitselfthroughtheinstallationrebootprocess.If yourESXServerisshutdown,youmustmanuallyrestartit. To start your ESX Server OnthephysicalboxwhereESXServerisinstalled,pressthepowerbuttonuntilthe poweronsequencebegins. TheESXServerboots,discoversitsvirtualmachines,andproceedswithitsnormalESX Serverfunctions. Youhavetheoptiontopowerofforrestart(reboot)anyESXServerhostusingtheVI Client.ESXServer3hostscanalsobepoweredofffromtheserviceconsole.Powering offamanagedhostdisconnectsitfromtheVirtualCenterServerbutdoesnotremoveit fromtheinventory.
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To reboot or shut down your ESX Server (SEEUPDATE) 1 StartaVMwareInfrastructureClientandconnecteithertoaVirtualCenterServer oranESXServerhost. SeeConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationonpage 76forinformation. 2 IfconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,displaytheinventorysHosts&Clusters panel.Selecttheappropriaterootfolder(bydefaultlabeledHosts&Clusters)or subfolder. SelecttheappropriateESXServerintheinventorypanel. Fromthemainorrightclickpopupmenu,chooseRebootorShutDown,as appropriate.

3 4
IfRebootisselected,theESXServershutsdownandreboots. IfShutDownisselected,theESXServershutsdown.Youmustmanually powerthesystembackon.
Provideareasonfortheshutdown. Thisinformationisaddedtothelog.
To manually stop an ESX Server 3 host 1 LogintotheESXServerserviceconsole. SeeConnectingtotheServiceConsoleonpage 42forinformationonaccessing theserviceconsole. 2 Executetheshutdowncommand. Forexample:
: shutdown -h now
ESXServer3gracefullyshutsdown.Whenitisfinished,amessageindicatesthat itissafetopoweroffyoursystem. 3 Pressthepowerbuttonuntilthemachinepowersoff.
VirtualCenter Server
VirtualCentermanagesmultiplehoststhatcancontainmultiplevirtualmachines.To performanyactivitieswiththeVirtualCenter,youmustusetheVMwareInfrastructure Client. TheVirtualCenterServerstartswhenyoustarttheWindowsmachineonwhichitis installed.Italsorestartswhenthismachineisrebooted.
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Chapter 3 Starting and Stopping the VMware Infrastructure Components
ThefollowingsectionsdiscussstartingandstoppingelementsrelatedtoVirtualCenter:

VerifyingThatVirtualCenterServerStartedonpage 37 RestartingtheVirtualCenterServeronpage 37 StoppingtheVirtualCenterServeronpage 38
NOTEWhenVirtualCenterisinstalled,allusersinthelocalmachinesAdministrators groupareassignedtheAdministratorrolewithfullprivilegesintheVirtualCenter environment.AVirtualCenterAdministratormustsetpermissionsforallother VirtualCenterusers.SeeAssigningAccessPermissionsonpage 275foradditional information.
Verifying That VirtualCenter Server Started

VirtualCenterisaservice,soproceedtoyourWindowsserviceslistandverifythatthe servicestarted. To verify that the VirtualCenter Server is running 1 GototheServicesdisplayforyourversionofWindows. Forexample,selectControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Services.Click VMwareInfrastructureServer. TheStatuscolumnindicateswhethertheservicestarted. 2 RightclicktheVMwareInfrastructureServerandchooseProperties.Inthe VMwareVirtualCenterServicesPropertiesdialogbox,clicktheGeneraltaband viewtheservicestatus.
Restarting the VirtualCenter Server

TheVirtualCenterServerservicestartswhenthemachineonwhichitisinstalledis booted.IfyouhavemanuallystoppedtheVirtualCenterServerserviceormuststartit foranyreason,performthestepsbelow. To restart the VirtualCenter Server through Windows Services 1 GototheServicesdisplayforyourversionofWindows. Forexample,selectControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Services.Click VMwareInfrastructureServer.
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2 3
RightclickVMwareInfrastructureServer,chooseStart,andwaitforstartupto complete. ClosethePropertiesdialogbox.
Stopping the VirtualCenter Server

TheVirtualCenterServerisaWindowsservice.YoucanusetheWindowsinterfaceto selecttheserviceandstopit. YoushouldnothavetostoptheVirtualCenterServer.ItisbestfortheVirtualCenter Servertohavecontinuousoperation.Continuousoperationensuresthatallmonitoring andtaskactivitiesareperformedasexpected. To stop the VirtualCenter Server 1 GototheServicesdisplayforyourversionofWindows. Forexample,selectStart>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Services.Click VMwareVirtualCenterService. 2 3 RightclicktheVMwareVirtualCenterServer,chooseStop,andwaitforittostop. ClosethePropertiesdialogbox.
VI Client
TheVMwareInfrastructureClientisusedtologintoeitheraVirtualCenterServeror anESXServerhost.EachserversupportsmultipleVIClientsessions.TheVIClientcan beinstalledonanymachinethathasnetworkaccesstotheVirtualCenterServeroran ESXserverhost. Bydefault,administratorsareallowedtologintoaVirtualCenterServer. Administratorsherearedefinedtobeeither:
MembersofthelocalAdministratorsgroupiftheVirtualCenterServerisnota domaincontroller. MembersofthedomainAdministratorsgroupiftheVirtualCenterServerisa domaincontroller.
Starting the VI Client and Logging In

TheVIClientistheinterfacetoESXServerhostsandtheVirtualCenterServer.When youstarttheVIClient,ithasasingleopeningpage.Whenyoulogin,theVIClient displaysonlythefeaturesandfunctionsthatareappropriatetothetypeofserveryou loggedonto.
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To start a VI Client session 1 2 LogintoyourWindowssystem. ThefirsttimeyoustarttheVIClient,loginastheadministrator. a Ifthemanagedhostisnotadomaincontroller,loginaseither<local host name>\<user>or<user>,where<user>isamemberofthelocal Administratorsgroup. Ifthemanagedhostisadomaincontroller,youmustloginas <domain>\<user>,where<domain>isthedomainnameforwhichthe managedhostisacontrollerand<user> isamemberofthatdomains DomainAdministratorsgroup.Thispracticeofrunningonadomain controllerisnotrecommended.
LaunchtheVIClient. DoubleclickashortcutorchoosetheapplicationthroughStart>Programs> VMware>VMwareInfrastructureClient.
Logintotheserver. Enterorchoosetheservername,yourusername,andyourpasswordforthat server.ClickLogintocontinue. NOTEOnlypreviouslytypedserversappearintheServerdropdownmenu. IfthisisthefirsttimeyouhaveloggedontotheVirtualCenterServer,anempty Inventoryscreenappears.Addadatacenterandhosttobeginmonitoringand managingyourvirtualmachinesthroughtheVMwareInfrastructureClient.See ManagingtheVIClientInventoryonpage 107foradditionalinformation.
Stopping the VI Client and Logging Out

WhenyounolongermustvieworaltertheactivitiesthatVirtualCenterisperforming, logoutoftheVIClient. To stop a VI Client session Clicktheclosebox(X)inthecorneroftheVIClientwindow,orchooseFile>Exit. TheVIClientshutsdown.TheVIClientisloggedofftheserver.Theserver continuestorunallitsnormalactivitiesinthebackground.Anyscheduledtasks aresavedandperformedbytheVirtualCenterServer. NOTEClosingaVIClientdoesnotstoptheserver.
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VI Web Access
VI WebAccessistheWebinterfacethroughwhichyoucanmanageyourvirtual machines.VI WebAccessisinstalledwhenyouinstallESXServer.AswiththeVI Client,VIWebAccesscaneitherbeusedtoconnectdirectlytoanESXServerhostorto VirtualCenter.ThefunctionalityofVI WebAccessisasubsetofVIClientfunctionality. TheVI WebAccessconsoleprovidesaremotemousekeyboardscreen(MKS)forthe virtualmachines.Youcaninteractwithaguestoperatingsystemrunninginavirtual machineandconnectremotelytothevirtualmachinesmouse,keyboard,andscreen. ForinformationonhowtouseVI WebAccesstoconfigurevirtualmachinesforESX ServerandVirtualCenter,seetheVirtualInfrastructureWebAccessAdministratorsGuide. VIWebAccessusesaWebinterfaceandaninternetconnectiontoaccessyourESX ServerorVirtualCenterServer. To log in to VI Web Access 1 2 LaunchyourWebbrowser. EntertheURLofyourESXServerorVirtualCenterServerinstallation:
https://<host or server name>/ui
TheVIWebAccessloginpageappears.
Theloginpagecontainsfieldsforyourusernameandpassword.Thisusername andpasswordarethesamecredentialsyouwoulduseifyouconnectedusingthe VIClient.Also,thesamepermissionsareusedtodetermineifausercanviewand manipulateobjects.VI WebAccessdoesnothaveitsownconceptofusersor permissions.
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Typeyourusernameandpassword,andclickLogIn. TheVI WebAccesshomepageappears. AfteryourusernameandpasswordareauthorizedbyVI WebAccess,theVI Web Accesshomepageappears.TheVI WebAccesshomepagecontains:

Detailsaboutvirtualmachinesontheservertowhichyouareconnected. Theoptiontoaccessthedetailspageforavirtualmachinewhereyoufind informationaboutvirtualdevices,configurationoptions,andasummaryof recentevents.
To log out of VI Web Access ClicktheLogOutlinkfoundatthecornerofeverypage.Youarepromptedtoconfirm thatyouwanttologout. NOTEIfyouareusinganyremoteclientdevicesthroughVI WebAccess,theyare disconnectedwhenyoulogout.
VMware Service Console

InpreviousversionsofESXServer,theserviceconsolewasoneoftheinterfacestoESX Serverhosts.StartingwithESXServer3,manyofthecommandsaredeprecated.The serviceconsoleistypicallyusedonlyinconjunctionwithaVMwaretechnicalsupport representative. ESXServer3idoesnothaveaserviceconsole.Someserviceconsolecommandsare availableforESXServer3ithroughtheremotecommandlineinterface. TheVMwareInfrastructureSDKisusedforscriptedmanipulationofyourVMware Infrastructureinstead.TheVMwareInfrastructureClientistheprimaryinterfacetoall nonscriptedactivities,includingconfiguring,monitoring,andmanagingyourvirtual machinesandresources.
Using DHCP for the Service Console

TherecommendedsetupistousestaticIPaddressesfortheserviceconsoleofanESX Server3host.YoucansetuptheserviceconsoletouseDHCP,ifyourDNSserveris capableofmappingtheserviceconsoleshostnametothedynamicallygeneratedIP address.
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IfyourDNSservercannotmapthehostsnametoitsDHCPgeneratedIPaddress,you mustdeterminetheserviceconsolesnumericIPaddressyourself.Anothercaution againstusingDHCPisthatthenumericIPaddressmightchangeasDHCPleasesrun outorwhenthesystemisrebooted.Forthisreason,VMwaredoesnotrecommend usingDHCPfortheserviceconsoleunlessyourDNSservercanhandlethehostname translation. CAUTIONDonotusedynamic(DHCP)addressingwhensharingthenetworkadapter assignedtotheserviceconsolewithvirtualmachines.ESXServer3requiresastaticIP addressfortheserviceconsolewhensharinganetworkadapter.
Connecting to the Service Console

Whetheryouusetheserviceconsolelocallyorthrougharemoteconnection,youmust loginusingavalidusernameandpassword. IfyouhavedirectaccesstothecomputerwhereESXServer3isrunning,youcanlogin tothephysicalconsoleonthatcomputer. To log in to the ESX Server 3 service console PressAltF2togettotheloginscreen. DependingonthesecuritysettingsforyourESXServer3computer,youmightbeable toconnectremotelytotheserviceconsoleusingSSHorTelnet.Formoreinformation onthesecuritysettings,seetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuide.
Using Commands on the Service Console

TheserviceconsolerunsamodifiedversionofLinux,andmanyofthecommands availableonLinuxorUNIXarealsoavailableontheserviceconsole.Detailedusage notesformostserviceconsolecommandsareavailableasmanualormanpages. NOTEESXServer3idoesnothaveaserviceconsole.However,manyofthefunctions providedbytheserviceconsoleareavailablethroughtheRemoteCLI.SeetheESX Server3iConfigurationGuideformoreinformationonusingandinstallingtheRemote CLI.
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To view the man page for a particular command Attheserviceconsolecommandline,typethemancommandfollowedbythenameof thecommandforwhichyouwanttoseeinformation,forexample:

: man <command>
Foradditionalinformationoncommands,seethefollowingresources:
FormoredetailedinformationonESXServer3relatedcommands,seetheESX Server3ConfigurationGuide. FormoreinformationonLinuxcommands,consultaLinuxreferencebook.
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Using the VI Client
ThischapterdescribesthespecificlayoutandnavigationoftheVIClient.Italso containsinformationforconfiguringadminoptions,VirtualCenterServersettings, managinghostconfigurationoptions,andmanagingmodules. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

AbouttheVIClientonpage 45 SortingandFilteringListsonpage 60 UsingCustomAttributesonpage 61 SelectingandViewingObjectsonpage 63 ManagingVirtualCenterModulesonpage 67
About the VI Client

TheVMwareInfrastructureClientadaptstotheconnectedserver.WhentheVIClient isconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,theVIClientdisplaysalltheoptionsavailableto theVMwareInfrastructureenvironment,basedonthelicensingyouhaveconfigured andthepermissionsoftheuser.WhentheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServerhost, theVIClientdisplaysonlytheoptionsappropriatetosinglehostmanagement. ThedefaultVMwareInfrastructureClientlayoutisasinglewindowwithamenubar, anavigationbar,atoolbar,astatusbar,apanelsection,andpopupmenus.
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Figure 4-1. VMware Infrastructure Client Layout

Menus Toolbar Main Toolbar Console button Inventory tabs Pop-up menu
Inventory panel
Status bar
Status panel
Information panel
TheVIClientareasarecoveredinthefollowingsections:

MenuBaronpage 47 PopUpMenusonpage 50 ConsoleMenuonpage 50 NavigationBaronpage 51 InventoryViewTabsonpage 53 Toolbaronpage 57 StatusBar,RecentTasks,andTriggeredAlarmsonpage 58 PanelSectionsonpage 59
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Chapter 4 Using the VI Client
Menu Bar
Themenubarprovidesaccesstoallcommandsandoperatesinamannerconsistent withotherWindowsapplications.Thetablesbelowlistallthemenuitemsavailable fromthesefivemenus.ThemenuitemsavailablevarydependinguponwhethertheVI ClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServerhost.Themenubar optionsare:
FileMenuSimilartotheFilemenuinmostapplicationswithtwoexceptions:
AprintmenuitemisnotavailableontheFilemenu.Toprint,usethePrint ScreenmechanisminWindowstotakeacopyoftheVIClientwindowor exporttheVirtualCenterdatatoanotherformatandprintfromanother application. Asavemenuitemisnotavailable.TheVIClientissimilartoabrowser.Most usermanipulationsarepersistentinthedisplayoftheVirtualCenterdata.
InTable 41,anasterisk(*)indicatesitemsthatareavailableonlywhenconnected toVirtualCenterServer. Table 4-1. File Menu Items

File> New> VirtualMachine|AddHost*|Cluster*|Resource Pool|Folder*|Datacenter*|Alarm*|Scheduled Task*|AddPermission ExportEvents*|ExportList|ExportMaps*| ExportDiagnosticData HostSummary|Performance Import|Export PrintSettings|PrintPreview|Print
File> File> File> File> File>
Export> Report> VirtualAppliance> PrintMaps> Exit
EditMenuDisplaysmenuitemsrelevanttotheselectedobject. Table 4-2. Edit Menu Items

Edit> Rename|Remove|CustomizationSpecifications|ClientSettings
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ViewMenuControlswhichpanelsarevisible.Thisprovidesamenuitemfor selectingoneofthenavigationbuttons. InTable 43,anasterisk(*)indicatesitemsthatareavailableonlywhenconnected toVirtualCenterServer. Table 4-3. View Menu Items
View> MainToolbar|Toolbar|StatusBar|Inventory|ScheduledTasks*|Events |Administration|Maps*|Filtering
WhenconnectedtotheVirtualCenterServer,theView>Inventorymenuparsesthe inventoryobjectviewsintogroups. Table 4-4. View Menu > Inventory Items

View> Inventory> Hosts&Clusters|VirtualMachines&Templates| Networks|Datastores
InventoryMenuDisplaysmenuitemsrelevanttotheselectedobjectinthe inventorypanel. InTable 45,anasterisk(*)indicatesitemsthatareavailableonlywhenconnected toVirtualCenterServer. Table 4-5. Inventory Menu Items
Inventory> Datacenter> NewFolder|NewCluster|AddHost| AddAlarm|AddPermission|Remove| Rename PowerOn|PowerOff|Suspend|Reset |ShutDownGuest|StandbyGuest| RestartGuest|Snapshot|Migrate| Clone|ClonetoTemplate|Convertto Template|AddAlarm|AddPermission |OpenConsole|SendCtrl+Alt+Del| AnswerQuestion|ReportPerformance| InstallVMwareTools|UpgradeVMware Tools|EditSettings|Rename|Remove fromInventory|DeletefromDisk
Inventory>
VirtualMachine>
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Table 4-5. Inventory Menu Items (Continued)

Inventory> Templates*> PowerOn|PowerOff|Suspend|Reset |ShutDownGuest|RestartGuest| Snapshot|Migrate|Clone|Cloneto Template|ConverttoTemplate|Open Console|SentCtrl+Alt+Del|Answer Question|ReportPerformance|Install VMwareTools|EditSettings|Rename| RemovefromInventory|Deletefrom Disk NewVirtualMachine|Connect*| Disconnect*|EnterMaintenanceMode| ShutDown|Reboot|ReportSummary| ReportPerformance|AdvancedSettings |Remove*|RelocateVMFiles AddHost|NewVirtualMachine|New ResourcePool|EditSettings|Remove| Rename NewVirtualMachine|NewResource Pool|ReportPerformance*|Remove| Rename BrowseDatastore|Rename|Remove| Refresh Remove Add|Delete|Properties Properties|Remove Run|Remove|Properties
Inventory>
Host>
Inventory>
Cluster*>
Inventory>
ResourcePool>
Inventory> Inventory> Inventory> Inventory> Inventory>
Datastore*> Network*> Permission> Alarm*> ScheduledTask*>
AdministrationMenuDisplaysconfigurationoptionsthatapplyacrossthe VMwareInfrastructureenvironment. InTable 46,anasterisk(*)indicatesitemsthatareavailableonlywhenconnected toVirtualCenterServer. Table 4-6. Administration Menu Items
Administration> CustomAttributes*|VirtualCenterManagementSettings*| Role|Session*|EditMessageoftheDay*|Export DiagnosticData*|ConsolidationSettings
PluginsDisplaysoptionsformanagingVirtualCenterplugins.
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HelpMenuDisplaystheonlinehelpoptions,linkstotheVMwareWebsite,and productversioninformation.
Pop-Up Menus
Popupmenusprovidedirectaccesstomanyofthemenuitems.Popupmenusare availablefrommostobjectsinboththeinventorypanelandtheinformationpanel. To view a pop-up menu RightclicktheselectedobjectorpressShift+F10.
Console Menu
Theconsoleofapoweredonvirtualmachineisavailablethroughaconnectedserver. To view the virtual machine console ClicktheInventoryNavigationbutton,clickapoweredonvirtualmachineinthe Inventorypanel,andclicktheConsoletabintheInformationpanel. To pop out the virtual machine console Clickthepopouticoninthenavigationbar. AcopyoftheConsolewindowseparatesfromtheVIClient.Additionalmenusappear. AdditionalmenuitemsareavailablefromthepopoutConsolewindow.
The message line indicates the number of active connections to this virtual machine.
Additional Console menu
Allconnectionstothevirtualmachineseethesamedisplayinformation.Themessage lineindicatesifothersareviewingthevirtualmachine.
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ThepopoutvirtualmachineConsolehasthefollowingmenuitems.Theembedded ConsolehassimilarmenuitemsbutdoesnotincludealloftheexternalConsolemenu items. Table 4-7. Virtual Machine Pop-Out Console Menu Items
File> View> VM> Exit AutofitWindow|FitWindowNow|FitGuestNow|FullScreen PowerOn|PowerOff|Suspend|Reset|ShutDownGuest|RestartGuest |Snapshot|Migrate|Clone|ClonetoTemplate|ConverttoTemplate| AddAlarm|AddPermission|SendCtrl+Alt+Del|AnswerQuestion| ReportPerformance|Install/UpgradeVMwareTools|EditSettings| Rename|RemovefromInventory|DeletefromDisk
Navigation Bar
Thenavigationbarprovidesshortcutbuttonsthatloadthematchingtoolbarandpanel intotheVIClientwindow.Thenavigationbarcombinesanddisplaysassociatedtasks andinformation.Whenabuttonhasbeenselected,itremainsselectedtoindicatethe currentview.ThebuttonsrepresenttheVIClientfunctionalareas.Dependingupon whethertheVIClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServerhost,the listedbuttonsvary. Eachnavigationbarbuttonhasaprimaryinformationpanelandassociatedtabs.The Inventorybuttonhasaninventorypanelfromwhichyoucanselectobjects.Each selectedobjecthasitsownsetofassociatedinformationpaneltabs.Thisinformationis inoneofthefollowingtwosetsofpanels: Navigationbarprovidesshortcutstogeneralizedareasofrelatedactivities.Theoptions areInventoryandAdministration,whentheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServer hostoraVirtualCenterServer.WhentheVIClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenter Serveradditionaloptionsareavailable:ScheduledTasks,Events,Consolidationand Maps.TheInventorybuttonalsohasadditionaldropdownmenuitems(Hosts& Clusters,VirtualMachines&Templates,Networks,andDatastores). Figure 4-2. Navigation bar shortcuts
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To view the Inventory button options ClickthearrowontheInventorynavigationbarbuttontoseetheinventorygroup options.ChooseView>Inventory>HostsandClusters(orVirtualMachinesand Templates,Networks,orDatastores. SeeManagingtheVIClientInventoryonpage 107forinformationonthedifferences betweentheInventorybuttonviews.
InventorybuttonAviewofallthemonitoredobjectsinVirtualCenter. Monitoredobjectsincludedatacenters,resourcepools,clusters,networks, datastores,templates,hosts,andvirtualmachines. TheInventorybuttondisplaysaninventorypanelandaninformationpanel.The informationpanelcontainsseveraltabs.Thesetoftabsthatisdisplayedvaries dependingupontheinventoryobjectselectedintheinventorypanel. TherearefourdifferentInventorybuttonviews:
HostsandClustersdisplaystheinventoryhierarchyofallinventoryobjects excepttemplates,networks,anddatastores. VirtualMachinesandTemplatesdisplaysthelistofvirtualmachinesand templates. Networksdisplaysthelistofnetworks. Datastoresdisplaysthelistofdatastores.
AllfouroftheInventoryoptionsaredividedintotwosubpanels,theinventory panelandtheinformationpanel.ThisInventoryoptiondisplaysalltheobjects containedwithinVirtualCenter,suchasfolders,datacenters,hosts,clusters, resourcepoolsandvirtualmachines.WhenconnectedtoanESXServerhostthe inventoryoptiondisplaysalltheobjectscontainedwithinthehost,suchashost, resourcepools,andvirtualmachines.Throughselectingobjectsineitherofthetwo subpanels,youperformandspecifyactions. Therearefourdifferentinventoryviews.Eachrelatestosomeoftheeightdifferent inventoryobjects:hosts,clusters,folders,datacenters,virtualmachinesand templates,resourcepools,networks,anddatastores. Allfourviewshavethe(single)rootnode.Youcanplacefoldersanddatacenters belowtherootnode.Belowdatacentersthehierarchyissplitupintonetworks, datastores,virtualmachineandtemplates,andhosts,clusters,andresourcepools.
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ScheduledTasksbuttonAlistofactivitiesandameanstoschedulethose activities.ThisisavailablethroughVirtualCenterServeronly. TheScheduledTasksandEventsbuttons,availableonlywhenconnectedtoa VirtualCenterServer,displayasingleinformationpanel.
EventsbuttonAlistofalltheeventsthatoccurintheVirtualCenterenvironment. UsetheNavigationoptiontodisplayalltheevents.Useanobjectspecificpanelto displayonlytheeventsrelativetothatobject. AdminbuttonAlistofenvironmentlevelconfigurationoptions.TheAdmin optionprovidesconfigurationaccesstoRoles,Sessions,Licenses,Diagnostics,and SystemLogs.WhenconnectedtoanESXServeronly,theRolesoptionappears. TheAdminbuttondisplaysasetoftabbedinformationpanels.Selected configurationoptionsareavailablethroughthesetabs.
MapsbuttonAvisualrepresentationofthestatusandstructureoftheVMware Infrastructureenvironment.Thisincludeshosts,networks,virtualmachines,and datastores.ThisisavailablethroughVirtualCenterServeronly. TheMapsbutton,availableonlywhenconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer, displaysaninventorypanelandatopologypanel.
ConsolidationAmeanstoconsolidateyourdatacenterandbuildyour VirtualCenterinventorybyimportingphysicalsystemsasvirtualmachines. Guidedconsolidationoffersaquick,automatedwayofpopulatinganewvirtual environment.Fordetails,seeConsolidatingtheDatacenteronpage 129.
To change the look of the navigation bar Rightclickthenavigationbarandchoosetheappropriateoption.
Inventory View Tabs

Youcanaccessthegeneraldisplayofdataandactivitythroughtheinformationpanel oftheVIClientwindow.Theinformationpanelisthevisualcenterofyourmonitoring activities.Throughtheinformationpanel,youcanviewstatus,resourceusage,and performanceinformationaboutyourhosts,virtualmachines,anddatacenters.Inthe informationpanel,youcanalsoviewscheduledtasks,availabletemplates,andalistof events. WhentheVIClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeraMapsoptionisalso available.SeeSettingUpandMonitoringPerformanceStatisticsandResourceMaps onpage 281forinformationontheMapsfeature.
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Whenanobjectisremovedfromtheinventory,itslogandeventhistoryremainsuntil purgedthroughtheagingprocesses.Dataiskeptforaspecifiedwindowoftime.Asthe timewindowshifts,olderdataispurged.
AdmintabsAsubsetoftheAdminbutton.TheAdmintabsareasetofpanels thatdisplayconfigurationorientedinformationpertainingtotheservethattheVI Clientisconnectedto.ThetaboptionsareRolesandSystemLogs.WhentheVI ClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,aSessionsandLicensestabisalso available. InventorytabsAsubsetoftheInventorybutton.TheInventorytabsareasetof panelsthatdisplaytaskorientedinformationpertainingtotheselectedinventory object.Eachinventoryobjecthasitsownsetoftabs.Thetaboptionsare:Getting Started,Summary,Datacenters,VirtualMachines,Hosts,DRSRecommendations, ResourceAllocation,Performance,Configuration,Tasks&Events,Alarms, Console,Permissions,andMaps. WhenyouclicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar,aninformationpanel appearsontherightsideofthescreen.Whenyouselectanobject(host,virtual machine,folder,datacenter,cluster,resourcepool)fromtheinventorypanel,the informationpaneldisplaystabscorrespondingtotheselectedobject.Thisdata remainsuntilyouclickanotherInventorybutton. NOTEYoucanuseeitherthenavigationbarortheinformationpaneltabstoview eventsinformation.
Table 48liststheavailablepanelsandtheirsourcemapping. Table 4-8. Inventory View Tabs

Panel Name Admin Alarms Alarms Configuration Console Client Connected To ESXServer VirtualCenter VirtualCenter VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter Button, Tab, or Toggle navigationbar button inventorypanel tab togglebutton inventorypanel tab inventorypanel tab Description Listsselectedconfigurationoptionsand information. Liststheconfiguredalarmsforthe selectedobject. Liststhetriggeredalarmsfortheselected object. Providesaccesstoconfiguringthe selectedhost. Displaysaremoteconsoletointeract directlywiththevirtualmachine. Throughtheremoteconsoleyoucantake selectedactionsuponthevirtualmachine.
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Table 4-8. Inventory View Tabs (Continued)

Panel Name Datacenters Datastores Events GettingStarted Client Connected To VirtualCenter VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter Button, Tab, or Toggle inventorypanel tab navigationbar button:Datastores inventorypanel tab inventorypanel tab Description Liststhedatacentersorganizedunderthe selectedfolder. Providesaccessformanagingdatastores. Liststheeventmessagesthatreportonthe statusoftheselectedobject. Providesinformationaboutthetypeof objectselectedandlinkstoactionsyoucan performonthatobject.SeeGetting StartedTabsonpage 56. Liststhehostsassignedtotheselected inventoryobject. Providesaccessformanagingallthe inventoryobjects. Liststhelicensesconfiguredinthelicense server. Displaysrelationshipsbetweenthe selectedinventoryobjects. Liststhemigrationssuggestedor completedfortheselectedcluster,and listssuggestedorcompletedpower managementsuggestions. Providesaccessformanagingnetworks. Displaystheperformancechartsforthe selectedhostorvirtualmachineresources. Thechartsfordatacentersandhosts displaycombinedchartsthatshowthe usageofeachresource. Liststheusersandgroupsthathave permissionsontheselectedobjectandat whatlevelthepermissionwasassigned. Liststhedistributionoftheselectedhosts resources:CPU,memory. Providesaccessforconfiguringuserroles.
Hosts Inventory
VirtualCenter VirtualCenter ESXServer
inventorypanel tab navigationbar button:Hosts& Clusters adminpaneltab navigationbar button inventorypanel tab
Licenses Maps DRS Recommendations
VirtualCenter VirtualCenter VirtualCenter
Networks Performance
VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter
navigationbar button:Networks inventorypanel tab
Permissions
ESXServer VirtualCenter
inventorypanel tab inventorypanel tab adminpaneltab
ResourceAllocation Roles
ESXServer VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter
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Table 4-8. Inventory View Tabs (Continued)

Panel Name ScheduledTasks Sessions Summary SystemLogs Tasks Tasks&Events Client Connected To VirtualCenter VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter ESXServer VirtualCenter VirtualCenter VirtualCenter togglebutton inventorypanel tab navigationbar button:Virtual Machines& Templates inventorypanel tab Liststherecenttasksfortheselected object. Liststhetaskscompletedandtheevent messagesthatreportonthestatusofthe selectedobject. Providesaccessformanagingtemplates. Button, Tab, or Toggle navigationbar button adminpaneltab inventorypanel tab adminpaneltab Description Providesaccessforcreatingand managingscheduledtasks. ListstheVIClientsessionsconnectedto theVirtualCenterServer. Displaysacollectionofdataforthe selectedobject. Listsselectedlogfilesfortheservers.
Templates
VirtualCenter
VirtualMachines
ESXServer VirtualCenter
Liststhevirtualmachinesassignedtothe selecteddatacenterorhostandgroup.To access,clicktheVirtualMachinestaband thevirtualmachinesinthegroupare displayed.
Getting Started Tabs

GettingStartedtabsareavailableforeachtypeofinventoryobject.Theyprovidea descriptionofthetypeofobjectselected,shortcutstoactionsyoucanperformonthat object,andlinkstosectionsoftheTutorial(seeUsingtheTutorialonpage 57)that pertaintothattypeofobject. InthecasewhereVirtualCenterisnewlyinstalledandnoinventoryobjectshavebeen added,theGettingStartedtabsguideyouthroughthestepsofaddingitemstothe inventoryandsettingupthevirtualenvironment.
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TodisableGettingStartedtabs:
ClicktheCloseTablinktodisableGettingStartedtabsforthetypeofobject selected. SelectEdit>ClientSettingsandclickRemoveAllTabstodisableGettingStarted tabsforallinventoryobjects.
TorestoreGettingStartedtabs: SelectEdit>ClientSettingsandclickRestoreAllTabstorestoreGettingStartedtabs forallinventoryobjects.
Using the Tutorial

Thetutorialprovidesanintroductiontovirtualization.Itisdesignedtohelpnewusers understandthebasicconceptsofvirtualizationandtorecognizethecomponentsthat compriseavirtualenvironment. GettingStartedtabscontainlinkstotutorialpages.Thetutorialisalsoaccessible throughtheHelpmenu(Help>Tutorial).
Toolbar
Thetoolbarprovidesbuttonsforthemostcommonlyusedactions. To view or hide a toolbar ChooseView>MainToolbartotogglethedisplayofthemaintoolbar. ChooseView>Toolbartotogglethedisplayofthetoolbar. Differenttoolbarbuttonsaredisplayeddependingonthenavigationtaskand inventoryobjectselected.Sometoolbaroptionsmightbedimmeddependingonthe objectselected.
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To change the look of the toolbar Rightclickthetoolbarandchoosetheappropriateoption.
Status Bar, Recent Tasks, and Triggered Alarms

Thestatusbarappearsatthebottomofthewindow.Itcontainsiconstoviewtriggered alarmsorrecenttasks.TheTasksbuttondisplaysanycurrentlyrunningorrecently completedactivetasks.Includedisaprogressbarindicatingthepercentagecomplete ofeachtask.Therecenttasksandthetriggeredalarmpanelsdisplayacrossthebottom oftheVIClientwindow. To hide or view the status bar ChooseView>Statusbar.
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To hide or view recent tasks or triggered alarms ClicktheTasksorAlarmsiconsinthestatusbar.
Panel Sections
InthebodyoftheVIClientpageisapanelsection.Inmostviews,thereisaleftanda rightpanel:theinventorypanelandtheinformationpanel.Thesepanelscanberesized.
InventorypanelDisplaysahierarchicallistofVMwareInfrastructureobjects whentheInventoryorMapsbuttonisselectedfromthenavigationbar. InformationpanelsDisplaylistsandcharts.Dependingonthenavigation buttonorInventorybuttonitemselected,theinformationpanelisdividedinto tabbedelements.
To select an object Singleclicktheappropriateobjectineithertheinventorypanelorontheinformation panel. To close or open a panel Clickthearrowinthepanelmenubar. Whenthepanelishidden,thepanelmenubarisastripalongthesideoftheVIClient window. To resize a panel Clickaresizingpanelsideanddragittoanappropriatesize.
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YourchoicesforthepanelsarepersistentacrossVIClientsessions.Ifyourunmultiple VIClientsessionsusingdifferentusernames,thesettingsfromthelastsessiontoquit determinethevaluesforthenextVIClientsession.
Sorting and Filtering Lists

SortanylistintheVIClientbyclickingthecolumnlabelheading.Atriangleinthe columnheadshowsthesortorderasascendingordescending. Youcanalsofilteralist,sortingandincludingonlyselecteditems.Afilterissortedby akeyword.Choosethecolumnsyouwanttoincludeinthesearchforthekeyword. To sort a list Clickacolumnheadingtosortthelistbyentriesinthatcolumn.Thecurrentselection doesnotchange. To change between ascending and descending order Clickthetriangleinthecolumnheading. To choose items in a list Clickanindividualitem.PressShiftclickorCtrlclicktochoosemultipleitems.All listscanbesorted. To view or remove columns in a list Rightclickthecolumnheaderandchoosethecolumnnamefromthelist. To filter the list view 1 Clickthearrowtoviewalistofattributesfromwhichtochoose.Typetextdirectly intothefilteringfieldtospecifysearchcriteria. TheFilterfielddoesnotsupportbooleanexpressionsorspecialcharactersandis notcasesensitive. 2 ClickOKtodisplayonlythosevirtualmachinesthatmatchthecriteria.ClickClear tochangethefilter.
NOTEThereisaonesecondintervalbetweenkeystrokes.Ifyoutypeinthetextand waitforonesecond,thesearchstartsautomatically.YoudonthavetoclickOKorEnter. Thelistisupdatedbasedonwhetherfilteringisonoroff.Forexample,ifyouareinthe VirtualMachinestab,youhavefilteredthelist,andthefilteredtextispoweredon, youseealistonlyofvirtualmachineswhosestateissettopoweredon.Ifthestateof
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anyofthesevirtualmachineschangestosomethingelse,theyareremovedfromthelist. Newvirtualmachinesthatareaddedarealsobeingfiltered.Filteringispersistentfor theusersession. To remove a filter ClickClear,ordeletetheentryinofthefilteringfieldandclickOK. TheVIClientdisplaysthefulllistofavailableitems. To choose columns to search for the filtering keyword Rightclickinthecontainsfield,andselectordeselecttheappropriatecolumnnames. Filteringisinclusive,notexclusive.Ifthekeywordisfoundinanyoftheselected columns,thelineitemisincludedinthelist. To export a list 1 2 3 Selectthelisttoexport. ChooseFile>Export>ExportList. Typeafilename,selectafiletypeinthedialogbox,andclickSave. Afileisstoredinthespecifiedfilename,filetype,andlocation.
Using Custom Attributes

Attributesaretheresourcesthataremonitoredandmanagedforallthemanagedhosts andvirtualmachinesinyourVMwareInfrastructureenvironment.Attributesstatus andstatesappearonthevariousinventorypanels. Customattributescanbeusedtoassociateuserspecificmetainformationwithvirtual machinesandmanagedhosts.Afteryoucreatetheattributes,setthevalueforthe attributeoneachvirtualmachineormanagedhost,asappropriate.Thisvalueisstored withVirtualCenterandnotwiththevirtualmachineormanagedhost.Thenusethe newattributetofilterinformationaboutyourvirtualmachinesandmanagedhosts.If younolongerneedthecustomattribute,removeit.Acustomattributeisalwaysa string. Forexample,supposeyouhaveasetofproductsandyouwanttosortthembysales representative.Createacustomattributeforsalespersonname,Name.Addthecustom attribute,Name,columntooneofthelistviews.Addtheappropriatenametoeach productentry.ClickthecolumntitleNametosortalphabetically. ThecustomattributesfeatureisavailableonlywhenconnectedtoaVirtualCenter Server.
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To add a custom attribute 1 ChooseAdministration>CustomAttributes. ThisoptionisnotavailablewhenconnectedonlytoanESXServer. 2 AddacustomattributeandclickAdd.
Theattributeisaddedtothelistofvirtualmachinecharacteristics. 3 4 Tochangetheattributename,clickintheNamefieldandtypethenameyouwant toassigntotheattribute. Enterthevaluesforthecustomattribute.
Selecttheobject(onelevelupthehierarchy)thatcontainstheobjectstowhich youwanttoapplytheattribute. Forexample,ifyouwanttoenterattributevaluesformanagedhosts,selectthe datacenterandtheHoststabforalistofhosts.
Foreachmanagedhostorvirtualmachine,clickthenewattributescolumn. Intheinformationpanel,thenewattributeisaddedtotheheader.
Typetheattributevaluethatisappropriateforeachmanagedhostorvirtual machine.
Youcanalsoeditcustomattributesandaddannotationsforavirtualmachineorhost fromtheSummarytabfortheobject.Annotationscanbeusedtoprovideadditional descriptivetextorcommentsforanobject.

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To edit custom attributes and annotations for a virtual machine or host 1 2 3 Selectthevirtualmachineorhostintheinventory. ClicktheSummarytabforthevirtualmachineorhost. IntheAnnotationsbox,clicktheEditlink. TheEditCustomAttributesdialogboxisdisplayed. 4 Toaddanattribute: a b c d e ClickAdd. IntheNametextbox,typethenameoftheattribute. IntheTypedropdownlist,selecttheattributetype:VirtualMachine,Host, orGlobal. IntheValuetextbox,typethevalueyouwanttogivetotheattributeforthe currentlyselectedobject. ClickOK. Afteryouhavedefinedanattributeonasinglevirtualmachineorhost,itis availabletoallobjectsofthattypeintheinventory.However,thevalueyou specifyisappliedonlytothecurrentlyselectedobject. 5 6 7 Toeditthevalueofanattributethathasalreadybeendefined,doubleclickthe Valuefieldforthatattributeandenterthenewvalue. Toaddannotations,entertextintheNotestextbox. ClickOKtosaveyourchanges.
Selecting and Viewing Objects

ThissectiondescribescommonWindowsproceduresthataffecttheVMware InfrastructureClient.Navigationtopicsarediscussedinthefollowingsections:

SelectingObjectsonpage 64 MonitoringObjectsonpage 65 PerformingActionsonObjectsonpage 65
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Selecting Objects
VirtualCenterobjectsaredatacenters,networks,datastores,resourcepools,clusters, hosts,andvirtualmachines.Selectinganobjectdoesthefollowing:

Allowsyoutoviewthestatusoftheobject. Enablesthemenussoyoucanchooseactionstotakeontheobject.
To select an object 1 2 ClicktheappropriatenavigationbaroptionsuchasInventory,ScheduledTasks, Events,Admin,orMaps. IfyouselectInventory,browsethroughthehierarchyintheinventorypaneluntil youseetheiconforanobject.Clickit. Whenanobjectisselected,theobjectlabelintheinventorypanelbackfillsandthe informationpanelupdatesitsdisplaytoreflectthedatafortheselectedobject. To view an object menu Selecttheappropriateobjectandchoosetheappropriateactionfromthemenubar. Alternatively,rightclicktheobject. Apopupmenuwiththeobjectsavailableactionsappears. Foreachtypeofobject,suchasdatacenter,host,orvirtualmachine,acorrespondingset oftabsappearsintheinformationpanel.Forexample:
Ifyouselectamanagedhostintheinventorypanelwhileconnectedto VirtualCenter,theinformationpaneldisplaysSummary,VirtualMachines, ResourceAllocation,Performance,Configuration,Tasks&Events,Alarms, Permissions,andMapstabs. IfyouselecttheinventorypanelwhileconnectedtoanESXServer,theinformation paneldisplaysSummary,VirtualMachines,ResourceAllocation,Performance, Configuration,Users&Groups,SystemLogs,EventsandPermissionstabs. Ifyouselectadatacenter,theinformationpaneldisplaysVirtualMachines,Hosts, Tasks&Events,Alarms,Permissions,andMapstabs.
Theinventorypanelandinformationpanelshareasingleselectionlist.Selectingan objectinonepaneldeselectsanyotherobjectintheotherpanel. Menuactions,fromeitherthemenubarorapopupmenu,applytothecurrently selectedobject.Ifnoobjectisselected,nomenuactionsareavailable.Apopupmenu canappearonlyforaselectedobject.SeePopUpMenusonpage 50foradditional informationonthepopupmenuoptions.
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To change the name of an object SelectanitemandpressF2orclickthetextoftheselecteditem.Typethenewname.
Monitoring Objects
VIClientmonitorsVirtualCenterorESXServeractivities.Forahosttobemonitoredby VirtualCenter,itmustberegisteredwiththeVirtualCenterServer.SeeAddingaHost onpage 119forinformationonaddingobjectstoyourVirtualCenterServer.IfanESX ServerhostisnotregisteredwithaVirtualCenterServer,youcanconnecttothehost directly,alsousingtheVIClient. To check the status of an object 1 2 StarttheVIClient. Clicktheappropriatebuttoninthenavigationbar.
IfyouclicktheInventoryorMapsbutton,navigatethroughtheinventory panelliststoviewindividualobjectssuchashosts,datacenters,andvirtual machines. IfyouclicktheScheduledTasks,Events,orAdminbutton,theinformation paneldisplaysthescheduledtasks,events,oradministrativewizard appropriatetothechoice.
Clicktheobjecttoviewit. Whenyouselectanobject,theobjectlabelintheinventorypanelisshowninblue andtheinformationpanelupdatesitsdisplaytoreflecttheobjectsdata.
Clicktheappropriatetabintheinformationpanel. Thedatacorrespondingtotheobjectandtabselectedisshown.Clickthroughthe tabstoviewtheinformationabouttheobject,asneeded.
Performing Actions on Objects

ThissectiondescribesonlythebasicprocessforperformingtasksintheVMware InfrastructureClient.Thissectiondoesnotdescribespecificsettingsandconditions. Seethechapterorbookspecifictothetaskyouwanttoperformforadditional information. Toviewanobject,youmusthavethenecessarypermissionassignedforthatobject.The typeofactionyoucantakeonanobjectdependsuponthespecificprivilegesassigned toyourusernameandgroup.
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TherearethreemethodsfortakingactionsuponobjectsinVirtualCenter:
SelectingtheactionfromthemenubaratthetopoftheVirtualCenterwindow.See MenuBaronpage 47. Selectingtheactionfromtheobjectspopupmenuorbutton.Theprocedurelisted belowdescribeshowtochoosetheactionfromtheobjectmenuorbutton. SchedulingtheactionthroughtheScheduledTaskspanel.SeeManaging ScheduledTasksonpage 301toinformationonschedulingtasks.
To perform an action on a VMware Infrastructure object 1 2 3 StarttheVMwareInfrastructureClient. Connecttotheappropriateserver. Toselectanobjectyouwanttovieworuponwhichyouwanttoperformanaction, selecttheappropriateinventoryview,browsethroughthehierarchyinthe inventorypaneluntilyouseeitsicon,andclickit. Anobjectcanbeselectedintheinventorypanelortheinformationpanel. Iftheobjectisnotintheview:

Verifyyouareloggedontothecorrectserver. AddthehosttoVirtualCentercontrol,ifneeded.SeeManagingHostsin VirtualCenteronpage 117forinformation.
Afteranobjectisselected:

Chooseamenuitemfromthemainmenu. Rightclicktheobjectandchoosefromthepopupmenu.
Followtheprompts.
Dependingontheactionyouselected,eithertheviewintheinformationpanelchanges orawizardpromptsyouforinformationtocompletethetransaction.
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Managing VirtualCenter Modules

Aftertheservercomponentofamoduleisinstalledandregisteredwiththe VirtualCenterserver,itsclientcomponentisavailabletoVirtualCenterclients.Client componentinstallationandenablementaremanagedthroughthePluginManager dialogbox(Plugins>ManagePlugins).ThePluginManagerenablesuserstodothe following:

Viewavailablemodulesthatarenotcurrentlyinstalledontheclient. Viewinstalledmodules. Downloadandinstallavailablemodules. Enableanddisableinstalledmodules.
To open the Manage Plugins dialog box: 1 2 LaunchtheVirtualCenterclientandlogintoaVirtualCenterserver. SelectPlugins>ManagePlugins.
TheAvailabletabdisplaysmodulesthatareavailabletobeinstalled.TheInstalledtab displayscurrentlyinstalledmodules. To install modules: 1 2 3 4 SelecttheAvailabletabinthePluginManagerdialogbox. ClickDownloadandInstallforthemoduleyouwant. Followthepromptsintheinstallationwizard. Afterinstallationiscomplete,verifythatthemoduleislistedundertheInstalled tabandthatitisenabled.
To disable and enable modules: 1 2 SelecttheInstalledtabinthePluginManagerdialogbox. SelectEnabletoenableamodule,ordeselectEnabletodisableit.
Disablingamoduleindoesnotremoveitfromtheclient.Youmustuninstallthe moduletoremoveit. To remove modules: ModulescanberemovedthroughtheoperatingsystemsAdd/RemovePrograms controlpanel.Consultyouroperatingsystemsdocumentationforinstructionsonhow tousetheAdd/RemoveProgramscontrolpanel.
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System Configuration
Thischapterincludesbasicsystemconfigurationinformation,suchashowtoaccess andconfigurelogfiles,configurefirewalls,andsetupSNMP.Sometopicshave extensiveinformationdiscussedinseparatechaptersorbooks.Wherethisoccurs, referencesareprovided. Someofthetopicsinthischapteraretypicallyonetimeconfigurationtasks,thoughthe settingscanbealteredwhenneeded. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

HostConfigurationforESXServerandVirtualCenteronpage 69 VirtualCenterConfigurationonpage 74 ConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationonpage 76 VirtualMachineConfigurationonpage 79 WorkingwithActiveSessionsonpage 81 AboutSNMPandVMwareInfrastructureonpage 83 SystemLogFilesonpage 100
Host Configuration for ESX Server and VirtualCenter

ESXServerhostsareconfiguredandmanagedthroughtheVMwareInfrastructure Client.SomehostrelatedconfigurationisspecifictoVirtualCenter.Otherhost configurationappliestostandalonehostsaswellasVirtualCenterregisteredhosts.
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TheESXServer3ConfigurationGuidedescribesthetasksyoumustcompleteto configureESXServer3hostnetworking,storage,andsecurity.TheESXServer3i ConfigurationGuidedescribesthesetasksforanESXServer3ihost.Inaddition,these guidesprovideoverviews,recommendations,andconceptualdiscussionstohelpyou understandthesetasks.TheyexplainhowtodeployanESXServerhosttomeetyour needs.BeforeusingtheinformationintheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideortheESX Server3iConfigurationGuide,readtheIntroductiontoVMwareInfrastructureforan overviewofsystemarchitectureandthephysicalandvirtualdevicesthatmakeupa VMwareInfrastructuresystem. ThissectionsummarizesthehostconfigurationoptionsandthecontentsoftheESX Server3ConfigurationGuideandESXServer3iConfigurationGuidesothatyoucanfind theinformationyouneed. SelectahostandtheConfigurationtabforthehost.Theconfigurationtabdisplaysall oftheconfigurationoptionsavailable.
Hardware Tab
Thehardwaretabdisplaysthefollowingconfigurationoptions:
HealthStatus(ESXServer3ionly)Displaysthestatusofhardwarecomponents suchasprocessors,memory,andstorage. ProcessorsDisplaysthehostsprocessorinformationsuchastype,speed, manufacturer.Thepropertiesdialogboxallowsyoutoenableordisable Hyperthreading. MemoryDisplaysthehostsmemoryconfiguration,includingtotalmemory available,amountsforthehostssystem,amountsforthevirtualmachines,and amountsfortheESXServer3serviceconsole.OnanESXServer3host,the propertiesdialogboxallowsyoutosettheamountdedicatedtotheservice console. Storage(SCSI,SAN,NFS)Displaysthestoragevolumesconfiguredforthehost anddetailsabouteachstoragedevice.Thisincludesvolumelabels,filesystem type,blocksize,extents,andcapacity.TheRefresh,Remove,AddStorage,and Propertiesdialogboxesallowyoutochangevolumeproperties,addextents, managepaths,adddiskorLUNdatastores,andaddnetworkfilesystem(NFS) datastores. NetworkingDisplayscurrentnetworksattachedtothehost.TheRefresh,Add Networking,Remove,andPropertiesdialogboxesallowyoutoconfigureports andnetworkadapters,anddefineconnectiontypestothehostsvirtualmachines andVMkernel.OnanESXServer3host,youcanalsodefineconnectionstothe serviceconsole.
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Chapter 5 System Configuration
StorageAdaptersDisplaysstorageadapterconfiguration,suchasdevicetype, SANidentification,LUNidentification,path,andcapacity.TheRescan,Hide LUNs,andPropertiesdialogboxesallowyoutoscanfornewstoragedevicesor VMFSvolumes,hidetheLUNinformationforeachselectedstorageadapter,and viewVMotionconfigurationstatus. NetworkAdaptersDisplaysnetworkadapterinformation,includingdevice type,speed,vSwitch,andnetworkidentification.
Software Tab
Thesoftwaretabdisplaysthefollowingconfigurationoptions:
LicensedFeaturesDisplaysthecurrentstatusoflicensingforthecurrently selectedhost.Thisincludeslicensesources,licensetype,andlicensingforaddons suchasVMotionorHA.TheEditdialogboxesallowyoutospecifylicensesource, licensetypes,andlicensingforadditionalfeatures. TimeConfigurationAllowsyoutosetthetimeontheESXServerhostand configureNTPservices. DNSandRoutingDisplaysDNSandroutinginformation.Thisincludeshost nameanddomain,DNSserversconnectedtothehost,searchdomains,anddefault gateways.ThePropertiesdialogboxallowsyoutospecifytheseidentification items. VirtualMachineStartup/ShutdownDisplaysalistofvirtualmachinesonthe hostandtheirstartuporshutdownstatus.ThePropertiesdialogboxallowsyouto configurewhentopoweronandpoweroffeachresidentvirtualmachine.Options includestartingorstoppingatselectedtimesrelativetothehostpoweringoffor poweringon. VirtualMachineSwapfileLocationAllowsyoutoselectthedefaultswapfile locationforvirtualmachineslocatedonthishost.Youcanchoosetostorevirtual machineswapfileswiththeothervirtualmachinefiles,ortoplacetheswapfileson aseparatedatastore.Youcanoverridethisdefaultsettingforindividualvirtual machinesbyeditingthevirtualmachinesettings.SeeChangingVirtualMachine Optionsonpage 186. SecurityProfileDisplaysthefirewallinformationforincomingandoutgoing connections.ThePropertiesdialogboxallowsyoutodefineremoteaccess conditions.ThisincludesSecureShell,SNMP,andseveralassociatedclients, servers,andagentincomingandoutgoingcommunicationportsandprotocols. MostservicesarenotavailableonESXServer3ihosts.
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SystemResourceAllocationDisplaysthehostsresourceallocationsettings.This includesmemoryandCPUusage.TheEditdialogboxesallowyoutoconfigure amountsofCPUsharesandmemorysharesarereservedforhostuse.The Simple/Advancedtoggleddialogboxallowsyoutoconfigurethehostsresource poolsCPUandmemoryreservedsharesforselectedhostfunctions. SeetheResourceManagementGuideforcompleteinformationonconfiguringand usingyourvirtualmachineresources.
AdvancedSettingsDisplaysalistofsettingsthatVMwarerecommendsyouuse onlywhendirectedtobyVMwaretechnicalsupport.
ESX Server Network Configuration

ThenetworkingchaptersoftheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideandtheESXServer3i ConfigurationGuideprovideyouwithaconceptualunderstandingofphysicaland virtualnetworkconcepts,adescriptionofthebasictasksyoumustcompleteto configureyourESXServerhostsnetworkconnections,andadiscussionofadvanced networkingtopicsandtasks.Thenetworkingsectioncontainsthefollowingchapters:
NetworkingIntroducesyoutonetworkconceptsandguidesyouthroughthe mostcommontasksyoumustcompletewhensettingupthenetworkfortheESX Serverhost. AdvancedNetworkingCoversadvancednetworkingtaskssuchassettingup MACaddresses,editingvirtualswitchesandports,andDNSrouting.Inaddition, itprovidestipsonmakingyournetworkconfigurationmoreefficient. NetworkingScenariosandTroubleshooting(IntheESXServer3Configuration Guideonly)Describescommonnetworkingconfigurationandtroubleshooting scenarios.
ESX Server Storage Configuration

TheESXServerstoragechaptersoftheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideandtheESX Server3iConfigurationGuideprovideyouwithabasicunderstandingofstorage,a descriptionofthebasictasksyouperformtoconfigureandmanageyourESXServer hostsstorage,andadiscussionofhowtosetuprawdevicemapping.Thestorage sectioncontainsthefollowingchapters:
IntroductiontoStorageIntroducesyoutothetypesofstorageyoucanconfigure fortheESXServerhost. ConfiguringStorageExplainshowtoconfigurelocalSCSIstorage,Fibre Channelstorage,andiSCSIstorage.ItalsoaddressesVMFSstorageand networkattachedstorage.
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ManagingStorageExplainshowtomanageexistingdatastoresandthefile systemsthatcomprisedatastores. RawDeviceMappingDiscussesrawdevicemapping,howtoconfigurethistype ofstorage,andhowtomanagerawdevicemappingsbysettingupmultipathing, failover,andsoforth.
Viewing Security Configuration Information

TheESXServersecuritychaptersoftheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideandESXServer 3iConfigurationGuidediscusssafeguardsVMwarehasbuiltintoESXServerand measuresyoucantaketoprotectyourESXServerhostfromsecuritythreats.These measuresincludeusingfirewalls,leveragingthesecurityfeaturesofvirtualswitches, andsettingupuserauthenticationandpermissions.Thesecuritysectioncontainsthe followingchapters:
SecurityforESXServerSystemsIntroducesyoutotheESXServerfeaturesthat helpyouensureasecureenvironmentforyourdataandgivesyouanoverviewof systemdesignasitrelatestosecurity. SecuringanESXServerConfigurationExplainshowtoconfigurefirewallports forESXServerhostsandVMwareVirtualCenter,howtousevirtualswitchesand VLANstoensurenetworkisolationforvirtualmachines,andhowtosecureiSCSI storage. AuthenticationandUserManagementDiscusseshowtosetupusers,groups, permissions,androlestocontrolaccesstoESXServerhostsandVirtualCenter.It alsodiscussesencryptionanddelegateusers. ServiceConsoleSecurity(IntheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideonly)Discusses thesecurityfeaturesbuiltintotheserviceconsoleandshowsyouhowtoconfigure thesefeatures. SecurityDeploymentsandRecommendationsProvidessomesample deploymentstogiveyouanideaoftheissuesyoumustconsiderwhensettingup yourownESXServerdeployment.Thischapteralsotellsyouaboutactionsyou cantaketofurthersecurevirtualmachines.
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Viewing ESX Server Command Information

TheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideandESXServer3iConfigurationGuideinclude appendixesthatprovidespecializedinformationyoumightfindusefulwhen configuringanESXServerhost:
ESXServerTechnicalSupportCommands(IntheESXServer3Configuration Guideonly)CoverstheESXServer3configurationcommandsthatcanbeissued throughacommandlineshellsuchasSSH.Whilethesecommandsareavailable foryouruse,youshouldnotconsiderthemanAPIuponwhichyoucanbuild scripts.ThesecommandsaresubjecttochangeandVMwaredoesnotsupport applicationsandscriptsthatrelyonESXServer3configurationcommands.This appendixprovidesyouwithVMwareInfrastructureClientequivalentsforthese commands. CommandLineInterfaces(IntheESXServer3iConfigurationGuideonly) DescribestheESXServer3iconfigurationcommandsthatcanbeissuedthrough theremotecommandlineinterface. UsingvmkfstoolsCoversthevmkfstoolsutility,whichyoucanusetoperform managementandmigrationtasksforvirtualdisksandVMFSvolumes.
VirtualCenter Configuration
Setsofpropertiesandsettingsdialogboxesmakeadjustmentstothecorresponding VirtualCenterenvironment. To view the VMware VirtualCenter Configuration SelectAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration. ChangestothissettingapplytothecurrentVirtualCenterServeronly.Ifyoulogout andlogintoanotherVirtualCenterServer,thesettingsarespecifictothatVirtualCenter Server. Thedialogboxtabsdisplayandallowyoutoconfigure:
LicenseServerSpecifythelicenseserverandwhetherahostlicenseserveris supersededwhenthehostisaddedtotheVirtualCenterinventory.Specifythe VirtualCenterServerlicenseedition. SeetheInstallationGuideforESXServer3,ortheSetupGuideforyourESXServer3i productformoreinformationonlicenseconfiguration.
StatisticsSpecifythecollectionintervals,statisticscollectionthreadlimit,and statisticscollectionlevel.Specifiesthenumberofthreadsusedforcollecting performancestatisticsfrommanagedhosts.
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Specifiesthelevelofdetailforperformancestatisticscollection.Legalvaluesare minimal,typical,andfull.Thedefaultisfull. Specifieshowoften,inseconds,VirtualCenterchecksifanyscheduledtasksare readytobeexecutedoralarmsshouldbetriggered.Thedefaultis5seconds. VerifiesthatallusersandgroupsknowntoVirtualCentercurrentlyexistin Windows.Forexample,ifuserSmithisassignedpermissionsandinthedomain theusersnameissubsequentlychangedtoSmith2,VirtualCenterconcludesthat Smithnolongerexistsandremovespermissionsforthatuser. SeeAboutCollectionIntervalsandCollectionLevelsonpage 282.
RuntimeSettingsViewtheuniqueruntimesettingsfortheVirtualCenter installation.ThisincludestheVirtualCenteruniqueIDnumberandthe VirtualCenterTCP/IPportnumber. GeneratesuniqueMACaddressesandUUIDsforvirtualmachines.Insomecases, itispossibletohavemorethanoneVirtualCenterrunninginthesamecompany. EachoftheseVirtualCenterServersmusthaveitsownuniqueidentification.By default,anIDvalueisgeneratedrandomly.However,thisvalueiseditable.The onlyrequirementisthatitbeauniquenumberfrom0to63. SpecifiestheportthroughwhichaVirtualCenterclientsendsdatatothe VirtualCenterServer. SeeConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationonpage 76.
ActiveDirectorySpecifytheactivedirectorytimeout,maximumnumberofusers andgroupstodisplayintheAddPermissionsdialogbox,andthefrequencyfor performingasynchronizationandvalidationofVirtualCentersknownusersand groups. SpecifiesthemaximumnumberofusersandgroupstheVirtualCenterstoresfrom theselecteddomain.Tospecifynomaximumlimit,enterzero(0). Specifies,inseconds,themaximumtimeVirtualCenterallowsthesearchtorunon theselecteddomain.Searchingverylargedomainscantakeaverylongtime.This valuemustbegreaterthanzero(0). SeeChapter 17,ManagingUsers,Groups,Permissions,andRoles,onpage 261.
MailSpecifytheSMTPserverandmailaccount. SeeManagingEventsonpage 307.
SNMPSpecifytheSNMPreceiverURLs,ports,andcommunitystrings. SeeAboutSNMPandVMwareInfrastructureonpage 83.
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WebServiceSpecifytheHTTPandHTTPSportsfortheWebServicetouse.You canalsospecifywhetheryouwanttomaintaincompatibilitywiththe VirtualCenter1.xversionoftheSDKWebService. SeeConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationonpage 76.
TimeoutSettingsSpecifytheVIClientconnectiontimeoutvaluesfornormal operationsandlongoperations.Timeoutnormalspecifieshowlong,inseconds, theVirtualCenterclientwaitsforaresponsefromtheVirtualCenterServerbefore timingout.Thedefaultis30seconds.Timeoutlongspecifieshowlong,inseconds, theVirtualCenterclientwaitsforaresponsefromtheVirtualCenterServerforlong operations.Thedefaultis120seconds. SeeStartingtheVIClientandLoggingInonpage 38.
LoggingOptionsSpecifythedegreeofdetailandextentoflogscollectedduring normalVirtualCenteroperations.Specifiesverboseloggingwhensetto1.Usedfor advanceddebuggingandtroubleshooting.Usethisfieldonlywhendirectedby VMwaretechnicalsupport. SeeSystemLogFilesonpage 100.
DatabaseSpecifythepasswordrequiredtoaccesstheVirtualCenterdatabase andthemaximumnumberofdatabaseconnectionstobecreated. SSLSpecifywhetheryouwanttheVirtualCenterserverandVirtualCenterclients toverifytheSSLcertificatesoftheremotehostwhenestablishingremote connections.VMwarerecommendsenablingtheCheckhostcertificatesoption. AdvancedSettingsSpecifyadvancedsettings.Itishighlyrecommendedthat youdonotchangethesesettingswithoutcontactingVMwaretechnicalsupport.
Configuring VirtualCenter Communication

TheVirtualCenterServerandESXServerreceivesdatatransmissionsfromtheVIClient onport902.EnsurethisisproperlyconfiguredpriortoconnectingyourVIClientto yourVirtualCenterServerorESXServer. NOTETheproceduresdescribedherearenotavailableforcommunicationwithanESX Server.ESXServeronlyusesport902.YoucannotchangetheportnumberESXServer usestocommunicatewitheitheraVIClientortheVirtualCenterServer.SeetheESX Server3ConfigurationGuideortheESXServer3iConfigurationGuideforcomplete informationonsecurity,communication,andportconfigurationwithanESXServer host.
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IfafirewallispreventingtheVIClientfromconnectingtotheVirtualCenterServer,you havethreeoptionsforcorrectingthis:
ReconfigureyourfirewalltoallowtheVIClienttocommunicatethroughport902 ontheVirtualCenterServerorESXServer.Seetheinstructionsforyourfirewall. Usesomeportotherthan902(andifnecessary,configureyourfirewalltoopenthis otherport).TheVIClientandtheVirtualCenterServermustbothbeconfiguredto usethesameport. SeeConfiguringthePortThatVirtualCenterServerUsesonpage 77for informationonchangingthisportnumberinyourVirtualCenterServer.
IfneitheroftheprecedingoptionsispossibleandyourfirewallallowsWebtraffic topasstotheserver,youcanconnecttheVIClienttotheVirtualCenterServer usingastandardWebconnection. CAUTIONIfyouusethisoptiontoopenacommunicationchannelbetweenyour VirtualCenterServerandVIClient,theVirtualCenterconsoledoesnotwork. SeeConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationoveraWebConnectionon page 78forinformationonsettinguptheWebsiteport.
Configuring the Port That VirtualCenter Server Uses

Thereisadefaultportnumberassigned,902.Thisprocedureappliesonlyto communicationbetweenaVIClientandaVirtualCenterServer.Donotusethisto attempttochangetheportnumberforcommunicationbetweenaVIClientandanESX Server. NOTEChangingtheportnumberisaveryrareoperation. To change the default port number 1 StarttheVIClientandlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. SeeUsingtheVIClientonpage 45. 2 3 ChooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration. ClicktheRuntimeSettingsoption.
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EntertheportnumberyourVIClientisusingtocommunicatewiththe VirtualCenterServer.ClicktheFinishoption.ClicktheFinishbutton. Theportmustbelessthan64000.
Toacceptthechanges,restarttheVirtualCenterServer. SeeVirtualCenterServeronpage 36.
Configuring VirtualCenter Communication over a Web Connection

OnealternativetoconnectingtheVirtualCenterServerandVIClientonoppositesides ofafirewallisthroughastandardWebconnection. CAUTIONIfyouusethisoptiontoopenacommunicationchannelbetweenyour VirtualCenterServerandVIClient,theVirtualCenterconsoledoesnotwork. ToenableyourVIClienttoconnectwiththeVirtualCenterServeracrossafirewall usingaWebtunnel,changetheWebsiteportaddressonyourVirtualCenterServer. To open a Web port between the VirtualCenter Server and the VI Client using IIS 1 OntheVirtualCenterServer,installInternetInformationServices(IIS)Manager. Typically,thisisinstalledbydefaultwiththeMicrosoftWindowsoperating system. 2 EnableIIS. Forexample,chooseStart>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Internet ServicesManager.SelectInternetInformationServices. 3 4 5 6 FromtheIISmanager,opentheWindowsdialogbox. Expandthe<server_name>.RightclickonDefaultWebSite.ChooseProperties> WebSitetab. SettheportvaluefortheVirtualCenterservice. IntheWebSiteDescriptionblock,enterthevalueoftheTCPPortor,ifallowed,the SSLport. Avalueof80isthedefaultnonsecureTCPWebsiteport.Avalueof443isthe defaultsecureSSLWebsiteport.
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(SEEUPDATE)Setthedlldirectory. a Ifneeded,createthedirectory:
C:\inetpub\wwwroot\vpx\
b c
Setthepermissionsforthisdirectorytoallowexecution. CopythefileVmdbHttpProxy.dlltothisdirectory. Thefileisin\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\VirtualCenter Server\.
8 9 10
Verifythatthechangehasbeenapplied. StopandrestartthedefaultWebsite. EachtimeyouupdatetheVirtualCenterversion,repeatthisprocess. WhenyoustarttheVIClient,entertheVirtualCenterServerWebsiteaddressas listedintheServerfield.
IfyouareusingthesecureWebportoranyothernondefaultport,usethefull name:http:<server name>:<port>. Forexample,http:vcserver:443.
IfyouareusingthedefaultnonsecureWebsiteport,anyofthefollowing combinationswork:http:<server name>,<server name>80,orhttp:<server name>:80.
Virtual Machine Configuration

Setsofpropertiesandsettingsdialogboxesmakeadjustmentstothecorresponding virtualmachineelement. To view the resources of a virtual machine Selectavirtualmachine.ClicktheSummarytab.SeetheResourcessectionofthe Summarytab. ListedarethecurrentCPUandmemoryusage,inadditiontothedatastoresand networksassociatedwiththeselectedvirtualmachine. SeetheResourceManagementGuideforcompleteinformationonconfiguringandusing yourvirtualmachineresources.
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To view the virtual machines on a host Selectahost.ClicktheVirtualMachinestab. Thisisalistofallthevirtualmachinesrunningontheselectedmanagedhostandthe percentageofresourcesallocatedtothevirtualmachine. To view the configuration of a virtual machine SeethechaptersinVirtualMachineManagementonpage 115forcomplete informationaboutcreatingvirtualmachinesandeditingtheconfigurationofvirtual machines. SelectavirtualmachineandchooseEditSettings. ThisdisplaystheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox.Fromthisdialogboxyoucan editthefollowingvirtualmachineconfigurationitems:
HardwareAddsorremovesthehardwareelementstoyourvirtualmachine:

Memory CPU Floppydrive CD/DVDdrive Networkadapter SCSIcontroller Harddisk Serialport Parallelport SCSIdevice
OptionsListssomegeneralvirtualmachinesettings,actionstotakeduringa powerstatechange,andactionstakenfordebuggingduringaprocess.
GeneralContainsvirtualmachinename,virtualmachineconfigurationfile pathandname,virtualmachineworkinglocation,guestoperatingsystem, andversionoftheguestoperatingsysteminstalled. VMwareToolsContainspowercontrolsettingsforthevirtualmachines toolbarpowericonsandarunscriptsoptionspecifyingifandwhentoruna VMwareToolsscript. PowerManagementAllowsyoutospecifythevirtualmachinesresponse whentheguestoperatingsystemisonstandby.
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AdvancedOptionsunderthisheadingcontroladvancedvirtualmachine optionsasfollows:
GeneralContainssettingsforacceleration,logging,debugging.Also allowsyoutosetadvancedvirtualmachineconfigurationparameters. CPUIDMaskContainssettingsforconfiguringCPUIDmasksfor increasingVMotioncompatibility. BootOptionsContainsoptionsforsettingbootdelayandforcingthe virtualmachinetoenterBIOSsetuponboot. ParavirtualizationAllowsyoutoturnonVMIparavirtualization. FibreChannelNPIVContainssettingsforconfiguringNPortID Virtualizationidentifiers. VirtualizedMMUAllowsyoutoconfigurewhethervirtualmachines makeuseofhardwarepagetablevirtualizationcapabilities. SwapfileLocationAllowsyoutosetthelocationinwhichthevirtual machineswapfileisstored.
ResourcesModifiestheresourcesharesonthemanagedhostofavirtual machine.
CPUAllowsyoutospecifytheCPUresourceallocationshares,reservation, andlimitfortheselectedvirtualmachine. MemoryAllowsyoutospecifythememoryresourceallocationshares, reservation,andlimitfortheselectedvirtualmachine. DiskAllowsyoutospecifythediskresourceallocationsharesandshares valuefortheselectedvirtualmachine. AdvancedCPUAllowsyoutospecifythehyperthreadingandscheduling affinityfortheCPUrunningtheselectedvirtualmachine. AdvancedMemoryAllowsyoutosetlowleveloptionsfordistributionof virtualmachinememorytoNUMA(nonuniformmemoryaccess)memory nodes.ThispageappearsonlyifthevirtualmachineshostsupportsNUMA memoryarchitecture.
Working with Active Sessions

WhenyourVIClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,youcanviewthelistof usersloggedontotheserver.ThisisnotavailablewhenyourVIClientisconnectedto anESXServerhost.
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To view the users that are currently logged on to a VirtualCenter Server FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheAdminbuttoninthe navigationbar.ThenclicktheSessionstab.
To terminate an active session 1 2 3 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheAdminbuttonin thenavigationbar.ThenclicktheSessionstab. Rightclickthesessiontoclose.ChooseTerminate. Toconfirmthetermination,clickOK.
To send a message to all users logged on to an active session 1 2 3 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheAdminbuttonin thenavigationbar.ThenclicktheSessionstab. TypeintotheMessageofthedayfield. ClicktheChangebutton. Thetextissentasanoticemessagetoallactivesessionusersandtonewusers whentheylogin.
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About SNMP and VMware Infrastructure

SimpleNetworkManagementProtocol(SNMP)allowsmanagementprogramsto monitorandcontrolavarietyofnetworkeddevices.ManageddevicesrunSNMP agents,whichcanprovideinformationtoamanagementprograminatleastoneofthe followingways:
Inresponsetoagetoperation,whichisaspecificrequestforinformationfromthe managementsystem. Bysendinganotification,whichisanalertsentbytheSNMPagenttonotifythe managementsystemofaparticulareventorcondition.
VirtualCenterServer,ESXServer3i,andESXServer3eachhaveanSNMPagent.The agentsprovidedwitheachproducthavedifferingcapabilities.
About MIB Files

(SEEUPDATE)ManagementInformationBase(MIB)filesdefinetheinformationthatcan beprovidedbymanageddevices.TheMIBfilescontainobjectidentifiers(OIDs)and variablesarrangedinahierarchy.Currently,VMwareprovidestheMIBfileslistedin Table 51forusewithVI3. Table 5-1. VMware MIB Files
MIB File VMWARE-ROOT-MIB.mib VMWARE-ENV-MIB.mib VMWARE-PRODUCTS-MIB.mib VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB.mib Description ContainsVMwaresenterpriseOIDandtoplevelOID assignments. Definesvariablesandtraptypesusedtoreporthardware environmentstatus.(ESXServer3ihostsonly) DefinesOIDstouniquelyidentifyeachSNMPagentoneach VMwareplatform. Definesvariablesusedtoreportinformationonresource usageoftheVMkernel,includingmemory,CPU,anddisk utilization. TheVMWARE-SYSTEM-MIB.mibfileisobsolete.Usethe SNMPv2MIBtoobtaininformationfromsysDescr.0and sysObjecID.0. DefinescommontextualconventionsusedbyVMwareMIB files. DefinesvirtualmachinepowerrelatedtrapssentbyESX ServerandtrapssentbyVirtualCenter.
VMWARE-SYTEM-MIB.mib
VMWARE-TC-MIB.mib VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB.mib
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Table 5-1. VMware MIB Files (Continued)

MIB File VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB.mib VMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB.mib Description Definesvariablesforreportinginformationaboutvirtual machines. Definesvariablesforreportinginformationaboutthestate oftheVMkernel.
VMWARE-ROOT-MIB
TheVMWARE-ROOT-MIB.mibfiledefinesVMwaresenterpriseOIDandtoplevelOID assignments. Table 52liststheidentificationmappingforVMWARE-ROOT-MIB.mib. Table 5-2. Definition Mapping for VMWARE-ROOT-MIB.mib
Label vmware vmwSystem vmwVirtMachines vmwResources vmwProductSpecific vmwTraps vmwOID vmwExperimental Identification Mapping enterprises 6876 vmware 1 vmware 2 vmware 3 vmware 4 vmware 50 vmware 60 vmware 700
VMWARE-ENV-MIB
TheVMWARE-ENV-MIB.mibdefinesvariablesandtraptypesusedtoreportonthestate ofphysicalcomponentsofthehostcomputer.Thevariablesandtrapsdefinedinthis fileareusedonlybyESXServer3ihosts.
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VMWARE-ENV-MIB.mibdefinesasingletrap,vmwEnvHardwareEvent,whichissent whenanESXServer3ihosthasdetectedamaterialchangeinthephysicalconditionof thehardware. Table 53liststhevariablesdefinedin VMWARE-ENV-MIB.mib. Table 5-3. Variable Definitions in VMWARE-ENV-MIB
Variable vmwEnv vmwEnvNumber vmwEnvLastChange ID Mapping vmwProductSpecific 20 vmwEnv 1 vmwEnv 2 Description DefinestheOIDrootforthisMIB module. Numberofconceptualrowsin vmwEnvTable. Thevalueof sysUptimewhena conceptualrowwaslastaddedtoor deletedfromvmwEnvTable. Thistableispopulatedbymonitoring subsystemssuchasIPMI. Oneentryiscreatedinthetablefor eachphysicalcomponentreportingits statustoESXServer3i. Auniqueidentifierforthephysical component.Thisidentifierdoesnot persistacrossmanagementrestarts. Thetypeofhardwarecomponentthat isreportingitsenvironmentalstate. Thelastreportedstatusofthe component. Adescriptionofthelastreportedevent forthishardwarecomponent. ThevalueofsysUptimewhen vmwHardwareStatuswasreported.
vmwEnvTable vmwEnvEntry
vmwEnv 3 vmwEnvTable 1
vmwEnvIndex
vmwEnvEntry 1
vmwSubsystemType vmwHardwareStatus vmwEventDescription vmwHardwareTime
vmwEnvEntry 2 vmwEnvEntry 3 vmwEnvEntry 4 vmwEnvEntry 5
VMWARE-PRODUCTS-MIB
TheVMWARE-PRODUCTS-MIB.mibfiledefinesOIDstouniquelyidentifyeachSNMP agentoneachVMwareplatform.Theidentificationmappingsforthisfilearelistedin Table 54.
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Table 5-4. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-PRODUCTS-MIB.mib

Label oidESX vmwESX vmwEmbeddedESX vmwVC vmwServer Identification Mapping vmwOID 1 vmwProductSpecific 1 vmwProductSpecific 2 vmwProductSpecific 3 vmwProductSpecific 4
VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB
TheVMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB.mibfiledefinesvariablesusedtoreportinformationon resourceusage.Table 55liststheidentificationmappingsdefinedinthisfile. Table 5-5. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB
Variable CPU Subtree vmwCPU vmwResources 1 DefinestherootOIDforthesubtreeof variablesusedtoreportCPU information. ThenumberofphysicalCPUspresenton thesystem. AtableofCPUusagebyeachvirtual machine. AnentryincpuTablethatrecordsCPU usageforasinglevirtualmachine. Theidentificationnumberallocatedto thevirtualmachinebytheVMkernel. TheshareoftheCPUallocatedtothe virtualmachinebytheVMkernel. Amountoftimethevirtualmachinehas beenrunningontheCPU(inseconds). ID Mapping Description
numCPUs cpuTable cpuEntry cpuVMID cpuShares cpuUtil Memory Subtree vmwMemory
vmwCPU 1 vmwCPU 2 cpuTable 1 cpuEntry 1 cpuEntry 2 cpuEntry 3
vmwResources 2
DefinestherootOIDforthesubtreeof variablesusedtoreportmemory information. Amountofphysicalmemorypresenton thehost(inKB).
memSize
vmwMemory 1
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Table 5-5. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB (Continued)

Variable memCOS ID Mapping vmwMemory 2 Description Amountofphysicalmemoryusedbythe serviceconsole(inKB).Thisvariabledoes notapplytoESXServer3ihosts,which donothaveaserviceconsole. Theamountoffreephysicalmemory availableonthehost. Atableofmemoryusagebyeachvirtual machine. AnentryinmemTablethatrecords memoryusagebyasinglevirtual machine. Theidentificationnumberallocatedto thevirtualmachinebytheVMkernel. Thesharesofmemoryallocatedtothe virtualmachinebytheVMkernel. Theamountofmemorythevirtual machinewasconfiguredwith(inKB). Theamountofmemorycurrentlyusedby thevirtualmachine(inKB).
memAvail memTable memEntry
vmwMemory 3 vmwMemory 4 memTable 1
memVMID memShares memConfigured memUtil Disk Subtree vmwHBATable hbaEntry hbaIdx hbaName hbaVMID
memEntry 1 memEntry 2 memEntry 3 memEntry 4
vmwResources 3 vmwHBATable 1 hbaEntry 1 hbaEntry 2 hbaEntry 3
Atableusedforreportingdiskadapter andtargetinformation. ArecordforasingleHBAconnectedto thehostmachine. IndexfortheHBAtable. Astringdescribingthedisk.Format: <devname#>:<tgt>:<lun>. Theidentificationnumberallocatedto therunningvirtualmachinebythe VMkernel. Shareofdiskbandwidthallocatedtothis virtualmachine. Numberofreadstothisdisksincethe diskmodulewasloaded. Kilobytesreadfromthisdisksincethe diskmodulewasloaded.
diskShares numReads kbRead
hbaEntry 4 hbaEntry 5 hbaEntry 6
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Table 5-5. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB (Continued)

Variable numWrites kbWritten Net Subtree vmwNetTable netEntry netIdx netName netVMID vmwResources 4 vmwNetTable 1 netEntry 1 netEntry 2 netEntry 3 Atableusedforreportingnetwork adapterstatistics. Arecordforasinglenetworkadapteron thevirtualmachine. Indexforthenetworktable. Astringdescribingthenetworkadapter. Theidentificationnumberallocatedto therunningvirtualmachinebythe VMkernel. TheMACaddressofthevirtual machinesvirtualnetworkadapter. Shareofnetworkbandwidthallocatedto thisvirtualmachine.Thisobjecthasnot beenimplemented. Thenumberofpacketstransmittedon thisnetworkadaptersincethenetwork modulewasloaded.SeeSMIv2version for64bitpackets. Thenumberofkilobytessentfromthis networkadaptersincethenetwork modulewasloaded.SeeSMIv2version for64bitpackets. Thenumberofpacketsreceivedonthis networkadaptersincethenetwork modulewasloaded.SeeSMIv2version for64bitpackets. Kilobytesreceivedonthisnetwork adaptersincethenetworkmodulewas loaded.SeeSMIv2versionfor64bit packets. ID Mapping hbaEntry 7 hbaEntry 8 Description Numberofwritestothisdisksincethe diskmodulewasloaded. Numberofkilobyteswrittentothisdisk sincethediskmodulewasloaded.
ifAddr netShares
netEntry 4 netEntry 5
pktsTx
netEntry 6
kbTx
netEntry 7
pktsRx
netEntry 8
kbRx
netEntry 9
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VMWARE-TC-MIB
The VMWARE-TC-MIB.mibfileprovidescommontextualconventionsusedbyVMware MIBfiles. VMWARE-TC-MIB.mibdefinesthefollowingintegervaluesforVmwSubsystemTypes:

unknown(1) chassis(2) powerSupply(3) fan(4) cpu(5) memory(6) battery(7) temperatureSensor(8) raidController(9) voltage(10)
VMWARE-TC-MIB.mibdefinesthefollowingintegervaluesforVmwSubsystemStatus:

unknown(1) normal(2) marginal(3) critical(4) failed(5)
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VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB
VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB.mibdefinestrapsusedbyESXServerandVirtualCenter.All notificationsdefinedinthisfilearesentbyVMwareagentsusingtheSNMPv1trap format.Table 56liststhetraps. Table 5-6. Traps Defined in VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB
Trap ESX Server Traps vmPoweredOn vmPoweredOff vmHBLost Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachineispoweredonfroma suspendedorpoweredoffstate. Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachineispoweredoff. Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachinedetectsalossinguest heartbeat.VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledintheguest operatingsysteminorderforthisvaluetobevalid. Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachinedetectsorregainsthe guestheartbeat.VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledintheguest operatingsysteminorderforthisvaluetobevalid. Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachineissuspended. Description
vmHBDetected
vmSuspended
VirtualCenter Server Traps vpxdTrap Thistrapissentwhenanentitystatushaschanged.
VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB.mibalsodefinesvariablesusedbythesetraps.Table 57liststhe variablesdefinedinthisfile. Table 5-7. Variables Defined in VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB

Variable ID Mapping Description
ESX Server Trap Variables vmID vmwTraps 101 TheIDoftheaffectedvirtualmachinegenerating thetrap.IfthereisnovirtualmachineID(for example,ifthevirtualmachinehasbeen poweredoff),thevmIDis1. Theconfigurationfileofthevirtualmachine generatingthetrap.
vmConfigFile
vmwTraps 102
VirtualCenter Server Trap Variables vpxdTrapType vpxdHostName vpxdVMName vmwTraps 301 vmwTraps 302 vmwTraps 303 ThetraptypeoftheVirtualCentertrap. Thenameoftheaffectedhost. Thenameoftheaffectedvirtualmachine.
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Table 5-7. Variables Defined in VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB (Continued)

Variable vpxdOldStatus vpxdNewStatus vpxdObjValue ID Mapping vmwTraps 304 vmwTraps 305 vmwTraps 306 Description Thepriorstatus. Thenewstatus. Theobjectvalue.
VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB
TheVMWARE-VMINFO-MIB.mibfiledefinesvariablesforreportingvirtualmachine information.Table 58liststhevariablesdefinedinthisfile. Table 5-8. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB
Variable vmTable ID Mapping vmwVirtMachines 1 Description Atablecontaininginformationonthe virtualmachinesthathavebeen configuredonthesystem. Therecordforasinglevirtualmachine. Anindexforthevirtualmachineentry. Thedisplaynameforthevirtual machine. Thepathtotheconfigurationfileforthis virtualmachine. Theguestoperatingsystemrunningon thevirtualmachine. Thememory(inMB)configuredforthis virtualmachine. Thevirtualmachinepowerstate(onor off). Anidentificationnumberassignedto runningvirtualmachinesbythe VMkernel.Poweredoffvirtual machinestonothavethisID. Thestateoftheguestoperatingsystem (onoroff). Atableofdiskadaptersvisibletoa virtualmachine. RecordforasingleHBA.
vmEntry vmIdx vmDisplayName vmConfigFile vmGuestOS vmMemSize vmState vmVMID
vmTable 1 vmEntry 1 vmEntry 2 vmEntry 3 vmEntry 4 vmEntry 5 vmEntry 6 vmEntry 7
vmGuestState hbaTable hbaEntry
vmEntry 8 vmwVirtMachines 2 hbaTable 1
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Table 5-8. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB (Continued)

Variable hbaVmIdx hbaIdx hbaNum hbaVirtDev hbaTgtTable hbaTgtEntry hbaTgtVmIdx hbaTgtIdx hbaTgtNum netTable netEntry netVmIdx netIdx netNum netName netConnType floppyTable floppyEntry fdVmIdx fdIdx ID Mapping hbaEntry 1 hbaEntry 2 hbaEntry 3 hbaEntry 4 vmwVirtMachines 3 hbaTgtTable 1 hbaTgtEntry 1 hbaTgtEntry 2 hbaTgtEntry 3 vmwVirtMachines 4 netTable 1 netEntry 1 netEntry 2 netEntry 3 netEntry 4 netEntry 5 vmwVirtMachines 5 floppyTable 1 floppyEntry 1 floppyEntry 2 Description Anumbercorrespondingtothevirtual machinesindexinthevmTable. ThevirtualmachinesvirtualSCSI adapternumber. ThedevicenumberfortheHBA. ThevirtualdevicetypeforthisHBA. ThetableofSCSItargetsvisibletoa virtualmachine. RecordforasingleSCSItarget. Anumbercorrespondingtothevirtual machinesindexinthevmTable. ThevirtualSCSItargetnumber. TheSCSItargetdescription. Atableofnetworkadaptersseenbya virtualmachine. Arecordforasinglenetworkadapter. Anumbercorrespondingtothevirtual machinesindexinthevmTable. Indexforthistable. Thedevicenumberforthenetwork adapter. Thedevicenameforthenetwork adapter. Connectiontype(userormonitor device). Atableoffloppydrivesvisibletoa virtualmachine. Arecordforasinglefloppydevice. Anumbercorrespondingtothevirtual machinesindexinthevmTable. Indexforthefloppytable.Givesthe orderofthefloppydeviceonthevirtual machine. Thedevicenumberornameforthe floppydevice.
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fdName
floppyEntry 3
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Table 5-8. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB (Continued)

Variable fdConnected cdromTable cdromEntry cdVmIdx cdromIdx ID Mapping floppyEntry 4 vmwVirtMachines 6 cdromTable 1 cdromEntry 1 cdromEntry 2 Description Indicateswhetherthefloppydeviceis connected. AtableofCDROMdrivesvisibletoa virtualmachine. ArecordforasingleCDROMdrive. Anumbercorrespondingtothevirtual machinesindexinthevmTable. IndexfortheCDROMtable.Givesthe orderofCDROMdevicesonthevirtual machine. Thedevicenumberornameforthe CDROMdevice. IndicateswhethertheCDROMdevice isconnected.
cdromName cdromConnected
cdromEntry 3 cdromEntry 4
VMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB
TheVMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB.mibfiledefinesvariablesusedtoreporttheVMkernel state.Table 59liststhevariablesdefinedinthisfile. Table 5-9. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB
Variable esxVMKernel vmkLoaded ID Mapping vmwESX 1 esxVMKernel 1 Description TherootOIDforVMkernelvariables. IndicateswhethertheVMkernelhasbeen loaded.Notethatifthevalueofthisvariable isNo,thenallothervariablesreportedfor ESXServer3areinvalid.
Using SNMP with VirtualCenter Server

TheSNMPagentincludedwithVirtualCenterServercanbeusedtosendtrapswhen analarmistriggeredontheVirtualCenterServer.TheVirtualCenterSNMPagent functionsonlyasatrapemitter,anddoesnotsupportotherSNMPoperations,suchas get.AlltrapssentbytheVirtualCenterServerSNMPagentareSNMPversion1traps. TheSNMPenterprisetraptypeforVMwareVirtualCenteris201.Itsendsnogeneric traps. TousetheVirtualCenterSNMPtraps,youmustdothefollowing:
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ConfiguretheSNMPsettingsonVirtualCenterServer. ConfigureyourmanagementsoftwaretoaccepttrapsfromVirtualCenterServer.
To configure SNMP settings on VirtualCenter Server 1 IntheVIClientconnectedtoVirtualCenterServer,chooseAdministration> VirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration. TheVirtualCenterManagementServerConfigurationdialogboxisdisplayed. 2 3 4 SelectSNMPtodisplaytheSNMPpage. IntheReceiverURLtextbox,entertheDNSnameorIPaddressoftheSNMP receiver. Intheadjacenttextbox,entertheportnumberoftheSNMPreceiver. Iftheportvalueisleftempty,thedefaultvalueof162isused. 5 6 7 IntheCommunityStringtextbox,enterthecommunityidentifier. ToenableadditionalSNMPreceivers,selecttheappropriatecheckbox,andrepeat Steps3through5forthatreceiver. ClickOKtoclosethedialogboxandsavethesettings.
ThetrapssentbyVirtualCenterServeraretypicallysenttoothermanagement programs.YoumustconfigureyourmanagementservertointerprettheSNMPtraps sentbyVirtualCenterServer. To configure your management program to interpret VirtualCenter SNMP traps 1 (SEEUPDATE)CopytheMIBfilestothelocationrequiredbyyourmanagement software.TointerpretVirtualCenterServertraps,onlythefollowingMIBfilesare needed:

VMWARE-ROOT-MIB.mib VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB.mib
TheMIBdefinitionfilescanbefoundatC:\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\VirtualCenter Server\MIBSwhenthe defaultinstallationdirectoryisused. 2 ModifyyourmanagementprogramtoincludeandinterprettheVMwareMIBs. SeeyourmanagementprogramdocumentationforinformationonaddingMIB definitionstoyourprogram.
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Using SNMP with ESX Server 3

ESXServer3shipswithtwoSNMPagents.ThefirstisanSNMPagentbasedon NetSNMPwithenhancementstosupportdataspecifictoESXServer3.Thesecond agentisidenticaltothatwhichshipswithESXServer3i,andcanbeusedand configuredinthesamemanner.SeeUsingSNMPwithESXServer3ionpage 97for moreinformationonthisagent. TheNetSNMPbasedagentiscompiledforversion5.0.9.2.30E.19ofNetSNMP. ThatversionofNetSNMPisinstalledintheESXServer3serviceconsoleby default.BackgroundinformationonNetSNMPisavailableat netsnmp.sourceforge.net. (SEEUPDATE)TheESXServer3NetSNMPbasedagentcanbeusedwithany managementsoftwarethatcanloadandcompileamanagementinformationbase (MIB)inSMIv1formatandcanunderstandSNMPv1trapmessages.TheESXServer3 NetSNMPbasedagentsupportsbothtrapsandSNMPgets. TheNetSNMPbasedagentreportsthefollowingsysObjectID:
SNMPv2-MIB::sysDescr.0 = STRING: VMware ESX Server 0 VMware, Inc. 0 0 i686 SNMPv2-MIB::sysObjectID.0 = OID: SNMPv2-SMI::mib-2.6786.4.1
YoucanchoosetouseSNMPwithorwithoutanyESXServerMIBitems. TheVMwarespecificMIBmodulesareinstalledwhenyouinstallESX Server3.By defaultonafreshinstall,ESXServercomponentsareenabledinSNMP,andVMware trapsareonbydefault.YoumustconfigureatrapsinktoreceiveSNMPtraps.
Configuring the ESX Server Agent from the Service Console

(SEEUPDATE)Thefollowingproceduresmustbeperformedafterinstallingor upgradingthirdpartymanagementapplications. To enable or disable VMware MIBs on ESX Server 3 1 2 3 Logintotheserviceconsoleastherootuser. Editthe /etc/snmp/snmpd.confconfigurationfile. AddorremovethefollowinglinetoenableordisableVMwareMIBitems:
dlmod SNMPESX /usr/lib/vmware/snmp/libSNMPESX.so
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To start the ESX Server 3 SNMP agent automatically YoucansettheSNMPdaemontostartwheneverESXServer3bootsbylogginginas therootuserontheserviceconsoleandrunningthechkconfigcommand:

chkconfig snmpd on
To start the ESX Server 3 SNMP agent manually IfyoumuststarttheSNMPagentmanually,loginasrootintheserviceconsoleandrun thefollowingcommand:

/etc/rc.d/init.d/snmpd start
Bydefault,theagentstartsandrunsasbackgroundprocesses. To enable and disable traps on ESX Server 3 1 Edittheconfig.xmlfile. Theconfigurationparametersnmp/generateTrapsinthe /etc/vmware/hostd/config.xmlfiledetermineswhethertogenerateatrap.By default,atrapisgenerated. 2 Todisabletraps,addthefollowingentrytothefile:
<plugins> <snmpsvc><generateTraps>false</generateTraps></snmpsvc> </plugins>
3 4
Toreenabletraps,removetheentryfromthefile. Restartvmware_hostdtoseethechangetakeeffect.
Configuring SNMP Trap Destinations for ESX Server 3

VMwaretrapsaregeneratedtothedestinationsspecifiedintheconfigurationfile. To configure traps 1 2 3 Logintotheserviceconsoleastherootuser. Modifythe/etc/snmp/snmpd.conffile. Usingatexteditor,addthefollowingline,replacingmercury.solar.comwiththe nameofthehostonyournetworkthatwillreceivetraps.
trapsink example.com
Repeatthislinetospecifymorethanonedestination.
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Addthefollowingline,replacingpublicwithacommunitynameofyourchoice: trapcommunity public. Onlyoneinstanceofthislineisallowed.
Saveyourchanges.
Using SNMP with ESX Server 3i

ESXServer3ishipswithanSNMPmanagementagentdifferentfromthatwhichruns intheserviceconsoleofESXServer3.Currently,thisSNMPagentsupportsonlySNMP traps,notGETS.Thisagentisoffbydefault.Tousethisagent,youmustenablethe SNMPservice,specifyatleastonecommunity,andconfigureatrapdestinationusing theremotecommandlinecommandvicfg-snmp. Table 510liststhecommandoptionsandsyntaxforthevicfg-snmpcommand.You musttargetthevicfg-snmpcommanddirectlytotheESXServer3ihost.Youcannot usethiscommandwithaVirtualCenterServer.Formoreinformationoninstallingand usingtheremotecommandlineinterface,seetheESXServer3iConfigurationGuide. Table 5-10. vicfg-snmp Command Options
Option --communities <comm1>[, ...] -c <comm1>[, ...] --disable -D --enable -E --port <port-number> -p <port-number> --reset -r --show -s --targets <hostname[@port]> </community>[, ...] -t <hostname[@port]> </community>[, ...] --test -T SendsatestnotificationthatcanbeusedtovalidatetheSNMP configuration. Setsthedestinationfor(notifications)traps.Thesettings specifiedusingthisflagoverwriteanyprevioussettings. DisplaysthecurrentSNMPconfiguration. Clearsallpreviouslyspecifiedcommunitiesandtargets. SetstheportusedbytheSNMPagent.Thedefaultisudp/162. StartstheSNMPservice. Description Specifiescommunitiesseparatedbycommas.Thesettings specifiedusingthisflagoverwriteanyprevioussettings. StopstheSNMPservice.
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Configuring SNMP Management Client Software

TouseyourSNMPmanagementsoftwarewiththeESXServer3orESXServer3iagents, takethestepsneededtoaccomplishthefollowing:
Inyourmanagementsoftware,specifytheESXServermachineasanSNMPbased manageddevice. Setupappropriatecommunitynamesinthemanagementsoftware.Thesemust correspondtothevaluessetinthemasterSNMPagentsconfigurationfile,for example,rocommunity,trapcommunity,andtrapsink. LoadtheESXServerMIBsintothemanagementsoftwaresoyoucanviewthe symbolicnamesfortheESXServervariables.YoucanfindtheMIBfileson ESX ServerSW,inthe/usr/lib/vmware/snmp/mibsdirectory.
Configuring SNMP Security for ESX Server 3

TheESXServerSNMPpackagetakesthesimplestapproachtoSNMPsecurityinthe defaultconfiguration.Itsetsupasinglecommunitywithreadonlyaccess.Thisis denotedbytherocommunityconfigurationparameterintheconfigurationfileforthe snmpd daemon,snmpd.conf.Youshouldchangethisfile. OtherenhancementstotheSNMPsecuritymechanismallowanadministratortosetup amoreelaboratepermissionsscheme.Seethesnmpd.conf(5)manpagefordetails.
SNMP Diagnostics
YoucanusethefollowingtoolstodiagnoseproblemswithSNMPconfiguration.
Typevicfg-snmp -TattheremotecommandlineinterfacetoprompttheESX Server3iagenttosendatesttrap. TheSNMPv2-MIBfileprovidesanumberofcounterstoaidindebuggingSNMP problems.Table 511listssomeofthesediagnosticcounters.
Table 5-11. Diagnostic Counters from SNMPv2-MIB

Variable snmpInPkts snmpInBadVersions ID Mapping snmp 1 snmp 3 Description Thetotalnumberofmessagesdeliveredto theSNMPentityfromthetransportservice. ThetotalnumberofSNMPmessagesthat weredeliveredtotheSNMPentityand wereforanunsupportedSNMPversion.
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Table 5-11. Diagnostic Counters from SNMPv2-MIB (Continued)

Variable snmpInBadCommunityNames ID Mapping snmp 4 Description Thetotalnumberofcommunitybased SNMPmessagesdeliveredtotheSNMP entitythatusedaninvalidSNMP communityname. Thetotalnumberofcommunitybased SNMPmessagesdeliveredtotheSNMP entitythatrepresentedanSNMPoperation thatwasnotallowedforthecommunity namedinthemessage. ThetotalnumberofASN.1orBERerrors encounteredbytheSNMPentitywhen decodingreceivedSNMPmessages. IndicateswhethertheSNMPentityis permittedtogenerateauthenticationFailure traps.Thevalueofthisobjectoverridesany configurationinformation.Ittherefore providesameansofdisablingall authenticationFailuretraps. ThetotalnumberofConfirmedClassPDUs deliveredtotheSNMPentitythatwere silentlydroppedbecausethesizeofareply containinganalternateResponseClass PDUwithanemptyvariablebindingsfield wasgreaterthaneitheralocalconstraintor themaximummessagesizeassociatedwith theoriginatoroftherequest. ThetotalnumberofConfirmedClassPDUs deliveredtotheSNMPentitythatwere silentlydroppedbecausethetransmission ofthemessagetoaproxytargetfailedina mannerotherthanatimeoutsuchthatno ResponseClassPDUcouldbereturned.
snmpInBadCommunityUses
snmp 5
snmpInASNParseErrs
snmp 6
snmpEnableAuthenTraps
snmp 30
snmpSilentDrops
snmp 31
snmpProxyDrops
snmp 32
Using SNMP with Guest Operating Systems

TouseSNMPtomonitorguestoperatingsystemsorapplicationsrunninginvirtual machines,installtheSNMPagentsyounormallywoulduseforthatpurposeinthe guestoperatingsystems.NospecialconfigurationisrequiredonESXServer. Thevirtualmachineusesitsownvirtualhardwaredevices.Youshouldnotinstall agentsintendedtomonitorhardwareonthephysicalcomputerinthevirtualmachine.
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System Log Files

Inadditiontolistsofeventsandalarms,VMwareInfrastructurecomponentsgenerate assortedlogs.Theselogscontainadditionalinformationaboutactivitiesinyour VMwareInfrastructureenvironment. Thefollowingsectionsdiscusssystemlogfiles:

ViewingSystemLogEntriesonpage 100 ExternalSystemLogsonpage 101 ConfiguringSyslogonESXServerHostsonpage 103 ExportingDiagnosticDataonpage 104 CollectingLogFilesonpage 105
Viewing System Log Entries

Thefollowingtwoproceduresdescribehowtoaccessandviewsystemlogs. To view system log entries 1 2 3 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer, displaytheadministrationpanelandviewthesystemlogtab. ClicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheSystemLogstab. Fromthedropdownlist,choosethelogandentryyouwanttoview.
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To search and list selected items 1 2 Withthelogyouwanttofilterdisplayed,chooseView>Filteringtorefertothe filteringoptions. Entertextintothedatafield.ClickCleartoemptythedatafield.
External System Logs

VMwaretechnicalsupportmightrequestseveralfilestohelpresolveanyissuesyou havewiththeproduct.Thissectiondescribesthetypesandlocationsoflogfilesfound onvariousVI3componentsystems. NOTEOnWindowssystems,severallogfilesarestoredintheLocalSettingsdirectory, whichislocatedatC:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\. Thisfolderishiddenbydefault.Toviewitscontents,openMyComputer,chooseTools >FolderOptions,clicktheViewtab,andchooseShowHiddenFilesandFolders. Table 512listslogfilesassociatedwithESXServersystems. Table 5-12. ESX Server System Logs
Component ESXServer2.xServicelog ESXServer3.xServicelog Location /var/log/vmware/vmware-serverd.log /var/log/vmware/hostd.log
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Table 5-12. ESX Server System Logs (Continued)

Component VIClientAgentlog VirtualMachineKernelCorefile Location /var/log/vmware/vpx/vpxa.log /root/vmkernel-core.<date> and /root/vmkernel-log.<date> Thesefilesarepresentafteryourebootyourmachine. Sysloglog ServiceConsoleAvailability report VMkernelMessages VMkernelAlertsandAvailability report VMkernelWarning VirtualMachinelogfile VirtualMachineConfiguration file /var/log/messages /var/log/vmkernel /var/log/vmkernel /var/log/vmkernel /var/log/vmkwarning vmware.loginthesamedirectoryasthe.vmxfileforthe virtualmachine <virtual_machine_name>/<virtual_machine_name>. vmx locatedonadatastoreassociatedwiththemanaged host.UsedthevirtualmachinesummarypageintheVI Clienttodeterminethedatastoreonwhichthisfileis located.
Table 513listslogfilesassociatedwiththeVIClientmachine. Table 5-13. VI Client System Logs

Component VIClient Installationlog Location TempdirectoryontheVIClientmachine. Example: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Temp\vmmsi.log VIClient Servicelog \vpxdirectoryinthetempdirectoryontheVIClientmachine. Example: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Local Settings\Temp\vpx\viclient-x.log x(=0, 1, ... 9)
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Configuring Syslog on ESX Server Hosts

AllESXServerhostsrunasyslogservice(syslogd),whichlogsmessagesfromthe VMkernelandothersystemcomponentstoafile.OnanESXServer3host,youcan configuresyslogbehaviorbyeditingthe/etc/syslog.conffile.OnanESXServer3i host,youcanusetheVIClientortheRemoteCLIcommandvicfg-advcfgto configurethefollowingoptions:
LogfilepathSpecifiesadatastorepathtoafileinwhichsyslogdlogsall messages. RemotehostSpecifiesaremotehosttowhichsyslogmessagesareforwarded. Youcanalsospecifytheportonwhichtheremotehostreceivesmessages.
To configure syslogd on an ESX Server 3i host 1 2 3 4 5 SelectthehostintheVIClientinventory. ClicktheConfigurationtabtodisplayit. ClickAdvanced Settings. SelectSysloginthetreecontrol. IntheSyslog.Local.DatastorePathtextbox,enterthedatastorepathforthefileto whichsyslogwilllogmessages. Thedatastorepathshouldbeoftheform[<datastorename>]</path/to/file>,where thepathisrelativetotherootofthevolumebackingthedatastore.Forexample, thedatastorepath[storage1] var/log/messageswouldmaptothepath /vmfs/volumes/storage1/var/log/messages. Ifnopathisspecified,thedefaultpathis/var/log/messages. 6 IntheSyslog.Remote.Hostnametextbox,enterthenameoftheremotehostto whichsyslogdatawillbeforwarded. Ifnovalueisspecified,noforwardingtakesplace. Inordertoreceivetheforwardedsyslogmessages,yourremotehostmusthavea syslogserviceinstalledandcorrectlyconfigured.Consultthedocumentationfor thesyslogserviceinstalledonyourremotehostforinformationonconfiguration.
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IntheSyslog.Remote.Porttextbox,entertheportontheremotehosttowhich syslogdatawillbeforwarded. Bydefault,thisoptionissetto514,whichisthedefaultUDPportusedbysyslog. ChangestothisoptiontakeeffectonlyifSyslog.Remote.Hostnameisconfigured.
ClickOK.
Changestothesyslogoptionstakeeffectimmediately. SeetheESXServer3iConfigurationGuideformoreinformationoninstallingandusing theRemoteCLI.
Exporting Diagnostic Data

Thereisanoptionforexportingallorpartofyourlogfiledata. To export diagnostic data 1 2 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServerorESXServer,choose Administration>ExportDiagnosticData. IftheVIClientisconnectedtoVirtualCenterServer,specifythehostwhoselogs youwanttoexportandthelocationforstoringthelogfiles.
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IftheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServer,specifythelocationforthelogfiles.
ClickOK.
Afileiscreatedoftheselecteddataandstoredatthespecifiedlocation,usingthe vm-supportscript.Ifnofileextensionisprovided,thedefaultisatextfile.Thefile containsType,Time,andDescription.
Collecting Log Files

VMwaretechnicalsupportmightrequestseveralfilestohelpresolveyourproblem. Thefollowingdescribesscriptprocessesforgeneratingandcollectingsomeofthese files. To set VirtualCenter verbose logging in the VMware Infrastructure Client 1 2 3 ChooseAdministration.ClickServerSettings>LoggingOptions. ChooseVerbosefromthepopupmenu. ClickOK.
To collect VMware Infrastructure log files Choosefromtheoptions:

Toviewtheviclient-*.logfiles,changetothedirectory,%temp%. IfyouarerunningtheVIClientontheVirtualCenterServermachine,download thelogbundle.
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To collect ESX Server VMkernel files
IftheVMkernelfails,normallyanerrormessageappearsforaperiodoftimeand thenthevirtualmachinereboots. IfyouspecifiedaVMwarecoredumppartitionwhenyouconfiguredyourvirtual machine,theVMkernelalsogeneratesacoredumpanderrorlog.
MoreseriousproblemsintheVMkernelcanfreezethemachinewithoutanerror messageorcoredump. To collect ESX Server log files using the Service Console Runthefollowingscriptontheserviceconsole: /usr/bin/vm-support ThisscriptcollectsandpackagesallrelevantESXServer3systemand configurationinformationandESXServerlogfiles.Thisinformationcanbeused toanalyzetheproblemyouareencountering. Theresultingfilehasthefollowingformat: esx-<date>-<unique-xnumber>.tgz
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Managing the VI Client Inventory
ThischapterdescribeshowtomanagetheobjectsinyourVMwareInfrastructure environment.Thisincludesfolders,datacenters,clusters,resourcepools,networks, anddatastores.Theseobjectsareusedtohelpmanageororganizethemonitoredand managedhostsandvirtualmachines. NOTETheviewsandcapabilitiesdisplayedvarydependingonwhethertheVIClient isconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServerhost.Unlessindicated,the process,task,ordescriptionappliestoallkindsofVIClientconnections. Thischapterdescribeshowtoaddorremoveinventoryobjects.Includedisareference tothedocumentationthatdescribestheseitemsandrelatedactivitiesindetail. EachobjectintheVMwareInfrastructureClienthasitsplaceintheoverallhierarchy. Anobjectspositionisdeterminedbytheobjectsfunctionality. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

UnderstandingVIClientObjectsonpage 108 AddinganInventoryObjectonpage 110 MovingObjectsintheInventoryonpage 111 RemovinganInventoryObjectonpage 112 WorkingwithFilesintheDatastoreBrowseronpage 112 PerforminganInitialDatacenterConsolidationonpage 113
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Understanding VI Client Objects

Thereareseveralwaystogetinsightintotherelationshipsbetweendifferentobjects:
ViewingthroughtheMapsfeatureshowstheinventoryobjectrelationshipsin graphicalform. Clickinganobjectintheinventoryprovidesalistoftabbedcontentthatlists relatedobjects. Forexample,adatastorehasavirtualmachinetabthatliststhevirtualmachines thatusethedatastore.Thereisalsoahosttabthatlistthehoststhatcanaccessthe datastore.
ViewingInventory>HostsandClustersprovidesaviewofthesetofvirtual machinesthatrunonaparticularhost,cluster,orresourcepool.Eachobjecthasa tabthatdisplaysallthevirtualmachinesassociatedorcontainedwithinin. However,theHostsandClustersviewisnotacompletelistofavailablevirtual machinesandtemplates.OnlytheInventory>VirtualMachinesandTemplates optiondisplaysallthevirtualmachineandtemplates.Throughthisviewyoucan organizevirtualmachinesintoarbitraryfolderhierarchies.
TheVMwareInfrastructureClientobjectsareasfollows:
RootfolderInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjectsaredatacentersor subfolders.TherootfolderissetasadefaultforeveryVirtualCenterServer.You canchangethename,butnotaddorremoveit. FoldersInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjectsaredatacenters,hosts, clusters,virtualmachines,templates,orsubfolders. DatacentersInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjectsarefolders,clusters,or hosts. Adatacentercontainsclusters,hosts,andvirtualmachines.Allactionstakenupon managedhostsandvirtualmachinesareappliedwithintheirdatacenter.Withina datacenter,youcanmonitorandmanagevirtualmachinesseparatelyfromtheir hostsanduseVMotion.
ClustersInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjectsarehosts,virtualmachines, orresourcepools.
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Chapter 6 Managing the VI Client Inventory
Ifyoursystemislicensed,youcanenablethefollowingclusterfeatures:
VMwareHAAllowsVirtualCentertomigrateandrestartavirtualmachine whenahostfails.VMwareHAisnotlistedasaninventoryobjectitself,butit allowstheclusterobjecttobeseen. VMwareDRSMonitorstheVirtualCenterenvironment,makesinitialplacement recommendations,makesvirtualmachinemigrationrecommendations,makes distributedpowermanagementrecommendations,andenablesVirtualCenterto automaticallyplaceandmigratevirtualmachinesonhoststoattainthebestuseof clusterandpowerresources.VMwareDRSisnotlistedasaninventoryobject itself,butitallowstheclusterobjecttobeseen. SeetheResourceManagementGuideforcomprehensiveinformationonusing VMwareInfrastructureClientclusters.
HostsChildobjectsarevirtualmachinesorresourcepools.HostsareESXServer systems.Thetermhostreferstothevirtualizationplatformthatisthehosttothe virtualmachines.HostisthedefaulttopstructureforastandaloneESXServer machine. WhentheVirtualCenterServerisconnectedtotheVMwareInfrastructureClient, allESXServersystemsregisteredwithVirtualCenterarereferredtoashosts.ESX ServersystemsdirectlyconnectedtotheVMwareInfrastructureClientarereferred toasstandalonehosts. SeetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuidefor comprehensiveinformationonconfiguringyourESXServersystem.
ResourcepoolsChildobjectsarevirtualmachinesorresourcepools.Resource poolsareavailableonESXServerhostsaswellasthroughVirtualCenterServers. AVMwareInfrastructureClientresourcepoolisusedtoallocatehostprovided CPUandmemorytothevirtualmachinesresidenttothehost. SeetheResourceManagementGuideforcomprehensiveinformationonusing resourcepools.
VirtualmachinesLocatedwithinahost,virtualdisksonadatastore,associated withinaclusterorresourcepool.Canbelistedasachildobjecttohosts,clusters, orresourcepools.Canbemovedbetweenhostsorclusters.Whenaddingtoa clusterorresourcepool,youmustspecifyorhaveintheclusterorresourcepoola designatedtargethost. TemplatesAtemplateisamastercopyofavirtualmachinethatcanbeusedto createandprovisionnewvirtualmachines.
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NetworksInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjecttodatacenters.Networksare discoveredwhenhostsareaddedtotheVMwareInfrastructureenvironment. SeetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuidefor comprehensiveinformationonconfiguringESXServernetworks.
DatastoresInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjecttodatacenters.Datastores arediscoveredwhenhostsareaddedtotheVMwareInfrastructureenvironment. Thisincludesthediscoveryofdatastoresthatarelocaltothemanagedhostaswell asdatastoresontheSANorNAS. SeetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuidefor comprehensiveinformationonconfiguringESXServerdatastores.
Adding an Inventory Object

Eachinventoryobjectcanbeaddedonlytoitscorrespondinghierarchicalparent.Only permissibleobjectsarelistedontheparentmenus.Thesepairingsareasfollows: To add an inventory object 1 2 FromaVIClient,displaytheappropriateinventoryview. Selecttheappropriateparenticonintheinventorypanel.Fromthepopupmenu, chooseNew <Object>where<Object>isafolder,datacenter,cluster,resource pool,host,orvirtualmachine. Ifthenewobjectisafolderordatacenter,anewiconisaddedtotheinventory. Forexample,anewdatacenterisaddedtothehierarchy.Typeinausefulname.
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Iftheobjectisacluster,resourcepool,host,orvirtualmachine,awizardappears. AnswerthepromptsandclickFinish. Foradditionalinformation,seetheappropriatemanual:

ClusterSeetheResourceManagementGuide. ResourcepoolSeetheResourceManagementGuide. HostSeeManagingHostsinVirtualCenteronpage 117. VirtualmachineSeeManagingVirtualMachinesonpage 169.
Moving Objects in the Inventory

Someobjectscanbemanuallymovedbetweenfolders,datacenters,resourcepools,and hosts. To move an object using drag-and-drop 1 2 FromaVIClient,displaytheappropriateinventoryview. Selecttheobjecttobemovedfromtheappropriateinventoryviewbyclickingit. Aboxisdisplayedaroundit.Thisindicatestheobjectisselected. 3 Dragthemovingobjecttothetargetobject.
Ifthemovingobjectisallowedtomovetothetarget,thetargetobjectis displayedwithaboxaroundit,indicatingitisselected. Ifthemovingobjectisnotallowedtomovetothetarget,anaughtsign(zero withaslash)appears,andtheobjectisnotmoved.
Theinventoryobjectscanbemovedasfollows:
Rootfolder,roothost(ESXServer),networks,anddatastoresCannotbe moved. FoldersCanbemovedwithinadatacenter. DatacenterCanbemovedtofoldersatasiblingorparentlevel. ClusterCanbemovedbetweenfoldersandwithindatacentersatasibling orparentlevel. HostWhenmanagedbyaVirtualCenterServer,ifahostisinacluster,all virtualmachinesonthehostmustbeshutdownandthehostmustbeplaced intomaintenancemodebeforeitcanbemovedfromthecluster.Ahostcanbe movedbetweenclustersanddatacenters.
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ResourcepoolsCanbemovedtootherresourcepoolsandfolders. VirtualmachinesCanbemovedtootherresourcepools,clusters,folders, datacenters,orhosts.Whenaddingtoanythingotherthanahost,youmust specifyatargethost.
Correcttheconditionalsituation,ifneeded. Whenyoureleasethemousebuttonafterdraggingtheobjectmovestothenew locationoranerrormessageindicateswhatneedstobedonetopermitthemove.
Removing an Inventory Object

Whenyouremoveanobject(suchasafolder,datacenter,cluster,orresourcepool), VirtualCenterremovesallchildinventoryobjects(suchasdatacenters,clusters,hosts, andvirtualmachinescontainedwithintheobject).Alltheassociatedtasksandalarms arealsoremoved.Assignedprocessorandmigrationlicensesarereturnedtoavailable status.Virtualmachinesthatwereonamanagedhostremainonthehost,butareno longermanagedbyVirtualCenter. NOTETheremoveoptiondoesnotdeletevirtualmachinesfromitsdatastore. To remove an inventory object 1 2 3 FromaVIClient,displaytheappropriateinventoryview. Selecttheobject.Fromthepopupmenu,chooseRemove. Toconfirmthatyouwanttoremovetheobject,clickYesandfollowtheprompts, asneeded. Whenconfirmed,VirtualCenterremovesallclusters,hosts,andvirtualmachines withinthedatacenterfromthemanagedinventory.Inaddition,alltheassociated tasks,alarms,andeventsarealsoremoved.Assignedprocessorandmigration licensesarereturnedtoavailablestatus.Virtualmachinesthatwereonthe managedhostremainonthehost.Therootfoldercannotberemoved.
Working with Files in the Datastore Browser

TheDatastoreBrowserallowsyoutomanagethecontentsofdatastoresintheVIClient inventory.YoucanusetheDatastoreBrowsertodothefollowing:

Vieworsearchthecontentsofadatastore. AddavirtualmachineortemplatestoredonadatastoretotheVIClientinventory. Copyormovefilesfromonelocationtoanother,includingtoanotherdatastore.

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Uploadafilefromtheclientcomputertoadatastore. Downloadafilefromadatastoretotheclientcomputer. Deleteorrenamefilesonadatastore.
TheDatastoreBrowseroperatesinamannersimilartofilesystemapplicationslike WindowsExplorer.Itsupportsmanycommonfilesystemoperations,including copying,cutting,andpastingfiles.TheDatastoreBrowserdoesnotsupport draganddropoperations. FordetailedinstructionsonusingtheDatastoreBrowser,seetheVIClientonlinehelp.
About Copying Virtual Machine Disks

YoucanusetheDatastoreBrowsertocopyvirtualmachinediskfilesbetweenhosts. Diskfilesarecopiedasis,withoutanyformatconversion.Diskscopiedfromonetype ofhosttoadifferenttypeofhostmightrequireconversionbeforetheycanbeusedon thenewhost. Youcandownloadvirtualdisksfromadatastoretolocalstorage,butyoucannot uploadvirtualdisksfromlocalstoragetoadatastore,becausethediskformatcannot beverifiedduringtheupload.
Performing an Initial Datacenter Consolidation

VirtualCenterincludesafeaturethatenablesyoutobuildyourinventorybyimporting physicalsystemsintoVirtualCenterasvirtualmachines.Thisfeatureoffersaquick, automatedwayofpopulatinganewvirtualenvironment.Fordetails,see ConsolidatingtheDatacenteronpage 129.
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Virtual Machine Management
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Managing Hosts in VirtualCenter
ThischapterdescribeshowtomanagehostsusingVirtualCenter.Forinformationon configurationmanagementofESXServerhosts,seetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuide orESXServer3iConfigurationGuide. NOTETheviewsandcapabilitiesdisplayedvarydependingonwhethertheVIClient isconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServerhost.Unlessindicated,the process,task,ordescriptionappliestoallkindsofVIClientconnections. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

AboutHostsonpage 118 UnderstandingHostStatesonpage 119 AddingaHostonpage 119 ConnectingorDisconnectingaHostonpage 122 RemovingaHostfromaClusteronpage 124 RemovingaHostfromVirtualCenteronpage 125 HostAdvancedConfigurationOptionsonpage 127
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About Hosts
Ahostisavirtualizationplatform,anESXServersystem,thatsupportsvirtual machines.AVirtualCentermanagedhostisanESXServerhostthatisregisteredwith VirtualCenter.ThetaskofmanagingahostisaccomplishedthroughtheVMware InfrastructureClient.ThisVIClientcanbeconnectedeitherdirectlytoanESXServer hostorindirectlytohoststhroughaconnectiontoaVirtualCenterServer. WhenESXServerhostsareconnectedtotheVIClientdirectly,youmanagethem individuallyasstandalonehosts.Mostofthehostconfigurationandvirtualmachine configurationfeaturesstillapply.Featuresthatrequiremultiplehosts,suchas migrationwithVMotionofavirtualmachinefromonehosttoanother,arenotavailable throughthestandalonehostconnection. WhenESXServerhostsaremanagedbyVirtualCenter,theyareaddedtotheVMware InfrastructureenvironmentthroughaVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer. Managedhostsarehierarchicallyplacedindatacenters,folders,orclustersunderthe rootnodefolder. CAUTIONIfanESXServerhostisconnectedwithaVirtualCenterServerandyou attachedaVIClienttomanagetheESXServerhostdirectly,youreceiveanerror messagebutareallowedtoproceed.Thismightresultinconflictsonthehost,especially ifthehostispartofacluster.Thisactionisstronglydiscouraged. Allvirtualmachinesonmanagedhostsarediscoveredandimportedinto VirtualCenter.Whenyouaddmultiplemanagedhosts,theVirtualCenterServer identifiesanynamingconflictsthatexistbetweenvirtualmachinesandalertsthe systemadministrator,whocanthenrenamevirtualmachinesasnecessary.Configure thevirtualmachinedisplaynames.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandmay containalphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.The namemustalsobeuniqueacrossallvirtualmachineswithinavirtualmachinegroup. Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm. WhentheVirtualCenterServerconnectstoamanagedhost,itdoessoasaprivileged user.TheindividualVMwareInfrastructureClientuserdoesnotnecessarilyneedtobe anadministrativeuseronthemanagedhost.SeeAssigningAccessPermissionson page 275forinformationonsettingupVMwareInfrastructureClientusers.
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Chapter 7 Managing Hosts in VirtualCenter
Understanding Host States

Actionstakenuponamanagedhostrequirethatthemanagedhostbeinaspecificstate. Wheneveranoperationisperformedonamanagedhost,thehoststatechanges.While thestateisintransition,thestatefielddisplaysatermthatdescribesthetransition. NOTEDisconnectingamanagedhostdiffersfromremovingthemanagedhostfrom theVirtualCenterServer.Disconnectingamanagedhostdoesnotremoveitfromthe VirtualCenterServer;ittemporarilysuspendsallVirtualCenterServermonitoring activities.Themanagedhostanditsassociatedvirtualmachinesremaininthe VirtualCenterServerinventory.Removingamanagedhostremovesthemanagedhost andallitsassociatedvirtualmachinesfromtheVirtualCenterServerinventory.
Adding a Host
Virtualmachinesexistonmanagedhostswithinthenetwork.Hostsareaddedtothe VMwareInfrastructureenvironment.TheVirtualCenterServerdiscoversandaddsall thevirtualmachinescontainedwithinthatmanagedhosttotheVMwareInfrastructure environment. IfyouareconnectingyourVIClienttoanESXServerdirectly,theproceduresinthis sectiondonotapply. NOTEWhenaddingorremovinghosts,makesureNFSmountsareactive.IfNFS mountsareunresponsive,theoperationfails.(SEEUPDATE) To add a host to the VirtualCenter Server 1 Ensureacommunicationchannelthroughafirewall,ifneeded. IfanymanagedhostintheVirtualCenterenvironmentisbehindafirewall,ensure thatthemanagedhostcancommunicatewiththeVirtualCenterServerandwith allotherhostsonport902oranotherconfiguredport.SeetheInstallationGuidefor ESXServer3ortheSetupGuideforyourESXServer3iproduct,andtheESXServer 3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuideforadditional information. 2 3 ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded, andclicktheappropriatedatacenter,folder,orcluster. Selecttheappropriatedatacenterorcluster,andchooseNewHostfromthemain orpopupmenu.
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Enterthemanagedhostconnectionsettings.
a b
TypethenameofthemanagedhostintheHostnamefield. EntertheUsernameandPasswordforauseraccountthathasadministrative privilegesontheselectedmanagedhost. VirtualCenterusestherootaccounttologintothesystemandthencreatesa specialuseraccount.VirtualCenterthenusesthisaccountforallfuture authentication.
5 6
ToconfirmtheHostSummaryinformation,clickNext. Ifyouareaddingthehosttoacluster:
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Specifywhatshouldhappentotheresourcepoolsonthehost. Theoptionsare:

Putallthehostsvirtualmachinesintotheclustersrootresourcepool. Createnewresourcepoolforthehostsvirtualmachines.Thedefault resourcepoolnameisderivedfromthehostsname.Typeoverthetextto supplyyourownname.
ClickNext.
SeetheResourceManagementGuideformoreinformationonclusters. 7 Ifyouareaddingthehosttoadatacenter: a b 8 Identifythelocationofthehostsvirtualmachines. SelectfromthelistofinventoryobjectsdisplayedintheSelectionbox.
ToconfirmcompletingtheAddHostwizard,clickFinish. WhenthedialogboxiscompleteandyouclickNext,VirtualCenterdoesthe following:
Searchesthenetworkforthespecifiedmanagedhostandidentifiesallthe virtualmachinesonthemanagedhost.IfyouclickCancel,thehostisremoved fromtheVirtualCenterinventory. Connectstothemanagedhost.Ifthewizardcannotconnecttothemanaged host,themanagedhostisnotaddedtotheinventory. Verifiesthatthemanagedhostisnotalreadybeingmanaged.Ifitisalready beingmanagedbyanotherVirtualCenterServer,VirtualCenterdisplaysa message.Ifthewizardcanconnecttothemanagedhostbutforsomereason cannotremainconnectedtotheVirtualCenterServer,thehostisadded,butis inadisconnectedstate.Thisoccurs,forexample,ifthehostisalreadybeing managedbyanotherVirtualCenterServer. Readsthenumberofprocessorsonthemanagedhostandallocatesthe appropriatenumberoflicenses.Thenumberofprocessorsisstoredinthe VirtualCenterdatabaseandisverifieduponeachmanagedhostreconnection andVirtualCenterstartup.
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NOTENewerprocessorshavetwoCPUcoresineachprocessorpackage. SystemswithdualcoreprocessorsmustuseESXServer2.5.2orlater. VirtualCenterlicensesareissuedbypairsofprocessorpackages,notby processorcores.Therefore,ifthesystemisusingtwodualcoreprocessorsor twosinglecoreprocessors,thesystemrequiresasingle2processor VirtualCenterlicense.
Verifiesthatthemanagedhostversionissupported.Ifitisnot,andthe managedhostversioncanbeupgraded,VirtualCenterpromptsyouto performanupgrade. Importsexistingvirtualmachines.
Connecting or Disconnecting a Host

Youhavetheoptiontodisconnectandreconnectamanagedhostthatisbeingmanaged byaparticularVirtualCenterServer.Thissectiondescribeshowtoreconnecta managedhost. NOTEDisconnectingamanagedhostdiffersfromremovingthemanagedhostfrom VirtualCenter.DisconnectingamanagedhostdoesnotremoveitfromVirtualCenter;it temporarilysuspendsallVirtualCentermonitoringactivities.Themanagedhostandits associatedvirtualmachinesremainintheVirtualCenterinventory.Removinga managedhostremovesthemanagedhostandallitsassociatedvirtualmachinesfrom theVirtualCenterinventory. To connect or disconnect a managed host 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheInventorybutton inthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriate managedhost. Selecttheappropriatemanagedhosticonintheinventorypanel,andchoose ConnectorDisconnectfromthepopupmenu. Whendisconnecting,confirmtheaction.ClickYes. WhenthemanagedhostsconnectionstatustoVirtualCenterischanged,the statusesofthevirtualmachinesonthatmanagedhostareupdatedtoreflectthe change.
2 3
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Ifthemanagedhostisdisconnected,theworddisconnectedisappendedtothe objectnameinparentheses,andtheobjectisdimmed.Allassociatedvirtual machinesaresimilarlydimmedandlabeled.
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Removing a Host from a Cluster

Hostscanberemovedfromaclusterbyselectingthemfromeithertheinventoryorlist viewsanddraggingthemtoanewlocationwithintheinventory(eithertoafolderasa standalonehostortoanothercluster).Whenahostisremovedfromacluster,the resourcesitprovidesaredeductedfromthetotalclusterresources.Thevirtual machinesdeployedonthehostareeithermigratedtootherhostswithintheclusteror remainwiththehostandareremovedfromthecluster,dependingontheircurrent state.Hostscanberemovedfromaclusteronlyifallofthevirtualmachinesonitare poweredoff,andthehostisplacedintomaintenancemode. SeetheResourceManagementGuideforcompleteclusterinformation. To remove a host from a cluster 1 2 3 4 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,displaytheinventory. ToremovetheVirtualCenteragentfromthemanagedhost,ensurethatthe managedhostisinaconnectedstate. Poweroffallvirtualmachinesonthehost,ormigratethevirtualmachinestoanew hostusingVMotion. Selecttheappropriatemanagedhosticonintheinventorypanel,andchooseEnter MaintenanceModefromthepopupmenu.ClickYes.
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Thehosticonchangesandthetermmaintenancemodeisaddedtothenamein parentheses. 5 Movethehost: a Selectthehosticonintheinventorypanel,anddragittothenewlocation. Thehostcanbemovedtoanotherclusteroranotherdatacenter.Whenthenew locationisselected,ablueboxsurroundstheclusterordatacentername. b Releasethemousebutton. VirtualCentermovesthehosttothenewlocation. 6 7 Selectthehost,andfromthepopupmenuchooseExitMaintenanceMode. Restartanyvirtualmachines,asneeded.
Removing a Host from VirtualCenter

RemovingamanagedhostfromVirtualCenterbreakstheconnectionandstopsall monitoringandmanagingfunctionsofthatmanagedhostandofallthevirtual machinesonthatmanagedhost.Themanagedhostanditsassociatedvirtualmachines areremovedfromtheinventory.HistoricaldataremainsintheVirtualCenterdatabase. NOTEIfatallpossible,removemanagedhostswhiletheyareconnected.Removinga disconnectedmanagedhostdoesnotremovetheVirtualCenteragentfromthe managedhost. Removingamanagedhostdiffersfromdisconnectingthemanagedhostfrom VirtualCenter.DisconnectingamanagedhostdoesnotremoveitfromVirtualCenter;it temporarilysuspendsallVirtualCentermonitoringactivities.Themanagedhostandits associatedvirtualmachinesremainintheVirtualCenterinventory. RemovingamanagedhostfromVirtualCenterdoesnotremovethevirtualmachines fromthemanagedhostordatastore.ItremovesonlyVirtualCentersaccesstothe managedhostandvirtualmachinesonthatmanagedhost. Thefigurebelowillustratestheprocessforremovingamanagedhostfrom VirtualCenter.Intheexamplehere,noticethelostlinkbetweentheVirtualCenter Serverandtheremovedmanagedhost,whilethemanagedhostfilesremainonthe datastore.
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Figure 7-1. Removing a Host

1. Registered host and virtual machines host A VM1 VM2 VirtualCenter host B VM3 VM4 shared datastore 2. Remove host. Virtual machines stay on the hosts datastore. host A VirtualCenter VM1 VM2 VM1.dsk VM2.dsk host B VM3 VM4 shared datastore VM3.dsk VM4.dsk VM1.dsk VM2.dsk VM3.dsk VM4.dsk
To remove a managed host 1 2 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,displaytheinventory. ToremovetheVirtualCenteragentfromthemanagedhost,ensurethatthe managedhostisinaconnectedstate. Themanagedhostcanbeinaconnectedordisconnectedstatewhenyouremove it.However,removingamanagedhostwhileitisdisconnecteddoesnotremove theVirtualCenteragentfromthemanagedhost. 3 4 Poweroffallvirtualmachinesonthehost,ormigratethevirtualmachinestoanew hostusingVMotion. Ifthehostispartofacluster,selecttheappropriatemanagedhosticoninthe inventorypanelandchooseEnterMaintenanceModefromthepopupmenu. Confirmplacement.ClickYes.
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Selecttheappropriatemanagedhosticonintheinventorypanel,andchoose Removefromthepopupmenu.
ClickYestoremovethemanagedhost.ClickNotokeepthemanagedhost. IfyouclickYes,VirtualCenterremovesthemanagedhostandassociatedvirtual machinesfromtheVirtualCenterenvironment.VirtualCenterthenreturnsall associatedprocessorandmigrationlicensestoavailablestatus.
Host Advanced Configuration Options

SeetheResourceManagementGuideforcompleteinformationonconfiguringandusing theresourceallocationfeatures,whichincludeVMwareHAandVMwareDRS. SeetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuidefor completeinformationonconfiguringESXServerhosts.
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Consolidating the Datacenter
ThischapterdescribestheGuidedConsolidationfeature,afeaturerecommendedfor smallerITenvironmentstogetsetupandrunningwithVMwareInfrastructure.This featureenablesyoutoconsolidatephysicalsystemsinyourdatacenterbyconverting themtovirtualmachinesandimportingthemintoVirtualCenter. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

AboutDatacenterConsolidationonpage 130 ConsolidationPrerequisitesonpage 130 FirstTimeUseonpage 131 AboutConsolidationServicesonpage 131 SpecifyingConsolidationSettingsonpage 132 DiscoveringPhysicalSystemsonpage 132 ViewingAnalysisResultsonpage 134 ConsolidatingCandidatesonpage 135 ViewingConsolidationTasksonpage 136 TroubleshootingConsolidationonpage 137
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About Datacenter Consolidation

AccesstheGuidedConsolidationfeaturebyclickingtheConsolidationnavigation button. GuidedConsolidation,recommendedforsmallerITenvironments,enablesyouto streamlineyourdatacenterbymovingbusinessapplications,spreadacrossmultiple disparatephysicalsystems,intoacentrallymanagedvirtualenvironment.Inthe virtualizedenvironment,thephysicalsystemsthatrunyourbusinessapplicationsare transformedintovirtualmachines.Multiplevirtualmachinescanbehostedonasingle physicalsystem,enablingmoreefficientuseofcomputingresources.Consolidating yourdatacenterinvolvesthefollowingprocess:
DiscoverPhysicalsystemsinyourdatacenterarediscoveredandyouselectthe systemsyouwantanalyzed.SeeDiscoveringPhysicalSystemsonpage 132. AnalyzeSelectedphysicalsystemsareanalyzedandperformancedataoneach selectedsystemiscollected.Generally,thelongerthedurationoftheanalysis phasethehighertheconfidenceintheVirtualCentersrecommendations.See ViewingAnalysisResultsonpage 134. ConsolidatePerformancedataiscomparedtotheresourcesavailableonthe virtualmachinehostsystems.Theselectedphysicalsystemsareconvertedto virtualmachinesandimportedintoVirtualCenterontherecommendedhosts wheretheyaremanagedalongwithothercomponentsofyourvirtual environment.SeeConsolidatingCandidatesonpage 135.
Usetheconsolidationfeaturetostartbuildingyourvirtualenvironment,ortofurther consolidateyourdatacenterasitgrows.IfyouareusingtheConsolidationfeaturefor thefirsttime,seeConsolidationPrerequisitesonpage 130.
Consolidation Prerequisites
BeforeyouusetheConsolidationfeature,ensurethatthefollowingprerequisitesare met:
Atleastonedatacenterinventoryobjectexists.SeeAddinganInventoryObject onpage 110. AtleastonehostisregisteredwithVirtualCenter.SeeAddingaHoston page 119.
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Chapter 8 Consolidating the Datacenter
ConsolidationservicesrequirelocaladministratorprivilegesontheVirtualCenter server.Specifically,thecollectorservicemustberunwithlocaladministrator privileges.Additionally,theaccountusedmustalsobegrantedtheLogonas serviceprivilege.IfActiveDirectoryisdeployedonyournetwork,thecredentials usedtorunconsolidationservicesmustalsohavesufficientprivilegestoquerythe ActiveDirectorydatabase.SupplyVirtualCenterwithyourcredentialsbeforeyou beginaconsolidationproject.SeeSpecifyingConsolidationSettingson page 132. Consolidationservicesalsorequireadministratoraccesstothesystemsselectedfor analysis.Specifically,thecollectorserviceusesthesecredentialstoconnecttoand retrieveconfigurationandperformancedatafromthephysicalsystemsunder analysis.SeeSupplyingSystemlevelAdministratorCredentialsonpage 134.
First Time Use

ThefirsttimeyouusetheConsolidationfeature,youarepromptedtospecify consolidationsettings(seeSpecifyingConsolidationSettingsonpage 132).Awizard stepsyouthroughtheprocessofspecifyingthesesettings.Youcanchangethese settingsatanytimebyselectingAdministration>ConsolidationSettings> Credentialstab.
About Consolidation Services

ConsolidationservicesareinstalledtogetherwithVirtualCenterServer.Consolidation servicesincludethefollowing:
VMwareCapacityPlannerServiceDiscoversdomainsandsystemswithin domains.Collectsperformancedataonsystemsselectedforanalysis.Itisreferred toasthecollectorserviceinthisdocument. VMwareConverterEnterpriseServiceConvertsphysicalsystemstovirtual machines.VirtualCenterprovidesthisservicewithinformationaboutthe destinationandotherparameters,andVMwareConverterEnterpriseService handlestheconversionoperation.Thisservicecanbeinstalledthesamemachine astheVirtualCenterServer,oronaseparatemachine.
SeeConsolidationPrerequisitesonpage 130forinformationabouttheuser privilegesrequiredbyeachserviceforproperfunctioning.
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To view active consolidation services SelectAdministration>ConsolidationSettings>ServiceStatustab.
Specifying Consolidation Settings

Consolidationsettingsenableyoutospecifythecredentialsnecessarytorun Consolidationservicesandtospecifydefaultsystemlevelcredentials(see ConsolidationPrerequisitesonpage 130). To specify consolidation settings 1 2 SelectAdministration>ConsolidationSettings>Credentialstab. ClickChangeinoneofthefollowingareas:
ServiceCredentialsUsedtorunthecollectorserviceontheVirtualCenter Server.Ensurethatthisaccounthasadministratorprivilegesonthe VirtualCenterserverand,ifActiveDirectoryisdeployed,thattheyalsohave thenecessaryprivilegestoqueryActiveDirectory.Furthermore,thisaccount mustbegrantedtheuserrighttoLogonasaservice.Thisisaccomplished throughtheLocalSecurityPolicyutility(Start>AdministrativeTools>Local SecurityPolicy). DefaultCredentialsUsedtoaccesssystemsthatareselectedforanalysisbut forwhichnoadministratorcredentialsarespecified.
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Enteradomainqualifiedusername(forexample,DOMAIN\username)and password. ConfirmthepasswordandclickOK.
Discovering Physical Systems

Thediscoveryphaseofconsolidationinvolvesthefollowingprocess:

SpecifyingScopeonpage 133 SupplyingSystemlevelAdministratorCredentialsonpage 134
NOTEInformationaboutdiscoveredsystemsiscached,andaverylargecachecan negativelyimpactVirtualCenterperformance.Itisrecommendedthatyoudonotrun GuidedConsolidationovermorethan20,000systemswithoutclearingthecache.For informationaboutdisablingGuidedConsolidation,andaboutclearingthecache,see TroubleshootingConsolidationonpage 137.
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To discover physical systems in your datacenter 1 2 IntheVIClienttoolbar,clickConsolidationtodisplaytheConsolidationview. IntheGettingStartedtabclickAnalyzephysicalcomputersforconsolidation,or intheAnalysistab,clickAddtoAnalysis. TheAddtoAnalysisdialogboxisdisplayed.Ifthisisthefirsttimeyouareusing thisfeature,seeFirstTimeUseonpage 131. 3 4 Selectthesystemsyouwanttoanalyze.SeeSpecifyingScopeonpage 133for detailsaboutusingtheAddtoAnalysisdialogbox. ClickAddtoAnalysis.TheSetAuthenticationdialogboxisdisplayed.See SupplyingSystemlevelAdministratorCredentialsonpage 134fordetailsabout usingtheSetAuthenticationdialogbox. EnterauthenticationcredentialsandclickOK.Theselectedsystemsareanalyzed andresultsaredisplayedintheAnalysistab.ProceedtoViewingAnalysis Resultsonpage 134.
Specifying Scope
TheAddtoAnalysisdialogboxletsyoudiscoversystemsonyournetworkandselect systemstoanalyze.Thisdialogboxliststhesystemsfoundonthenetworkforthe domainselectedintheShowDomaindropdownmenu.Thefirsttimeadomainis selected,itmighttakesometimeforVirtualCentertodiscoverandlistthesystemsit finds.Afterthat,thelistiscachedsothatsubsequentsearchestakelesstime.Thelist canbesorted. NOTEUpto100systemscanbesimultaneouslyanalyzed.SeeAnalysisLimiton page 137. To search for and select systems for analysis 1 2 3 4 SelectadomainfromtheShowDomaindropdownmenu. Optionallysortthelistbyclickingonacolumnheading. Selectthesystemsyouwanttoanalyze. ClickAddtoAnalysis.Youmightbeaskedforadministratorauthentication credentials(seeSupplyingSystemlevelAdministratorCredentialson page 134).
Torefreshthelist,clicktherefreshbutton.Refreshthelistwhensystemshavebeen newlyaddedtothedomainandarenotyetcached.
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Supplying System-level Administrator Credentials

VirtualCenterrequiresadministratoraccesstothesystemsselectedforanalysisbefore itcanbegintoanalyzethem.Youcanspecifycredentialsonasystembysystembasis, andyoucanspecifydefaultcredentialsthatVirtualCentercanusewhencredentials havenotbeenexplicitlyspecified.Defaultcredentialscanbespecifiedatanytime throughConsolidationSettings(SpecifyingConsolidationSettingsonpage 132)or duringthediscoveryphasethroughtheSetAuthenticationdialogbox.Onlythelatter methodisdiscussedinthissection. To specify default credentials during the discovery phase 1 2 3 IntheAddtoAnalysisdialogbox,selectsystemstoaddtoanalysis. ClickAddtoAnalysis. IntheSetAuthenticationdialogbox,enteradomainqualifiedusername(for example,DOMAIN\username)andpassword. YoucanchoosetosetcredentialsatalatertimebyselectingSpecifyLater.This optionisusefulifsomeoftheselectedsystemsrequiredifferentcredentials.See Tospecifycredentialsforaspecificsystemonpage 134. 4 ConfirmthepasswordandclickOK.
To specify credentials for a specific system 1 2 3 4 IntheAnalysistab,selectasystem.Youcanselectmultiplesystems.The credentialsyouspecifywillbeusedforallselectedsystems. ClickSetAuthentication. Enteradomainqualifiedusername(forexample,DOMAIN\username)and password. ClickOK.
Viewing Analysis Results

AnalysisresultsaredisplayedintheAnalysistab.Whenanalysisiscomplete,the followinginformationisdisplayed:
MachineNameDisplaysthehostnameofthephysicalsystembeinganalyzedor imported. MemoryInfoDisplaystheamountofRAMonthesystem. StatusDisplaystheprogressoftheanalysis.
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ConfidenceIndicatesthedegreetowhichVirtualCenterisabletogather performancedataaboutthesystemandhowgoodacandidatethesystemisbased ontheavailabledata. CPUUsageDisplaysthesystemsaverageCPUusage. MemoryUsageDisplaysthesystemsaveragememory.
Afterreviewinganalysisresults,youcanproceedbycreatingaconsolidationplan.See ConsolidatingCandidatesonpage 135.
About the Confidence Metric

OneimportantmetricdisplayedintheAnalysistabistheConfidencemetric.During theanalysisphase,performancedataabouteachselectedsystemiscollected.Thisdata iscomparedtohostresourcestodeterminearecommendationforeachcandidate.The recommendationindicateshowwellsuited,basedonthecollecteddata,acandidateis toaparticularvirtualmachinehostsystem.Confidencereferstothereliabilityofthe recommendationanditisafunctionofthedurationoftheanalysis.Recommendations basedonlongerperiodsofanalysisandthereforemoreperformancedatareceivea higherlevelofconfidence. NOTEAfter24hoursofanalysis,VirtualCenterindicatesahighlevelofconfidencein itsrecommendations.However,thiscanbemisleadingifasystemsworkloadvaries significantlyoverweeksormonths.Toensureahighlevelofconfidenceina recommendation,allowthedurationoftheanalysisphasetoencompassanamountof timethatincludesrepresentativepeaksandtroughsinthesystemsworkload.Analysis canrunuptoonemonth.
Consolidating Candidates
Afteryouhaveanalyzedyourdatacenter,youarereadytoconvertcandidatestovirtual machines.Inthisphase,youselectthesystemsyouwanttoconvert.VirtualCenter selectsappropriatedestinationsandconfigurationparametersforeachresultantvirtual machine.Ifmorethanonevirtualmachinehostisavailable,youcanselectthehostyou want. NOTEItishighlyrecommendedthatyouvirtualizeonecandidateatatime. Consolidatingmultiplecandidatessimultaneouslycouldcauseallvirtualization operationstofailifthehostdoesnotcontainanadequateamountofstoragespace.
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To initiate the conversion process 1 IntheAnalysistab,selectthesystemsyouwanttoconsolidateandclickPlan Consolidation. Adialogboxisdisplayed. 2 3 Selectasystem. OptionallychangethenamedisplayedinthePhysicalComputercolumnby doubleclickingitandenteringanewname.Yourentrywillbeusedasthename fortheresultantvirtualmachine. Optionallychangedestinations,ifalternativedestinationsareavailable,by clickingintheDestinationscolumnandselectingfromthedropdownmenu. ThenumberofstarsdisplayedintheDestinationRatingcolumnindicatethe degreetowhichthehostsystemcancomfortablyaccommodatetheestimated resourceneedsoftheresultantvirtualmachine. 5 ClickConsolidate. Aconversiontaskisinstantiated.YoucanviewtaskprogressintheRecentTasks pane.YouviewadditionalinformationaboutthetaskintheTaskstab.See ViewingConsolidationTasksonpage 136.
About Disk Resizing

Duringtheconversionprocess,physicaldisksaretypicallyresizedtoconservespaceon thedatastorewhileprovidingroomforgrowthontheresultantvirtualdisk.The followingformulaisusedtoresizeconverteddisks:
amount of space used on physical disk * 1.25 = resultant virtual disk size
Virtualdiskscannotbesmallerthan4GB.
Viewing Consolidation Tasks

Ataskiscreatedforeachsystembeingconverted.Recenttasksaredisplayedinthe RecentTaskspane.TheTaskstablistsallconsolidationtasks.Youcanviewdetailed informationaboutataskbyselectingit.Informationabouteventsrelatedtotheselected taskaredisplayedintheTaskDetailspane. Youcanfilterthelistoftasksbyenteringcriteriainthesearchfieldandselectingany combinationofthefollowing:

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Status Initiatedby StartTime CompleteTime
Troubleshooting Consolidation
Thissectiondiscussesthefollowingtopics:

VirtualCenterPerformanceonpage 137 AnalysisLimitonpage 137
VirtualCenter Performance
GuidedConsolidationcachesinformationaboutdiscoveredsystems,andaverylarge cachecannegativelyimpactVirtualCenterperformance.DonotrunGuided Consolidationovermorethan20,000systemswithoutclearingthecache. To disable Guided Consolidation and clear the cache 1 2 3 4 SelectAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration. SelectAdvancedOptions. ClickAddRow. EnterthefollowingintheKeyfield: dontStartConsolidation 5 EnterthefollowingintheValuefield: true 6 RestarttheVirtualCenterServer.
TodisableConsolidationwithoutclearingthecache,uninstallthecollectorservice. ThereisnoneedtorestarttheVirtualCenterServer.
Analysis Limit
Upto100systemscanbesimultaneouslyanalyzed.Ifyouselectmorethanone hundredsystems,systemswillbeadded,intheordertheyappear,untilthemaximum numberofsystemsisreached.
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Importing and Exporting Virtual Machines
TheVMwareInfrastructureClient(VIClient)allowsyoutoimportandexportvirtual appliancesstoredinOpenVirtualMachineFormat(OVF).Anapplianceisa preconfiguredvirtualmachinethattypicallyincludesapreinstalledguestoperating systemandothersoftware. Importingvirtualappliancesallowsyoutoaddpreconfiguredvirtualmachinesto yourVirtualCenterorESXServerinventory.Importingavirtualapplianceissimilarto deployingavirtualmachinefromatemplate.However,youcanimportavirtual appliancefromanylocalfilesystemaccessiblefromtheVIClientmachine,orfroma remoteWebserver.Thelocalfilesystemscanincludelocaldisks(suchasC:),removable media(suchasCDsorUSBkeychaindrives),andsharednetworkdrives. Exportingvirtualmachinesallowsyoutocreatevirtualappliancesthatcanbeimported byotherusers.Youcanusetheexportfunctiontodistributepreinstalledsoftwareasa virtualappliance,orasameansofdistributingtemplatevirtualmachinestousers, includinguserswhocannotdirectlyaccessandusethetemplatesinyourVirtualCenter inventory. Thischapterdiscussesthefollowingtopics:

AboutOVFonpage 140 ImportingaVirtualApplianceonpage 140 ExportingaVirtualMachineonpage 141
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About OVF
OVFisafileformatthatallowsforexchangeofvirtualappliancesacrossproductsand platforms.TheOVFformatoffersthefollowingadvantages:

OVFfilesarecompressed,allowingforfasterdownloads. TheVIClientvalidatesaOVFfilebeforeimportingit,andensuresthatitis compatiblewiththeintendeddestinationserver.Iftheapplianceisincompatible withtheselectedhost,itcannotbeimportedandanerrormessageisdisplayed.
Importing a Virtual Appliance

YoucanimportavirtualappliancestoredinOVFformatfromalocalfilesystem accessibletotheVIClientmachine,orfromaWebURL. NOTEToimportavirtualmachinethatwascreatedbyanotherVMwareproductand isnotinOVFformat,usetheVMwareConverterEnterprisemodule.SeetheVMware ConverterEnterpriseforVirtualCenterdocumentationformoreinformation. To import a virtual appliance 1 IntheVIClient,chooseFile>VirtualAppliance>Import. TheImportVirtualMachinewizardisdisplayed. 2 Selectoneofthefollowingoptions:

ImportfromDiskBrowseyourfilesystemforanappliance. ImportfromURLSpecifyaURLtoanappliancelocatedontheinternet. Example:http://vmware.com/VMTN/appliance.ovf ImportfromVMTNSelectfromVMwareappliancesavailableonthe VMTNWebsite.
ClickNext. TheVirtualMachineDetailspageisdisplayed.
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ClickNext. Iflicenseagreementsarepackagedwiththeappliance,theEndUserLicense Agreementpageisdisplayed.Agreetoacceptthetermsofthelicensesandclick Next.
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Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Virtual Machines
(Optional)Editthenameandselectadatacenter. Adefaultnamemightbeprovided.Youcanoptionallyeditthename.Thename canbeupto80characterslongandcancontainalphanumericcharactersandthe underscore(_)andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniquewithinthe virtualmachinefolder.(SEEUPDATE)Namesarecasesensitive.
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ClickNext. OntheHost/Cluster/ResourcePoolpage,selectthehost,cluster,orresourcepool (ifapplicable)inwhichyouwanttorunthevirtualmachineandclickNext. Ifyouselectedaclusteroraresourcepoolonthepreviouspage,andDRSis disabledorisinmanualmode,theSpecificHostpageappears.Selectthehoston whichyouwanttorunthisvirtualmachine,andclickNext.
10 Chooseadatastoreforthevirtualmachine,andclickNext. Thevirtualmachineconfigurationfileandvirtualdiskfilesarestoredonthe datastore.Chooseadatastorelargeenoughtoaccommodatethevirtualmachine andallofitsvirtualdiskfiles. 11 12 13 Ifyourinfrastructurecontainsmultiplenetworks,mapeachnetworkspecifiedin theOVFfiletoanetworkinyourinfrastructure. ClickNext. ReviewyoursettingsandclickFinish.
TheprogressoftheimporttaskisdisplayedintheVIClientStatuspanel.
Exporting a Virtual Machine

YoucanexportavirtualmachinetoOVFformattomakeitavailabletootherusersto importintotheirinventory. To export a virtual machine 1 2 3 4 5 IntheVIClientinventory,selectthevirtualmachineyouwanttoexport. ChooseFile>VirtualAppliance>Export. TheExportVMdialogboxisdisplayed. Enteranamefortheexportedappliance. EnterthelocationwhereyouwanttostoretheexportedapplianceintheDirectory textbox,orbrowsetothelocation.
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Ifyouwanttocreateanewfolderfortheappliance,selecttheCreatefolderfor virtualmachinecheckbox. (Optional)EnteradescriptionofthevirtualmachineintheDescriptiontextbox. Bydefault,thetextfromtheNotespaneonthevirtualmachinesSummarytab appearsinthistextbox.
ClickOK.
TheprogressoftheexporttaskisdisplayedintheVIClientStatuspanel.
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Creating Virtual Machines
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TheVMwareInfrastructureClient(VIClient)enablesyoutodeployandmanage virtualmachines.TheVIClientprovidesseveralwaystocreatevirtualmachines:
ImportingYoucanimportavirtualmachinestoredinOVFformat.See Chapter 9,ImportingandExportingVirtualMachines,onpage 139. ConsolidateYoucanconsolidateexistingphysicalsystemsbyconvertingthem tovirtualmachinesandimportingthoseintoVirtualCenter.SeeConsolidating theDatacenteronpage 129. CreateNewYoucanmanuallyconfigureentirelynewvirtualmachines.See UsingtheNewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 144. CloneYoucancreateexactreplicasofexistingvirtualmachines.SeeChapter 13, WorkingwithTemplatesandClones,onpage 203. DeployfromTemplatesYoucancreatevirtualmachinesfromtemplatesthat provideabaseconfigurationwhichyoucancustomize.SeeChapter 13,Working withTemplatesandClones,onpage 203.
Foreachtypeofcreationprocess,awizardguidesyouthroughthestepstoproducea completeandworkingvirtualmachine. NOTEAfteryoucreateavirtualmachine,youmustinstalltheguestoperatingsystem andVMwareTools.Noneofthecreationprocessesdescribedaboveinstallsguest operatingsystemsforyou.Also,checktheinstallationnotesforyourguestoperating systembeforeyouinstallit.YoucanfindthisinformationintheGuestOperatingSystem InstallationGuide.
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Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

UsingtheNewVirtualMachineWizardonpage 144 InstallingaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 154 InstallingandUpgradingVMwareToolsonpage 155
Youmusthavetheappropriateprivilegesbeforeyoucancreatevirtualmachines. ConsultyourVirtualCenteradministratorifyouarenotsurewhetheryouhavethe necessaryprivileges.
Using the New Virtual Machine Wizard

YoucanaccesstheNewVirtualMachinewizardfrommanydifferentlocations.The instructionsinthischapterseeonemethodofstartingthewizard.Inmostcontexts,the rightclickpopupmenuforthefollowingGUIobjectsincludesanoptionthatenables youtolaunchtheNewVirtualMachinewizard:

Resourcepools Clusters Hosts Virtualmachinefolders
AswiththeVIClientasawhole,theNewVirtualMachinewizardiscontextsensitive anditsscreensandconfigurationoptionschangedependingonyourhostenvironment andyourselections.Onlythosescreensandoptionsthatareapplicabletothecurrent contextareenabled;itemsthatarenotapplicabletothecontextareeitherremovedor disabled. AfteryoulaunchtheNewVirtualMachinewizard,youmustchooseoneofthe followingpaths:
TypicalThispathshortenstheprocessbyskippingsomechoicesthatrarely needchangingfromtheirdefaults.SeeCreatingTypicalVirtualMachineson page 145. CustomThecustompathprovidesmoreflexibilityandoptions.SeeCreating CustomVirtualMachinesonpage 148.
Performing Additional Configuration Before Completion

Thefinalwizardscreenforeachpathenablesyoutoreviewyourconfiguration selectionsandoptionallyopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxtosetfurther configurationoptions,suchasaddingadditionaldisks,beforeinstantiatingthevirtual machine.
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ToopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxfromtheNewVirtualMachine wizard,selecttheEditthevirtualmachinesettingsbeforecompletioncheckboxand clickNext.ForinformationabouttheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox,see VirtualMachinePropertiesEditoronpage 179.
Creating Typical Virtual Machines

Thetypicalpathisabbreviatedbecausesomeassumptionsaremadeaboutthevirtual machineconfiguration.Ifyouwanttofullycustomizeyourvirtualmachine,see CreatingCustomVirtualMachinesonpage 148. To create a new virtual machine through the typical path 1 2 FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbarandexpand theinventoryasneeded. Intheinventorylist,selectthemanagedhosttowhichyouwanttoaddthenew virtualmachine. TheSummarytabforthehostappears. 3 ChooseFile>New>VirtualMachine. TheNewVirtualMachinewizardappears. 4 5 SelectTypical,andclickNext. Typeavirtualmachinename,andclickNext. ThenameyouenterintheVirtualMachineNamefieldisthenamethatislisted intheVirtualCenterclientinventory.Itisalsousedasthenameofthevirtual machinesfiles.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandmaycontain alphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.This namemustbeuniquewithinthefolder.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thename my_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm. 6 7 Selectafolderortherootofadatacenter,andclickNext. Iftheresourcepooloptionisavailable,expandthetreeuntilyoulocatethe resourcepoolinwhichyouwanttorunthevirtualmachine,highlightit,andclick Next. Resourcepoolsallowyoutomanageyourcomputingresourceswithinahostor hostsbysettingthemupinameaningfulhierarchy.Virtualmachinesandchild resourcepoolssharetheresourcesoftheparentresourcepool.Formore informationonresourcepools,seetheResourceManagementGuide.
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Selectadatastoreinwhichtostorethevirtualmachinefiles,andclickNext. Youshouldchooseadatastorelargeenoughtoholdthevirtualmachineandallof itsvirtualdiskfiles.ForESXServerhosts,theDatastoreisconfiguredonthathost, includingVMFS,NAS,andiSCSIvolumes.
UnderGuestOperatingSystem,selecttheoperatingsystemfamily(Microsoft Windows,Linux,NovellNetWare,Solaris,orOther),selecttheversionfromthe dropdownmenu,andclickNext.IfyouselectOther,enteradisplaynamefor youroperatingsystem.Youcanchangethisnameafterthevirtualmachinehas beencreatedbyopeningtheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxandeditingthe Optionstab>Advanced>General>ConfigurationParameters> guestOSAltNameparameter. Thisistheoperatingsystemforyourvirtualmachine.Yourchoiceshouldbebased onyourplanneduseofthevirtualmachine.Theselectedguestoperatingsystem affectsthesupporteddevicesandnumberofvirtualCPUsavailableforthevirtual machine. SeetheGuestOperatingSystemInstallationGuidefordetails. Thewizarddoesnotinstalltheguestoperatingsystemforyou.TheNewVirtual Machinewizardusesthisinformationtoselectappropriatedefaultvalues,suchas theamountofmemoryneeded.
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Selectthenumberofvirtualprocessorsinthevirtualmachinefromthedropdown menu,andclickNext. LicensingforVMwareVirtualSMPisrequiredtopoweronmultipleCPU virtualmachines.SeetheInstallationGuideforESXServer3,ortheSetupGuidefor yourESXServer3iproduct,moreinformationonlicensing. NOTETheVirtualCPUspagedoesnotappearifthehostissingleprocessororthe guestoperatingsystemdoesnotsupportSMP(forexample,NetWareand WindowsNT4.0).
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Configurethevirtualmachinesmemorysizebyselectingthenumberof megabytes. Theminimum,recommended,maximumforbestperformance,andmaximum sizesarebasedontheguestoperatingsystem.Regardlessoftheguestoperating system,theminimummemorysizeis4MB.Themaximumdependsonthehost, butforESXServer3.5andESXServer3iversion3.5itis65532MB(64GBminus 4MB).Thememorysizemustbeamultipleof4MB.
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Thecoloredtrianglesalongthesliderrepresenttheseamountsasindicatedbythe keyonthewizard.Youcanalsodragthesliderorselectthenumberusingtheup anddownarrows.Themaximumforbestperformancerepresentsthethreshold abovewhichthehostsphysicalmemoryisinsufficienttorunthevirtualmachine atfullspeed.Thisvaluefluctuatesasconditionsonthehostchange(asvirtual machinesarepoweredonoroff,forexample). 12 13 ClickNext. Choosethenetworkstoconnecttoandtheiroptionsbyselectinghowmany networkadapters(NICs)youwanttoconnectto,thenamesofthenetworks,and whetheryouwanttoconnecttothematpoweron. TheNetworkdropdownmenuliststheportgroupsthatareconfiguredforvirtual machineuseonthehost.Ifnovirtualmachineportgroupsareconfigured,a warningdialogboxappears,andyouarenotallowedtoconfigureanyvirtual networkcards. NOTEExercisecautionwhenyouconfigureavirtualmachinetoconnectto multiplenetworks.Becausevirtualmachinessharetheirphysicalnetwork hardwarewiththehost,theaccidentalormaliciousbridgingoftwonetworksbya virtualmachinecanoccur.MinimumSpanningTreeprotocolcannotprotect againsttheseoccurrences. 14 15 ClickNext. Specifythesizeofthevirtualdisk. Enterthedisksizeinmegabytes(MB)orgigabytes(GB).Thedefaultis4GB.The availablespaceontheselectedVMFSvolumeislisted.Youcanconfigureadisk fromassmallas1MBtoaslargeas2TB(2048GB),usingawholenumberof MB or GB. Thevirtualdiskshouldbelargeenoughtoholdtheguestoperatingsystemandall ofthesoftwarethatyouintendtoinstallwithroomfordataandgrowth. Youcannotchangethevirtualdisksmaximumcapacitylater,butyoucaninstall additionalvirtualdiskslaterbyusingtheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox. Forexample,youneedabout1GBofactualfreespaceonthefilesystemcontaining thevirtualdisktoinstallWindowsServer2003andapplications,suchasMicrosoft Office,insidethevirtualmachine. 16 ClickNext.
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OntheReadytoCompleteNewVirtualMachinepage,reviewyourselectionsand specifythefollowingoptions: Editthevirtualmachinesettingsbeforesubmittingthecreationtask CheckthisoptionifyouwanttoopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxto setfurtherconfigurationoptions,suchasaddingadditionaldisks(seePerforming AdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletiononpage 144). NOTEBeforeyoucanuseyournewvirtualmachine,youmustfirstpartition andformatthevirtualdrive,installaguestoperatingsystem,theninstall VMwareTools.Typically,theoperatingsystemsinstallationprogramhandles partitioningandformattingthevirtualdrive. SeeInstallingaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 154andInstallingand UpgradingVMwareToolsonpage 155.
Creating Custom Virtual Machines

ThissectiondescribesthestepstakenwhenyouselectthecustompathintheNew VirtualMachinewizard. To create a new virtual machine through the custom path 1 2 3 FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbar,andexpand theinventoryasneeded. Intheinventorylist,selectthemanagedhosttowhichyouwanttoaddthenew virtualmachine. ChooseFile>New>VirtualMachine. TheNewVirtualMachinewizardappears. 4 5 SelectCustom,andclickNext. Typeavirtualmachinename,andclickNext. ThenameyouenterintheVirtualMachineNamefieldisthenamethatislisted intheVirtualCenterclientinventory.Itisalsousedasthenameofthevirtual machinesfiles.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandmaycontain alphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.This nameshouldbeuniqueacrosstheentiredatacenterandmustbeuniquewithinthe folder.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm. 6 Selectafolderortherootofadatacenter,andclickNext.
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Iftheresourcepooloptionisavailable,expandthetreeuntilyoulocatethe resourcepoolinwhichyouwanttorunthevirtualmachine,highlightit,andclick Next. Resourcepoolsallowyoutomanageyourcomputingresourceswithinahostor hostsbysettingthemupinameaningfulhierarchy.Virtualmachinesandchild resourcepoolssharetheresourcesoftheparentresourcepool.Formore informationonresourcepools,seetheResourceManagementGuide.
Selectadatastoreinwhichtostorethevirtualmachinefiles,andclickNext. Chooseadatastorelargeenoughtoholdthevirtualmachineandallofitsvirtual diskfiles.ForESXServerhosts,theDatastoreisconfiguredonthathost,including VMFS,NAS,andiSCSIvolumes.
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UnderGuestoperatingsystem,selecttheoperatingsystemfamily(Microsoft Windows,Linux,NovellNetWare,Solaris,orOther). Choosetheversionfromthedropdownmenu. Thisistheoperatingsystemforyourvirtualmachine.Yourchoiceshouldbebased onyourplanneduseofthevirtualmachine.Theselectedguestoperatingsystem affectsthesupporteddevicesandnumberofvirtualCPUsavailableforthevirtual machine. Thewizarddoesnotinstalltheguestoperatingsystemforyou.TheNewVirtual Machinewizardusesthisinformationtoselectappropriatedefaultvalues,suchas theamountofmemoryneeded.
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ClickNext. Selectthenumberofvirtualprocessorsinthevirtualmachinefromthedropdown menu,andclickNext. NOTETheNumberofVirtualCPUspagedoesnotappearifthehostis singleprocessorortheguestoperatingsystemdoesnotsupportSMP(forexample, NetwareandWindowsNT4.0).
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Configurethevirtualmachinesmemorysizebyselectingthenumberof megabytes. Theminimum,recommended,andmaximumsizesarebasedontheguest operatingsystem.Regardlessoftheguestoperatingsystem,theminimum memorysizeis4MB.Themaximumdependsonthehost,butforESXServer3.5 andESXServer3iversion3.5itis65532MB(64GBminus4MB).Thememorysize mustbeamultipleof4MB.
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ClickNext. ChoosethenetworkstoconnecttoandtheiroptionsbyselectinghowmanyNICs youwanttoconnectto,thenamesofthenetworks,andwhetheryouwantto connecttothematpoweron. Ifyoudonotwantthevirtualnetworkadaptertoconnectwhenthevirtual machineispoweredon,deselecttheConnectatPowerOncheckbox. TheNetworkdropdownmenuliststheportgroupsthatareconfiguredforvirtual machineuseonthehost.Ifnovirtualmachineportgroupsareconfigured,a warningdialogboxappears,andyouarenotallowedtoconfigureanyvirtual networkcards. NOTEExercisecautionwhenyouconfigureavirtualmachinetoconnectto multiplenetworks.Becausevirtualmachinessharetheirphysicalnetwork hardwarewiththehost,theaccidentalormaliciousbridgingoftwonetworksbya virtualmachinecanoccur.MinimumSpanningTreeprotocolcannotprotect againsttheseoccurrences.
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ClickNext. ChoosethetypeofSCSIadapteryouwanttousewiththevirtualmachine. TwoIDEadaptersandaSCSIadapterareinstalledinthevirtualmachine.TheIDE adapterisalwaysATAPI.FortheSCSIadapter,youcanchoosebetweenaBusLogic orLSILogicSCSIadapter. IntheSelectI/OAdapterTypespage,thedefaultforyourguestoperatingsystem isalreadyselected.OlderguestoperatingsystemsdefaulttotheBusLogicadapter. TheLSILogicadapterhasimprovedperformance,worksbetterwithnondisk SCSIdevices,andisincludedwithWindowsServer2003. YoucandownloadthedriverfromtheLSILogicWebsite.SeetheGuestOperating InstallationGuidefordetailsaboutthedriverandtheguestoperatingsystemyou plantoinstallinthisvirtualmachine. NOTEThechoiceofSCSIadapterdoesnotaffectwhetheryourvirtualdiskisan IDEorSCSIdisk.
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Selectthetypeofdisk,andclickNext. Youcanstorevirtualmachinedatainanewvirtualdisk,anexistingvirtualdisk, oramappedstorageareanetwork(SAN)logicalunitnumber(LUN). Avirtualdiskcomprisesoneormorefilesonthefilesystemthatappearasasingle harddisktotheguestoperatingsystem.Thesedisksareportableamonghosts.
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MappingaSANLUNgivesyourvirtualmachinedirectaccesstothatSAN, allowingyoutouseexistingSANcommandstomanagestorageforthedisk. Youalsohavetheoptionofcreatingyourvirtualmachinewithoutadisk. SeetheSANConfigurationGuidefordetailsaboutSANLUNconfiguration.

Ifyouchoosetocreateanewvirtualdisk,gotoStep 19. Ifyouchoosetouseanexistingvirtualdisk,gotoStep 24. IfyouchoosetocreateamappedSANLUN,gotoMappingaSANLUNon page 153. Ifyouchoosetocreateavirtualmachinewithoutadisk,gotoStep 23.
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Ifyouchosetocreateanewvirtualdisk,youmustselectthesizeofthevirtual disk,specifyadatastorelocationforthedisk,andclickNext. Enterthedisksizeinmegabytes(MB)orgigabytes(GB).Thedefaultis4GB.The availablespaceontheselectedVMFSvolumeislisted.Youcanconfigureadisk fromassmallas1MBtoaslargeas2TB(2048GB),usingawholenumberofMBor GB. Thevirtualdiskshouldbelargeenoughtoholdtheguestoperatingsystemandall ofthesoftwarethatyouintendtoinstallwithroomfordataandgrowth. Youcannotchangethevirtualdisksmaximumcapacitylater,butyoucaninstall additionalvirtualdiskslaterbyusingtheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox. Forexample,youneedabout1GBofactualfreespaceonthefilesystemcontaining thevirtualdisktoinstallWindowsServer2003andapplications,suchasMicrosoft Office,insidethevirtualmachine. Youcanlocatethevirtualdiskonthesamedatastoreasthevirtualmachineor selectadatastoreinanotherlocation.UsetheBrowsebuttontolocateadatastore. TheBrowseforDatastoredialogboxappears.
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SelectTheVirtualdevicenodeanddiskmodeforthevirtualdisk. IfyouselectIndependentdiskmode,chooseoneofthefollowing: a b PersistentChangesareimmediatelyandpermanentlywrittentothedisk. NonpersistentChangestothediskarediscardedwhenyoupoweroffor reverttothesnapshot.
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ClickNext.
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OntheReadytoCompleteNewVirtualMachinepage,reviewyourselectionsand specifythefollowingoptions:
Editthevirtualmachinesettingsbeforesubmittingthecreationtask CheckthisoptionifyouwanttoopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialog boxtosetfurtherconfigurationoptions,suchasaddingadditionaldisks(see PerformingAdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletiononpage 144). NOTEBeforeyoucanuseyournewvirtualmachine,youmustfirstpartition andformatthevirtualdrive,installaguestoperatingsystem,theninstall VMwareTools.Typically,theoperatingsystemsinstallationprogramhandles partitioningandformattingthevirtualdrive. SeeInstallingaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 154andInstallingand UpgradingVMwareToolsonpage 155.
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Ifyouchosetouseanexistingvirtualdisk,clickBrowseandnavigatetothe virtualdiskyouwanttouse.ClickNext. Selectwhichvirtualdevicenodeshouldbeusedbyyourvirtualdisk. IfyouselectIndependentmode,chooseoneofthefollowing: a b PersistentChangesareimmediatelyandpermanentlywrittentothedisk. NonpersistentChangestothediskarediscardedwhenyoupoweroffor reverttothesnapshot.
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ClickNext. OntheReadytoCompleteNewVirtualMachinepage,reviewyourselectionsand specifythefollowingoptions: Editthevirtualmachinesettingsbeforesubmittingthecreationtask CheckthisoptionifyouwanttoopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxto setfurtherconfigurationoptions,suchasaddingadditionaldisks(seePerforming AdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletiononpage 144). NOTEBeforeyoucanuseyournewvirtualmachine,youmustfirstpartition andformatthevirtualdrive,installaguestoperatingsystem,theninstall VMwareTools.Typically,theoperatingsystemsinstallationprogramhandles partitioningandformattingthevirtualdrive. SeeInstallingaGuestOperatingSystemonpage 154andInstallingand UpgradingVMwareToolsonpage 155.
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Mapping a SAN LUN

ForvirtualmachinesrunningonanESXServerhost,insteadofstoringvirtualmachine datainavirtualdiskfile,youcanstorethedatadirectlyonaSANLUN.Thisisuseful ifyouarerunningapplicationsinyourvirtualmachinesthatmustknowthephysical characteristicsofthestoragedevice. WhenyoumapaLUNtoaVMFSvolume,VirtualCentercreatesafilethatpointstothe rawLUN.EncapsulatingdiskinformationinafileallowsVirtualCentertolockthe LUNsothatonlyonevirtualmachinecanwritetoit. NOTEThisfilehasa.vmdkextension,butthefilecontainsonlydiskinformation describingthemappingtotheLUNontheESXServersystem.Theactualdataisstored ontheLUN. YoucannotdeployavirtualmachinefromatemplateandstoreitsdataonaLUN;you canonlystoreitsdatainavirtualdiskfile. To map a SAN LUN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 FromtheSelectaDiskpage,selectMappedSANLUN. ClickNext. SelectaLUNfortherawdisk. ClickNext. SelectadatastoreontowhichtomaptheLUN. ClickNext. Selectacompatibilitymode,eitherphysicalorvirtual.
Physicalcompatibilitymodeallowstheguestoperatingsystemtoaccessthe hardwaredirectly.PhysicalcompatibilityisusefulifyouareusingSANaware applicationsinthevirtualmachine.However,aLUNconfiguredforphysical compatibilitycannotbecloned,madeintoatemplate,ormigratedifthe migrationinvolvescopyingthedisk. VirtualcompatibilitymodeallowsthevirtualmachinetouseVMware snapshotsandotheradvancedfunctionality.Virtualcompatibilityallowsthe LUNtobehaveasifitwereavirtualdisk,soyoucanusefeatureslikedisk modes.Whenyouclonethedisk,makeatemplateoutofit,ormigrateit(ifthe migrationinvolvescopyingthedisk),thecontentsoftheLUNarecopiedinto avirtualdisk(.vmdk)file. Subsequentscreensofferdifferentoptions,dependingonyourchoice.
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OntheSpecifyAdvancedOptionspage,youcanchangethevirtualdevicenode andclickNext. OntheReadytoCompleteNewVirtualMachinepage,reviewyourselections. ClickFinishtocompleteyourvirtualmachine,oroptionallyperformadditional configuration(seePerformingAdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletionon page 144).
Installing a Guest Operating System

Anewvirtualmachineislikeaphysicalcomputerwithablankharddisk.Beforeyou canuseit,youmustpartitionandformatthevirtualdiskandinstallanoperating system.Theoperatingsystemsinstallationprogrammighthandlethepartitioningand formattingstepsforyou. Installingaguestoperatingsysteminsideyourvirtualmachineisessentiallythesame asinstallingitonaphysicalcomputer.Thebasicstepsforatypicaloperatingsystem aredescribedbelow.SeeGuestOperatingSystemInstallationGuideformoreinformation onindividualguestoperatingsystems. NOTEItissometimesnecessarytochangethebootorderinthevirtualmachinesBIOS settings.However,sometimesavirtualmachinesbootsequenceprogressestooquickly forausertoopenaconsoletothevirtualmachineandenterBIOSsetup.Ifthishappens, youcanmodifythevirtualmachinespropertiestoslowitsbootsequence,orforceitto enterBIOSsetup.SeeChangingVirtualMachineOptionsonpage 186.Forprior versionsofVirtualCenterthatdonotcontaintheseoptionsintheGUI,youcanuse Ctrl+Alt+Insert(orCtrl+Alt+DeletefornonWindowssystems)tosoftresetthevirtual machine. To install a guest operating system 1 2 StartVMwareVirtualCenter. InserttheinstallationCDROMforyourguestoperatingsystem,orcreateanISO imagefilefromtheinstallationCDROM.UsetheVirtualMachineSettingseditor toconnectthevirtualmachinesCDROMdrivetotheISOimagefileandpoweron thevirtualmachine. NOTEYoumightneedtochangethebootorderinthevirtualmachineBIOSso thatthevirtualmachineattemptstobootfromtheCD/DVDdevicebeforetrying otherbootdevices.Todoso,pressF2whenpromptedduringvirtualmachine startup. UsinganISOimageisfasterthanusingaCDROM.
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Topoweronyourvirtualmachine,clickthePowerOnbutton. Whenavirtualmachineispoweredon,agreenrightarrowisdisplayednexttothe virtualmachineiconintheinventorylist,andtheoptionsintheCommandspanel changeasshowninthefollowingimage:
Followtheinstructionsprovidedbytheoperatingsystemvendor. Tocustomizeaguestoperatingsystem,seeCustomizingGuestOperating Systemsonpage 215.
Installing and Upgrading VMware Tools

VMwareToolsisasuiteofutilitiesthatenhancestheperformanceofthevirtual machinesguestoperatingsystemandimprovesmanagementofthevirtualmachine. InstallingVMwareToolsintheguestoperatingsystemisvital.Althoughtheguest operatingsystemcanrunwithoutVMwareTools,youloseimportantfunctionalityand convenience. WhenyouinstallVMwareTools,youinstall:
TheVMwareToolsservice(VMwareService.exeonWindowsguestsor vmware-guestdonLinuxandSolarisguests).Thisservicesynchronizesthetime intheguestoperatingsystemwiththetimeinthehostoperatingsystem.On Windowsguests,italsocontrolsgrabbingandreleaseingthemousecursor. AsetofVMwaredevicedrivers,includinganSVGAdisplaydriver,thevmxnet networkingdriverforsomeguestoperatingsystems,theBusLogicSCSIdriverfor someguestoperatingsystems,thememorycontroldriverforefficientmemory allocationbetweenvirtualmachines,thesyncdrivertoquiesceI/Ofor ConsolidatedBackup,andtheVMwaremousedriver. TheVMwareToolscontrolpanel,whichletsyoumodifysettings,shrinkvirtual disks,andconnectanddisconnectvirtualdevices.
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Asetofscriptsthathelpsyoutoautomateguestoperatingsystemoperations.The scriptsrunwhenthevirtualmachinespowerstatechangesifyouconfigurethem todoso. TheVMwareuserprocess(VMwareUser.exeonWindowsguestsorvmware-user onLinuxandSolarisguests),whichenablesyoutocopyandpastetextbetweenthe guestandmanagedhostoperatingsystems. OnLinuxandSolarisguests,thisprocesscontrolsgrabbingandreleaseingthe mousecursorwhentheSVGAdriverisnotinstalled. TheVMwareToolsuserprocessisnotinstalledonNetWareoperatingsystems. Instead,thevmwtoolprogramisinstalled.Itcontrolsthegrabbingandreleasingof themousecursor.Italsoallowsyoucopyandpastetext.
YoucanoptionallyinstallWYSEMultimediaRedirector,whichimprovesstreaming videoperformanceinWindowsguestoperatingsystemsrunningonWYSEthinclient devices. ConfiguretheguestoperatingsystembeforeinstallingorreinstallingVMwareTools. ThisenablesVMwaretoolstodeterminethecorrectmouseconfigurationandmodule configuration. NOTEIftheguestoperatingsystemisinstalledbutnotcorrectlyconfiguredwhenyou installVMwareTools,theVMwareToolsinstallationdoesnotworkcorrectly.Thiscan causetheguestoperatingsystemtocrash. VMwareToolshasthefollowinglimitations:

Shrinkdiskisnotsupported. ForMicrosoftWindowsNT,thedefaultscriptsforsuspendandresumedonot work. ThemousedriverinstallationfailsinXwindowsversionsearlierthan4.2.0.
Thissectionincludesthefollowinginformation:

DisplayingtheVMwareToolsPropertiesDialogBoxonpage 162 VMwareToolsUpgradesonpage 163
NOTEIfyoudonothaveVMwareToolsinstalledinyourvirtualmachine,youcannot usetheshutdownorrestartoptions.YoucanuseonlythePoweroptions.Ifyouwant toshutdowntheguestoperatingsystem,shutitdownfromwithinthevirtualmachine consolebeforeyoupoweroffthevirtualmachine.
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TheinstallersforVMwareToolsforWindows,Linux,Solaris,andNetWareguest operatingsystemsarebuiltintoESXServerasISOimagefiles.AnISOimagefilelooks likeaCDROMtoyourguestoperatingsystemandevenappearsasaCDROMdiscin WindowsExplorer.YoudonotuseanactualCDROMdisctoinstallVMwareTools,nor doyouneedtodownloadtheCDROMimageorburnaphysicalCDROMofthis imagefile. WhenyouchoosetoinstallVMwareTools,VMwareVirtualCentertemporarily connectsthevirtualmachinesfirstvirtualCDROMdiskdrivetotheISOimagefile thatcontainstheVMwareToolsinstallerforyourguestoperatingsystem.Youareready tobegintheinstallationprocess. NOTEIfyouareusingaWYSEthinclientdeviceandwanttoinstallWYSEMultimedia SupportalongwithVMwareTools,seeCustomVMwareToolsInstallationon page 165.YoumustusethecustominstallationpathinordertoinstallWYSE MultimediaSupport. To install or upgrade VMware Tools on a Windows Guest 1 2 3 4 Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine. Poweronthevirtualmachine. Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose InstallVMwareTools. Frominsidethevirtualmachine,clickOKtoconfirmthatyouwanttoinstall VMwareToolsandlaunchtheInstallShieldwizard.
Ifyouhaveautorunenabledinyourguestoperatingsystem(thedefault settingforWindowsoperatingsystems),adialogboxappears. Ifautorunisnotenabled,runtheVMwareToolsinstaller.ClickStart>Run andenterD:\setup.exe,whereD:isyourfirstvirtualCDROMdrive.
Followtheonscreeninstructions.
OnWindowsServer2003,theSVGAdriverisinstalledautomatically,andthe guestoperatingsystemusesitafteritreboots. AfteryouinstallVMwareTools,Windows2000andWindowsXPguest operatingsystemsmustberebootedtousethenewdriver.
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To install or upgrade VMware Tools on a Linux guest from X with the RPM installer 1 2 3 Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine. Poweronthevirtualmachine. Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose InstallVMwareTools. Theremainingstepstakeplaceinsidethevirtualmachine. 4 Dooneofthefollowing:
IfyouseeaVMwareToolsCDicononthedesktop,doubleclickit,andafter itopens,doubleclicktheRPMinstallerintherootoftheCDROM. Ifyouseeafilemanagerwindow,doubleclicktheRPMinstallerfile.
InsomeLinuxdistributions,theVMwareToolsCDiconmightfailtoappear.In thiscase,continueinstallVMwareToolsfromthecommandline. 5 Whenprompted,entertherootpasswordandclickOK. Theinstallerpreparesthepackages. 6 ClickContinuewhentheinstallerpresentsadialogboxthatshowsCompleted SystemPreparation. Adialogboxappearswithaprogressbar.Whentheinstallerisdone,VMware Toolsisinstalled.Thereisnoconfirmationorfinishbutton. 7 InanXterminal,asroot(su -),runthefollowingfiletoconfigureVMwareTools:
vmware-config-tools.pl
Respondtothequestionstheinstallerdisplaysonthescreen.PressEntertoaccept thedefaultvalue. 8 Whendone,exitfromtherootaccount:

exit
InanXterminal,opentheVMwareToolsPropertiesdialogbox:
vmware-toolbox &
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To install or upgrade VMware Tools on a Linux guest with the tar installer or RPM installer 1 2 3 Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine. Poweronthevirtualmachine. Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose InstallVMwareTools. Theremainingstepstakeplaceinsidethevirtualmachine. 4 Asroot(su -),mounttheVMwareToolsvirtualCDROMimageandchangetoa workingdirectory(forexample,/tmp),asfollows. NOTESomeLinuxdistributionsautomaticallymountCDROMs.Ifyour distributionusesautomounting,donotusethemountandumountcommands describedinthisprocedure.YoustillmustuntartheVMwareToolsinstallerto /tmp. SomeLinuxdistributionsusedifferentdevicenamesororganizethe/dev directorydifferently.Modifythefollowingcommandstoreflecttheconventions usedbyyourdistribution:
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom cd /tmp
NOTEIfyouhaveapreviousinstallation,deletetheprevious vmware-tools-distribdirectorybeforeinstalling.Thedefaultlocationofthis directoryis:

/tmp/vmware-tools-distrib
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UncompresstheinstallerandunmounttheCDROMimage. DependingonwhetheryouareusingthetarinstallerortheRPMinstaller,doone ofthefollowing:
Forthetarinstaller,atthecommandprompt,enter:
tar zxpf /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools-5.0.0-<xxxx>.tar.gz umount /dev/cdrom
Where <xxxx> isthebuild/revisionnumberoftheWorkstationrelease.
FortheRPMinstaller,atthecommandprompt,enter:
rpm -Uhv /mnt/cdrom/VMwareTools-5.0.0-<xxxx>.i386.rpm umount /dev/cdrom
Where <xxxx> isthebuild/revisionnumberoftheWorkstationrelease. NOTEIfyouattempttoinstallanrpminstallationoveratarinstallationorthe reversetheinstallerdetectsthepreviousinstallationandmustconvertthe installerdatabaseformatbeforecontinuing. 6 DependingonwhetheryouareusingthetarinstallerortheRPMinstaller,doone ofthefollowing:
Forthetarinstaller,runtheVMwareToolstarinstaller:
cd vmware-tools-distrib ./vmware-install.pl
Respondtotheconfigurationquestionsonthescreen.PressEntertoacceptthe defaultvalue.
FortheRPMinstaller,configureVMwareTools:
vmware-config-tools.pl
Respondtothequestionstheinstallerdisplaysonthescreen.PressEnterto acceptthedefaultvalue. 7 Logofftherootaccount.

exit
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Startyourgraphicalenvironment. InanXterminal,opentheVMwareToolsPropertiesdialogbox:
vmware-toolbox &
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To install or upgrade VMware Tools on a Solaris guest 1 2 3 Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine. Poweronthevirtualmachine. Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose InstallVMwareTools. Theremainingstepstakeplaceinsidethevirtualmachine. 4 Loginasroot(su -)and,ifnecessary,mounttheVMwareToolsvirtualCDROM image,asfollows. Usually,theSolarisvolumemanagervoldmountstheCDROMunder /cdrom/vmwaretools.IftheCDROMisnotmounted,restartthevolume managerusingthefollowingcommands:
/etc/init.d/volmgt stop /etc/init.d/volmgt start
AftertheCDROMismounted,changetoaworkingdirectory(forexample,/tmp) andextractVMwareTools,asfollows:
cd /tmp gunzip -c /cdrom/vmwaretools/vmware-solaris-tools.tar.gz | tar xf -
RuntheVMwareToolstarinstaller:
cd vmware-tools-distrib ./vmware-install.pl
Respondtotheconfigurationquestionsonthescreen.PressEntertoacceptthe defaultvalue. 7 Logoffoftherootaccount.

exit
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Startyourgraphicalenvironment. InanXterminal,opentheVMwareToolsPropertiesdialogbox:
vmware-toolbox &
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To install VMware Tools in a NetWare virtual machine 1 2 3 Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine. Poweronthevirtualmachine. Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose InstallVMwareTools. Theremainingstepstakeplaceinsidethevirtualmachine. 4 LoadtheCDROMdriversotheCDROMdevicemountstheISOimageasa volume. Dooneofthefollowing:
InthesystemconsoleforaNetWare6.5virtualmachine,enter:
LOAD CDDVD
InthesystemconsoleforaNetWare6.0orNetWare5.1virtualmachine,enter:
LOAD CD9660.NSS
Whenthedriverfinishesloading,youcanbegininstallingVMwareTools,as describedinthenextstep. 5 Inthesystemconsole,enterthefollowingcommand:

vmwtools:\setup.ncf
Whentheinstallationfinishes,themessageVMware Tools for NetWare are now runningappearsintheLoggerScreen(NetWare6.5andNetWare6.0guests)orthe ConsoleScreen(NetWare5.1guests).
Displaying the VMware Tools Properties Dialog Box

UsetheVMwareToolsPropertiesdialogboxtoconfigureVMwareToolsinsideyour virtualmachine.Instructionsfordisplayingthisdialogboxvary,dependingonthe guestoperatingsystem. Usethisdialogboxtoconfiguresuchthingsastimesynchronizationbetweenhostand guest,notificationsofVMwareToolsupdates(forWindowsandLinuxguestsonly), andspecifyingwhichscriptstorunwhenthevirtualmachinespowerstatechanges. ForinstructionsonusingtheVMwareToolsPropertiesdialogbox,clicktheHelp buttoninsidethedialogbox.
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To display the VMware Tools Properties dialog box on Windows guests OpenaconsoletothevirtualmachineanddoubleclicktheVMwareToolsiconinthe systemtrayfrominsidetheguestoperatingsystem. To display the VMware Tools Properties dialog box on Linux and Solaris guests Openaconsoletothevirtualmachineandthenopenaterminalwindowandenterthe command:
/usr/bin/vmware-toolbox &
To display the VMware Tools dialog box on NetWare 5.1 or higher guests ChooseNovell>Settings>VMwareToolsforNetWare.
VMware Tools Upgrades

YoucanupgradeVMwareToolsmanually,oryoucanconfigurevirtualmachinesto automaticallycheckforandinstallnewerversionsofVMwareTools(seeChanging VirtualMachineOptionsonpage 186).Thefollowingarerequiredforautomatic upgrades:
VirtualmachinesmusthaveaversionofVMwareToolsshippedwithESXServer 3.0.1orgreaterinstalled. VirtualmachinesmustbehostedonanESXServer3.0.1orgreater,andthe VirtualCenterservermustbeversion2.0.1orgreater. VirtualmachinesmustberunningaLinuxorWindowsguestOSthatissupported byESXServer3.0.1orgreaterandVirtualCenter2.0.1orgreater. Virtualmachinesmustbepoweredon.
To manually upgrade VMware Tools: 1 2 3 4 5 6 LaunchtheVIclientandlogintotheVirtualCenterserver. SelecttheInventory>HostsandClustersview. Selectthehostorclusterthatcontainsthevirtualmachinesyouwanttoupgrade. SelecttheVirtualMachinestab. Selectthevirtualmachinesyouwanttoupgradeandpowerthemoff. RightclickyourselectionsandselectInstall/UpgradeTools.
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(Optional)EntercommandlineoptionsintheAdvancedfield(see CommandLineOptionsonpage 164). ClickOK.
VMwareToolscanalsobemanuallyupgradedfromwithinthevirtualmachines operatingsystembyopeningtheVMwareToolsPropertiesdialogbox(doubleclickthe iconinthesystemtray)andclickingUpgradeintheOptionstab. Table 10-1. Command-Line Options

Option -u user Description Specifiesauserwithsufficientprivilegesonthetargetvirtualmachine, includingVirtualMachine.Config.*,VirtualMachine.Interact.*,and VirtualMachine.Provisioning.* Specifiesapasswordonthecommandline.Ifthisisomitted,thetool immediatelypromptsforapassword. Thenameofthevirtualmachinetoupgrade.Thisnamecorresponds tothedisplaynameofavirtualmachine.Specifymultiplevirtual machinesusingmultiplenparameters.Thenoptionisignoredifh isspecified. Attemptstoupgradeallthevirtualmachinesonaparticularhost.Fails ifthespecifiedhostifnotversionESX3.0orgreater. Onaparticularhost,powerononlythisnumberofvirtualmachines atatime. SpecifiestheVirtualCenterServerport,ifoneotherthanthedefault port902hasbeenconfigured. Afterthetoolsupgradeisscheduledonavirtualmachine,thevirtual machineispoweredonandallowedtorunthroughthetools installationprocess.Inmostcases,theguestpowersoffthemachine whentheprocesscompletes.Thisparameterallowsausertosetthe maximumamountoftimeforavirtualmachinetobepoweredonin casetheguestisunabletoshutdownthemachineitself. Skipsthetoolsanddoesonlythevirtualhardwareupgrade. Worksquietly.Doesntproducestatusorcompletionmessageson shutdown.
-p password -n vmname
-h host -m maxpowerons -o port -t maxpowerontime
-s -q
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To configure virtual machines to automatically upgrade VMware Tools: 1 2 3 4 OpentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxforthevirtualmachineyouwant toupgrade. SelectOptionstab>VMwareTools. SelecttheCheckandupgradeToolsbeforeeachpoweronoptionunder AutomaticVMwareToolsUpgrade. ClickOK.
Thenexttimethevirtualmachineispoweredon,itcheckstheESXServerhostfora newerversionofVMwareTools.Ifoneisavailable,itisinstalledandtheguest operatingsystemisrestarted(ifrequired).
Custom VMware Tools Installation

YoucanuseacustomVMwareToolsinstallationpathtoinstalloptionaldriversorother softwarethatmightimprovetheperformanceofparticularvirtualmachines,suchas WYSEMultimediaSupport. To perform a custom VMware Tools installation on a Windows Guest 1 2 3 4 Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine. Poweronthevirtualmachine. Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose InstallVMwareTools. Frominsidethevirtualmachine,clickOKtoconfirmthatyouwanttoinstall VMwareToolsandlaunchtheInstallShieldwizard.
Ifyouhaveautorunenabledinyourguestoperatingsystem(thedefault settingforWindowsoperatingsystems),adialogboxappears. Ifautorunisnotenabled,runtheVMwareToolsinstaller.ClickStart>Run andenterD:\setup.exe,whereD:isyourfirstvirtualCDROMdrive.
ClickNext. TheSetupTypepageisdisplayed.
SelectCustom,andclickNext. TheCustomSetuppageisdisplayed.
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ClicktheredXnexttoeachoptionalfeatureyouwanttoinstall,andselectThis featurewillbeinstalledonlocalharddrive. ClickNext. Aprogressbarisdisplayedshowingtheprogressoftheinstallation.
ClickFinish.
WYSE Multimedia Support

IfyouareusingaWYSEthinclientdevicetoconductremotedesktopsessionsusing VMwareVDI,installingWYSEMultimediaSupportintheguestoperatingsystem improvestheperformanceofstreamingvideo.WYSEMultimediaSupportallows streamingvideotobedecodedontheclientratherthanonthehost,therebyconserving networkbandwidth. WYSEMultimediaSupportissupportedontheWindows2003andWindowsXPguest operatingsystemsonly.WYSEMultimediaSupportisinstalledaspartofaVMware Toolsinstallationorupgrade.
Installing WYSE Multimedia Support with VMware Tools

WhenyouinstallVMwareToolsinaWindows2003orWindowsXPguestoperating systemforthefirsttime,youcaninstallWYSEMultimediaSupportatthesametimeby choosingacustominstallationpath. To install WYSE Multimedia Support as part of a first-time installation of VMware Tools FollowtheinstructionsforthecustominstallationpathasdescribedinCustom VMwareToolsInstallationonpage 165.OntheCustomSetuppage,selectWYSE MultimediaRedirectorforinstallation.
Installing WYSE Multimedia Support as part of a VMware Tools Upgrade

ForvirtualmachinesthatalreadyhaveVMwareToolsinstalled,WYSEMultimedia SupportcanbeinstalledaspartofaVMwareToolsupgradeusingtheWindowsAdd orRemoveProgramsfeature. To install WYSE Multimedia Support using Add or Remove Programs 1 2 Openaconsoletoapoweredonvirtualmachine. Inthevirtualmachine,chooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel>AddorRemove Programs.
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Inthelistofprograms,selectVMwareToolsandclickChange. TheVMwareToolsInstallationwizardisdisplayed.
ClickNext. TheProgramMaintenancepageisdisplayed.
SelectModifyandclickNext. TheCustomSetuppageisdisplayed.
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ClicktheredXnexttoWYSEMultimediaRedirectorandselectThisfeaturewill beinstalledonlocalharddrive. ClickNext. ClickModifytobegintheinstallation. Aprogressbarisdisplayedshowingtheprogressoftheinstallation.
ClickFinish.
ForvirtualmachinesonESXServer3.0.1orlaterhostsmanagedbyVirtualCenter2.0.1 orlater,WYSEMultimediaSupportcanbeinstalledaspartofaVMwareToolsupgrade startedfromtheVIClient. To install WYSE Multimedia Support as part of a VMware Tools Upgrade 1 2 RightclickapoweredonvirtualmachineandchooseUpgradeVMwareTools. IntheAdvancedtextbox,typesetup.exe /s /vINSTALL_WYSE=1.
ClickOK.
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Managing Virtual Machines
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Thischapterdescribesvirtualmachinetasks,includingaddingandremovingvirtual machinesandpoweringvirtualmachinesonandoff. NOTETheviewsandcapabilitiesdisplayedvarydependingonwhethertheVIClient isconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServerhost.Unlessindicated,the process,task,ordescriptionappliestobothkindsofVIClientconnections. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

ChangingVirtualMachinePowerStatesonpage 169 AddingandRemovingVirtualMachinesonpage 175 StartingandShuttingDownVirtualMachinesonpage 177
Changing Virtual Machine Power States

Thepowerstateofavirtualmachineindicateswhetherthevirtualmachineisactiveand functional.Therearethreebasicstates:on,off,andsuspend.Toachievetheonstate, youcanpoweronthemachine,resetthemachine,orresumeactivityfromasuspended state.Toachievetheoffstate,youcanpoweroffthemachineorsuspendallvirtual machineactivity.Eachvirtualmachinepowerstatechangehasadifferenteffectonthe guestoperatingsysteminthevirtualmachine.
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Therearealsoseveralaccesspointsformakingchangestothesepowerstates.Youcan changeapowerstatechangeby:
SelectingthevirtualmachineandthepoweroptionfromtheInventory>Virtual Machinemenu. SelectingPoweronfromtheCommandsarea. Selectingthepoweroptionfromthepopupmenu. SchedulingapowerstatechangethroughtheScheduledTasksbuttoninthe navigationbar.
Thepowerstatetopicsarecoveredinthefollowingsections:

UnderstandingVirtualMachinePowerStatesonpage 170 UnderstandingTransitionalPowerStatesonpage 172 ManuallyPoweringaVirtualMachineOnandOffonpage 172 UsingSuspendandResumeonpage 173 SchedulingaPowerStateChangeforaVirtualMachineonpage 174
Understanding Virtual Machine Power States

Thebasicpowerstateoptionsinclude:
PoweronPowersonthevirtualmachineandbootstheguestoperatingsystemif theguestoperatingsystemisinstalled. PoweroffPowersoffthevirtualmachine.Thevirtualmachinedoesnotattempt toshutdowntheguestoperatingsystemgracefully. SuspendPausesthevirtualmachineactivity.Alltransactionsarefrozenuntilyou issuearesumecommand. ResumeAllowsvirtualmachineactivitytocontinueandreleasestheSuspended state. ResetShutsdowntheguestoperatingsystemandrestartsit.Thisoperation dependsontheoperatingsystembeingshutdown.Ifshutdownisnotautomatic forthatoperatingsystem,VMwareToolsmustbeinstalled.
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Thefollowingpoweroptionsperformextrafunctionsinadditiontothebasicvirtual machinepoweroperations.VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledinthevirtualmachineto performthesefunctions:

ShutdownguestShutsdowntheguestoperatingsystemgracefully. StandbyguestSuspendstheguestoperatingsystemandrunVMwaretools suspendscripts. RestartguestShutsdownandrestartstheguestoperatingsystemwithout poweringoffthevirtualmachine.
Toolbarpowerbuttonsperformasfollows:
PoweroffPowersoffthevirtualmachine.Apoweroffoperationdisplaysa confirmationdialogboxindicatingthattheguestoperatingsystemmightnotshut downproperly. PoweronPowersonavirtualmachinewhenavirtualmachineisstopped,or resumesthevirtualmachineandrunsascriptwhenitissuspendedandVMware Toolsisinstalledandavailable.Resumesthevirtualmachineanddoesnotruna scriptwhenVMwareToolsisnotinstalled. SuspendSuspendsthevirtualmachinewithoutrunningascriptwhenVMware Toolsisnotinstalled,orrunsascript,andsuspendsthevirtualmachinewhen VMwareToolsisinstalledandavailable. ResetResetsthevirtualmachinewhenVMwareToolsisnotinstalled,and restartstheguestoperatingsystemwhenVMwareToolsisinstalledandavailable. Aresetoperationdisplaysaconfirmationdialogboxindicatingthattheguest operatingsystemisnotshutdownproperly. NOTEThespecificformofthepowerstateactioncanbemodifiedtoincludeguest operatingsystemshutdownsornotandtoincluderunningscriptsornot.To configurepoweroperationsettingschoosehost>Configuration>Virtual Machinestartup/shutdown.
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Understanding Transitional Power States

Actionstakenonavirtualmachinerequirethatthevirtualmachinebeinspecificpower states.Wheneverapoweroperationisperformedonavirtualmachine,thevirtual machinepowerstatechangesandallothercommandsarelockedoutuntilthefirst commandiscompleted. Thefigurebelowillustratesstates,transitions,andstatechangingcommandsfor virtualmachines. Figure 11-1. Virtual Machine Power State Changes
powered off remove
power on
power off
powered on
resume
suspend state
suspended
command
Manually Powering a Virtual Machine On and Off

Beforechanginganypowerstateonavirtualmachine,youmusthaveaddedthevirtual machinetoyourVMwareInfrastructureenvironment.SeeAddingandRemoving VirtualMachinesonpage 175. To manually change the power state of a virtual machine 1 2 3 ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andselectavirtualmachine. Usethepowerstatebuttonsinthetoolbar,orrightclickonthevirtualmachineand selectanpowerstateoption
NOTEPowerOffisliketurningofftheelectricitytoaphysicalmachineandalways shutsdownthevirtualmachine.ShutDownGuestattemptstogracefullyshutdown thevirtualmachine.
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Using Suspend and Resume

Thesuspendandresumefeatureismostusefulwhenyouwanttosavethecurrentstate ofyourvirtualmachineandpickupworklaterwiththevirtualmachineinthesame state. Afteryouresumeanddoadditionalworkinthevirtualmachine,youcannotreturnto thestatethevirtualmachinewasinatthetimeyoususpended.Topreservethestateof thevirtualmachinesoyoucanreturntothesamestaterepeatedly,takeasnapshot.See UsingSnapshotsonpage 249formoreinformation. Thespeedofthesuspendandresumeoperationsdependsonhowmuchdatachanged whilethevirtualmachinewasrunning.Ingeneral,thefirstsuspendoperationtakesa bitlongerthansubsequentsuspendoperationsdo. Whenyoususpendavirtualmachine,afilewitha.vmssextensioniscreated.Thisfile containstheentirestateofthevirtualmachine.Whenyouresumethevirtualmachine, itsstateisrestoredfromthe.vmssfile. To suspend a virtual machine 1 2 Ifyourvirtualmachineisrunninginfullscreenmode,returntowindowmodeby pressingtheCtrlAltkeycombination. ClickSuspendontheVMwareInfrastructureClienttoolbar. WhenVMwareInfrastructureClientcompletesthesuspendoperation,itissafeto exitVMwareInfrastructureClient. 3 ChooseFile>Exit.
To resume a virtual machine that you have suspended 1 2 StartVMwareInfrastructureClient,andselectavirtualmachinethatyouhave suspended. ClickthePowerOnbuttonontheVMwareInfrastructureClienttoolbar,orchoose thePowerOnoptionfromthepopupmenuortheCommandswindow. NOTEApplicationsyouwererunningatthetimeyoususpendedthevirtual machinearerunning,andthecontentisthesameasitwaswhenyoususpended thevirtualmachine.
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Scheduling a Power State Change for a Virtual Machine

Dependinguponyourpermissions,youcancreateascheduledtasktochangethe powerstateofthevirtualmachineintheVIClient. To create a scheduled task that changes the power state 1 ClicktheScheduledTasksbuttoninthenavigationbar. Thelistofscheduledtasksappears. 2 RightclickandchooseNewScheduledTask,orchooseFile>New>Scheduled Task. TheSelectaTasktoSchedulewindowappears. 3 SelectChangethepowerstateofavirtualmachine,andclickOK. TheChangeaVirtualMachinesPowerStatewizardappearsanddisplaysthe SelectVirtualMachinepage. 4 Selectthevirtualmachinewhosestateyouwanttochange. TheSelectaPowerOperationpageappears. 5 6 7 SelectaPowerOperationoption,andclickNext. IfyouselectedaPowerOnoperation,theSelectHostpageappears.Selectthehost whichwillpoweronthevirtualmachine. ClickNext. TheScheduletheTaskscreenappears. 8 Namethetask,giveadescription,andspecifythetimingofthetask. Todisplaytothecalendar,selectLater,andclickthedropdownarrowtochoosea datefromthedisplayedcalendar.Aredcircleindicatestodaysdateandadark circleindicatesthescheduleddate. 9 10 ClickNext. ClickFinish. VMwareInfrastructureClientaddsthenewtasktothescheduledtasklistand completesitatthedesignatedtime.Whenyoucreateascheduledtask, VirtualCenterverifiesthatyouhavethecorrectpermissionstoperformtheactions ontherelevantdatacenters,hosts,andvirtualmachines.Oncethetaskiscreated, thetaskisperformedevenifyounolongerhavepermissiontoperformthetask.
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Adding and Removing Virtual Machines

VirtualmachinescanbeaddedtotheVirtualCenterServerinventorythroughtheir managedhosts.TheycanberemovedfromVirtualCenterServercontrolandoptionally fromtheirmanagedhostsstorage. Thefollowingsectionsdiscussaddingandremovingvirtualmachines:

AddingExistingVirtualMachinestoVirtualCenteronpage 175 RemovingVirtualMachinesfromVirtualCenteronpage 175 ReturningaVirtualMachineorTemplatetoVirtualCenteronpage 176
Adding Existing Virtual Machines to VirtualCenter

WhenyouaddamanagedhosttoVMwareInfrastructureClient,itdiscoversallthe virtualmachinesonthatmanagedhostandaddsthemtotheVirtualCenterinventory. Ifamanagedhostisdisconnected,thealreadydiscoveredvirtualmachinescontinueto belistedintheinventory. Ifamanagedhostisdisconnectedandreconnected,anychangestothevirtual machinesonthatmanagedhostareidentified,andVMwareInfrastructureClient updatesthelistofvirtualmachines.Forexample,ifnode3isremovedandnode4is added,thenewlistofvirtualmachinesaddsnode4andshowsnode3asorphaned.
Removing Virtual Machines from VirtualCenter

RemovingVirtualMachinesfrominventoryunregistersthemfromthehostand VirtualCenter.Virtualmachinefilesremainatthesamestoragelocationandthevirtual machinecanbereregisteredusingthedatastorebrowser. RemovingVirtualMachinesfromdisk,ontheotherhand,purgesthevirtualmachine anditsfiles. To remove a virtual machine from VirtualCenter but not the datastore 1 2 3 4 5 FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine. Makesurethatthevirtualmachineispoweredoff. Selectthevirtualmachineintheinventorypanel. ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>Remove,orrightclickonthevirtual machineandselectRemovefromInventory.
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Toconfirmthatyouwanttoremovethevirtualmachinefromtheinventory,click OK. VirtualCenterServerremovesreferencestothevirtualmachineandnolonger tracksitscondition. NOTETheRemovefromInventorycommandremovesthevirtualmachineonly fromVirtualCenterinventory.Itdoesnotremovethevirtualmachinefromits datastore.
To remove a virtual machine from VirtualCenter and the datastore CAUTIONThisproceduredeletesallthefilesfortheselectedvirtualmachine,including theconfigurationfileandthevirtualdiskfiles.Ifothervirtualmachinessharedisks withthevirtualmachineyouwanttodelete(target),removetheshareddisksfromthe targetbeforedeletingit.SeeChangingtheHardwareConfigurationofaVirtual Machineonpage 180. 1 2 3 4 5 FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine. Makesurethatthevirtualmachineispoweredoff. RightclickonthevirtualmachineandselectDeletefromDisk. ClickOKintheconfirmationdialogbox. VirtualCenterdeletesthevirtualmachinefromitsdatastore.
Returning a Virtual Machine or Template to VirtualCenter

IfyouhaveremovedavirtualmachineortemplatefromaVirtualCenterserverbutdid notremoveitfromthemanagedhostsdatastoreandyouwanttoreturnitto VirtualCenter,usetheDatastoreBrowser. To return a virtual machine or template to VirtualCenter 1 RightclickonthedatastoreandchooseBrowseDatastore. TheDatastoreBrowserdialogboxisdisplayed. 2 3 4 Navigatetothevirtualmachineortemplatethatyouwanttoaddtoinventory. RightclickonthevirtualmachineortemplateandchooseAddtoInventory. FollowthestepsintheAddtoInventorywizardtofinishaddingthevirtual machineortemplate.
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Starting and Shutting Down Virtual Machines

Youcanconfigureyourvirtualmachinetostartupandshutdownautomatically,oryou candisablethisfunction.Youcanalsosetthedefaulttimingaswellasthestartuporder forspecifiedvirtualmachineswhenthesystemhoststarts. To configure virtual machine startup and shutdown 1 2 3 SelecttheInventorybutton. Selectahostmachine. ClicktheConfigurationtab. Configurationinformationforthehostappears. 4 ClicktheVirtualMachineStartup/Shutdownlink. Thevirtualmachinestartupandshutdowninformationappears.
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ClickProperties. TheVirtualMachineStartupandShutdowndialogboxappears.
Ifyouwanttoallowvirtualmachinestostartandstopautomatically,clickthe checkboxatthetopofthedialogboxandenteratimeinsecondsforthedefault startupdelayandthedefaultshutdowndelay. Ifyouwanttheoperatingsystemtostartafterabriefdelay,specifyadelaytimein theDefaultStartupDelaybox. ThisallowstimeforVMwareToolsorthebootingsystemtorunscripts.
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Clickthecheckboxifyouwanttheoperatingsystemtobootimmediatelyafter VMwareToolsstarts. Next,specifytheorderinwhichthevirtualmachinesstartwhenthesystemstarts. UsetheMoveUp,MoveDown,andEditbuttonstorearrangethevirtual machinesinthedisplay. VirtualmachineslistedunderManualStartupdonotautomaticallystartuporshut down.Inordertoautomaticallystartuporshutdownavirtualmachine,youmust moveitsothatitislistedundereitherAutomaticStartuporAnyOrder. Thevirtualmachinesarestoppedinreverseorder.
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ClickOKtoexitthedialogboxwhenyouarethroughchangingthesystem settings.
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Configuring Virtual Machines
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ThischapterdescribestheVirtualMachinePropertieseditorandtheAddHardware wizard.Theseallowyoutoeditandconfigureyourvirtualmachines.Italsodiscusses advancedvirtualmachineconfigurationoptions.Theseactivitiescanbeperformed duringthevirtualmachinecreationprocessorafteryoucreatethevirtualmachineand installtheguestoperatingsystem.Thischapteralsodescribeslegacyvirtualmachines andhowtoupgradethemtothecurrentvirtualmachinehardwareversion.Youmust havesufficientpermissiontoperformtheactivitiesdescribedinthischapter. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

VirtualMachinePropertiesEditoronpage 179 AddingNewHardwareonpage 196 LegacyVirtualMachinesonpage 201 UpgradingVirtualHardwareonpage 202
Virtual Machine Properties Editor

TheVirtualMachinePropertiesEditorallowsyoutochangenearlyeverycharacteristic thatyouchoosewhenyoucreatedthevirtualmachine.Thissectiondescribeshowto usethispowerfuleditor. To edit an existing virtual machine configuration 1 2 FromtheVIClient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbar. Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andselectthevirtualmachineyouwanttoedit.
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(Optional)Poweroffthevirtualmachine. Mostofthepropertiesofavirtualmachinecanbechangedonlywhileitispowered off,butyoucanopenthepropertieseditorregardlessofthepowerstate.Manyof thecontrolsarereadonlyifthevirtualmachineisnotpoweredoff.
TodisplaytheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox,clicktheEditSettingslinkin theCommandspanel. TheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxisdisplayed.Therearethreetabs: Hardware,Options,andResources.
Selectatabandproceedtooneofthefollowingsections:

ChangingtheHardwareConfigurationofaVirtualMachineonpage 180 ChangingVirtualMachineOptionsonpage 186 ChangingVirtualMachineResourceSettingsonpage 192
Changing the Hardware Configuration of a Virtual Machine

Thissectiondescribeshowtochangetheconfigurationofexistingvirtualhardware devicesinavirtualmachine. Youcanadd,edit,orremovehardwarefromyourvirtualmachineusingthiswizard. Thestatusofthedevice,suchaseditedoradding,isdisplayedinparenthesesnextto thehardwarelisting.Theselectedguestoperatingsystemdeterminesthedevicesthat areavailabletobeaddedtoagivenvirtualmachine.Thedevicesthatcanbeaddedare:

Serialport Parallelport Floppydrive DVD/CDROMdrive Ethernetadapter Harddisk SCSIdevice
To change the DVD/CD-ROM drive configuration 1 2 3 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClicktheDVD/CDROMdriveintheHardwarelist. Makechangesasneededtothedevicestatus,connection,orvirtualdevicenodefor thevirtualmachinetouse.
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IfyoudonotwanttheCDROMdriveconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinestarts, deselectConnectatpoweron. SelecttheUsephysicaldriveradiobuttontoconnectthevirtualmachinesdriveto aphysicaldriveonthehostcomputer. YoucanaccessaclientCDROMdeviceorhostCDROMdevice.Therearetwo typesofDVD/CDROMaccess: a b UsePassthrough(raw)modeonlyforremoteclientdeviceaccess. UseATAPIemulationtoaccessahostCDROMdevice. ThelocalorhostCDROMdeviceisaccessedthroughemulationmode. PassthroughmodeisnotfunctionalforlocalhostCDROMaccess.Youcan writeorburnaremoteCDonlythroughpassthroughmodeaccess,butin emulationmodeyoucanonlyreadaCDROMfromahostCDROMdevice.
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Ifyouelectedtouseaphysicaldrive,choosethedrivetousefromthedropdown list. Alternatively,selectUseISOImagetoconnectthevirtualmachinesdrivetoan ISOimagefile. IfyouselectedUseISOImage,clickBrowsetonavigatetothefile. UnderVirtualdevicenode,usethedropdownmenutochoosethedevicenodethe driveusesinthevirtualmachine. ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change the floppy drive configuration 1 2 3 4 5 6 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClickthefloppydriveintheDevicelist. UnderDeviceStatus,selectConnectatpowerontoconnectthisvirtualmachine tothefloppydrivewhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon. UnderConnection,selectUsephysicaldrivetouseaphysicaldrive,chooseClient orHost,andchoosethedrivefromthelist. Touseafloppyimage,selectUseexistingfloppyImageorCreateanewfloppy image,andbrowsetothefloppyimage. ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
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To change the SCSI device configuration 1 2 3 4 ClicktheHardwaretab. SelecttheSCSIdeviceinthehardwarelist. ToconnectthisvirtualmachinetotheserversSCSIdevicewhenthevirtual machineispoweredon,selectConnectatpoweron. UnderConnection,selectthephysicaldeviceyouwanttouse. UnderVirtualdevicenode,selectthevirtualdevicenodewhereyouwantthis devicetoappearinthevirtualmachine. 5 ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change the virtual disk configuration 1 2 3 4 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClicktheappropriateHardDiskintheHardwarelist. Usethedropdownmenutochangethevirtualdevicenode. Forindependentmode,whichisunaffectedbysnapshots,selectthecheckbox. ThenchoosePersistentorNonpersistentmodetodeterminethepersistenceof changes. ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
NOTETheManagePathsfeatureforRDMdisksisnotavailableforvirtualmachines onlegacyhostsrunningversionsofESXServerpriortorelease3.0. To change the memory configuration 1 2 3 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClickMemoryintheHardwarelist. Adjusttheamountofmemoryallocatedtothevirtualmachine. (SEEUPDATE)Therangeofmemorysupportedis128MBto16384MBandisnot limitedtothephysicalmemoryofthehostwherethevirtualmachineresides. 4 ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
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To change the virtual Ethernet adapter (NIC) configuration 1 2 3 4 5 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClicktheappropriateNICintheHardwarelist. ToconnectthevirtualNICwhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon,selectConnect atpoweron. UnderNetworkconnection,usethedropdownmenutochoosethenetworklabel youwantthevirtualmachinetouse. ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change the parallel port configuration 1 2 3 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClicktheappropriateParallelportintheHardwarelist. DeselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxifyoudonotwanttheparallelport devicetobeconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinepowerson. ThedefaultsettingisConnectatpoweron. 4 UnderConnection,selectaradiobuttontoindicateaphysicalparallelportorto connectthevirtualparallelporttoafile. a b 5 IfyouselectUsephysicalparallelport,choosetheportfromthedropdown menu. IfyouselectUseoutputfile,browsetothefilelocation.
ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change the SCSI controller configuration YoucanchangetheSCSIcontrollerconfigurationforavirtualmachineonanESX Serverhostonly. CAUTIONChangingtheSCSIcontrollertypemightresultinavirtualmachineboot failure.
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YoucanalsospecifywhethertheSCSIbusisshared.Dependingonthetypeofsharing, virtualmachinescanaccessthesamevirtualdisksimultaneouslyonthesameserveror anyserver. 1 2 3 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClicktheappropriateSCSIControllerintheDevicelist. SelecttheSCSIcontrollertypeinthelist. CAUTIONChangingtheSCSIcontrollertypemightresultinavirtualmachine bootfailure. 4 SelectthetypeofsharingintheSCSIBusSharinglist:

NoneVirtualdiskscannotbesharedbyothervirtualmachines. VirtualVirtualdiskscanbesharedbyvirtualmachinesonsameserver. PhysicalVirtualdiskscanbesharedbyvirtualmachinesonanyserver.
To change the serial port configuration (SEEUPDATE) 1 2 3 4 5 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClicktheappropriateSerialportintheHardwarelist. IfyouselectedUsephysicalserialport,usethedropdownmenutochoosetheport onthehostcomputerthatyouwanttouseforthisserialconnection. IfyouselectedUseoutputfile,browsetothelocationofthefileonthehostthat youwanttousetostoretheoutputofthevirtualserialport. IfyouselectedUsenamedpipe,usethedefaultpipenameorenteranotherpipe nameofyourchoiceinthePipeNamelist. ForaserialpipeforavirtualmachineonanESXServerhostforLinuxhost,enter /tmp/<socket>oranotherUNIXsocketnameofyourchoice. Thendecidewhetheryouareconnectingtwovirtualmachinesorconnectinga virtualmachinetoanapplicationonthehost.
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Ifyouareconnectingtwovirtualmachines,youmustconfigureaserialportasa namedpipeintwovirtualmachines:aservervirtualmachineandaclientvirtual machine. a b c Fortheservervirtualmachine,selectServerintheNearendlist. Fortheclientvirtualmachine,selectClientintheNearendlist. SelectAvirtualmachineintheFarendlist.
Ifyouareconnectingtoanapplicationonthehost,dothefollowing: a b SelectServerorClientintheNearendlist.Ingeneral,selectServerifyouplan tostartthisendoftheconnectionfirst. SelectAnapplicationintheFarendlist.
Bydefault,theserialportisconnectedwhenyoupoweronthevirtualmachine. YoumightdeselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckbox(optional). 8 UnderI/OMode,decidewhethertoconfigurethisserialporttouseinterrupt modeorpolledmode. Polledmodeisofinterestprimarilytodeveloperswhoareusingdebuggingtools thatcommunicateoveraserialconnection. Polledmodecausesthevirtualmachinetoconsumeadisproportionateshareof processor(orCPU)time.Thismakesthehostandotherguestsrunsluggishly.To maintainbestperformanceforapplicationsonthehost,selecttheYieldCPUon pollcheckbox.Thisforcestheaffectedvirtualmachinetouseinterruptmode, whichyieldsprocessor(orCPU)timeiftheonlytaskitistryingtodoispollthe virtualserialport. 9 ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
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To change the virtual processor or CPU configuration IfthevirtualmachineisonanESXServerhostandyouhaveVirtualSMPforESX Server,whichsupportssymetricmultiprocessors(SMP),youcanconfigureavirtual machinetohaveuptofourvirtualprocessorsorCPUs.VirtualSMPcanusetwoway orfourwaySMP.VirtualmachinescannothavemorevirtualCPUsthantheactual numberoflogicalCPUsonthehostthatis,thenumberofphysicalprocessorcoresif hyperthreadingisdisabledortwotimesthenumberofphysicalprocessorcoresif hyperthreadingisenabled.FormoreinformationaboutusingSMP,consultthe VMwareKnowledgeBase. NOTENotallguestoperatingsystemssupportSMP,andsomethatdorequire reinstallationifthenumberofCPUschanges. (SEEUPDATE)Changingthenumberofprocessorsanimportedvirtualmachineusesis notsupported. 1 2 3 ClicktheHardwaretab. ClickVirtualProcessororCPUintheHardwarelist. Selectthenumberofvirtualprocessorsforthevirtualmachine. YoumusthaveVMwareVirtualSMPforESXServerifyouwantmorethanone virtualprocessororCPUforthevirtualmachine.IfyoudonothaveVMware VirtualSMPforESXServer,thevirtualmachinecanhaveonlyonevirtual processororCPU. 4 ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
Changing Virtual Machine Options

YoucanchangethefollowingsettingsintheOptionstab:
GeneralOptionsVirtualmachinedisplaynameandtypeofguestoperating system.(Readonly)locationofvirtualmachineanditsconfigurationfile. VMwareToolsPowerControlsbehavior,VMwareToolsscriptsandautomatic updates. PowerManagementVirtualmachineSuspendbehavior. Advanced>GeneralAcceleration,logging,debuggingandstatistics. Advanced>CPUIDMaskNxflagandadvancedidentificationmaskoptions. Advanced>BootOptionsVirtualmachinebootoptions. Advanced>ParavirtualizationVMIparavirtualizationenablement.

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Advanced>FibreChannelNPIVVirtualnodeandportWorldWideNames (WWNs). Advanced>VirtualizedMMUSettingsforenablingHardwarePageTable Virtualization. Advanced>SwapfileLocationSwapfilelocation.
To change general settings 1 2 ClicktheOptionstab. SelectGeneralOptionsintheSettingslist. ThevirtualmachinenameisdisplayedintheVirtualmachinenamefield. Changingthenamedoesnotchangethenameofanyvirtualmachinefilesorthe associateddirectory. 3 4 Selectanoperatingsystemandversion. ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change VMware Tools options NOTEVMwareToolsoptionscannotbechangedwhilethevirtualmachineis poweredon. 1 2 ClicktheOptionstab. SelectVMwareToolsintheSettingslist. Thestopbuttononthetoolbarcanbeconfiguredtopoweroffthevirtualmachine, shutdowntheguestoperatingsystem,orusethesystemdefault.Thepausebutton onthetoolbarcanbeconfiguredtosuspendthevirtualmachineorusethesystem default.Theresetbuttononthetoolbarcanbeconfiguredtoresetthevirtual machine,restarttheguestoperatingsystem,orusethesystemdefault. 3 4 SelecttheactionsyouwantfromthedropdownmenusunderPowerControls. (Optional)ConfigureVMwareToolsscriptstorunwhenyouchangethevirtual machinespowerstatebyselectingoptionsunderRunVMwareToolsscripts. NOTEForESXServervirtualmachines,therearenoscriptsforresumingand suspendingvirtualmachines. 5 (Optional)ConfigureVMwareToolstocheckforandinstallupdatesbeforeeach poweronbyselectingtheCheckandupgradeToolsbeforeeachpoweronoption underAutomaticVMwareToolsUpgrade.
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(Optional)Configuretheguestoperatingsystemtosynchronizetimewiththehost byselectingtheSynchronizeguesttimewithhostoption. ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change power management settings 1 2 ClicktheOptionstab. SelectPowerManagementintheSettingslist. GuestPowerManagementallowsyoutodeterminehowthevirtualmachine respondswhentheguestoperatingsystemisplacedonstandby. 3 UnderGuestPowerManagement,selecteitherSuspendthevirtualmachineor Puttheguestoperatingsysteminstandbymodeandleavethevirtualmachine poweredon. (Optional)Ifyouchosetoleavethevirtualmachineon,selectWakeonLANfor virtualmachinetrafficonyourvirtualmachinenetworkbyselectingthecheck box. NotallguestoperatingsystemssupportWakeonLAN.Onlythefollowingtypes ofNICssupportWakeonLAN:

Flexible(VMwareToolsrequired). vmxnet Enhancedvmxnet
Optionsaredisablediftheyarenotsupported. 5 ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change advanced virtual machine settings 1 2 ClicktheOptionstab. SelectAdvanced>GeneralintheSettingslist. a Todisableacceleration,selecttheDisableaccelerationcheckbox. Youcanenableanddisableaccelerationwhilethevirtualmachineisrunning. Inrareinstances,youmightfindthatwhenyouinstallorrunsoftwareinside avirtualmachine,thevirtualmachineappearstohang.Generally,the problemoccursearlyintheprogramsexecution.Inmanycases,youcanget pasttheproblembytemporarilydisablingaccelerationinthevirtualmachine. Thissettingslowsdownvirtualmachineperformance,souseitonlyfor gettingpasttheproblemwithrunningtheprogram.Aftertheprogramstops
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encounteringproblems,deselectDisableacceleration.Youmightthenbeable toruntheprogramwithacceleration. b c Toenableloggingmode,selecttheEnableloggingcheckbox. Toenabledebuggingmode,selectanoptionfromtheDebuggingand Statisticssection.Debugginginformationandstatisticscanbehelpfulto VMwaretechnicalsupportinresolvingissues. Tosetadvancedconfigurationparameters,clickConfigurationParameters. Generally,youshouldonlychangethesesettingsifyouintendtouse experimentalfeaturesorwheninstructedtodosobyaVMwaretechnical supportrepresentative.
SelectAdvanced>CPUIDMask. a SpecifywhetheryouwanttohidethehostsCPUNxflagfromtheguest operatingsystem. HidingtheNxflagpreventstheguestoperatingsystemfrommakinguseof thisCPUfeature,butenablesthevirtualmachinetobemovedtohoststhatdo notincludetheNxfeature.WhentheNxflagisvisible,theguestoperating systemcanmakeuseofthefeature,butthevirtualmachinecanbemovedonly tohostswiththeNxcapability. b ClickAdvancedtoaccesstheCPUIdentificationMaskdialogbox.An explanationofthesymbolsinthisdialogboxisavailablebyclickingLegend. NOTEThevirtualmachinemustbepoweredoffbeforeyoucanchange thissetting.
SelectAdvanced>BootOptions. a b Specifythedurationinmillisecondsyouwanttodelayenteringtheboot sequencewhenthevirtualmachineispoweredonorrestarted. SelecttheoptionunderForceBIOSSetuptohavethevirtualmachineenter BIOSsetupwhenitboots. TheseoptionsareusefulwhenyouneedtoenterthevirtualmachinesBIOS setupbecausesometimestheconsoleattachestothevirtualmachineafterthe bootsequencepassesthepointwhereyoucanenterBIOS.
SelectAdvanced>Paravirtualization.SelectSupportVMIParavirtualizationto enableVMIParavirtualizationtoenableit,ordeselectittodisablethisfeature. VMIisaparavirtualizationstandardthatenablesimprovedperformancefor virtualmachinescapableofutilizingit.Currently,thisfeatureisavailableonlyfor
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thoseversionsoftheLinuxguestoperatingsystemwhichsupportVMI paravirtualization. NOTEEnablingparavirtualizationutilizesoneofthevirtualmachinessixvirtual PCIslots.Also,enablingparavirtualizationcanlimithowandwherethevirtual machinecanbemigrated.Considerthefollowingbeforeenablingthisfeature:
ThesehostssupportVMIparavirtualization:ESXServer3.5andgreater,ESX Server3iversion3.5andgreater,andWorkstation6.0andgreater.Hardware version4virtualmachineswithparavirtualizationenabledthatarecreatedon ESXServerhostscanbemigratedtoVMwareServerandWorkstationhosts withoutlossoffunctionality. Avirtualmachinewithparavirtualizationenabledandthatispoweredoffcan bemovedmanuallytoahostthatdoesnotsupportparavirtualization. However,thiscanresultinreducedperformance. Avirtualmachinewithparavirtualizationenabledandthatispoweredonor inasuspendedpowerstatecannotbemigratedtoahostthatdoesnotsupport paravirtualization. AutomatedVirtualCenterDRSmigrationsofvirtualmachineswith paravirtualizationenabledtohoststhatdonotsupportparavirutualization arenotallowed.
SelectAdvanced>FibreChannelNPIVSettings. NportIDvirtualization(NPIV)providestheabilitytoshareasinglephysicalFibre ChannelHBAportamongmultiplevirtualports,eachwithuniqueidentifiers.This allowscontrolovervirtualmachineaccesstoLUNsonapervirtualmachinebasis. Eachvirtualportisidentifiedbyapairofworldwidenames(WWNs):aworld wideportname(WWPN)andaworldwidenodename(WWNN).TheseWWNs areassignedbytheVirtualCenterServer. NPIVsupportissubjecttothefollowinglimitations:
NPIVmustbeenabledontheSANswitch.Contacttheswitchvendorfor informationaboutenablingNPIVontheirdevices. NPIVissupportedonlyforvirtualmachineswithRDMdisks.Virtual machineswithregularvirtualdiskscontinuetousetheWWNsofthehosts physicalHBAs. ThephysicalHBAsontheESXServerhostmusthaveaccesstoaLUNusing itsWWNsinorderforanyvirtualmachinesonthathosttohaveaccesstothat
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LUNusingtheirNPIVWWNs.Ensurethataccessisprovidedtoboththehost andthevirtualmachines.
ThephysicalHBAsontheESXServerhostmustsupportNPIV.Ifthephysical HBAsdonotsupportNPIV,thevirtualmachinesrunningonthathostwillfall backtousingtheWWNsofthehostsphysicalHBAsforLUNaccess. Eachvirtualmachinecanhaveupto4virtualports.NPIVenabledvirtual machinesareassignedexactly4NPIVrelatedWWNs,whichareusedto communicatewithphysicalHBAsthroughvirtualports.Therefore,virtual machinescanutilizeupto4physicalHBAsforNPIVpurposes.
TovieworeditavirtualmachinesWWNs: a b c d e f ToeditthevirtualmachinesWWNs,poweroffthevirtualmachine. EnsurethatthevirtualmachinehasadatastorecontainingaLUNthathas beenmadeavailabletothehost. SelecttheOptionstab. SelectFibreChannelNPIV. CurrentlyassignedWWNsaredisplayedintheWWNAssignmentsbox. Dooneofthefollowing:

ToleaveWWNsunchanged,selectLeaveunchanged. TohaveVirtualCenterortheESXServerhostgeneratenewWWNs,select GenerateNewWWNs. ToremovethecurrentWWNassignments,selectRemoveWWN assignment.
NOTEAvirtualmachinewithWWNsthatarealreadyinuseonthestoragenetwork ispreventedfrompoweringon.Tosolvethisissue,generatenewWWNsorremove them. ProvidetheWWNassignmentstoyourSANadministrator.Theadministrator needsthoseassignmentstoconfigurevirtualmachineaccesstotheLUN.Formore informationonhowtoconfigureanvirtualmachinetouseNPIV,seetheESX Server3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuide. 7 SelectAdvanced>VirtualizedMMUandspecifywhethertodisablethefeature, alwaysusethefeaturewhereavailable,orhavethehostsystemdeterminewhether thefeatureshouldbeused.
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SelectAdvanced>SwapfileLocation. Chooseoneofthefollowingoptions:
DefaultStorethevirtualmachineswapfileatthedefaultlocationdefined bythehostorclusterswapfilesettings.SeeHostConfigurationforESX ServerandVirtualCenteronpage 69formoreinformationonhostswapfile settings.SeetheResourceManagementGuideformoreinformationoncluster settings. AlwaysstorewiththevirtualmachineStorethevirtualmachineswapfile inthesamefolderasthevirtualmachineconfigurationfile. StoreinthehostsswapfiledatastoreStorethevirtualmachineswapfilein theswapfiledatastoredefinedbythehostorclusterswapfilesettings.
Changing Virtual Machine Resource Settings

IntheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox,youcanadjustthehostresource allocationfortheselectedvirtualmachine.YoucanchangeCPU,memory,disk,and advancedCPUresourcesfromthistab. Formoreinformationonresources,seetheResourceManagementGuide.
CPU Resources
TheCPUResourcespanelletsyouallocateprocessorresourcesforavirtualmachine, specifyingreservations,limits,andshares.Youcaneditsomeofthesameinformation ontheResourcePoolstabofthemainVIClientwindow,whichyoumightdotoedit resourcesettingsatthesametimeyoueditedothervirtualmachinesettings. To change CPU settings 1 2 3 ClicktheResourcestab. SelectCPUintheSettingslist. Selectasharesvalue,whichrepresentsarelativemetricforallocatingCPU capacity.
SharesThevaluesLow,Normal,High,andCustomarecomparedtothe sumofallsharesofallvirtualmachinesontheserverand,onESXServer3 hosts,theserviceconsole.Shareallocationsymbolicvaluescanbeusedto configuretheirconversionintonumericvalues.
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ReservationGuaranteedCPUallocationforthisvirtualmachine. LimitUpperlimitforthisvirtualmachinesCPUallocation.Select Unlimitedtospecifynoupperlimit.
Formoreinformationonsharevalues,seetheResourceManagementGuide. 4 ClickOKtosaveyourchanges. TheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxcloses.
Advanced CPU Settings

TheAdvancedCPUResourcespanelletsyousetlowleveloptionsthatinvolve schedulingthevirtualmachineprocessingtophysicalprocessorcoresand hyperthreads.ThispaneldoesnotappearforvirtualmachinesinaDRSclusterorwhen thehosthasonlyoneprocessorcoreandnohyperthreading. NOTEHyperthreadingtechnologyallowsasinglephysicalprocessortobehavelike twologicalprocessors.Theprocessorcanruntwoindependentapplicationsatthesame time.Whilehyperthreadingdoesnotdoubletheperformanceofasystem,itcan increaseperformancebybetterutilizingidleresources.Fordetailedinformationabout hyperthreadinganditsuseinVMwareInfrastructure,seetheResourceManagement Guide(chooseHelp>Manuals). VMwareESXServergenerallymanagesprocessorschedulingwell,evenwhen hyperthreadingisenabled.Thesettingsonthispageareusefulonlyforfinegrained tweakingofcriticalvirtualmachines. TheHyperthreadingSharingoptionprovidesdetailedcontroloverwhetheravirtual machineshouldbescheduledtoshareaphysicalprocessorcore(assuming hyperthreadingisenabledonthehostatall). TheSchedulingAffinityoptionallowsfinegrainedcontroloverhowvirtualmachine CPUsaredistributedacrossthehostsphysicalcores(andhyperthreadsif hyperthreadingisenabled). To change Advanced CPU settings 1 2 ClicktheResourcestab. SelectAdvancedCPUintheSettingslist.
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ChooseHyperthreadingSharingModefromthedropdownmenu.Theoptions are:
Any(default)ThevirtualCPUsofthisvirtualmachinecanfreelysharecores withothervirtualCPUsofthisorothervirtualmachines. NoneThevirtualCPUsofthisvirtualmachinehaveexclusiveuseofa processorcorewhenevertheyarescheduledtoit.Theotherhyperthreadof thecoreishaltedwhilethisvirtualmachineisusingthecore. InternalOnavirtualmachinewithexactlytwovirtualprocessors,thetwo virtualprocessorsareallowedtoshareonephysicalcore(atthediscretionof theESXServerscheduler),butthisvirtualmachineneversharesacorewith anyothervirtualmachine.Ifthisvirtualmachinehasanyothernumberof processorsotherthantwo,thissettingisthesameastheNonesetting.
ChoosetoscheduleaffinitybyselectingtheRunonprocessor(s)radiobutton. NOTEThisoptionisnotallowedwhenthevirtualmachineresidesonaDRS cluster,anditsvaluesareclearedwhenavirtualmachineismigratedtoanewhost. Thevalueoftheoptionisonlyintuningtheperformanceofaprecisesetofvirtual machinesonthesamehost. Thecheckboxesfortheindividualprocessorsrepresentphysicalcoresif hyperthreadingisdisabledorlogicalcores(twoperphysicalcore)if hyperthreadingisenabled.Checkingalltheboxesisthesameasnotapplyingany affinity.Youmustprovideatleastasmanyprocessoraffinitiesasthenumberof virtualCPUsinthevirtualmachine.
ClickOKtosaveyourchanges. TheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxcloses.
Memory Resources
TheMemoryResourcespanelletsyouallocatememoryresourcesforavirtualmachine andspecifyreservations,limits,andshares.Youcaneditsomeofthesameinformation ontheResourcePoolstabofthemainVIClientwindow,whichyoumightdotoedit resourcesettingsatthesametimeasothervirtualmachinesettings. To change memory settings 1 2 ClicktheResourcestab. SelectMemoryintheSettingslist.
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FromthedropdownmenuintheResourceallocationpanel,choosearelative metricforallocatingmemorytoallvirtualmachines. SymbolicvaluesLow,Normal,High,andCustomarecomparedtothesumofall sharesofallvirtualmachinesontheserverand,onanESXServer3host,theservice console.Shareallocationsymbolicvaluescanbeusedtoconfiguretheirconversion intonumericvalues.
IntheResourceallocationpanel,usetheslidertoselecttheamountofreserved memoryandthememorylimit,orusetheupanddownarrowstoenterthe numberofMBsallocated. Formoreinformationonmemoryvalues,seethememmanpage.
ClickOKtosaveyourchanges. TheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxcloses.
Advanced Memory Resources TheAdvancedMemoryResourcespageletsyousetlowleveloptionsthatinvolve distributionofvirtualmachinememorytoNUMAmemorynodes. ThispageisdisplayedonlyifthehostutilizestheNUMAmemoryarchitecture. Becauseaffinitysettingsaremeaningfulonlywhenusedtotweaktheperformanceofa specificsetofvirtualmachinesononehost,thispagealsoisnotdisplayedwhenthe virtualmachineresidesonaDRScluster.Theoptionvaluesareclearedwhenthevirtual machineismovedtoanewhost. NUMAmemorynodeaffinityenablesfinegrainedcontroloverhowvirtualmachine memoryisdistributedtohostphysicalmemory.Checkingalltheboxesisthesameas applyingnoaffinity. ConsulttheResourceManagementGuidefordetailsaboutNUMAandadvanced memoryresources. NOTESpecifynodestobeusedforfuturememoryallocationsonlyifyouhavealso specifiedCPUaffinity.Ifyoumakemanualchangesonlytothememoryaffinity settings,automaticNUMArebalancingdoesnotworkproperly. To associate memory allocations with a NUMA node 1 2 SelecttheResourcestab,andchooseMemory. IntheNUMAMemoryAffinitypanel,setmemoryaffinity.
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Disk Resources
TheDiskResourcespanelletsyouallocatehostdiskI/Obandwidthtothevirtualhard disksofthisvirtualmachine.DiskI/Oisahostcentricresourceandcannotbepooled acrossacluster.However,CPUandmemoryresourcesaremuchmorelikelyto constrainvirtualmachineperformancethandiskresources. To change disk settings 1 2 ClicktheResourcestab. SelectDiskintheSettingslist. Onthisdialogbox,youcanadjustthehostdiskallocationforthisvirtualmachine. 3 4 IntheResourceAllocationpanel,selectthevirtualharddiskfromthelist. ClickintheSharesfield.Usethedropdownmenutochangethevaluetoallocate anumberofsharesofitsdiskbandwidthtothevirtualmachine. Sharesisavaluethatrepresentstherelativemetricforcontrollingdiskbandwidth toallvirtualmachines.ThevaluesLow,Normal,High,andCustomarecompared tothesumofallsharesofallvirtualmachinesontheserverand,onanESXServer 3host,theserviceconsole.Shareallocationsymbolicvaluescanbeusedto configuretheirconversionintonumericvalues. 5 ClickOKtosaveyourchanges.
Adding New Hardware

YoucanaddvirtualhardwaretoavirtualmachineusingtheAddHardwarewizard. ThevirtualhardwarethatyouaddappearsinthehardwarelistdisplayedintheVirtual MachinePropertieswizard.Theselectedguestoperatingsystemdeterminesthe devicesthatareavailabletobeaddedtoagivenvirtualmachine. To start the wizard 1 2 3 4 FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbar.Expandthe inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine. TodisplaytheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox,clicktheEditSettingslink intheCommandspanel. ClicktheHardwaretab. ClickAddtostarttheAddHardwarewizard. Followthestepsinthefollowingsectionstoaddvarioustypesofvirtualhardware toyourvirtualmachine.
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To add a serial port 1 2 3 4 5 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectSerialPort,andclickNext. Selectthetypeofmediayouwantthevirtualporttoaccess:useaphysicalserial portonthehost,outputtoafile,orconnecttoanamedpipe. ClickNext. IfyouselectedUsephysicalserialportonthehost,usethedropdownmenuto choosetheportonthehostcomputerthatyouwanttouseforthisserial connection. IfyouselectedOutputtofile,browsetothefileonthehostthatyouwanttouseto storetheoutputofthevirtualserialport. IfyouselectedConnecttonamedpipe,enterapipenameinthePipeNamefield andusethedropdownmenustochoosethenearandfarendsofthepipe. Theoptionsforthenearendareclientorserver.Theoptionsforthefarendarea processoravirtualmachine. Bydefault,theserialportisconnectedwhenyoupoweronthevirtualmachine. 8 9 (Optional)DeselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxifyoudonotwantthe serialporttoconnectwhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon. (Optional)DeselecttheI/OmodeYieldCPUonpollcheckboxifyouwantto configurethisserialporttouseinterruptmodeasopposedtopolledmode. Polledmodeisofinterestprimarilytodeveloperswhoareusingdebuggingtools thatcommunicateoveraserialconnection.Polledmodecausesthevirtualmachine toconsumeadisproportionateshareofCPUtime.Thismakesthehostandother guestsrunsluggishly. 10 (Optional)Tomaintainbestperformanceforapplicationsonthehost,selectthe YieldCPUonpollcheckbox. Thisforcestheaffectedvirtualmachinetouseinterruptmode,whichyieldsCPU timeiftheonlytaskitistryingtodoispollthevirtualserialport. 11 ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinish.
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To add a parallel port 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectParallelPort,andclickNext. SelectphysicalparallelportonthehostorOutputtofile. ClickNext. IfyouselectedUsephysicalparallelportonthehost,choosetheportfromthe dropdownmenu.IfyouselectedOutputtofile,browsetothelocationofthefile. UnderDevicestatus,deselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxifyoudonot wanttheparallelportdevicetobeconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinepowerson. ClickNext. ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinish.
To add a DVD/CD-ROM drive 1 2 3 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectDVD/CDROMDrive,andclickNext. SelecteitherUsephysicaldriveorUseISOimage. a IfyouselectedUsephysicaldrive,selecteitherclientorhostasthedevice location.Choosethedriveyouwanttousefromthedropdownmenu. Selectpassthroughandusethecheckboxtoindicatewhethertoconnect exclusivelytothevirtualmachine,orselectATAPIemulation. b 4 5 6 7 IfyouselectedUseISOImage,enterthepathandfilenamefortheimagefile, orclickBrowsetonavigatetothefile.
IfyoudonotwanttheCDROMdriveconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinestarts, deselectConnectatpoweron. ClickNext. Specifythevirtualdevicenodethedriveusesinthevirtualmachine,andclick Next. ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinishor Backifyouwanttochangeanyinformation.
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To add a floppy drive 1 2 3 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectFloppyDrive,andclickNext. Selectthetypeoffloppymediatouse:

Aphysicalfloppydrivetogivetheguestaccesstothefloppyonthehost. Afloppyimage,whichisafileonthehostthatstoresdatainthesameformat asaphysicalfloppydisk. Ablankfloppyimagetocreateanduseablankfloppyimage.
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ClickNext. IfyouselectedUseaphysicalfloppydrive,selecteitherclientorhostasthedevice locationandchoosethedrivefromthedropdownmenu. a b IfyouselectedUseafloppyimage,browsetothefloppyimage. IfyouselectedCreateablankfloppyimage,browsetothefloppyimage.
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Tohavethefloppydriveconnectedtothevirtualmachinewhenyoupoweriton, selectConnectatpoweron. ClickNext. ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinish.
To add an Ethernet adapter (NIC) 1 2 3 4 5 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectEthernetAdapter,andclickNext. IntheNetworkconnectionpanel,chooseeitheranamednetworkwithaspecified labeloralegacynetwork. ToconnectthevirtualNICwhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon,selectConnect atpoweron. Tocompletethewizard,clickFinish.
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To add a hard disk 1 2 3 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectHardDisk,andclickNext. Selectthetypeofstorageforthevirtualmachinesdisk,andclickNext. Youcanstorevirtualmachinedatainanewvirtualdisk,anexistingvirtualdisk, oraMappedSANLUN.Avirtualdisk,whichappearsasasingleharddisktothe guestoperatingsystem,iscomposedofoneormorefilesonthehostfilesystem. Virtualdiskscaneasilybecopiedormovedonthesamehostorbetweenhosts. 4 IfyouselectedCreateanewvirtualdisk,dothefollowing: a b c 5 6 Enterthediskcapacity. SelectthelocationaseitherStorewiththevirtualmachineorSpecifya datastore. IfyouselectedSpecifyadatastore,browseforthedatastorelocation,andclick Next.ContinuewithStep 7.
Ifyouselectedanexistingdisk,browseforthediskfilepathandclickNext. IfyouselectedMappedSANLUN: a b c SelecttheLUNthatyouwanttousefortherawdisk,andclickNext. SelectadatastoreandclickNext. Selectthecompatibilitymode:physicaltoallowtheguestoperatingsystemto accessthehardwaredirectlyorvirtualtoallowthevirtualmachinetouse VMwaresnapshotsandotheradvancedfunctions.ClickNext.
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Specifythevirtualdevicenode. Setvirtualdiskmodeoptions: a b SelectIndependenttomakethediskindependent.Independentdisksarenot affectedbysnapshots. IfyouselectedIndependent,selectoneofthetwomodesforindependent disks:
PersistentThediskoperatesnormallyexceptthatchangestothedisk arepermanentevenifthevirtualmachineisrevertedtoasnapshot. NonpersistentThediskappearstooperatenormally,butwheneverthe virtualmachineispoweredofforrevertedtoasnapshot,thecontentsof thediskreturntotheiroriginalstate.Alllaterchangesarediscarded.

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ClickNext. Reviewtheinformation,andclickFinish.
To add a SCSI device 1 2 3 4 5 StarttheAddHardwarewizard. SelectSCSIDevice,andclickNext. UnderConnection,usethedropdownmenutochoosethephysicaldeviceyou wanttouse. ToconnectthisvirtualmachinetotheserversSCSIdevicewhenthevirtual machineispoweredon,selectConnectatpoweron. UnderVirtualdevicenode,selectthevirtualdevicenodewhereyouwantthis devicetoappearinthevirtualmachine. Youcanalsoselectthecheckboxtoindicatethatthevirtualdeviceissetupinthe samewayasthephysicalunit. 6 ReviewtheinformationintheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinish.
Legacy Virtual Machines

VirtualmachinescreatedonanESXServer2.xhostcanrunonanESXServer3.xhost inlegacymode.Thesevirtualmachinesuseanoldervirtualhardwareversionthanthat supportedbyESXServer3.xandarereferredtoaslegacyvirtualmachines.Alegacy virtualmachineisproducedbyanyofthefollowingoperations:
YoucreateavirtualmachineonanESXServer2.xhost,andthenmigrateittoan ESXServer3.xhost. YoucreateanewvirtualmachineonanESXServer3.xhostusinganexisting virtualdiskthatwascreatedonanESXServer2.xhost. YouaddavirtualdiskcreatedonanESXServer2.xhosttoanexistingnonlegacy virtualmachine.
LegacyvirtualmachinescontinuetorunonESXServer3.xhosts,buthavereduced performanceandcapabilities.Inparticular,youcannotaddorremovevirtualdevices onlegacyvirtualmachines.Tomakefulluseofthesevirtualmachines,upgradethe virtualhardwareasdescribedintheUpgradeGuide. NOTEVirtualmachinescreatedonESXServer1.xhosts,orusingotherVMware productssuchasVMwareWorkstation,mustbeconvertedtorunonESXServer3.x hosts.SeetheVirtualMachineMobilityPlanningGuideformoreinformation.
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Upgrading Virtual Hardware

Toallowlegacyvirtualmachinestotakefulladvantageofthecapabilitiesofferedby ESXServer3.x,youmustupgradetheirvirtualhardwaretothecurrentversion.See LegacyVirtualMachinesonpage 201formoreinformation.Youcandetermine whetheravirtualmachineneedstobeupgradedbydeterminingitshardwareversion. To determine the virtual hardware version for a virtual machine 1 2 Selectthevirtualmachineintheinventory. ClickEditSettings. Thevirtualmachinehardwareversionisdisplayedatthetoprightcornerofthe VirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox. To upgrade virtual hardware 1 FromtheVIClient,rightclickavirtualmachineintheinventory,andchoose UpgradeVirtualHardwarefromthedropdownmenu. Aconfirmationdialogboxappearswiththemessage,Thisoperationwillcause thevirtualhardwareyourguestoperatingsystemrunsontochange.Itisan irreversibleoperationthatwillmakeyourvirtualmachineincompatiblewith earlierversionsoftheVMwaresoftwareproducts.Itisstronglyrecommendedthat youmakeabackupcopyofyourdisk(s)beforeproceeding.Areyousureyouwant toupgradeyourconfiguration? 2 ClickYes. AprogressbarappearsintheRecentTaskspaneatthebottomoftheclient window.
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Working with Templates and Clones
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Thischapterdescribescreatingtemplatesandcloningvirtualmachines. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

UnderstandingTemplatesonpage 203 CreatingTemplatesonpage 204 EditingaTemplateonpage 206 DeployingVirtualMachinesfromTemplatesonpage 207 DeletingTemplatesonpage 209 RegainingTemplatesonpage 210 CloningVirtualMachinesonpage 210 CreatingaScheduledTasktoCloneaVirtualMachineonpage 212
Understanding Templates
Atemplateisamastercopyofavirtualmachinethatcanbeusedtocreateand provisionnewvirtualmachines.Thisimagetypicallyincludesaspecifiedoperating systemandconfigurationthatprovidesvirtualcounterpartstohardwarecomponents. Typically,atemplateincludesaninstalledguestoperatingsystemandasetof applications. Templatescoexistwithvirtualmachinesatanylevelwithinthetemplateandvirtual machinedomain.Youcanordercollectionsofvirtualmachinesandtemplatesinto arbitraryfoldersandapplyavarietyofpermissionstobothvirtualmachinesand
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templates.Virtualmachinescanbetransformedintotemplateswithoutrequiringafull copyofthevirtualmachinefilesandthecreationofanewobject. Youcanusetemplatestocreatenewvirtualmachinesbydeployingthetemplateasa virtualmachine.Whencomplete,thedeployedvirtualmachineisaddedtothefolder chosenbytheuserwhenthetemplatewascreated. Toviewtemplates,selectthedatacenterandselecttheVirtualMachinestab.Allvirtual machinesandtemplatesforthedatacenterarevisiblefromhere.Virtualmachinesand templateshavedifferenticons.
virtual machine icon
template icon
Creating Templates
Therearethreewaystocreateatemplate:
Usinganexistingvirtualmachineinplace.Thisprocessconvertstheoriginal virtualmachine. Cloningavirtualmachinetoatemplate. Cloninganexistingtemplate.
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Chapter 13 Working with Templates and Clones
To convert an existing virtual machine to a template 1 2 StarttheVIClientandlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Theinventorypanelandtheinformationpaneldisplayinformationabout manageddatacenters,hosts,resourcepools,andvirtualmachines.Theinventory toolbarappears. 3 4 5 Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andselectavirtualmachine. Turnoffthevirtualmachineusingtheshutdownorpoweroffoptions. FromtheCommandsareaorthepopupmenu,clickConverttoTemplate. VirtualCentermarksthatvirtualmachineasatemplateanddisplaysthetaskinthe RecentTaskspane. To clone a virtual machine to a template 1 2 3 4 StarttheVIclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClickInventoryinthenavigationbartodisplaytheinventorypanel. Turnoffthevirtualmachineusingtheshutdownorpoweroffoptions. RightclickthevirtualmachineandclickClonetoTemplate. TheCloneVirtualMachinetoTemplatewizardappears. 5 Givethenewtemplateaname,selectitsinventorylocation,andclickNext. Enterausefulnamethatdescribesthetemplate.Thenamecanbeupto80 characterslongandcancontainalphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_) andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniqueacrossalltemplatesandvirtual machinesinthedatacenter.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vmis identicaltoMy_Vm. 6 7 Passthroughthetargetlocationpage.ClickNext. ClickFinish. VirtualCenterdisplaystheTasksinventorypanelforreferenceandaddsthecloned templatetothelistintheinformationpanel.
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To clone an existing template 1 2 3 StarttheVIclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Selectthedatacenterthatcontainsthetemplate. Thevirtualmachinesandtemplatesassociatedwiththedatacenterappearinthe datacenterpanel. 4 RightclickthetemplateandchooseClone. TheCloneTemplatewizardappears. 5 Givethenewtemplateauniquenameanddescription,andclickNext. Enterausefulnameandabriefdescriptionofthetemplate.Description informationcaninclude,forexample,theoperatingsystem,applications,versions, andintendedusesforthetemplate.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslong,and cancontainalphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore (_)andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniqueacrossalltemplatesand virtualmachinesinthedatacenter.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vm isidenticaltoMy_Vm. 6 7 8 9 Selectthehostorcluster,andclickNext. Chooseadatastoreforthetemplate.ClickNext. SelectaradiobuttontoeitherleavethevirtualdisksintheirNormalvirtual machineformatortoCompactthevirtualdiskstominimizestorage.ClickNext. OntheReadytoCompletewindow,reviewtheinformationforyournewvirtual machine,andclickFinish. Youcannotusethenewtemplateuntilthecloningtaskcompletes.VirtualCenter addstheclonedtemplatetothelistintheVirtualMachinestab.
Editing a Template
Youmightwanttoedityourtemplate(toupgradeanapplication,forexample). However,templatescannotbeeditedastemplates.Youmustconvertthetemplatetoa virtualmachine,editit,andconverttheeditedvirtualmachinetoatemplate. To edit the template 1 2 Convertthetemplatetoavirtualmachine. Editthevirtualmachine.
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Convertthevirtualmachinetoatemplate.
Youcandirectlychangethenameofatemplateusingtheprocedurebelow. To change the name of a template 1 2 3 4 5 6 FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clicktheInventorybutton. Selectthedatacenterthatcontainsthetemplate. SelecttheVirtualMachinestab. Clickonthetemplate.Clickthetemplateagain. Thenameofthevirtualmachineisnowaneditablefield. Changethename,andclickoutsidethefield.
Deploying Virtual Machines from Templates

Thisproceduredeploysavirtualmachinefromanexistingtemplate. NOTEWhenatemplatethatresidesonalegacyVMFS2datastoreisconvertedtoa virtualmachine,theresultingvirtualmachinemustberegisteredonthehostwherethe templatewascreated.Selectthishostasthedestinationforthenewvirtualmachine. To deploy a virtual machine from a template 1 2 StarttheVIClient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Theinventorypanelandtheinformationpaneldisplayinformationabout manageddatacenters,hosts,resourcepools,andvirtualmachines.Theinventory toolbarappears. 3 Selectthedatacenterthatcontainsthetemplate,andclicktheVirtualMachines tab. Thevirtualmachinesandtemplatesassociatedwiththedatacenterappearinthe datacenterpanel. 4 Rightclickthetemplate,andchooseDeployVirtualMachinefromthis Template. TheDeployTemplatewizardappears.
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Givethenewvirtualmachineaname,selectalocation,andclickNext. Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandcancontainalphanumericcharacters andtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniqueacross alltemplatesandvirtualmachinesinthedatacenter.Namesarecaseinsensitive: thenamemy_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm.
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OntheHost/Clusterpage,selectthehostonwhichyouwanttostorethetemplate andclickNext. Selectaresourcepool(ifapplicable)inwhichyouwanttorunthevirtualmachine, andclickNext. Resourcepoolsallowhierarchicalmanagementofresourceswithinahostor cluster.Virtualmachinesandchildpoolssharetheresourcesoftheirparentpool.
Chooseadatastoreforthevirtualmachine,andclickNext. Youarechoosingthedatastoreinwhichtostorethefilesforthevirtualmachine. Youshouldchooseonethatislargeenoughtoaccommodatethevirtualmachine andallofitsvirtualdiskfilessothattheycanallresideinthesameplace. TheAdvancedbuttonallowsyoutostoreindividualfilesinseparatelocations.To returntothedatastoreselectionpage,clicktheBasicbutton.
IntheSelectGuestCustomizationOptionpage,performoneoftheseactions:
Ifyoudonotwanttocustomizeyourguestoperatingsystem,selectDonot customizeandclickNext. Ifyouwanttocustomizeyourguestoperatingsystem,clickoneoftheother selectionsasappropriate.Youcustomizeguestoperatingsystemsthroughthe wizardorbyusinganexistingcustomizationspecificationthatyoucreate.For instructions,seeCustomizingGuestOperatingSystemsonpage 215.
NOTECustomizationisnotsupportedforallguestoperatingsystems. Additionally,someguestoperatingsystemsrequireMicrosoftSyspreptools.See InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepToolsonpage 351. 10 IntheReadytoCompletepage,reviewtheinformationforyournewvirtual machine,selectthePoweronthenewVirtualMachineaftercreationcheckboxif youwanttopoweronthevirtualmachineimmediately,andclickFinish. AfteryouclickFinish,youcannotuseoreditthevirtualmachineuntilthetask completes.Thismighttakeseveralminutes.Thevirtualmachineisaddedtothe datastore.
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To convert a template to a virtual machine 1 2 StartVirtualCenterclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Theinventorypanelandtheinformationpaneldisplayinformationabout manageddatacenters,hosts,resourcepools,andvirtualmachines.Theinventory toolbarappears. 3 Selectthedatacenterthatcontainsthetemplate. Thevirtualmachinesandtemplatesassociatedwiththedatacenterappearinthe datacenterpanel. 4 5 ClicktheVirtualMachinestab. RightclickonthetemplateandchooseConverttoVirtualMachine. Thetemplateisconvertedtoavirtualmachine.
Deleting Templates
To remove templates from the VirtualCenter inventory Thisprocedureunregistersthetemplate.Itdoesnotremovethetemplatefilesfromthe datastore. 1 2 3 4 ClicktheInventorybutton. Selecttheappropriatetemplate. Rightclickthetemplate,andchooseRemovefromInventory. ClickOKtoconfirmremovingthetemplatefromtheVirtualCenterdatabase. AllnondatastoretemplatefilesareremovedfromtheVirtualCenterinventory. To delete a template from disk CAUTIONAfteratemplateisdeletedfromahost,thereisnowaytorecoverit.
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StartVirtualCenterclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar,andselectthehostthatcontains thetemplate. Selectthedatastorethatcontainsthetemplate,andclicktheVirtualMachinetab.
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Rightclickthetemplate,andchooseDeletefromDisk. ClickOKtoconfirmremovingthetemplatefromtheVirtualCenterdatabase. Thetemplateisdeletedfromthediskandcannotberecovered.
Regaining Templates
Templatesareassociatedwithhosts,andtheonlywaytoregainorregistertemplates afterremovingandaddingahostistousethedatastorebrowsertolocatethetemplate. Thenusetheinventorywizardtonameandregisterthe.vmtxfileasatemplateback intoVirtualCenter. NOTEIfyouwantthetemplatetoretainitsoriginalname,donotenteranameinthe AddtoInventorywizard.VirtualCenterwillusetheoriginalnameifthefieldinthe wizardisleftblank. To regain a template 1 2 3 4 5 StartVirtualCenterclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar,andselectthehostthatcontains thetemplate. RightclickthedatastorethatcontainsthetemplateandselectBrowseDatastore. Browsethroughthedatastorefolderstofindthe.vmtxfile. Rightclickthe.vmtxfileandselectAddtoInventory. TheAddtoInventorywizardappears. 6 Enteratemplatemachinename,selectalocation,andclickNext. Selectahostorclusteronwhichtostorethetemplate,andclickNext. 7 8 Reviewyourselections,andclickFinish. ThetemplateisregisteredtothehostandcanbeviewedfromthehostsVirtual Machinetab.
Cloning Virtual Machines

Acloneisacopypluscustomizationofavirtualmachine.Whenyoucreateaclone, VirtualCenterprovidesanoptiontocustomizetheguestoperatingsystemofthat virtualmachine.Youcanplacethenewcloneonanyhostwithinthesamedatacenter astheoriginalvirtualmachine,oryoucanplaceitinadifferentdatacenter.
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To clone a virtual machine 1 2 StartVirtualCenterandlogintotheVirtualCenterServer. Fromtheinventorypanel,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. Theinventorypanelandtheinformationpaneldisplaythedatastores,resource pools,hosts,andvirtualmachineinformation.Theinventorytoolbarappears. 3 4 5 Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclickthesourcevirtualmachine. Poweroffthevirtualmachine. TostarttheCloneaVirtualMachinewizard,clicktheClonetoNewVirtual MachinelinkintheCommandsarea,orchooseClonefromthepopupmenu. TheCloneVirtualMachinewizardappears. 6 7 8 9 10 11 Enteravirtualmachinename,selectalocation,andclickNext. Selectahostorclusteronwhichtoruntheclone,andclickNext. Ifyouchooseacluster,youmustchooseaspecifichostwithinthecluster,andclick Next. Selectaresourcepoolinwhichtoruntheclone,andclickNext. Selectthedatastorelocationwhereyouwanttostorethevirtualmachinefiles,and clickNext. ClicktheAdvancedbuttonformoreoptions,andclickNext. TheSelectGuestCustomizationOptionpageappears.Youcanchooseto customizetheguestoperatingsystemusingthewizardorusinganexisting customizationspecification.Youcanalsochoosenottocustomize. Formoreinformation,seeCustomizingGuestOperatingSystemsonpage 215. 12 13 Selecttheappropriateradiobutton,andclickNext. Reviewyourselections,andclickFinish. OntheReadytoCompleteNewVirtualMachinepage,youcanselectthecheckbox topoweronthenewvirtualmachineaftercreation.AfteryouclickFinish,you cannotuseoreditthevirtualmachineuntilthetaskcompletes.Ifthetaskinvolves thecreationofavirtualdisk,itcouldtakeseveralminutestocomplete.
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Creating a Scheduled Task to Clone a Virtual Machine

Thisprocedurecreatesascheduledtasktocloneavirtualmachine. To create a scheduled task to clone a virtual machine 1 ClicktheScheduledTasksbuttoninthenavigationbar. Thelistofscheduledtasksappears. 2 ChooseFile>New>ScheduledTask,orclicktheNewbutton. TheSelectaTasktoScheduledialogboxappears. 3 UsethedropdownmenutochooseCloneavirtualmachine,andclickOK. TheCloneVirtualMachinewizardappears. 4 5 Selectthevirtualmachinetoclone,andclickNext. Followthewizardthroughthesamestepsasthoseintheprevioustaskinwhich youclonedavirtualmachine.ThepageafterGuestCustomizationistheSchedule theTaskpage.
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Enteranameandataskdescriptioninthetextbox. Selectthefrequencyofthetask.
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SelecttheradiobuttonforNoworLater.Iflater,enterthetimeanddatewhenyou wantthevirtualmachinetobedeployed,andclickNext. Toseethecalendar,clickLater,andclickthedropdownarrowtoselectadatefrom thedisplayedcalendar.Aredcircleindicatestodaysdate,andadarkcircle indicatesthescheduleddate.
ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompleteNewVirtualMachinepage, andclickFinish. Optionally,youcanselectthecheckboxtopoweronthenewvirtualmachineafter itiscreated. VirtualCenteraddsthenewtasktothescheduledtasklistandcompletesitatthe designatedtime.Whenitistimetoperformthetask,VirtualCenterfirstverifies thattheuserwhocreatedthetaskstillhaspermissiontocompletethetask.Ifthe permissionlevelsarenotacceptable,VirtualCentersendsamessagetothelogand thetaskisnotperformed.
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Customizing Guest Operating Systems
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Nowthatyouhavecreatedandconfiguredavirtualmachine,youhavetheoptionto customizetheidentityandnetworksettingsofyourvirtualmachinesguestoperating systemsothatitisreadytobeginworkimmediatelyinyourtargetenvironment. Youcansaveyourvirtualmachinesettingsinaspecificationthatyoucanrecalllater andreuse.Youdothisusingthecustomizationwizard.Therearetwowaystoaccess thecustomizationwizard:usingthecustomizationspecificationmanager,whichlets youcreatespecificationsandstoretheminthedatabaseforlateruse,andusingthe wizardwhenyourecloninganewvirtualmachine. NOTEVirtualmachinesmustberegisteredintheVirtualCenterinventorybeforeyou cancustomizetheirguestoperatingsystems. ThischapterdescribeshowtousetheCustomizationSpecificationManagerto customizeyourguestoperatingsystems. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

PreparingforGuestCustomizationonpage 216 CustomizingaWindowsGuestOperatingSystemonpage 218 UsingtheCustomizationSpecificationWizardonpage 224 UsingtheCloneVirtualMachineWizardonpage 228 CompletingaGuestOperatingSystemCustomizationonpage 229
Formoredetailsoninstallingaguestoperatingsystem,seetheGuestOperatingSystem InstallationGuide.
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Preparing for Guest Customization

Whenyoudeployanewvirtualmachinefromatemplateorcloneanexistingvirtual machine,youhavetheopportunitytocustomizethenewguestoperatingsystem.The GuestCustomizationwizardguidesyouthroughtheconfigurationoptions. BeforeyouruntheGuestCustomizationwizard,ifyouintendtoperformaguest customization,dothefollowing:
Verifythatyoursystemmeetstheguestcustomizationrequirements.Ifyouplanto customizeaWindowsguestoperatingsystem,youmustinstallthecomponents requiredtosupportaWindowsguestoperatingsystemcustomization.Thisis describedinAppendix B,InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepTools,onpage 351. InstalltherequiredcomponentsontheWindowsmachinewheretheVirtualCenter serverisinstalled. NOTEAfterdeployingandcustomizingnonvolumelicensedversionsof Windows XPorWindows 2003,youmightneedtoreactivateyourMicrosoft operatingsystemonthenewvirtualmachine.
Virtual Hardware Requirements for Guest Customization

Guestcustomizationrequiresthatthesourcevirtualmachineusedtocreatetheclone ortemplateshasthefollowing:

VMwareToolsinstalled. SCSIdisks. ThedefaultconfigurationforVMwareWorkstation,andVMwareServercreating aWindowsXPorWindowsServer2003virtualmachineisIDEdisks.Ifyouare customizingavirtualmachinewithIDEdisks,itcanbedeployedonlytoa VMwareServerhost. VirtualCentercustomizationoperatesonthediskattachedtothevirtualSCSInode withthelowestaddressontheSCSIcontrollerwiththelowestindex.Asaresult, youmustmakesurethattheguestoperatingsystembeingcustomizedresideson adiskattachedasSCSI0:0nodeinthevirtualmachineconfiguration. NOTEIfavirtualmachinehasmixedIDEandSCSIdisks,thefirstIDEdiskis consideredthebootdisk,andVirtualCenterpassesittothecustomizer.Firstis incontroller:deviceorder,thatis,ide0:0,ide0:1,scsi0:0,scsi0:1,andsoon.
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Chapter 14 Customizing Guest Operating Systems
ForWindowsguestoperatingsystems:Ifthevirtualmachineresidesonahost runningESXServer3.0.xorearlier,boththeactivepartition(thepartition containingboot.ini)andthesystempartition(thepartitioncontainingthe systemdirectory,forexample,\WINNTor\WINDOWS),areonthesamevirtualdisk andattachedtheSCSI0:0virtualSCSInode. NOTEItisnotarequirementthatactiveandsystempartitionsbethesame partition. ForLinuxguests:IfthevirtualmachineresidesonahostrunningESXServer3.0.x orearlier,thevirtualdiskcontainingthesystempartition(thepartitioncontaining the/etcdirectory)mustresideontheSCSI0:0node.
32bitor64bithardwarecorrespondingtothe32bitor64bitoperatingsystem beinginstalled.
Windows Requirements for Guest Customization

GuestcustomizationofaWindowsguestoperatingsystemcanoccurif:

Theguestoperatingsystemisnotaprimaryorbackupdomaincontroller. ThecloneortemplatehasoneofthefollowingWindowsversionsinstalled:
Windows2000Server,AdvancedServer,orProfessional(including64bit versions) WindowsXPProfessional(including64bitversions) WindowsServer2003,Web,Standard,orEnterpriseEditions(including64bit versions) WindowsVista(including64bitversions)
NOTEWindowsXPHomeorWindowsNT4operatingsystemguest customizationisnotsupported.WindowsVistacustomizationissupportedonly onhostsrunningESXServer3.5andgreaterorESXServer3iversion3.5and greater.
ThemostrecentversionofVMwareToolsisinstalledintheguestoperating system.
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TheMicrosoftSyspreptoolsareinstalledontheVirtualCenterserver. IfthevirtualmachineresidesonahostrunningESXServer3.0.xorearlier,boththe activepartition(thepartitioncontainingboot.ini)andthesystempartition(the partitioncontainingthesystemdirectory,forexample,\WINNTor\WINDOWS), mustbeonthesamevirtualdisk.
MicrosoftSyspreptoolshavecertainrequirementsandimposecertainrestrictionson thesourcemachine.SeetheMicrosoftSysprepdocumentationforadditional information.
Linux Requirements for Guest Customization

GuestcustomizationofaLinuxguestoperatingsystemcanoccurif:(SEEUPDATE)
ThecloneortemplatehasoneofthefollowingLinuxversionsinstalled:

RedHatEnterpriseLinuxASversions2through5(including64bitversions) RedHatApplicationServerversions2through5(including64bitversions) SUSELINUXEnterpriseServer8,9,or10 NOTECustomizationforRedHatLinuxversion4andgreaterandSUSE LINUXEnterpriseServerversion9andgreaterissupportedonlyonhosts runningESXServer3.5andgreaterorESXServer3iversion3.5andgreater.
ThemostrecentversionofVMwareToolsisinstalledintheguestoperating system. Thecloneortemplatehasarootvolumeformattedwithanext2,ext3,orReiserFS filesystem.
Customizing a Windows Guest Operating System

Thecustomizingprocessvaries,dependingupontheguestoperatingsystemtobeused inthenewvirtualmachine.TocustomizeaWindowsoperatingsystemwhile deployingatemplateorcloningavirtualmachine,performthefollowingsteps.
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To customize a Windows guest operating system TheGuestCustomizationwizardstartsindirectlyfromtheDeployTemplatewizardor CloneVirtualMachinewizard,oryoucanstartthewizardbyselectingavirtual machineandthenselectingEdit>CustomizationSpecifications. 1 2 StarttheGuestCustomizationwizard. OntheRegistrationInformationpage,enterthevirtualmachineownersname andorganization.ClickNext. Thisinformationisforguestoperatingsystemregistrationpurposes.Itis displayedintheguestoperatingsystemSystemProperties.IntheNamefield,you canenterthenameofaperson,user,orgroup. 3 OntheComputerNamepage,specifytheComputerNameforthevirtual machine.ClickNext. Thecomputernameisthenamegiventotheparticularinstanceofaguest operatingsystem.Theoperatingsystemusesthisnametoidentifyitselfonthe network.OnWindowssystems,itiscalledthecomputername.Onmostother operatingsystems,itiscalledthehostname.Thisisnotthesameasthevirtual machinenamethatwasdeclaredearlierintheDeployTemplatewizardorClone VirtualMachinewizard.Youcansetthecomputernameusingthefollowing options:
UseaspecificnameThenamecancontainalphanumericcharactersandthe underscore(_)andhyphen()characters.Itcannotcontainperiods(.)or blankspacesandcannotbemadeupofdigitsonly.Ifyouwanttoensurethat thenameisuniquesothatyoudonotincurconflicts,selectAppendanumeric valuetoensureuniqueness.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vm isidenticaltoMy_Vm. UsethevirtualmachinesnameThecomputernamethatVirtualCenter createsisidenticaltothenameofthevirtualmachineonwhichtheguest operatingsystemisrunning. PrompttheuserforanameintheDeploywizardTheVIClientpopulates theDeployVirtualMachinewizardwithapromptforthecomputername afteryoucompleteallthestepsinthewizard. UseacustomapplicationconfiguredwiththeVirtualCenterServerto generateanameEnteraparameterthatcanbepassedtothecustom application.
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OntheWindowsLicensepage,specifytheWindowslicensekeyforthenewguest operatingsystem.ClickNext. IfyouarecustomizingaWindowsServeroperatingsystem,selecttheappropriate licensemode,PerseatorPerserver.IfyouselectPerserver,specifythemaximum numberofsimultaneousconnectionsyouwanttheservertoaccept.
OntheAdministratorPasswordpage,typeandconfirmtheadministrator passwordforthevirtualmachine.ClickNext. Ifyouleavethepasswordblank,theVIClientasksyoutoconfirmthat Administratorusersarentrequiredtoprovideapassword. NOTEYoucanonlychangetheadministratorpasswordiftheadministrator passwordonthesourceWindowsvirtualmachineisblank.Ifyouspecifyanew administratorpasswordandthesourceWindowsvirtualmachineortemplate alreadyhasone,theoldadministratorpassworddoesnotchange. Ifyouwanttoautomaticallyloginasadministratorwhenthevirtualmachine boots,selectAutomaticallylogonastheadministratorandspecifyhowmany timesautomaticloginistobeperformed.Thisisusefulifyouknowyouwillhave aseriesofrebootsbeforethevirtualmachineisreadyfornormalloginusers.
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OntheTimeZonepage,choosethetimezoneforthevirtualmachine.ClickNext. OntheRunOncepage,typeanycommandsyouwanttorunaspartofthefirst startupforthenewvirtualmachine.Afteryoutypeeachcommand,clickAdd.Use theDeleteandMoveoptionstocreatetherunorderforthecommands.Whenyou aredonewiththecommandlist,clickNext. NOTESeeMicrosoftWindowsSysprepdocumentationformoreinformationon theRunOncecommands.
IfyouwantVirtualCentertoautomaticallyconfigureallnetworkinterfacesfroma DHCPserver,selectTypicalsettingsontheNetworkpage.ClickNext.
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IftypicalVirtualCenterconfigurationisnotappropriateforyourenvironment, selectCustomsettings,selectthenetworkinterfacecard(NIC)tocustomizeand clickCustomizetomakeadditionalspecifications. TheNetworkPropertiesdialogboxopens.
UsetheNetworkPropertiesdialogboxtoperformthesesteps: a OntheGeneraltab,selectwhetheryouwanttouseDHCPtoobtainanIP addressautomaticallyorentertheIPaddressesmanually.Alsoselectwhether youwanttouseDHCPtoobtainanDNSserveraddressautomaticallyorenter theDNSserveraddressesmanually. OntheDNStab,specifytheDNSconnectionsbyenteringDNSsuffixes.For eachDNSsuffixyouenter,clickAdd.IfyouareaddingmultipleDNS connections,useMoveUpandMoveDowntospecifytheorderinwhicha virtualmachineistousetheconnections. OntheWINStab,specifytheprimaryandsecondaryWINSaddressesby typingtheIPaddressesintheentryboxes. ClickOKtoreturntothepreviousdialogbox.ClickNextontheNetwork GuestCustomizationsdialogbox.
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OntheWorkgrouporDomainpage,completeoneofthesesteps:
Tojoinaworkgroup,selectWorkgroup,typetheworkgroupname,andclick Next. Tojoinadomain,selectWindowsServerDomain,specifytheusernameofa userwhocanaddcomputerstotheWindowsdomain,andspecifytheusers password.ClickNext.
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OntheOperatingSystemOptionspage,selectGenerateNewSecurityID(SID) togenerateanewsecurityIDforthevirtualmachine. ClickNext. (Optional)OntheSaveSpecificationpage,savethecustomizedoptionsasan .xmlfilebycompletingthesesteps: a b SelectSavethiscustomizationspecificationforlateruse. Specifythenameforthespecification,andclickNext.
VirtualCentersavesthecustomizedconfigurationparametersintheVirtualCenter database.Ifthecustomizationsettingsaresaved,theadministrator,anddomain administrator,passwordsarestoredinencryptedformatinthedatabase.Because thecertificateusedtoencryptthepasswordsisuniquetoeachVirtualCenter Server,reinstallingtheVirtualCenterServer,orattachinganewinstanceofthe serverthedatabase,invalidatestheencryptedpasswords.Thepasswordsmustbe reenteredbeforetheycanbeused. 14 15 ClickFinishtosaveyourchangesandexittheGuestCustomizationwizard. ClickFinishtodeploythevirtualmachineandexittheDeployTemplatewizardor CloneVirtualMachinewizard.
Customizing a Linux Guest Operating System

To customize a Linux guest operating system YoucannotstarttheGuestCustomizationwizardfromamenuortoolbaroption.The GuestCustomizationwizardstartsindirectlyfromtheDeployTemplatewizardor CloneVirtualMachinewizard. 1 2 StarttheGuestCustomizationwizard. OntheComputerNamepage,specifytheComputerNameandtheDomainName forthevirtualmachine.ClickNext.
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Thecomputernameisthenamegiventotheparticularinstanceofaguest operatingsystem.Theoperatingsystemusesthisnametoidentifyitselfonthe network.OnLinuxsystems,itiscalledthehostname.Thisisnotthesameasthe VMwareVI3virtualmachinenamethatwasdeclaredearlierintheDeploy TemplatewizardorCloneVirtualMachinewizard.Youcansetthecomputername usingthefollowingoptions:
UseaspecificnameThenamecancontainalphanumericcharactersandthe underscore(_)andhyphen()characters.Itcannotcontainperiods(.)or blankspacesandcannotbemadeupofdigitsonly.Ifyouwanttoensurethat thenameisuniquesothatyoudonotincurconflicts,selectAppendanumeric valuetoensureuniqueness.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vm isidenticaltoMy_Vm. UsethevirtualmachinesnameThecomputernamethatVirtualCenter createsisidenticaltothenameofthevirtualmachineonwhichtheguest operatingsystemisrunning. PrompttheuserforanameintheDeploywizardTheVIClientpopulates theDeployVirtualMachinewizardwithapromptforthecomputername afteryoucompleteallthestepsinthewizard. UseacustomapplicationconfiguredwiththeVirtualCenterServerto generateanameEnteraparameterthatcanbepassedtothecustom application.
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IfyouwantVirtualCentertoautomaticallyconfigureallnetworkinterfacesfroma DHCPserver,selectTypicalsettingsontheNetworkpage.ClickNext. IfVirtualCenterconfigurationisnotappropriateforyourenvironment,select Customsettings,andclickNext. Selectthenetworkinterfacecard(NIC)tocustomizeandclickCustomizetomake additionalspecifications. UsetheNetworkPropertiesdialogboxtoperformthesesteps: a OntheGeneraltab,selectwhetheryouwanttouseDHCPtoobtainanIP addressautomaticallyorentertheIPaddressesmanually.Alsoselectwhether youwanttouseDHCPtoobtainanDNSserveraddressautomaticallyorenter theDNSserveraddressesmanually. ClickOKtoreturntothepreviousdialogbox.ClickNextontheNetwork GuestCustomizationspage.
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OntheDNSandDomainsettingspage,entertheIPaddressesfortheDNSservers. SpecifytheDNSconnectionsbyenteringDNSsuffixes.ForeachDNSsuffixyou enter,clickAdd.IfyouareaddingmultipleDNSconnections,useMoveUpand MoveDowntospecifytheorderinwhichavirtualmachineistousethe connections. (Optional)OntheSaveSpecificationpage,savethecustomizedoptionsasan .xmlfilebycompletingthesesteps: a b SelectSavethiscustomizationspecificationforlateruse. Specifythefilenameforthespecification,andclickNext.
VirtualCentersavesthecustomizedconfigurationparametersintheVirtualCenter database.Ifthecustomizationsettingsaresaved,theadministrator,anddomain administrator,passwordsarestoredinencryptedformatinthedatabase.Because thecertificateusedtoencryptthepasswordsisuniquetoeachVirtualCenter Server,reinstallingtheVirtualCenterServer,orattachinganewinstanceofthe serverthedatabase,invalidatestheencryptedpasswords.Thepasswordsmustbe reenteredbeforetheycanbeused. 8 ClickFinish. VirtualCenterclosestheGuestCustomizationwizardandreturnsyoutothe DeployTemplatewizardorCloneVirtualMachinewizard. 9 ClickFinishtodeploythevirtualmachinefromthetemplateorcreatetheclone.
Using the Customization Specification Wizard

Thefollowingprocedurehelpsyousetupacustomizationspecificationthatcanbe usedlatertocustomizeaguestoperatingsystem. To start the Guest Customization wizard 1 ChooseEdit>CustomizationSpecifications. TheCustomizationSpecificationManagerwindowappears.Fromhere,youcan viewthepropertiesofaspecificationandcreate,edit,copy,delete,import,or exportspecifications.UsetheRefreshbuttontorefreshthedisplay.
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Tocreateanewspecification,clicktheNewicon. TheGuestCustomizationwizardappears.
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Choosethetargetvirtualmachineoperatingsystemfromthedropdownmenu. SelectthecheckboxifyouwanttouseacustomSysprepanswerfile. Typeanameforthenewcustomizationspecificationandanoptionaldescription. ClickNext. Typetheownersnameandorganizationtoregisterthiscopyoftheguest operatingsystem.ClickNext. TheComputerNamepageappears.Inthispageyouspecifyacomputernameto identifythisvirtualmachineonanetwork.
Tospecifyanameforthecomputer,selecttheradiobuttonforoneofthefollowing:
Useaspecificname Withthisoption,youmusttypeanameinthetextfield.Selectthecheckbox ifyouwanttoappendanumericvaluetothespecificcomputernameto ensureuniquenessofname.
UsetheVirtualMachineName PrompttheuserforanameintheDeploywizard UseacustomapplicationconfiguredwiththeVirtualCenterserverto generateaname Withthisselection,yousupplyanargument.
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ClickNext. TheoperatingsystemLicensepageappears.
IntheLicensepage,typetheproductIDifthevirtualmachinerequireslicensing information. Somevirtualmachinesmightnotrequirelicensinginformation.Inthatcase,leave thesefieldsblank.
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SelectthecheckboxforIncludeServerLicenseInformationifyouare customizingaserverguestoperatingsystem. Selecteitherperseatorperserveroperatingsystem,enterthemaximum connectionsforserverlicensemode,andclickNext. OntheAdministratorPasswordpanel,typeapasswordandconfirmitforthe administratoraccount. Ifyoudonotenterapassword,awarningdialogboxappears.
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Selectthecheckboxifyouwanttoautomaticallyloginastheadministrator,and choosethenumberoftimestologin. ClickNext. Usethedropdownmenutochooseatimezone,andclickNext. IntheRunOncepage,specifycommandstoberunthefirsttimeauserlogson. Usethenavigationbuttonstoadd,delete,andmovecommandsupordown. NOTESeeMicrosoftWindowsSysprepdocumentationformoreinformationon theRunOncecommands.
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ClickNext. Specifythenetworkinterfacesettingsifyouwanttocustomizethesoftware settingsforeachnetworkinterface.Selecttheradiobuttonfortypicalsettingsto enableDHCPforallnetworkinterfacesortheradiobuttonforcustomsettingsto manuallyconfigureeachnetworkinterface. ClickNext. IntheWorkgrouporDomainpage,selectthewayinwhichthevirtualmachine participatesinthenetwork,selecttheradiobuttonforworkgroupandentera workgroupname,orselecttheradiobuttonforWindowsserverdomainandenter thedomain.
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Inthelattercase,youmustalsoenterausernameandpasswordforauseraccount thathaspermissiontoaddacomputertothespecifieddomain. 21 22 23 24 ClickNext. IntheOperatingSystemOptionspage,selectGenerateNewSecurityID(SID)to generateanewsecurityidentifier. ClickNext. Reviewtheinformationyouhaveentered,andclickFinish. ThespecificationappearsintheCustomizationSpecificationManagerpageand canbeusedtocustomizeaguestoperatingsystem.
SavedcustomizationspecificationsareuniquetoeachVirtualCenterServerandto eachversionofVirtualCenterduetoencryption.Youhavetorecreatethe customizationspecificationsforeachVirtualCenterServer.Encryptionis preservedbetweenupgradeversionsonthesameVirtualCenterServer.This meansyoucanusethesamespecificationsbetweenupgradesofVirtualCenter. However,ifyouuninstallVirtualCenterandlaterdoafreshinstallation,theability todecryptpasswordsfromtheearlierinstallationislost. 25 Toviewthepropertiesofaspecification,clickthePropertiesicon. TheCustomizationSpecificationPropertiesdialogboxappears.
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ClickOKtoclosethedialogbox. ClicktheEditicontoredisplaytheGuestCustomizationwizard,andchangethe informationforthespecification. ClicktheCopyicontocreateacopyofthespecification. Todeleteaspecification,selectitandclicktheDeleteicon. Thespecificationisdeletedfromthespecificationmanager.
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Toimportanexistingspecificationintothemanager,clicktheImporticonand selectthespecificationintheBrowsedialogbox. Toexportaspecification,clicktheExporticonandchooseaSaveAslocation. Usethemaximize,minimize,andclosebuttonstomaximize,minimize,orexitthe specificationmanager.
Using the Clone Virtual Machine Wizard

YouhaveasecondopportunitytoaccesstheGuestCustomizationwizardattheendof thedeploymentwizard.Here,youhavetheabilitytoloadasavedcustomization specification.Youcanchoosetogetthespecificationfromthelocaldiskorfromthe server.Ifyouchoosenottoloadasavedspecification,thewizardopenswithblank fields. Usethefollowingprocedurewhenyouaresettingupyournewvirtualmachine.You usethespecificationthatyousetupintheprevioussectionasyousetupavirtual machineinthefollowingprocedure. Formoreinformationonusingthecustomizationwizard,seeCustomizinga WindowsGuestOperatingSystemonpage 218. To load a saved customization specification using the Clone Virtual Machine wizard 1 ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>Clone. TheCloneVirtualMachinewizardappears. 2 MovethroughthewizarduntilyoureachtheSelectGuestCustomizationOption pagefromwhichyoucancustomizeusingtheCustomizationwizardorcustomize usinganexistingcustomizationspecificationselectedfromthespecification managerslist.
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Completing a Guest Operating System Customization

Thefinalcustomizationstepsoccurwhenthenewvirtualmachinebootsforthefirst time.Aspartofthisprocess,themachinemightrebootanumberoftimes.The customizationprocessdoesnotcompleteuntiltheguestoperatingsystemboots,runs thefinalizationscripts,andreachestheloginpage. Ifthenewvirtualmachineencounterscustomizationerrorswhileitisbooting,the errorsarereportedusingtheguestssystemloggingmechanism.InLinux,theseerrors areloggedto/var/log/vmware/customization.log.InWindows,theyarewritten to%WINDIR%\temp\vmware-imc. Thestepsrequiredtofinalizeguestoperatingsystemcustomizationarecoveredinthe followingsections:

CompletingLinuxGuestOperatingSystemCustomizationonpage 229 CompletingWindowsGuestOperatingSystemCustomizationonpage 229
Completing Linux Guest Operating System Customization

AcustomizedLinuxvirtualmachinedoesnotneedanyadditionalrebootingandis operationalassoonastheloginpageappearsafterthefirstboot.Ifconfigurationerrors occur,theyaredisplayedonthevirtualmachinesconsolewindowwhiletheguest operatingsystemisbooting.
Completing Windows Guest Operating System Customization

Whenacustomizedvirtualmachineispoweredonforthefirsttime,itsguestoperating systemcompletesasetofoperationsthatfinalizesthecustomizationandconfiguration process.Dependingontheguestoperatingsystemtype,thisprocessmightrequire additionalrebooting,whichisautomaticallyperformed. Afterpoweringonforthefirsttime,acustomizedWindowsvirtualmachine automaticallyrebootsmultipletimestofinalizetheconfigurationprocess.Itbecomes operationalwhentheloginpageappearsafterthesecondreboot.Thisprocesscantake severalminutes,dependingonthespeedandloadofthehost.Ifanyerrorsoccur duringthefinalconfigurationprocess,eventsareloggedtotheguestoperating systemseventdatabase.Toviewtheseerrors,chooseStart>Program>Administrative Tools>EventViewerfromtheWindowsStartmenu.
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Ifanyoftheinformationrequiredintheconfigurationfinalizationprocessisnot correct,theguestoperatingsystempauseswhenthenewvirtualmachinebootsand waitsforyoutoenterthecorrectinformation.Incorrectinformationmightinclude:
Thecomputernameisnotunique.Thecomputernamemustbeuniqueforthe networkonwhichthemachineisdeployed. Theproductkeyisincorrect. Theuserspecifiedtojoinadomainthatdoesnotexist. TheDHCPserverforthenetworkisnotfunctioningproperly.
To determine if the system is waiting for information Openthevirtualmachinesconsoletoseeifthesystemiswaitingforinformation.
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Migrating Virtual Machines
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Thischapterdescribestheprocessofmigratingmovingavirtualmachinefromone hosttoanother. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

AboutMigrationonpage 232 Migrationonpage 233 MigrationwithVMotiononpage 233 MigrationWizardonpage 241 MigrationwithStorageVMotiononpage 245
Theuserinitiatingthemigrationmusthaveappropriatepermissiontoperform migrationwithVMotiononbothmachines. SeeManagingUsers,Groups,Permissions,andRolesonpage 261forinformationon permissions. NOTECopyingavirtualmachineiscreatinganewvirtualmachine.Itisnotaformof migration.
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About Migration
Migrationistheprocessofmovingavirtualmachinefromonehosttoanother.Ifthe virtualmachineispoweredofforsuspended,thisprocessiscalledmigration.Ifthe virtualmachineispoweredon,thisprocessiscalledmigrationwithVMotion.Migration withVMotion,designedtobeusedbetweencompatiblesystems,allowsyoutomigrate virtualmachineswithnodowntimebutrequiresVMotionlicensingandspecific configuration. InVirtualCenter2.0andgreater,youhavetwomigrationoptions:
MigrationMovingapoweredofforsuspendedvirtualmachine.Optionally, duringmigration,youcanrelocateconfigurationanddiskfiles. NOTEMigratingsuspendedvirtualmachinesissupportedinESXServer3.xand ESXServer3ionly.VirtualmachinescreatedusingESXServer2.xmustbepowered offbeforemigration.Forthistypeofmigration,virtualmachinesarenotrequired tobeonsharedstorage.
MigrationwithVMotionMovingavirtualmachinethatispoweredon. NOTEVirtualmachinesmustbeavailablefromanyformofsharedstorage,such asSAN,iSCSI,orNAS.MigrationwithVMotioncannotbeusedtomigratevirtual machinesusingrawdisksforclusteringpurposes.
Virtualmachinesthatarepoweredofforsuspendedcanbemovedbetween datacenters.VMotioncannotbeusedtomigratevirtualmachinesbetweendatacenters. ThefollowingtableliststheVMotioncapabilitiesfor32and64bitguestvirtual machines. Table 15-1. VMotion Support

32-bit Guest Virtual Machines VMotion (poweredon) Fullysupportedwithin VMotioncompatible32bitCPUs AND64bitCPUs(InteltoIntelor AMDtoAMD). Fullysupportedwithinsupported 32bitCPUsand64bitCPUsand abletopoweronirrespectiveofany CPUincompatibilities (InteltoAMDOK). 64-bit Guest Virtual Machines Fullysupportedwithin VMotioncompatible64bitCPUs (InteltoIntelorAMDtoAMD). Fullysupportedwithin VMotioncompatible64bitCPUs (InteltoAMDOK).
Cold Migration (poweredoff)
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Chapter 15 Migrating Virtual Machines
Migration
Thevirtualmachineyouwanttomigratemustbepoweredofforsuspendedpriorto beginningthemigrationprocess.Withamigration,youalsohavetheoptionofmoving theassociateddisksfromonedatastoretoanother.(Tomovethedisksofapoweredon virtualmachinefromonedatastoretoanother,useStorageVMotion.)Amigration consistsofthefollowingsteps: 1 Theconfigurationfiles,includingtheNVRAMfile(BIOSsettings),logfiles,and thesuspendfileforsuspendedvirtualmachinesaswellasthedisksofthevirtual machinearemovedfromthesourcehosttothedestinationhostsassociated storagearea. Thevirtualmachineisregisteredwiththenewhost. Afterthemigrationiscompleted,theoldversionofthevirtualmachineisdeleted fromthesourcehost.
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Iferrorsoccurduringmigration,thevirtualmachinesreverttotheiroriginalstatesand locations. Youcanmovevirtualmachinesmanuallyorsetupascheduledtasktoperformthe migration.SeeManagingTasks,Events,andAlarmsonpage 297forinformationon schedulingtasks.
Migration with VMotion

VMotionallowsworkingprocessestocontinuethroughoutamigrationwithVMotion. Theentirestateofthevirtualmachineaswellasitsconfigurationfile,ifnecessary,are movedtothenewhostevenwhilethedatastorageremainsinthesamelocationonthe SAN.TheassociatedvirtualdiskremainsinthesamelocationontheSANstoragethat issharedbetweenthetwohosts.Aftertheconfigurationfileismigratedtothealternate host,thevirtualmachinerunsonthenewhost. Thestateinformationincludesthecurrentmemorycontentandalltheinformationthat definesandidentifiesthevirtualmachine.Thememorycontentincludestransaction dataandwhateverbitsoftheoperatingsystemandapplicationsareinthememory.The definingandidentificationinformationstoredinthestateincludesallthedatathat mapstothevirtualmachinehardwareelements,suchasBIOS,devices,CPU,MAC addressesfortheEthernetcards,chipsetstates,registers,andsoforth.
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MigrationwithVMotionhappensinthreestages: 1 2 3 WhenthemigrationwithVMotionisrequested,VirtualCenterverifiesthatthe existingvirtualmachineisinastablestatewithitscurrenthost. Thevirtualmachinestateinformation(thatis,memory,registers,andnetwork connections)iscopiedtothetargethost. Thevirtualmachineresumesitsactivitiesonthenewhost.
Ifanyerroroccursduringmigration,thevirtualmachinesreverttotheiroriginalstates andlocations.
VMotion Requirements
TobeconfiguredforVMotion,eachhostintheclustermustmeetthefollowing requirements.
Shared Storage
Ensurethatthemanagedhostsusesharedstorage.Sharedstorageistypicallyona storageareanetwork(SAN),butcanalsobeimplementedusingiSCSIandNASshared storage.SeetheVMwareSANConfigurationGuideforadditionalinformationonSAN andtheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuidefor informationonothersharedstorage.
Shared VMFS Volume or NAS Storage

ConfigureallmanagedhoststousesharedVMFSvolumesortobelocatedonNAS storage.IfusingsharedVMFSvolumes:
PlacethedisksofallvirtualmachinesonVMFSvolumesthatareaccessiblebyboth sourceandtargethosts. EnsurethattheVMFSvolumeissufficientlylargetostoreallvirtualdisksforyour virtualmachines.
CPU Compatibility
Makesurethatthesourceanddestinationhostshaveacompatiblesetofprocessors. VMotiontransferstherunningarchitecturalstateofavirtualmachinebetween underlyingVMwareESXServersystems.VMotioncompatibilityrequiresthatthe processorsofthetargethostbeabletoresumeexecutionusingtheequivalent instructionsthattheprocessorsofthesourcehostwereusingwhensuspended. Processorclockspeedsandcachesizes,andthenumberofprocessorcorescanvary,but
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processorsmustcomefromthesamevendorclass(IntelorAMD)andsameprocessor family(P3,P4,orIntelcore)tobecompatibleformigrationwithVMotion. ProcessorfamiliessuchasIntelXeonandAMDOpteronaredefinedbytheprocessor vendors. Youcandistinguishdifferentprocessorversionswithinthesamefamilybycomparing theprocessorsmodel,steppinglevel,andextendedfeatures:
Inmostcases,differentprocessorversionswithinthesamefamilyaresimilar enoughtomaintaincompatibility. Insomecases,processorvendorshaveintroducedsignificantarchitectural changeswithinthesameprocessorfamily,suchastheSSE3andSSSE3instructions, andNx/XDCPUsecurityfeatures.Bydefault,VMwareidentifiesmismatcheson SSE3,SSSE3,andNx/XDasincompatibletoguaranteethestabilityofvirtual machinesaftermigrationswithVMotion.
ServerhardwaresCPUspecificationswillusuallyindicatewhetherornottheCPUs containtheSSE3,SSSE3,andNx/XDfeaturesthataffectVMotioncompatibility.Ifthe specificationsofaserveroritsCPUfeaturesareunknown,VMwaresbootableCPU identificationutility(availablefordownloadwithESXServer)canbeusedtoboota serveranddeterminewhetheritsCPUscontainfeaturessuchasSSE3,SSSE3,and NX/XD. NOTEVMware,inpartnershipwithCPUandhardwarevendors,isworkingto maintainVMotioncompatibilityacrossthewidestrangeofprocessors.Foradditional information,checktheVMwareKnowledgeBase. Nx/XD Considerations
AMDsNoeXecute(NX)andIntelseXecuteDisable(XD)technologyservethe samesecuritypurpose:tomarkmemorypagesasdataonlytopreventmalicious softwareexploitsandbufferoverflowattacks. ThefollowingoperatingsystemssupportNXandXD: WindowsServer2003(SP1),Windows*XP(SP2),WindowsVista,RHEL4,RHEL3 (Update3),SUSE10,SUSELinux9.2,Solaris10,Linuxkernels2.6.6orlater(or2.4 kernelswithapatch).
InESXServer3.0,NXandXDtechnologyisexposedbydefaultforallguest operatingsystemsthatcanuseit(tradingoffsomecompatibilityforsecurityby default).HostspreviouslycompatibleinESXServer2.xmightbecome incompatibleafterupgradingtoESXServer3.0ifNXmismatched,butperVM CPUcompatibilitymasksspecifiedintheVMotionCPUCompatibilityMatrixcan beusedtorestorecompatibility.

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SSE3 Considerations WithintheIntelP4andAMDOpteronprocessorfamilies,VMwareplacesarestriction betweenprocessorsthatdosupporttheSSE3instructionsandprocessorsthatdonot supporttheSSE3instructionsbecausetheyareapplicationlevelinstructionsthat bypassthevirtualizationlayer,andcouldcauseapplicationinstabilityifmismatched afteramigrationwithVMotion. SSSE3 Considerations WithintheIntelP4andIntelCoreprocessorfamilies,VMwareplacesarestriction betweenprocessorsthatdosupporttheSSSE3instructionsandprocessorsthatdonot supporttheSSSE3instructionsbecausetheyareapplicationlevelinstructionsthat bypassthevirtualizationlayer,andcouldcauseapplicationinstabilityifmismatched afteramigrationwithVMotion. NOTEVMwareisworkingonmaintainingVMotioncompatibilityacrossthewidest rangeofprocessorsthroughpartnershipswithprocessorandhardwarevendors.For additionalinformation,checktheVMwareKnowledgeBase.
Networking Requirements
1 VMotionrequiresaGigabitEthernetnetworktoensurerapidmigration:
Adedicatednetworkisrecommendedtokeepvirtualmachinememorystate secure. VMotionrequiresaprivateGigabitEthernetmigrationnetworkbetweenallof theVMotionenabledmanagedhosts.WhenVMotionisenabledona managedhost,configureauniquenetworkidentityobjectforthemanaged hostandconnectittotheprivatemigrationnetwork. TwohostswithcrossconnectedGigEcardscanbeusedfordemopurposes.
2 3
Virtualmachinesmusthaveaccesstothesamesubnetsonthesourceand destinationESXServerhosts. NetworklabelsforeachvirtualNICmustbecreatedthroughtheESXServer configurationsettings:

Networklabelsareglobalacrossdatacenters. VMotionautomaticallymapsvirtualmachinestoappropriatevirtualNICs basedonnetworklabels. ForESXServer2.xhosts,networklabelscanbeconfiguredthroughthe WebbasedVMwareManagementInterface.
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Minimum Network Requirements

TwoNICswithatleastoneGigENICdedicatedtoVMotion. Forbestsecurity,dedicatetheGigENICtoVMotionanduseVLANstodividethe VirtualmachineandmanagementtrafficontheotherNIC. Forbestavailability,combinebothNICsintoabond,anduseVLANStodivide trafficintoatleastthreenetworks(Oneormoreforvirtualmachines,oneforthe serviceconsoleonanESXServer3host,andoneforVMotion).
Network Best Practices

OnededicatedNICfortheserviceconsoleonanESXServer3host(10/100orGigE). OnededicatedNICforVMotion(GigE). OneormoreNICsforvirtualmachines(10/100orGigE).
Swapfile Location Compatibility

VirtualmachinesonhostsrunningESXServer3.0andESXServer3.0.1haveavirtual machineswapfilelocatedwiththevirtualmachineconfigurationfile.Thesevirtual machinescanbemigratedwithVMotiononlyifthedestinationhostcanaccessthe VMFSvolumewheretheswapfileislocated. YoucanconfigureESXServer3.5andESXServer3iversion3.5hostsorclustersorhosts managedbyVirtualCenter2.5tostorevirtualmachineswapfilesinoneoftwo locations:withthevirtualmachineconfigurationfile,oronalocalswapfiledatastore specifiedforthathost.Youcanalsosetindividualvirtualmachinestohaveadifferent swapfilelocationfromthedefaultsetfortheircurrenthost. ThelocationofthevirtualmachineswapfileaffectsVMotioncompatibilityasfollows:
MigrationsbetweenhostsrunningESXServer3.5orESXServer3iversion3.5: MigrationswithVMotionandmigrationsofsuspendedandpoweredoffvirtual machinesareallowed. Iftheswapfilelocationspecifiedonthedestinationhostdiffersfromtheswapfile locationspecifiedonthesourcehost,theswapfileiscopiedtothenewlocation. ThiscanresultinslowermigrationswithVMotion.Ifthedestinationhostcannot accessthespecifiedswapfilelocation,itstorestheswapfilewiththevirtual machineconfigurationfile.
MigrationsbetweenahostrunningESXServer3.5orESXServer3iversion3.5 andahostrunninganearlierversionofESXServer:Migrationsofsuspendedand poweredoffvirtualmachinesareallowed.Ifthevirtualmachineisconfiguredto usealocalswapfiledatastore,attemptingtomigrateittoahostthatdoesnot
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supportthisconfigurationproducesawarning,butthemigrationcanproceed. Whenthevirtualmachineispoweredonagain,theswapfileislocatedwiththe virtualmachine. SeetheVIClientonlineHelpformoreinformationonconfiguringswapfile policies. MigrationswithVMotionarenotallowedunlessthedestinationswapfilelocation isthesameasthesourceswapfilelocation.Inpractice,thismeansthatvirtual machineswapfilesmustbelocatedwiththevirtualmachineconfigurationfile.
Migrating Virtual Machines with Snapshots

Someadditionalrestrictionsapplywhenmigratingvirtualmachineswithsnapshots. Migratingavirtualmachinewithsnapshotsispermitted,regardlessofthevirtual machinepowerstate,aslongasthevirtualmachineisbeingmigratedtoanewhost withoutmovingitsconfigurationfileordisks.(Inotherwords,thevirtualmachine mustresideonsharedstorageaccessibletobothhosts.) Ifthemigrationinvolvesmovingtheconfigurationfileorvirtualdisks,thenthe followingadditionalrestrictionsapply:
ThestartinganddestinationhostsmustberunningESXServer3version3.5orESX Server3iversion3.5orlater. Allofthevirtualmachinefilesanddisksmustresideinasingledirectory,andthe migrateoperationmustmoveallthevirtualmachinefilesanddiskstoasingle destinationdirectory.
VMotion Compatibility
VMotioncompatibilityrequiresthatbothsourceanddestinationhostsmatchincertain criteria.PossibledestinationhostsincludehostsandfullyautomatedDRSclusters.A nonautomatedclustercanalsobeselectedasadestination. Whenyouselectahost,theCompatibilitypanelatthebottomoftheMigrationwizard displaysinformationaboutthecompatibilityoftheselectedhostorclusterwiththe virtualmachinesconfiguration. Ifthevirtualmachineiscompatible,thepaneldisplaysthemessage,Validation succeeded.Ifthevirtualmachineisnotcompatiblewitheitherthehostsorclusters configurednetworksordatastores,thecompatibilitywindowcandisplayboth warningsanderrors:
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Warningmessagesdonotdisablemigration.Oftenthemigrationisjustifiedand youcancontinuewiththemigrationdespitethewarnings.
Compatibility panel
Warning messages
Errorscandisablemigrationiftherearenoerrorfreedestinationhostsamongthe selecteddestinationhosts.Inthiscase,theNextbuttonisdisabled.
Error message
Forclusters,thenetworkanddatastoreconfigurationsaretakenintoaccountwhen checkingcompatibilityissues.Forhosts,theindividualhostsconfigurationisused.A possibleproblemmightbethatVMotionisnotenabledononeorbothhosts.
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AspecifichostfeatureseffectsoncompatibilityaredependentonwhetherornotESX Serverexposesorhidesthemfromvirtualmachines:
Featuresthatareexposedtovirtualmachinesarenotcompatiblewhentheyare mismatched. Featuresthatarenotexposedtovirtualmachinesarecompatibleregardlessof mismatches.
CPU Compatibility Masks

VirtualCentercomparestheCPUfeaturesoftwohoststodeterminewhethertoallow ordisallowmigrationswithVMotion.AnewcapabilityinVirtualCenter2.0calledCPU compatibilitymasksallowspervirtualmachine,advancedcustomizationoftheCPU featuresthatavirtualmachineshouldrequireforCPUcompatibilityduringa migrationwithVMotion. NOTEEditingavirtualmachinesCPUcompatibilitymaskissupportedinESXServer 3.xonly.
DefaultvaluesfortheCPUcompatibilitymasksaresetbyVMwaretoguarantee thestabilityofvirtualmachinesafteramigrationwithVMotion.Changestothese defaultmasksaremadeveryconservativelybyVMware,andonlywhennewCPU featuresareintroducedandversionsofESXServerareupdatedtoexposeorhide themfromvirtualmachines. Insomecases,whereachoicebetweenCPUcompatibilityorguestoperating systemfeatures(suchasNX/XD)exists,VMwareprovidescheckboxoptionsto configureindividualvirtualmachinesthroughthevirtualmachinesAdvanced Settingsoption.Advancedvirtualmachinevirtualhostmodificationscanbeused bydevelopers.
Choose between Nx/xD Security features or Broadest VMotion Compatibility For future CPU features, edit mask at the bit level
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Forothercases,andadvancedpurposes(intendedtobeusedusingspecific instructionsfromVMwareorbyCPUandoperatingsystemdeveloperswhomight needtocontrolthecharacteristicsofvirtualCPUs),VMwarealsoprovidesa mechanismtomanuallyedittheCPUcompatibilitymasksusedbyavirtual machine.ManualeditoftheCPUcompatibilitymaskswithouttheappropriate documentationandtestingisNOTrecommendedandmightleadtoan unsupportedconfiguration.
Migration Wizard
TheMigrationwizardtakesyouthroughtheprocessofmigratingavirtualmachine fromonehosttoanother.BothsourceanddestinationhostsmusthaveVMotion enabledonthem.Ifthedestinationisacluster,theremustbeatleastonevalid destinationhostinthecluster,soatleastonehostintheclustermusthaveVMotion enabled.PreferablyallhostsinaclusterwillhaveVMotionenabled,especiallyforDRS clusters. Themenuoptionsdifferslightly,dependingonwhetheryouareperformingmigration ormigrationwithVMotion. To migrate a powered-off or suspended virtual machine 1 2 FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar. ChooseMigratefromthepopupmenu. TheMigrateVirtualMachinewizardstarts. 3 Selectthedestinationhostorclusterforthisvirtualmachinemigration. AnycompatibilityproblemisdisplayedintheCompatibilitypanel.Fixthe problem,orchooseanotherhostorcluster. PossibletargetsincludehostsandDRSclusterswithanylevelofautomation.Ifa clusterhasnoDRSenabled,selectaspecifichostintheclusterratherthanselecting theclusteritself.
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Ifthewizardisinvokedthroughdraganddrop,theSelectDestinationhostor clusterwindowisskippedifthedraganddroptargetisastandalonehostora poolassignedtoastandalonehost.Ifaclusteroraclusterspoolisthe draganddroptarget,theSelectDestinationhostorclusterwindowappears. NOTEMovingavirtualmachinefromthehostwhereitssnapshotsarelocated mightrenderthosesnapshotsinaccessible.
ClickNext. NOTETheresourcepoolselectionpaneofthewizardperformsacompatibility checkthatcandisplaywarningsorerrors.
Selectthedestinationresourcepoolforthevirtualmachinemigration,andclick Next. TheResourcePoolSelectionpagedoesnotappearifavirtualmachinewas droppedonaresourcepool.
Selectthedestinationdatastore. Thedatastoresthatareaccessiblefromthenewdestinationarelisted.
Selecttheradiobuttontokeepthevirtualmachineconfigurationfilesandvirtual disksintheircurrentlocationsortheradiobuttontomovethevirtualmachine configurationfilesandtheirvirtualdisks.
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VirtualCentermovesthevirtualmachine,includingthevirtualdisks,tothenew host.EventmessagesappearintheEventstab.ThedatadisplayedontheSummary tabshowsthestatusandstatethroughoutthemigration. NOTEYoucanrelocateonlypoweredoffandsuspendedvirtualmachines.You cannotrelocatevirtualmachinesthatarebeingmigratedwithVMotion. 8 9 ClickNext. Reviewthesummary,andclickFinish.
To migrate a powered-on virtual machine NOTEBeforeyoubegin,disconnectanyperipheraldevicesconnectedtothevirtual machine.Ifthevirtualmachineisusingaphysicaldeviceonthesourcehost,thatdevice willnotbeaccessibleonthedestinationhost.Thisisanincompatibilitythatwill preventuseofVMotion.Forexample,ifthevirtualmachineisreadingfromaCDROM driveonthesourcehost,itcannotaccessthatdrivefromthedestinationhost. 1 2 FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandthe inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine. MakesurethatboththesourceandtargethostsareVMotionenabledandusing thesameshareddatastore.Foreachhost: a b SelecttheSummarytab. ChecktheVMotionEnabledfieldandtheDatastoresection. TheVMotionEnabledfieldshouldsayYes.Datastoresonbothhostsshould listthedatastorewhichthevirtualmachinetobemigratedresideson. InmigrationwithVMotion,ahostmusthaveVMotionenabledonittomigratea poweredonvirtualmachinetoorfromthehost.VMotioninterfacesare configuredandenabledusingthenetworkconfigurationoptionsforthehost. 3 4 Displaytheinventorypanel,andselecttheappropriatedatacenter. ClicktheInventoryoptioninthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventory,asneeded, andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine.
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StarttheMigrateVirtualMachinewizard. Intheinventorypanel,selectthevirtualmachineyouwanttomigrate.Thendoone ofthefollowing:

Fromthepopupmenu,choosetheMigrateoption. FromtheinformationpanelSummarytab,clicktheMigratetoNewHost button. Dragthevirtualmachineontothetargetstandalonehost,cluster,orresource pool.
ThemigrationwithVMotionwizardstarts. Virtualmachinescanalsobedroppedintoresourcepoolsforanyhostorcluster, inwhichcasethewizardskipstheResourcePoolSelectionpage. Intheeventthatthevirtualmachinesaredroppedontoaresourcepoolonthe samehostorcluster,theMigrationwizardisnotinvoked.Instead,thevirtual machinesarereassignedtothenewresourcepool,pendingadmissioncontrolto thenewpool. NOTEIfmultiplevirtualmachinesareselectedandthewizardisinvokedthrough draganddrop,thevirtualmachinesmustallbeinthesamepowerstate. Otherwise,anerrormessageisdisplayed,andthewizardstops. 6 7 ClickNext. Selectadestinationhostorclusterforthevirtualmachine. PossibletargetsincludehostsandfullyautomatedDRSclusters.Anonautomated clustercanalsobeselectedasatarget.Youarepromptedtoselectahostwithinthe nonautomatedcluster. NOTEIfthewizardisinvokedthroughdraganddrop,theSelectdestinationhost orclusterwindowisskippedunlessthedroptargetisanonautomatedcluster. Whenyouselectahost,theCompatibilitysectionatthebottomofthewizard displaysinformationaboutthecompatibilityoftheselectedhostorclusterwiththe virtualmachinesconfiguration.Ifthevirtualmachineiscompatible,thepanelis displaysthemessage,Validationsucceeded.Ifthevirtualmachineisnot compatiblewitheitherthehostsorclustersconfigurednetworksordatastores,a warningmessageappears.ApossibleproblemmightbethatVMotionisnot enabledononeorbothhosts.
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Selectaresourcepool,andclickNext. TheResourcePoolSelectionpagedoesnotappearifavirtualmachinewas droppedonaresourcepool.
Selectthemigrationprioritylevel:
HighPriorityVirtualCenterreservesresourcesonboththesourceand destinationhoststomaintainvirtualmachineavailabilityduringthe migration.Highprioritymigrationsdonotproceedifresourcesare unavailable. LowPriorityVirtualCenterdoesnotreserveresourcesonthesourceand destinationhoststomaintainavailabilityduringthemigration.Lowpriority migrationsalwaysproceed.However,thevirtualmachinemightbecome brieflyunavailableifhostresourcesareunavailableduringthemigration.
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Clicktheappropriatebutton,andclickNext. Afteralloptionshavebeenselected,aReadytoCompletepageappearsthatshows asummaryoftheselectedchoices.
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Reviewthepage,andclicktheFinishbutton. WhenyouclicktheFinishbutton,ataskiscreatedthatbeginsthevirtualmachine migrationprocess.Whilethevirtualmachineisintheprocessofbeingmigrated, youhaveonlylimitedaccesstoitsfunctions. Ifyouwanttochangeanyoptions,clicktheBackbuttontostepbackthroughthe wizardorclickanyofthelinksintheleftpanetogobacktoaspecificpage.Ifyou clickalink,thesubsequentlinksthatfollowitreverttounseenpageentries,and youmustmovesequentiallythroughthewizardusingtheNextbutton.
Migration with Storage VMotion

UsingStorageVMotion,youcanmigrateavirtualmachineanditsdiskfilesfromone datastoretoanotherwhilethevirtualmachineisrunning.Youcanchoosetoplacethe virtualmachineandallitsdisksinasinglelocation,orselectseparatelocationsforthe virtualmachineconfigurationfileandeachvirtualdisk.Thevirtualmachinedoesnot changeexecutionhostduringamigrationwithStorageVMotion.
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StorageVMotionhasanumberofusesinadministeringvirtualinfrastructure, includingthefollowing:
UpgradingVMwareInfrastructurewithoutvirtualmachinedowntime.Duringan upgradefromESXServer2.xtoESXServer3.5,youcanmigraterunningvirtual machinesfromaVMFS2datastoretoaVMFS3datastore,andupgradetheVMFS2 datastorewithoutanyimpactonvirtualmachines.YoucanthenuseStorage VMotiontomigratevirtualmachinesbacktotheoriginaldatastorewithoutany virtualmachinedowntime. Storagemaintenanceandreconfiguration.YoucanuseStorageVMotiontomove virtualmachinesoffofastoragedevicetoallowmaintenanceorreconfigurationof thestoragedevicewithoutvirtualmachinedowntime. Redistributingstorageload.YoucanuseStorageVMotiontoredistributevirtual machinesorvirtualdiskstodifferentstoragevolumestobalancecapacityor improveperformance.
Storage VMotion Requirements and Limitations

StorageVMotionissubjecttothefollowingrequirementsandlimitations:

VirtualmachineswithsnapshotscannotbemigratedusingStorageVMotion. Virtualmachinedisksmustbeinpersistentmodeorberawdevicemaps. Thehostonwhichthevirtualmachineisrunningmusthavesufficientresourcesto supporttwoinstancesofthevirtualmachinerunningconcurrentlyforabrieftime. ThehostonwhichthevirtualmachineisrunningmusthaveaVMotionlicense, andbecorrectlyconfiguredforVMotion. Thehostonwhichthevirtualmachineisrunningmusthaveaccesstoboththe sourceandtargetdatastores. VMwareInfrastructure3supportsamaximumoffoursimultaneousVMotionor StorageVMotionaccessestoasingledatastore.AmigrationwithVMotion involvestwosimultaneousaccessestothedatastore,bythesourceanddestination hosts.AmigrationwithStorageVMotioninvolvesoneaccesstothesource datastoreandoneaccesstothedestinationdatastore.Therefore,ifnoother migrationsareoccurring,uptofourconcurrentStorageVMotionmigrations involvingthedatastorecanoccursimultaneously.
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Storage VMotion Remote Command-Line Syntax

MigrationswithStorageVMotioncanbeinitiatedonbothESXServer3iandESXServer 3hostsfromtheRemoteCommandLineInterface(RemoteCLI)usingthesvmotion command.FormoreinformationoninstallingandusingtheRemoteCLI,seetheESX Server3iConfigurationGuide. Thesvmotioncommandcanbeinvokedineitheraninteractiveornoninteractive mode.Tousethecommandininteractivemode,typesvmotion --interactive.You willthenbepromptedforalltheinformationnecessarytocompletethestorage migration.Whenthecommandisinvokedininteractivemode,allotherparameters givenareignored. Innoninteractivemode,thesvmotioncommandusesthefollowingsyntax:
svmotion [Standard remote CLI options] --datacenter=<datacenter name> --vm <VM config datastore path>:<new datastore> [--disks <virtual disk datastore path>:<new datastore>, <virtual disk datastore path>:<new datastore>]
FormoreinformationonthestandardRemoteCLIoptions,seetheESXServer3i ConfigurationGuide. Table 152describestheparametersforthesvmotioncommand. Table 15-2. svmotion command parameters

Parameter <datacenter> <VM config datastore path> Description Thedatacenterwhichcontainsthevirtualmachinetobemigrated. Thedatastorepathtothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile.The pathshouldbeenclosedinsinglequotes. Todeterminethepathtothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile: 1 2 3 IntheVIClientinventory,selectthevirtualmachineandclickthe Summarytab. ClickEditSettingstodisplaytheVirtualMachineProperties dialogbox. ClicktheOptionstab,andselectGeneralOptions. Thepathtothevirtualmachineconfigurationfileisdisplayedin theVirtualMachineConfigurationFiletextbox. <new datastore> Thenameofthenewdatastoretowhichthevirtualmachine configurationfileordiskistobemoved.Donotincludebrackets aroundthenameofthenewdatastore.
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Table 15-2. svmotion command parameters (Continued)

Parameter --disks Description Ifyoudonotspecifythisparameter,allvirtualdisksassociatedwith avirtualmachinearerelocatedtothesamedatastoreasthevirtual machineconfigurationfile.Byspecifyingthisparameter,youcan choosetolocateindividualvirtualdiskstodifferentdatastores. Ifyouwouldliketokeepavirtualdiskonitscurrentdatastore,use the--disksoptionforthatdiskwithitscurrentdatastoreasthe <new datastore>. <virtual disk datastore path> Thedatastorepathtothevirtualdiskfile. Todeterminethepathtoavirtualdiskfile: 1 2 3 IntheVIClientinventory,selectthevirtualmachinetowhichthe virtualdiskbelongs,andclicktheSummarytab. ClickEditSettingstodisplaytheVirtualMachineProperties dialogbox. ClicktheHardwaretab,andselectthevirtualdiskfromthelist ofdevices. ThepathtothevirtualdiskfileisdisplayedintheDiskFiletext box.
Storage VMotion Examples

Theexamplesinthissectionareformattedonmultiplelinesforreadability.The commandshouldbeissuedonasingleline. Anexampleofrelocatingallofavirtualmachinesdiskstoadatastorenamed new_datastore:
svmotion --url=https://myvc.mycorp.com/sdk --username=me --password=secret --datacenter=DC1 --vm='[old_datastore] myvm/myvm.vmx: new_datastore'
Anexampleofrelocatingavirtualmachinetonew_datastore,whileleavingthedisks, myvm_1.vmdkandmyvm_2.vmdkonold_datastore:
svmotion --datacenter='My DC' --vm='[old_datastore] myvm/myvm.vmx: new_datastore' --disks='[old_datastore] myvm/myvm_1.vmdk: old_datastore, [old_datastore] myvm/myvm_2.vmdk: old_datastore'
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16
Using Snapshots
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VMwareVirtualCentersnapshotsallowyoutopreservethestateofthevirtualmachine soyoucanreturntothesamestaterepeatedly. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

UnderstandingSnapshotsonpage 249 UsingtheSnapshotManageronpage 253 RestoringaSnapshotonpage 255
Understanding Snapshots
Asnapshotcapturestheentirestateofthevirtualmachineatthetimeyoutakethe snapshot.Thisincludes:

MemorystateThecontentsofthevirtualmachinesmemory. SettingsstateThevirtualmachinesettings. DiskstateThestateofallthevirtualmachinesvirtualdisks.
NOTESnapshotsofrawdisks,RDMphysicalmodedisks,andindependentdisksare notsupported. Snapshotsoperateonindividualvirtualmachines.Inateamofvirtualmachines,taking asnapshotpreservesthestateonlyoftheactivevirtualmachine.
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Whenyoureverttoasnapshot,youreturnalltheseitemstothestatetheywereinatthe timeyoutookthatsnapshot.Ifyouwantthevirtualmachinetobesuspended,powered on,orpoweredoffwhenyoulaunchit,besureitisinthecorrectstatewhenyoutake thatsnapshot. Snapshotsareusefulwhenyouneedtorevertrepeatedlytothesamestatebutyoudont wanttocreatemultiplevirtualmachines.Withsnapshots,youcreatebackupand restorepositionsinalinearprocess.Youcanalsopreserveabaselinebeforediverging avirtualmachineinaprocesstree. Snapshotscanbeusedasrestorationpointsduringalinearoriterativeprocess,suchas installingupdatepackages,orduringabranchingprocess,suchasinstallingdifferent versionsofaprogram.Takingsnapshotsensuresthateachinstallationbeginsfroman identicalbaseline. Multiplesnapshotsreferstotheabilitytocreatemorethanonesnapshotofthesame virtualmachine.Totakesnapshotsofmultiplevirtualmachines,(forexample, snapshotsforallmembersofateam)requiresthatyoutakeaseparatesnapshotofeach teammember. Multiplesnapshotsarenotsimplyanewwayofsavingyourvirtualmachines.With multiplesnapshots,youcansavemanypositionstoaccommodatemanykindsofwork processes. (SEEUPDATE)Althoughyoucantakesnapshotsupto32levels,theamountoftimeit takestocommitordeletethosesnapshotsincreasesasthelevelsgetdeeper.The requiredtimeisdirectlyproportionaltotheamountofdata(committedordeleted)and thevirtualmachinesRAMsize.
Relationship Between Snapshots

Therelationshipbetweensnapshotsislikethatofaparenttoachild:
Inthelinearprocess,eachsnapshothasoneparentandonechild,exceptforthe lastsnapshot,whichhasnochildren. Intheprocesstree,eachsnapshothasoneparent,butonesnapshotmayhave morethanonechild.Manysnapshotshavenochildren.
Youcanreverttoaparentorachild.
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Chapter 16 Using Snapshots
Snapshots and Other Activity in the Virtual Machine

Whenyoutakeasnapshot,beawareofotheractivitygoingoninthevirtualmachine andthelikelyeffectofrevertingtothatsnapshot.Ingeneral,itisbesttotakeasnapshot whennoapplicationsinthevirtualmachinearecommunicatingwithothercomputers. Thepotentialforproblemsisgreatestifthevirtualmachineiscommunicatingwith anothercomputer,especiallyinaproductionenvironment. Forexample,ifyoutakeasnapshotwhilethevirtualmachineisdownloadingafile fromaserveronthenetwork,thevirtualmachinecontinuesdownloadingthefile, communicatingitsprogresstotheserver.Ifyoureverttothesnapshot,communications betweenthevirtualmachineandtheserverareconfusedandthefiletransferfails. Anotherexampleistakingasnapshotwhileanapplicationinthevirtualmachineis sendingatransactiontoadatabaseonaseparatemachine.Ifyoureverttothat snapshotespeciallyifyourevertafterthetransactionstartsbutbeforeithasbeen committedthedatabaseislikelytobeconfused.
Taking a Snapshot
Takingasnapshotisasynchronousoperation.Alluseroperationstothevirtual machineduringthisperiodareblockedforsnapshotanddataconsistency.Thetime takentodevelopasnapshotdependsontheamountofdataandtheloadontheserver. Onaverage,thetimerangesfrom30to40secondsforminimalsnapshotcreation. Youcantakeasnapshotwhileavirtualmachineispoweredon,poweredoff,or suspended.Ifyouaresuspendingavirtualmachine,waituntilthesuspendoperation hasfinishedbeforetakingasnapshot. Youmustpoweroffthevirtualmachinebeforetakingasnapshotifthevirtualmachine hasmultipledisksindifferentdiskmodes.Forexample,ifyouhaveaspecialpurpose configurationthatrequiresyoutouseanindependentdisk,youmustpoweroffthe virtualmachinebeforetakingasnapshot. To take a snapshot 1 ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>Snapshot>TakeSnapshot. YoucanalsoclicktheTakeasnapshotofthisvirtualmachinebutton,orrightclick thevirtualmachineandchooseSnapshot>TakeSnapshot. TheTakeVirtualMachineSnapshotwindowappears. 2 Typeanameforyoursnapshot.
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(Optional)Typeadescriptionforyoursnapshot. Descriptionsareusefultoidentifydifferencesbetweensimilarlynamedsnapshots. DescriptionsappearintheSnapshot Manager.
ClickOK. Aprogresspopupmenuboxappears.Whenthesnapshothasbeensuccessfully taken,itislistedintheRecentTasksfieldatthebottomofVirtualCenter.
Clickthetargetvirtualmachinetodisplaytasksandeventsforthismachineor, whilethevirtualmachineisstillselected,clicktheTasks&Eventstab.
Changing Disk Mode to Exclude Virtual Disks from Snapshots

Youmustpoweroffanddeleteanyexistingsnapshotsbeforeyouattempttochangethe diskmode.Deletingasnapshotinvolvescommittingtheexistingdataonthesnapshot disktotheparentdisk. To exclude a disk from a snapshot 1 2 ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>EditSettings. ClicktheHardwaretab,andselecttheharddiskyouwanttoexclude.
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UnderMode,selectIndependent.Independentdisksarenotaffectedby snapshots. Youhavethefollowingpersistenceoptionsforanindependentdisk:
PersistentChangesareimmediatelyandpermanentlywrittentothedisk. Allchangestoanindependentdiskinpersistentmoderemain,evenwhenyou reverttothatsnapshot. NonpersistentChangestothediskarediscardedwhenyoupoweroffor reverttothatsnapshot.
ClickOK.
Using the Snapshot Manager

TheSnapshotManagerletsyoureviewallsnapshotsfortheactivevirtualmachineand actonthemdirectly. TheSnapshotManagerwindowcontainsthefollowingareas:Snapshottree,Details region,Commandbuttons,Navigationregion,andaYouarehereicon. Figure 16-1. Snapshot Manager
SnapshottreeDisplaysallsnapshotsforthevirtualmachine. YouarehereiconRepresentsthecurrentoperationalstateofthevirtualmachine. TheYouarehereiconisalwaysselectedandvisiblewhenyouopentheSnapshot Manager.

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TheYouarehereiconrepresentsastatethatisneverasnapshotitselfbutrather thevirtualmachinestateaftertheparentsnapshot.Asnapshotisalwaysastatic recordofavirtualmachinestate.TheYouareherestatecanbeoperationaland changing.Evenwhenyoucreateasnapshotofapoweredofforsuspendedvirtual machine,theYouareherestateisnotidenticaltothesnapshot. YoucannotgotoorselecttheYouareherestate.Youareherealwaysrepresents thecurrentandactivestate.
CommandButtonsTheSnapshotManagerhasthreecommandbuttonsintheleft pane:Goto,Delete,andDeleteAll. DetailsDisplaysthenameanddescriptionoftheselectedsnapshot.Thesefields areblankifyouhavenotselectedasnapshot. NavigationRegionContainsbuttonsfornavigatingoutofthedialogbox:

CloseClosestheSnapshotManager. HelpOpensthehelpsystem.
To use the Snapshot Manager 1 2 3 ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>Snapshot>SnapshotManager. IntheSnapshotManager,selectasnapshotbyclickingit. Togotoasnapshot,clicktheGotobuttontorestorethevirtualmachinetoany arbitrarysnapshot. TheGotocommandallowsyoutorestorethestateofanysnapshot. 4 5 6 7 ClickYesintheconfirmationdialogbox. Todeleteasnapshot,clicktheDeletebuttontopermanentlyremoveasnapshot fromVirtualCenteruse. ClickYesintheconfirmationdialogbox. Todeleteallsnapshots,clicktheDeleteAllbuttontopermanentlyremoveall snapshotsfromVirtualCenteruse. NOTEDeletecommitsthesnapshotdatatotheparentandthenremovesthe selectedsnapshot.DeleteAllcommitsalltheimmediatesnapshotsbeforetheYou areherecurrentstatetothebasediskandremovesallexistingsnapshotsforthat virtualmachine. 8 9
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ClickYesintheconfirmationdialogbox. ClickClosetoexittheSnapshotManager.
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Restoring a Snapshot
VMwareVirtualCenterincludesthefollowingsnapshotmethodstoallowyoutoreturn totheoriginalvirtualmachine:
TheInventory>VirtualMachine>SnapshotmenucontainsthecommandRevert toSnapshot. TheSnapshotManagerhasaGotobutton.
Parent Snapshot
TodiscernbetweentheReverttoSnapshotandGotocommands,youmust understandwhatismeantbytheparentsnapshot. Theparentsnapshotisthemostrecentlysavedversionofthecurrentstateofthevirtual machine.Ifyouhavejusttakenasnapshot,thatstoredstateistheparentsnapshotof thecurrentstate(Youarehere).Ifyourevertorgotoasnapshot,thatsnapshotbecomes theparentofthecurrentstate(Youarehere). TheparentsnapshotisalwaysthesnapshotappearingimmediatelyabovetheYouare hereiconintheSnapshotManager. Figure 16-2. Parent Snapshot
Parent Snapshot
NOTETheparentsnapshotisnotalwaysthesnapshotyoutookmostrecently.For example,ifyoutakeasnapshottodayandthenGotoasnapshotyoutookyesterday, thesnapshotyoutooktodayisnolongertheparentofthecurrentstateofthevirtual machine.Theparentsnapshothasbecomethesnapshotyoutookyesterday.

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Revert to Snapshot Command

ReverttoSnapshotisessentiallyashortcuttotheparentsnapshotofYouarehere.This commandimmediatelyactivatestheparentsnapshotofthecurrentstateofthevirtual machine. Thecurrentdiskandmemorystatesarediscardedandrestoredastheywerewhenyou tookthatsnapshot.Ifyourparentsnapshotwastakenwhenthevirtualmachinewas poweredoff,choosingSnapshot>ReverttoSnapshotmovesthepoweredonvirtual machinetothatparentstate,thatis,toapoweredoffstate. Figure 16-3. Revert to Snapshot
Virtual machine with no snapshots.
take a snapshot
The new snapshot (snapshot_a) is now the parent of the You are here state. The parent snapshot of the You are here state is the parent snapshot of the virtual machine.
take a snapshot
go to snapshot_a
When you take a snapshot from the snapshot_a state, snapshot_a becomes the parent of the new shapshot (snapshot_b) and snapshot_b is the parent shapshot of the You are here state. If you take a snapshot now, the new snapshot will be based on the You are here state, whose parent snapshot is the snapshot_b state.
When you go to snapshot_a, snapshot_a becomes the parent of the You are here state. If you take a snapshot now, the new snapshot will be based on the snapshot_a state. When you revert a virtual machine, the virtual machine returns to the parent snapshot of the virtual machine (that is, the parent of the current You are here state).
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Therearethreewaystoreverttotheparentsnapshot:

ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>Snapshot>ReverttoSnapshot. ClicktheReverttosnapshotbuttononthetoolbar. Rightclickthevirtualmachine,andchooseSnapshot>ReverttoSnapshot.
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System Administration
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Managing Users, Groups, Permissions, and Roles
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Thischapterdescribesusers,groups,permissions,androles.VirtualCenterandESX Serverhostsdeterminethelevelofaccessfortheuserbasedonthepermissions assignedtotheuser.Thecombinationofusername,password,andpermissionsisthe mechanismbywhichVirtualCenterandESXServerhostsauthenticateauserforaccess andauthorizetheusertoperformactivities.Theserversandhostsmaintainlistsof authorizedusersandthepermissionsassignedtoeachuser. NOTEYoumustbeinAdminviewfortheAdmin>Rolesmenuitemtobeenabled. Privilegesdefinebasicindividualrightsrequiredtoperformactionsandread properties.ESXServerandVirtualCenterusesetsofprivileges,orroles,tocontrol whichindividualusersorgroupscanaccessparticularVMwareInfrastructureobjects. ESXServerandVirtualCenterprovideasetofpreestablishedroles.Youcanalsocreate newroles. TheprivilegesandrolesassignedonanESXServerhostareseparatefromthe privilegesandrolesassignedonaVirtualCenterServer.Ifyouhaveprivilegesandroles assignedonanESXServerhostandthenaddthathosttotheVirtualCenterServer inventory,onlytheprivilegesandrolesassignedthroughtheVirtualCenterServerare recognized.IfyouthenremovethehostfromtheVirtualCenterServerinventory,the previouslysetESXServerhostprivilegesandrolesareused. Foracompletelistofprivilegesavailable,seeAppendix A,DefinedPrivileges,on page 327. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

AccessElementsonpage 262 AccessRulesonpage 262

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Usersonpage 265 Groupsonpage 267 Permissionsonpage 267 Rolesonpage 268 AccessPermissionsonpage 274
Access Elements
AccesstoVMwareInfrastructureobjectsandactivitiesisestablishedthroughthe combinationof:

LogIninformationUsernameandpassword. GroupsAmethodforgroupingindividualusers. Youcanmanageusersmoreeasilybyassigningthemtogroups.Ifyoucreate groups,youcanapplyaroletothegroup,andthisroleisinheritedbyalltheusers inthegroup.
RolesAdefinedcollectionofprivileges. Rolesareacollectionofdefinedprivilegesthatcontrolindividualuserorgroup accesstoparticularVMwareInfrastructureobjects.ESXServerandVirtualCenter Serverprovideasetofdefaultroles.Youcanalsocreatenewroles.
PrivilegesAparticularrightcorrespondingtoasetofoperationsormethodson aclassofobjects. PermissionsThecombinationoftheroleplususerorgroupnameassignedtoa VMwareInfrastructureinventoryobject. Theroleandauserorgroupnamemakeapair.ThispairisassignedtoaVMware Infrastructureobject.Typically,thisroleanduserpairingispropagatedtothe childrenintheinventoryhierarchy.Thepairiscalledapermission.
Access Rules
Thefollowingisalistofgeneralrulestoconsiderwhenconfiguringyourusersand groupspermissions. Usersdonotneedtologoutandloginforchangestotakeeffect.Allchangestakeeffect immediately.
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Chapter 17 Managing Users, Groups, Permissions, and Roles
Hierarchical Inheritance
Propagationissetperpermissionrule,notuniversallyapplied.Permissionsdefinedfor asubobjectalwaysoverridethosepropagatedfromparentobjects. Withrespecttopermissions,therearethreetypesofelementsinthehierarchy.Theyare:
ManagedentityThesecanhavepermissionsdefinedonthem.

Virtualmachines Folders Datacenters Clusters Hosts Resourcepools Templates
RelatedtoamanagedentityThesecannothavepermissionsdefinedonthem, butinheritaccessfromtheobjecttheyarerelatedto.Examplesinclude:

Networks Datastores
GlobalentityThesealwaysgettheirpermissionsfromtherootnode.Examples include:

Customfields Licenses Statisticsintervals Roles Sessions
Multiple Permission Settings

Objectsmighthavemultiplepermissions,butatmostoneforeachuserorgroup. Ifyouapplypermissions,theyoverrideeachotherdownthehierarchy.Ifpermissions aredefinedonthesameentity,acoupleofsituationsarepossible:
Ifauserisamemberofmultiplegroupswithdifferentpermissions.Foreach objectthegrouphaspermissionson,thesamepermissionsapplyasifgrantedto theuserdirectly. Ifmultiplegrouppermissionsaredefinedonthesameobjectandtheuser belongstotwoormoreofthosegroups:
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Ifthereisnopermissiondefinedexplicitlyfortheuseronthatobject,theuser isassignedtheunionofprivilegesassignedtothegroupsforthatobject. Ifthereisapermissiondefinedexplicitlyfortheuseronthatobject,that permissiontakesprecedenceoverallgrouppermissions.
Example1:Expandingauserspermissions

Role1canpoweronvirtualmachines. Role2cantakesnapshotsofvirtualmachines. GroupAisgrantedRole1onvirtualmachine. GroupBisgrantedRole2onvirtualmachine.
User1isnotassignedspecificpermission:

User1,whobelongstogroupsAandB,logson. User1canbothpoweronandtakesnapshotsofvirtualmachine.
Example2:Limitingauserspermissions

Role1canpoweronvirtualmachines. Role2cantakesnapshotsofvirtualmachines. GroupAisgrantedRole1onvirtualmachineparentfolder. GroupBisgrantedRole2onvirtualmachine.
User1ReadOnlypermissionisremovedonvirtualmachine:
User1cantakesnapshotsbutnotpoweron.
Tasks Requiring Settings on Multiple Objects

Whensettingpermissions,verifythatalltheobjecttypesaresetwithappropriate privilegesforeachparticularaction.Someoperationsrequireaccesspermissionatthe rootfolderinadditiontoaccesspermissionsontheobjectbeingmanipulated.Some operationsrequireaccessorperformancepermissionataparentfolderandarelated object. SeeAppendix A,DefinedPrivileges,onpage 327foralistofpredefinedrolesand associatedprivileges.Usethesepredefinedrolestohelpdeterminetherole+object pairingrequiredtoperformyourchosentask.
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Example3:Addingavirtualmachine

Role3canaddvirtualmachines. Role4isreadonly. GroupCisgrantedRole3onHost1. GroupCisalsograntedRole4ontheparentfolderordatacenterforHost1s associateddatastoresandnetworks.
Theseobjectsinherittheirpermissionsfromtheirparentfolderordatacenter. SettingbothpermissionsallowsGroupCuserstoaddavirtualmachinetothe host. Example4:Delegatingresources
UsingdefaultrolesforResourcePoolAdministrator,VirtualMachineUser, andReadOnly GrantUser1theroleofResourcePoolAdministratoronResourcePoolA. GrantUser1theroleofVirtualMachineUseronallthevirtualmachinesin ResourcePoolA. GrantUser1therole,ReadOnlyonthefolderordatacentercontainingthe datastoresandnetworksassociatedwithResourcePoolA.
Becauseresourcepoolsaffectmultipleinventoryobjectsyoumustassignvarious privilegesonselectedobjectstoeffectivelyperformtasks(inthiscase,delegating resourceswithinaresourcepoolontothevirtualmachinesinthatresourcepool).
Users
AuserisanindividualauthorizedtologintoanESXServerhostortoVirtualCenter. Usersonahostfallintotwocategories:thosewhocanaccesstheESXServerhost throughVirtualCenterandthosewhocanaccessthehostbydirectlyloggingintothe hostfromVIClient,VIWebAccess,athirdpartyclient,oracommandshell.Thesetwo categoriesdrawusersfromdifferentsources:
VirtualCenterusersAuthorizedusersforVirtualCenterarethoseincludedinthe WindowsdomainlistreferencedbyVirtualCenterorlocalWindowsusersonthe VirtualCenterhost. YoucannotuseVirtualCentertomanuallycreate,remove,orotherwisechange users.Ifyouneedtomanipulatetheuserlistorchangeuserpasswords,youmust dosothroughthetoolsyounormallyusetomanageyourWindowsdomain.
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AnychangesyoumaketotheWindowsdomainarereflectedinVirtualCenter. BecauseyoucannotdirectlymanageusersinVirtualCenter,theuserinterface doesntprovideauserlistforyoutoreview.Youseethesechangesonlywhenyou selectuserstoconfigurepermissions.
DirectaccessusersUsersauthorizedtoworkdirectlyonanESXServerhostare thoseaddedtotheinternaluserlistbydefaultwhenESXServerisinstalledorby asystemadministratorafterinstallation. IfyoulogintoanESXServerhostasrootusingtheVIClient,youcanperforma varietyofmanagementactivitiesfortheseusers,suchaschangingpasswords, groupmemberships,permissions,andsoforth.Youcanalsoaddandremove users.
EvenifthelistsmaintainedbyanESXServerhostandVirtualCenterappeartohave commonusers(forinstance,ausercalleddevuser),theseusersshouldbetreatedas separateuserswhohavethesamename.TheattributesofdevuserinVirtualCenter, includingpermissions,passwords,andsoforth,areseparatefromtheattributesof devuserontheESXServerhost.IfyoulogintoVirtualCenterasdevuser,youmighthave permissiontoviewanddeletefilesfromadatastore.IfyoulogintoanESXServerhost asdevuser,youmightnot. UsersandgroupsintheVMwareInfrastructureenvironmentarecreatedusingthe followingmethods:
WhentheVIClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServersystem,usersand groupsaredefinedthroughthestandardmethodsforWindowsdomainsorActive Directory.YoudonotcreateusersandgroupsforaccesstotheVirtualCenterServer throughtheVIClient. WhentheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServerhost,usersandgroupsare definedthroughtheUsersandGroupstab.
EachESXServerhosthastwodefaultusers:
Therootuserhasfulladministrativeprivileges.Administratorsusethisloginand itsassociatedpasswordtologintoahostthroughtheVIClient.Rootusershavea completerangeofcontrolactivitiesonthespecifichostthattheyareloggedonto, includingmanipulatingpermissions,creatinggroupsandusers,workingwith events,andsoforth.
WARNINGSeetheAuthenticationandUserManagementchapteroftheESXServer3 ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuideforinformationaboutrootusers andyourESXServerbeforeyoumakeanychangestotherootuser.Mistakesherecan haveseriousaccessconsequences.
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ThevpxuseruserisaVirtualCenterentitywithrootrightsontheESXServerhost, allowingittomanageactivitiesforthathost.Thevpxuseriscreatedatthetimethat anESXServerhostisattachedtoVirtualCenter.ItisnotpresentontheESX Server hostunlessthehostisbeingmanagedthroughVirtualCenter.
CAUTIONDonotchangevpxuseranddonotchangeitspermissions.Ifyoudoso,you mightexperienceproblemsworkingwiththeESXServerhostthroughVirtualCenter. ForinformationoncreatingusersandgroupsforusewithVirtualCenterServer,see Microsoftdocumentation. ForinformationoncreatingusersandgroupforusewithESXServer,seetheSecurity sectionoftheESXServer3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuide.
Groups
Youcanefficientlymanagesomeuserattributesbycreatinggroups.Agroupisasetof usersthatyouwanttomanagethroughacommonsetofrulesandpermissions.When youassignpermissionstoagroup,theyareinheritedbyallusersinthegroup.Using groupscansignificantlyreducethetimeittakestosetupyourpermissionsmodel. ThegrouplistsinVirtualCenterandanESXServerhostaredrawnfromthesame sourcesastheuserlists.IfyouareworkingthroughVirtualCenter,thegrouplistis calledfromtheWindowsdomain.IfyouareloggedontoanESXServerhostdirectly, thegrouplistiscalledfromatablemaintainedbythehost. TheVirtualCenterServergrantsaccesstoeachinventoryobjectbyassigningarolewith definedprivilegesandauserorgrouptoeachobject.Rolesareadefinedsetofaccess privileges. IndividualpermissionsareassignedthroughtheVirtualCenterServerortheESX Serverhostbypairingauserandaroleandassigningthispairtoaninventoryobject.
Permissions
InVMwareInfrastructure,apermissionisdefinedasanaccessrolethatconsistsofa userandtheusersassignedroleforanobject,suchasavirtualmachineorESXServer host.Permissionsgrantuserstherighttoperformspecificactivitiesandmanage specificobjectsonaspecifichostor,ifusersareworkingfromVirtualCenter,all VirtualCentermanagedobjects.Forexample,toconfigurememoryforanESXServer host,youmusthavehostconfigurationpermissions.
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Mostusershavelimitedabilitytomanipulatetheobjectsassociatedwiththehost. However,ESXServerprovidefullaccessrightsandpermissionsonallvirtualobjects, suchasdatastores,hosts,virtualmachines,andresourcepools,totwousers:rootand vpxuser. Asroot,youcangrantpermissionsonahosttoindividualusersorgroups.Through VirtualCenter,youcangrantpermissionstoanyuserorgroupincludedinthe WindowsdomainlistreferencedbyVirtualCenter. NOTEBydefault,alluserswhoaremembersoftheWindowsAdministrators groupontheVirtualCenterServeraregrantedthesameaccessrightsasanyuser assignedtotheAdministratorrole.UserswhoaremembersoftheAdministrators groupcanloginasindividualsandhavefullaccess. Themethodyouusetoconfigurepermissionsdirectlyonahostisidenticaltothe methodyouusetoconfigurepermissionsinVirtualCenter.Thelistofprivilegesisthe sameforESXServerandVirtualCenter. NOTEWhenyouconnectdirectlytoanESXServerhostusingtheVIClient,youcannot setvirtualmachineonlypermissions.Tosetpermissionsonindividualvirtual machines,connecttothehostthroughVirtualCenterServer. ThetableinAppendix Aliststheaccesspermissions.
Roles
VirtualCenterandESXServergrantaccesstoobjectsonlytouserswhohavebeen assignedpermissionsfortheobject.Whenyouassignauserorgrouppermissionsfor theobject,youdosobypairingtheuserorgroupwitharole.Aroleisapredefinedset ofprivileges. VirtualCenterandESXServerhostsprovidedefaultroles:
SystemrolesSystemrolesarepermanentandtheprivilegesassociatedwith theserolescannotbechanged. SamplerolesSamplerolesareprovidedforconvenienceasguidelinesand suggestions.Theserolescanbemodifiedorremoved.
Youcanalsocreatecompletelynewroles.Table 171liststhedefaultrolesthatcanbe pairedwithauserandassignedtoanobject.
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Table 17-1. Default Roles

Role NoAccessUser Role Type system Description User Capabilities Cannotvieworchangetheassignedobject. VIClienttabsassociatedwithanobjectdisplay withoutcontent. Thisisthedefaultroleforallusersexceptthoseusers intheAdministratorsgroup. ReadOnlyUser system Viewthestateanddetailsabouttheobject. ViewallthetabpanelsintheVIClientexceptthe consoletab.Cannotperformanyactionsthroughthe menusandtoolbars. Administrator system Allprivilegesforallobjects. Add,remove,andsetaccessrightsandprivilegesfor alltheVirtualCenterusersandallthevirtualobjectsin theVMwareInfrastructureenvironment. Thisisthedefaultroleforallmembersofthe Administratorsgroup. VirtualMachine User sample Performactionsonvirtualmachinesonly. Interactwithvirtualmachines,butnotchangethe virtualmachineconfiguration.Thisincludes:

Allprivilegesforthescheduledtasksprivileges group. Selectedprivilegesfortheglobalitemsandvirtual machineprivilegesgroups. Noprivilegesforthefolder,datacenter,datastore, network,host,resource,alarms,sessions, performance,andpermissionsprivilegesgroups.
VirtualMachine PowerUser
sample
Performactionsonthevirtualmachineandresource objects. Interactandchangemostvirtualmachine configurationsettings,takesnapshots,andschedule tasks.Thisincludes:

Allprivilegesforscheduledtaskprivilegesgroup. Selectedprivilegesforglobalitems,datastore,and virtualmachineprivilegesgroups. Noprivilegesforfolder,datacenter,network,host, resource,alarms,sessions,performance,and permissionsprivilegesgroups.
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Table 17-1. Default Roles (Continued)

Role ResourcePool Administrator Role Type sample Description User Capabilities Performactionsondatastores,hosts,virtualmachines, resources,andalarms. Providesresourcedelegationandisassignedto resourcepoolinventoryobjects.Thisincludes:

Allprivilegesforfolder,virtualmachine,alarms, andscheduledtaskprivilegesgroups. Selectedprivilegesforglobalitems,datastore, resource,andpermissionsprivilegesgroups. Noprivilegesfordatacenter,network,host, sessions,orperformanceprivilegesgroups.
Datacenter Administrator
sample
Performactionsonglobalitems,folders,datacenters, datastores,hosts,virtualmachines,resources,and alarms. Setupdatacenters,butwithlimitedabilitytointeract withvirtualmachines.Thisincludes:
Allprivilegesforfolder,datacenter,datastore, network,resource,alarms,andscheduledtask privilegesgroups. Selectedprivilegesforglobalitems,host,and virtualmachineprivilegesgroups. Noprivilegesforsession,performance,and permissionprivilegesgroups.
VirtualMachine Administrator
sample
Performactionsonglobalitems,folders,datacenters, datastores,hosts,virtualmachines,resources,alarms, andsessions.Thisincludes:
Allprivilegesforallprivilegegroups,except permissions.
Allrolespermittheusertoscheduletasksbydefault.Userscanscheduleonlytasks theyhavepermissiontoperformatthetimethetasksarecreated.Usetheroleediting facilitiesintheVIClienttocreateprivilegesetsthatmatchyouruserneeds.Ifyouuse theVIClientconnectedtoVirtualCentertomanageyourhosts,youhaveadditional rolestochoosefromVirtualCenter.TherolesyoucreatedirectlyonanESXServerhost arenotaccessiblewithinVirtualCenter.Youcanworkwiththeserolesonlyifyoulog intothehostdirectlyfromtheVIClient. Thereareseveralactivitiesyoucanperformwithroles. Theactivityoptionswithrolesaredescribedinthefollowingsections:

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CreatingRolesonpage 271 CloningRolesonpage 272

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EditingRolesonpage 273 RemovingRolesonpage 273 RenamingRolesonpage 274
NOTEChangestopermissionsandrolesareimplementedimmediately,evenifthe usersinvolvedareloggedon.
Creating Roles
Someofthedefaultrolesarepreconfiguredandcannotbechanged.Ifyouhave situationsthatrequireadifferentcombinationofaccessprivileges,createanadditional roleormodifytheprovidedsamplerolestosuityourneeds. To create a role 1 2 LogintotheVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer hostasauserwithAdministratorprivileges. FromtheVIClient,clicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheRoles tab.
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RightclickintheRolestabinformationpanel.ChooseAdd. TheAddRoledialogboxappears.
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Typeanameforthenewrole. Selecttheprivilegesyouwantthenewroletohave.Clicktheplus(+)signsto expandthelists,asneeded.ClickOKtocompletetheprocess.
Cloning Roles
Youcanmakeacopyofanexistingrole,renameit,andlatereditit.Whenyoumakea copy,thenewroleisnotautomaticallyappliedtothesameuserorgroupsandobjects. To clone a role 1 2 FromtheVIClient,clicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheRoles tab. Toselecttheroletoduplicate,clicktheobjectinthelistofRoles.
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Toclonetheselectedrole,chooseAdministration>Role>Clone. Aduplicateoftheroleisaddedtothelistofroles.ThenameisCopy of <rolename>.
Editing Roles
Whenyoueditarole,youhavetheoptiontochangeanyoralloftheprivilegesselected forthatrole.Whencompleted,thesenewprivilegesareappliedtoanyuserorgroup assignedtheeditedrole. To edit a permissions role 1 2 3 4 5 FromtheVIClient,clicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheRoles tab. Toselecttheroletoedit,clicktheobjectinthelistofRoles. ChooseAdministration>Role>EditRole. Selecttheprivilegesyouwantthenewroletohave.Clicktheplus(+)signsto expandthelists,asneeded. ClickOKtocompletetheprocess.
Removing Roles
Whenyouremovearole,ifitisnotassignedtoanyusersorgroups,thedefinitionis removedfromthelistofpossibleroles.Whenyouremovearolethatisassignedtoa userorgroupyoucanremoveallassignmentsorreplacethemwithanassignmentto anotherrole. CAUTIONBesurethatyouunderstandhowuserswillbeaffectedbeforeremovingall assignmentsorreplacingthem. To remove an existing role 1 2 FromtheVIClient,clicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheRoles tab. Toselecttheroletoremove,clicktheobjectinthelistofroles. YoucanselectmultiplerolesusingtheCtrlorShiftkeys. 3 ChooseAdministration>Role>Remove.
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Toconfirmthatyouwanttodeletetheselectedrole,clickOK. Theroleisremovedfromthelistandisnolongeravailableforassigningtousers orgroups. Iftheroleisassignedtoauserorgroup,awarningmessageappears.
SelectoneoftheradiobuttonoptionsandclickOK. Theoptionsare:
RemoveRoleAssignmentsThisoptionremovesanyconfigureduseror group+rolepairingsontheserver.Ifauserorgroupdoesnothaveanyother permissionsassigned,theyloseallprivileges. ReassignaffecteduserstoThisoptionreassignsanyconfigureduseror group+rolepairingstotheselectednewrole.
Renaming Roles
Roles,likemostotherVMwareInfrastructureobjects,canberenamed. To rename an existing role 1 2 3 4 FromtheVIClient,clicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheRoles tab. Toselecttheroletorename,clicktheobjectinthelistofroles. ChooseAdministration>Role>Rename. Typethenewname.PressEnterorclickanotherobject.
Access Permissions
ForeachobjectintheVMwareInfrastructurehierarchy,determinethepermissionsfor eachVirtualCenteruserandgroup. NOTESeveraluserscanaccesstheVirtualCenterServerfromdifferentVMware InfrastructureClientsessionsatthesametime.VMwareInfrastructuredoesnot explicitlyrestrictuserswiththesameauthenticationcredentialsfromaccessingand takingactionwithintheVMwareInfrastructureenvironment. IfyouremoveusersfromanESXServerhost,seetheSecuritychapterintheESXServer 3ConfigurationGuideorESXServer3iConfigurationGuideforprocessandconsequences.
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IfyouremoveusersfromtheVirtualCenterdomain,theylosepermissionstoallobjects intheVMwareInfrastructureandwillnotbeabletologinagain.Userswhoare currentlyloggedonandareremovedfromthedomainretaintheirVMware Infrastructurepermissionsonlyuntilthenextvalidationperiod(thedefaultisevery24 hours).Removingagroupdoesnotaffectthepermissionsgrantedindividuallytothe usersinthatgroup,orthosegrantedaspartofinclusioninanothergroup. Ifyouchangeausersnameinthedomain,theexistingusernamebecomesinvalidin theVMwareInfrastructuresystem.Thesamemethodologyappliestogroups,butthis appliestoagrouponlyafterVirtualCenterServerhasbeenrestarted.
Assigning Access Permissions

Afteranyadditionalrolesaredefinedandusersandgroupsarecreated,youmust assigntheusersandgroupstheirroles,withassociatedpermissions,totherelevant inventoryobjects. To assign a user or group permission 1 2 LogintotheVIClientasauserwiththeAdministratorprivileges. FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandthe inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriateobject. Theobjectsthatcanhavepermissionsassignedtothemare:(SEEUPDATE)

InVirtualCenterFolders,datacenters,clusters,resourcepools,hosts InESXServerResourcepools,thehost,virtualmachines
Withtheappropriateobjectselected,clickthePermissionstab.
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RightclickinthePermissionstabandchooseAddPermission.
ChoosearolefromtheAssignedRoledropdownmenu. Thismenudisplaysalltherolesthathavebeenassignedtothathost.Whentherole isdisplayed,theprivilegesgrantedontherolearelistedinthesectionbelowthe roletitleforreferencepurposes.
(Optional)SelectthePropagatetoChildObjectscheckbox. Ifthischeckboxisselected,theroleisalsoappliedtoallchildobjectsoftheselected inventoryobject.Mostofthetimeselectingthisboxisappropriate.
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ClicktheAddbuttontoopentheSelectUsersorGroupsdialogbox.
SeeAdjustingtheSearchListinLargeDomainsonpage 278forinformationon adjustingthelistofusersandgroupsyouselectfrom. 8 Identifytheuserorgroupthatisbeingassignedthisrole: a b c ChoosethedomainwheretheuserorgroupislocatedfromtheDomain dropdownmenu. TypeanameintheSearchboxorselectanamefromtheNamelist. ClickAdd. ThenameisaddedtoeithertheUsersorGroupslist. d e RepeatstepathroughStep ctoaddadditionalusersorgroups. ClickOKwhenfinished.
Ifyouknowtheuserorgroupname,youcantypeitintheNamefieldmanually. 9 Verifytheusersandgroupsareassignedtotheappropriatepermissions,andclick OK.
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10
Tofinishthetask,clickOK. Theserveraddsthepermissiontothelistofpermissionsfortheobject. Thelistofpermissionsreferencesallusersandgroupsthathaverolesassignedto theobject,andindicateswhereintheVirtualCenterhierarchytheroleisassigned.
Adjusting the Search List in Large Domains

Ifyouhavedomainswiththousandsofusersorgroupsinthem,adjustthesearch settingsforuseintheSelectUsersorGroupsdialogbox. NOTEThisprocedureappliesonlytoVirtualCenteruserlists.ESXServeruserlists cannotbesearchedinthesameway. To adjust users and groups search parameters 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,chooseAdministration> VirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration. TheVirtualCenterConfigurationwizardappears. 2 3 Whenthewizardisdisplayed,clicktheActiveDirectorylistitem. Changethevaluesasneeded:
ActiveDirectoryTimeoutSpecifiesinsecondsthemaximumamountof timeVirtualCenterallowsthesearchtorunontheselecteddomain.Searching verylargedomainscantakeaverylongtime. EnableQueryLimitandUsers&GroupsvalueSpecifiesthemaximum numberofusersandgroupsVirtualCenterdisplaysfromtheselecteddomain intheSelectUsersorGroupsdialogbox.Tospecifynomaximumlimit, deselectthecheckbox. EnableValidationandValidationPeriodSpecifiesthetimeinminutes betweenpermissionschecks.VirtualCenterverifiesthatallusersandgroups knowntoVirtualCentercurrentlyexistinWindows. Forexample,ifuserSmithwasassignedpermissionsandinthedomainthe usersnamewaschangedtoSmith2,VirtualCenterconcludesthatSmithno longerexistsandremovespermissionsforthatuser. Similarly,ifuserSmithisremovedfromthedomain,allpermissionsare irrelevant.ThatisuntilanewuserSmithisaddedtothedomain.Thenewuser SmithreceivesallthepermissionstheolduserSmithwasassigned,unlessyou usethisoptiontodeleteolduserSmithfromthesystem.
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Todeactivatethevalidationfunctions,deselectthecheckbox. NOTEPermissionsarealwaysvalidatedwhentheserverstarts.Evenifthe serverisdisabled. 4 ClickOK.
Changing Access Permissions

Afterauserorgroup+rolepairissetforaninventoryobject,theonlychangeyoucan makeistotherolepairedwiththeuserorgroupandthePropagatecheckbox.Youdo havetheoptiontoremovethepermissionsetting.SeeRemovingAccessPermissions onpage 280forinformation. To change the permission role for a user or group 1 2 3 4 5 FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandthe inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriateobject. Withtheobjectselected,clickthePermissionstab. Toselecttheuserorgroup+rolepairthatyouwanttochange,clicktheappropriate lineitem. ChooseInventory>Permissions>Properties. Toselecttheappropriaterolefortheuserorgroup,choosefromthedropdown menu.ClickOK.
Topropagatetheprivilegestothechildrenoftheassignedinventoryobject,click thePropagatecheckbox.
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Removing Access Permissions

Removingapermissionforauserorgroupdoesnotremovetheuserorgroupfromthe listofthoseavailable.Italsodoesnotremovetherolefromthelistofavailableitems.It removestheuserorgroup+rolepairfromtheselectedinventoryobject. To remove a permission role for a user or group 1 2 3 4 FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandthe inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriateobject. Withtheobjectselected,clickthePermissionstab. Toselecttheuserorgroup+rolepairthatyouwanttodelete,clicktheappropriate lineitem. ChooseInventory>Permissions>Delete. TheVMwareInfrastructureserverremovesthepermissionsetting. NOTEThereisnoadditionalwarningthatthepermissionisgoingtoberemoved.
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Setting Up and Monitoring Performance Statistics and Resource Maps
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Thischapterdescribeshowtosetupperformancestatisticsforhosts,clusters,resource pools,andvirtualmachines.Italsoprovidesinformationoncustomizingandviewing performancechartsandresourcemaps. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

StatisticsCollectiononpage 281 PerformanceChartsonpage 289 ResourceMapsonpage 293
Statistics Collection
Youcancollectperformancestatisticsforallhosts,clusters,virtualmachines,resource pools,andinyourenvironment.ThisincludesstatisticaldataonCPUs,disks, networks,andthelike.VirtualCenterusesstatisticcounterstoqueryeachentityand writesthedatatotheVirtualCenterdatabase.Toensureperformanceisnotimpaired whencollectingandwritingthedatatothedatabase,VirtualCenterperformscyclical queriesratherthanperformingonesinglequery.Italsousescollectionlevelsto determinehowmanystatisticcounterstousewhilequeryingfordata.Combined, collectionintervalsandcollectionlevelsenableyoutocontrolhowstatisticsare collectedacrossyourenvironment.
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About Collection Intervals and Collection Levels

Bydefault,VirtualCenterhasfourcollectionintervals:Day,Week,Month,andYear. Eachintervalspecifiesalengthofatimeduringwhichstatisticsarecollectedatacertain frequency.Forexample,theDayintervalsetsstatisticstobecollectedevery5minutes duringa1dayperiod,asshowninFigure 181,Example:DailyStatisticsCollection, onpage 282. Figure 18-1. Example: Daily Statistics Collection
Table 181belowliststhedefaultintervaldurationandcollectionfrequencyvaluefor eachinterval. Table 18-1. Interval Duration and Collection Frequency: Defaults
Collection Interval Day Week Month Year Interval Duration 1Day 1Week 1Month 1Year Collection Frequency 5Minutes 30Minutes 2Hours 1Days Configurable Attributes Possible Values IntervalLength(Days)13 CollectionFrequency(Minutes)1,2,3,5 None None IntervalLength(Years)13
Eachcollectionintervalalsohasadefaultcollectionlevelthatdetermineshowmany countersareusedwhencollectingstatisticsdata.Countersestablishwhichmetricsare retrievedandrecordedinthedatabase.Youcanassignacollectionlevelof14toeach
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Chapter 18 Setting Up and Monitoring Performance Statistics and Resource Maps
collectioninterval,withlevel4havingthelargestnumberofcounters.Bydefault,all collectionintervalsusecollectionlevel1. NOTEThecollectionlevelforanintervalcannotbegreaterthanthecollectionlevelset fortheprecedingcollectioninterval.Forexample,iftheMonthintervalissetto collectionlevel3,theYearintervalcanbesettocollectionlevel1,2,or3,butnotto collectionlevel4. Table 182,StatisticCollectionLevels,onpage 283describesthestatisticscollection levelsandprovidesrecommendationsonwhentousethem. NOTEThecollectionlevelvalueforacollectionintervalmustbelessthanorequalto thecollectionlevelsetfortheproceedingcollectioninterval.ThisisaVirtualCenter dependency. Table 18-2. Statistic Collection Levels
Collection Level Level1
Metrics Basicmetrics:

Best Practice Useforlongtermperformance monitoringwhendevice statisticsarenotrequired. Level1isthedefaultCollection LevelforallCollectionIntervals. Useforlongtermperformance monitoringwhendevice statisticsarenotrequiredbut youwanttomonitormorethan thebasicstatistics.
AverageusageforCPU,memory,disk,and networkcounters Systemuptimeandheartbeat DRSmetrics CPU,memory,disk,andnetworkcounters Average,summation,andlatestrolluptypes (doesnotincludemaximumandminimum rolluptypes) Systemuptimeandheartbeat DRSmetrics
Level2
Allmetricsfor:

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Table 18-2. Statistic Collection Levels (Continued)

Collection Level Level3 Metrics Allmetricsforallcountergroups,excluding thoseformaximumandminimumrolluptypes. Best Practice Useforshorttermperformance monitoringafterencountering problemsorwhendevice statisticsarerequired. Duetothelargequantityof troubleshootingdataretrieved andrecorded,uselevel3forthe shortesttimeperiodpossible theDayorWeekcollection interval. Level4 Allmetricsforallcountergroupssupportedby VirtualCenter. Useforshorttermperformance monitoringafterencountering problemsorwhendevice statisticsarerequired. Duetothelargequantityof troubleshootingdataretrieved andrecorded,uselevel4forthe shortestamountoftimepossible.
Collection Level Scenarios

Formostpurposes,settingthecollectionlevelto1or2isadequateforallcollection intervals.Reasonstousecollectionlevel2:
Toidentifyvirtualmachinesthatcanbecolocatedbecauseofcomplimentary memorysharing. Todetecttheamountofactivememoryonahosttodeterminewhetheritcan handleadditionalvirtualmachines.
Reasonstousecollectionlevel3:
TocomparereadyandwaittimesofvirtualCPUstodeterminetheeffectivenessof VSMP. Todiagnoseproblemswithdevices,orcompareperformanceamongmultiple devices.
Reasonstousecollectionlevel4:

Todeterminewhetheradeviceisbeingsaturated. Totroubleshooterrors.
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Using Collection Levels Effectively
Toretrievemoredetailedmetricsforashortperiodoftime,viewarealtimedata chartratherthanincreasethecollectionlevel.Viewingrealtimedatahasless impactonperformancebecausemetricsareretrieveddirectlyfromthesource withoutbeingwrittentotheVirtualCenterdatabase.Formoreinformationondata charts,seePerformanceChartsonpage 289. Whenyouusecollectionlevel3or4todiagnoseproblems,resetthecollectionlevel toitspreviousstateassoonaspossible. Whenyouusecollectionlevel4,trytolimitthecollectionperiodtotheDay intervalsothedatabaseisntimpacted.Ifyouneedtosavethedataforlongerthan 1day,increasetheDayintervaldurationto2or3ratherthanusetheWeek interval.Forexample,ifyouneedtorecorddataovertheweekend,settheinterval to3days.Asarule,increasethecollectionintervaltotheWeekintervalonlywhen youneedtheintervaldurationtobemorethan3days.
How statistical data is stored in the database

Thestatisticaldataforeachcollectionintervalisstoredinitsowndatabasetable.Atthe endofaninterval,oneoftwothingscanoccur:
Ifthenextintervalisdisabled,thedatainthetablethatisolderthantheinterval durationispurged. Ifthenextintervalisenabled,thedataisaggregatedintogroupsandisrolledupto thedatabasetableofthesubsequentcollectioninterval.Forexample,saytheDay intervalhasa5minutecollectionfrequencyandtheWeekintervalhasa30minute collectionfrequency.WhentheDayintervalcompletes,itaggregatesthe5minute queriesintogroupsof6(equalling30minutes)androllsthe30minutedatablock totheWeekintervaldatabasetable.Thedayolddataisthenpurgedfromthe databasetomakeroomfornewqueries.Figure 181,Example:DailyStatistics Collection,onpage 282showsthedefaultrollupprocess.
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Figure 18-2. Default Rollup of Statistics Data
Youcontrolhowlongstatisticaldataisstoredinthedatabasebyenablingordisabling acollectioninterval.Whenyoudisableacollectioninterval,allsubsequentintervalsare automaticallydisabled.Forexample,whenyoudisabletheWeekinterval,theMonth andYearintervalsarealsodisabled.DataispurgedattheendoftheDayintervalcycle sincenorollupscanoccur.Oldestdataispurgedfirst. NOTEYoumustmanuallyenableeachcollectionintervaltouseitagain;subsequent collectionintervalsarenotenabledautomatically.Also,youcanonlyenableacollection intervalifallpreviouscollectionintervalsareenabled.Forexample,toenablethe Monthinterval,theDayandWeekintervalsmustbeenabled. Bydefault,statisticsarestoredintheVirtualCenterdatabasefor1year;however,you canincreasethisto3years.VMwaresuggestsyouarchiveyourstatisticaldataoutside oftheVirtualCenterdatabasetosaveitforlongerthan3years.
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Configuring Statistics Collection Intervals

Bydefault,allcollectionintervalsareenabledandqueryforstatisticsatcollectionlevel 2.Youcanchangethedefaultimplementationby:

Changingtheintervallengthorcollectionfrequency. Changingthecollectionlevel. Enablingordisablingacollectioninterval.
Toensureyourdatabasecanhandlethestatisticscollectionyouconfigure,VIClient providesyouwithadatabaseestimationcalculatorinwhichyouenterthenumberof hostsandvirtualmachinesinyourinventory.Thecalculatorusesthesenumbersto determinehowmuchdatabasespaceisrequiredforthecollectioninterval configurationyoudefined.Thisensuresyouhavenecessaryresources. Forinformationonhowtousethedatabaseestimationcalculator,seeToestimatethe statisticsimpactonthedatabaseonpage 289. To configure collection intervals 1 InVIClient,chooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServer ConfigurationtoopentheVirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration dialogbox. SelectStatisticsinthenavigationpanel.
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3 4 5 6
Ifnecessary,selectthecollectionintervalcheckboxtoenableordisableit. Selecttherowcontainingthecollectioninterval. ClickEdit.TheEditCollectionIntervaldialogboxopens. Changethefollowingattributevalueswhereappropriate:

CollectionFrequency Keepsamplesfor CollectionLevel
NOTETokeepdatasamplesformorethan3years,archiveitoutsideofthe VirtualCenterdatabase. Foralistofcollectionintervalattributesthatareconfigurable,SeeTable 182, StatisticCollectionLevels,onpage 283. Foradescriptionofcollectionfrequencyandduration,seeAboutCollection IntervalsandCollectionLevelsonpage 282. 7 8 9 ClickOK. RepeatStep 3Step 7foreachcollectionintervaltochange. Validatethenewconfigurationbyusingthedatabaseestimationcalculator.

EnterthenumberofPhysicalHostsinyourinventory. EnterthenumberofVirtualMachinesinyourinventory.
To enable or disable a collection interval 1 2 IntheVirtualCenterManagementServerConfigurationdialogbox,select Statistics. Dooneofthefollowing:

Toenableacollectioninterval,selectitscheckboxunderIntervalDuration. Todisableacollectioninterval,deselectitscheckboxunderInterval Duration. NOTEWhenyoudisableacollectioninterval,allsubsequentintervalsare automaticallydisabled.
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(Optional)Validatethechangebyusingthedatabaseestimationcalculator.

EnterthenumberofPhysicalHostsinyourinventory. EnterthenumberofVirtualMachinesinyourinventory.
To estimate the statistics impact on the database 1 2 3 Configureyourcollectionintervals.SeeToconfigurecollectionintervals. EnterthenumberofPhysicalHostsinyourinventory. EnterthenumberofVirtualMachinesinyourinventory.
Performance Charts
Performancechartsdisplayperformancedataforavarietyofmetrics.Performance chartsareaccessiblethroughthePerformancetab,whichisavailableforhosts,clusters, resourcepools,andvirtualmachines.Performancedataisspecifictothetypeofobject. Forexample,virtualmachineperformancemetricsaredifferentfromcluster performancemetrics. Chartscandisplayrealtimedata(20secondintervalsforESXServer3.xhosts;60 secondintervalsforESXServer2.xhosts)orhistoricaldata.Theamountofhistorical datacollecteddependsonthefollowingsettings:

StatisticsCollectionIntervals StatisticsCollectionLevels
Formoreinformationonthesesettings,seeConfiguringStatisticsCollection Intervalsonpage 287. RealtimedatacanbeviewedthroughaVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenter serverordirectlytoanESXServerhost.Historicaldata,however,canbeviewedonly throughaVIClientconnectedtoVirtualCenter.Allperformancedataisavailableto externalprogramsthroughtheVMwareInfrastructureSDK. NOTEFullchartfunctionalityisavailabletoVIClientsessionsonlywhentheyare connectedto,andwhenthemonitoreditemsaremanagedby,VirtualCenter.VIClients connecteddirectlytoESXServerhostsonlydisplayrealtimestatisticsand5minute statisticsfor1day.
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Viewing Charts
Severalchartviewsarepreconfiguredforyou.Achartviewisacollectionofsettingsthat definewhatdatathechartdisplays.Settingsforpreconfiguredviewscanbe customized,orentirelynewviewscanbecreated.Chartsdisplaydataaslinegraphsor stackedgraphs.Stackedgraphsarelimitedtodisplayingdataonasinglemetric,but canplotthedataonthatmetricformultipleinventoryobjects. To view performance charts 1 2 Selectahost,cluster,resourcepool,orvirtualmachineintheinventorypanel. SelectthePerformancetab. Figure 18-3. VI Client displaying Performance tab for virtual machine.
SelectanoptionfromtheSwitchtomenutoviewadifferentchart.Preconfigured chartsincludethefollowing:
CPUShowstheCPUusageinMHzoftheselectedinventoryobject. Availableforcluster,resourcepool,host,andvirtualmachine. MemoryShowstheamountofmemorygrantedtotheselectedinventory object.Availableforcluster,resourcepool,host,andvirtualmachine. DiskShowstheaggregatedstorageperformancestatisticsoftheselected inventoryobject.Availableforhostandvirtualmachine.
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NetworkShowstheaggregatednetworkperformancestatisticsofthe selectedinventoryobject.Availableforhostandvirtualmachine. SystemAvailableforhostandvirtualmachine. ClusterServicesAvailableforDRS/HAclustersandhoststhatarepartof DRSclusters.
Saving Chart Data to a File

YoucansavechartdatatoafileinvariousgraphicsformatsorinMicrosoftExcel format. To save chart data to a file 1 2 3 4 5 InthePerformancetab,clicktheexporticon( )toopenafilebrowser.
Selectthelocationwhereyouwanttostorethefile. Enteranameforthefile. Selectafiletype(JPEG,PNG,GIF,Bitmap,MicrosoftOfficeExcelWorkbook). ClickSave.
YoucanalsoexportperformancedataforaselectedinventoryitemtoaMicrosoftOffice ExcelfilethroughtheExportPerformancedialogbox.Toaccessthatdialogbox,select Report>PerformancefromtheFilemenu,orselectReportPerformancefromthe inventoryitemsrightclickmenu.
Customizing Chart Views

Youcancustomizepreconfiguredviews,orcreateentirelynewviews.Newviewsare addedtotheSwitchtomenu.Changestochartoptionstakeeffectimmediately.
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To customize charts 1 InthePerformancetab,clickChangeChartOptions.TheCustomizePerformance Chartdialogboxisdisplayed. Figure 18-4. Customize Performance Chart dialog box.
IntheChartOptionsarea,selectametricandatimerangetoaccessthesettingsfor thatchart,orselectCustomtocreateanentirelynewchartwithatimerangeyou specify. AdjustthesettingstoyourlikingandclickApply.Seetheperformancechart measurementtablesinAppendix Cfordetailedinformationaboutsettingoptions. NOTEConsiderthefollowingwhencreatingastackedgraphchart:
AnynumberofitemsintheObjectsareacanbeselected.However,onlyone itemintheCounterareacanbeselected.Astackedgraphcannotchartmore thanonemeasurementoverasetofobjects. Pervirtualmachinestackedgraphsareavailableonlyforhosts.Thehostand allvirtualmachinesonitareavailableforselectionintheObjectsarea. Somemetricsarenotapplicabletovirtualmachinestackedcharts.These metricsarenotincludedinthelistofselectablemeasurements.
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To save your settings as a new chart view 1 2 IntheCustomizePerformanceChartdialogbox,clickSaveChartSettings.The SaveSelectiondialogboxisdisplayed. SelectachartandclickOK.YoursettingsaresavedandaddedtotheSwitchto menu,andtheSaveSelectiondialogboxisclosed.
To delete chart views 1 2 3 IntheCustomizePerformanceChartdialogbox,clickManageCharts.Adialog boxisdisplayed. SelectachartandclickDelete.ThechartisdeletedanditisremovedfromSwitch tomenu. ClickOKtoclosethedialogboxandreturntotheCustomizePerformanceChart dialogbox.
Resource Maps
InVirtualCenter,amapisavisualrepresentationofyourdatacenterstopology.Maps provideavisualrepresentationoftherelationshipsbetweenthevirtualandphysical resourcesavailableinVirtualCenter.Thefollowingpreconfiguredmapviewsare available:

VirtualMachineResourcesDisplaysvirtualmachinecentricrelationships. HostResourcesDisplayshostcentricphysicalrelationships. VMotionResourceDisplayspotentialhostsforVMotionmigration.SeeAbout VMotionResourceMaps.
Amapviewlimitsorexpandsthescopeofamap,asdoesthelocationwhereyouare viewingthemap.WhenaccessingmapviewsfromtheMapsbuttoninthenavigation bar,allVirtualCenterresourcesareavailablefordisplay.Whenaccessingmapviews fromtheMapstabofaselectedinventoryitem,onlyitemsrelevanttothatitemare availablefordisplay.TheonlymapviewavailablethroughtheMapstabforvirtual machineinventoryitemsistheVMotionResourcesview.Allmapviews,except VMotionResourcesmaps,canbecustomized. Viewingmapscanhelpyoudeterminesuchthingsaswhichclustersorhostsaremost denselypopulated,whichnetworksaremostcritical,andwhichstoragedevicesare beingutilized. NOTEMapsareavailableonlywhentheVIClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenter Server.
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About VMotion Resource Maps

VMotionResourcemaps,likeothermaps,provideavisualrepresentationofthe resources(hosts,datastores,andnetworks)associatedwiththeselectedvirtual machine.Inadditiontothisbasicinformation,thesemapsalsoindicatethehostsinthe virtualmachinesclusterordatacenterwhicharepotentialmigrationtargets.Thatis, themapindicateswhichhostsarecompatiblewiththeselectedvirtualmachinesuch thatVMotioncouldpotentiallymigratethevirtualmachinetooneofthecompatible hosts.HostsmarkedasVMotioncompatiblemustmeetthefollowingcriteria:
DatastorecompatibilityHostmustbeconnectedtoallthesamedatastoresasthe virtualmachine. NetworkcompatibilityHostmustbeconnectedtoallthesamenetworksasthe virtualmachine. SoftwarecompatibilityHostmusthavecompatiblesoftwarewiththevirtual machine. CPUcompatibilityHostCPUmustbecompatiblewiththevirtualmachine.
NOTETheVMotionmapisnotaconclusivestatementastowhetherVMotionis possiblebetweenthevirtualmachineandhostsidentifiedaspossiblemigrationtargets. However,itdoesprovideinformationastowhetherVMotionmightbepossible,andif not,whatanadministratormightdotoremedythesituation.
Map Elements and Icons

Thefollowingtabledescribesmapelementsandiconsaredescribedinthefollowing table. Table 18-3. Map Elements and Icons
Attribute
Description Hosticon.
AhostthatiscompatibleforVMotionmigration.Thecolorofthe circlevariesinintensitybasedontheloadofthecurrenthost.Heavily usedhostsarepale;lowloadhostsaresaturatedgreen. AhostthatisnotcompatibleforVMotionmigration.
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Table 18-3. Map Elements and Icons (Continued)

Attribute Description Virtualmachineicon.
Networkicon.
Datastoreicon.
Overviewsection MapRelationships section Refreshlink
Thumbnailgraphicofthefullscalemap. Displayedwhenmorethanonemapviewisavailable. Mapsdonotautorefresh.ClickRefreshtosynchronizeyourmap withthecurrentstateoftheinventoryandtocenterthemapview.
Viewing Maps
GlobalmapsmapswhereallVirtualCenterobjectsareavailablefordisplayare accessiblethroughtheMapsbuttoninthenavigationbar. MapsforspecificinventoryobjectsareavailablethroughtheMapstabforthoseobjects. ToaccessaninventoryobjectsMapstab,selecteithertheHostsandClustersorthe VirtualMachinesandTemplatesoptionfromtheInventorybuttoninthenavigation bar,thenselectaninventoryitem. Youcancustomizeamapviewbyselectingordeselectingobjectsintheinventorypane (globalmaps),orbyselectingordeselectingoptionsintheMapRelationshipsarea. Youcanrepositionthemapbydraggingit(clickanywhereonthemap,hold,drag).A greyboxintheoverviewarearepresentsthesectionofthetotalmapthatisviewable andmovesasyoudragthemap.Youcanresizethegreyboxtozoominoroutofa sectionofthemap. YoucandoubleclickanyobjectinamaptoswitchtotheMaptabforthatitem (providingaMaptabisavailableforthattypeofobject).Youcanrightclickonany objectinamaptoaccessitsrightclickmenu.
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Printing Maps
YoucanprintmapsbyselectingFile>PrintMaps>Print,orbyclickingthePrintbutton (globalmaps).
Exporting Maps
Youcanexportmapstoimagefiles(BPM,JPEG,orEMF)byselectingFile>Export> ExportMaps,orbyclickingtheExportbutton(globalmaps).
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19
Managing Tasks, Events, and Alarms
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Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

ManagingTasksonpage 297 ManagingEventsonpage 307 ManagingAlarmsonpage 312
Managing Tasks
ThissectiondescribeshowtoviewandscheduleVirtualCentertasks.Tasksareplanned activities.Theseactivitiesarescheduledorinitiatedmanually.Tasksgenerateevent messagesthatindicateanyissuesassociatedwiththetask.Therearetwokindsoftasks:
Anunscheduledtask,whichcanresultfromperforminganoperationthatmight takeawhile,likeaddingahost. Ascheduledtask,whichyousetuptoinitiateatafuturetime. NOTETheviewsandcapabilitiesdisplayedvarydependingonwhethertheVI ClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer.Unlessindicated, theprocess,task,ordescriptionappliestobothkindsofVIClientconnections.The TasksoptionisnotavailablewhentheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServer,but itdoesoffertherecenttaskswindowatthebottomoftheVIClientwindow.
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingsections:

UnderstandingTasksonpage 298 ViewingandPerformingTasksonpage 298
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ManagingScheduledTasksonpage 301 ReschedulingaScheduledTaskonpage 304 RemovingaScheduledTaskonpage 305 CancelingaTaskonpage 305
Understanding Tasks
ThescheduledtasksoptionallowsyoutoconfigureselectedVirtualCenteractivitiesto occuratdesignatedtimes.Thetimingoptionsincludeimmediately,later,orona recurringbasis.Scheduledtasksareperformedinadditiontomanuallydriven activities. CreateascheduledtaskthroughtheNewTaskwizard,whichdisplaystheavailable taskoptions.Afteryouselectanoption,thewizarddisplaysthepagesthatarerelevant tothetypeoftaskyouarescheduling.TheNewTaskwizardendswhenyousetthe timingofthetask.Afteryoucreateatask,youcanreschedulethetasktochangeits timingandfrequency. Ifthedirectionsofmanuallydrivenandscheduledactivitiesconflict,VirtualCenter performswhicheveractivityisduefirst.Ifavirtualmachineisinanincorrectstateto performanyactivity,manualorscheduled,VirtualCentersendsamessagetothelog anddoesnotperformthetask. Whenyoucreateascheduledtask,VirtualCenterverifiesthatyouhavethecorrect permissionstoperformtheactionsontherelevantdatacenters,hosts,andvirtual machines.Afterthetaskiscreated,thetaskisperformedevenifyounolongerhave permissiontoperformthetask. WhenanobjectisremovedfromVirtualCenter,allassociatedtasksarealsoremoved. Eventsareloggedtotheeventlogatstartandcompletionofthetasks.Anyerrorsthat occurduringthetaskarealsorecordedintheeventlog. CAUTIONDonotschedulemultipletaskstobeperformedatthesametimeonthesame object.Theresultsareunpredictable.
Viewing and Performing Tasks

Youhavetheoptiontoviewthelistoftasksassociatedwithparticularinventoryobjects orthecompletelistoftasksassignedtotheentireVirtualCenterinventory.Tasks includeactivitiessuchaspoweringonoroffavirtualmachine,cloningavirtual machine,oraddingavirtualmachinetoaresourcepool.
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Chapter 19 Managing Tasks, Events, and Alarms
TasksarenottrackedorscheduledonyourESXServerhostunlesstheESXServeris registeredandconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer. To view recent tasks FromtheVIClientconnectedtoanESXServeroraVirtualCenterServer,clicktheTasks togglebuttononthelowerleftsideoftheVIClientwindow.
To perform a task on an ESX Server 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoanESXServer,clicktheInventorybuttoninthe navigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclicktheobjectwherethe actionistobeperformed. Choosetheactivityfromthemainorpopupmenuassociatedwiththeobject. Forexample,selectavirtualmachine,rightclick,andchoosethePowerOnoption. To schedule or view a list of tasks on an ESX Server AddthehosttotheVirtualCenterinventory. SeeAddingaHostonpage 119formoreinformation. ToscheduleataskonaVirtualCenterServer,seeManagingScheduledTaskson page 301. To view a list of tasks completed on a VirtualCenter Server 1 2 FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventory,andclicktherootfolder. ClicktheTask&Eventstab.ClicktheTasksbuttonontheTasks&Eventspanel.
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Clickataskinthepanel. DetailedinformationappearsintheTaskDetailspane.
To sort the list of tasks 1 2 FromtheVIClient,displaytheinventorypanel,selecttheappropriateobjectand viewtheTasks&Eventspanel. Clickthecolumntitle.Ittogglesbetweenascendinganddescendingsort.
To filter the list of tasks 1 2 3 4 FromtheVIClient,expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriate object. ClicktheTask&Eventstab.ClicktheTasksbuttonontheTasks&Eventspanel. ChooseView>Filtering,ifneeded. Clickthelistarrow,andclickthecolumntoincludeinthefiltersearch.
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Typeakeywordintothebox,andpressEnter. Thelistoftasksdisplaysonlythoseitemsthatcontainthekeywordyoutyped.
Managing Scheduled Tasks

Youcanscheduletaskstooccuratdesignatedtimes.Eachscheduletaskoptionrunsthe correspondingwizardforthetaskandaddsaschedulingtimeoptionattheendofthe wizard.ThepossibletasksthatcanbescheduledthroughtheNewTaskwizardare listedbelow.Seethelisteddocumentforinformationoncompletingtheindividualtask wizards:
Changethepowerstateofavirtualmachine(seeChangingVirtualMachine PowerStatesonpage 169) Createavirtualmachinetemplate(seeCreatingTemplatesonpage 204) MoveavirtualmachinewithVMotion(seeMigrationwithVMotionon page 233) Createavirtualmachine(seeUsingtheNewVirtualMachineWizardon page 144) Takeasnapshotofavirtualmachine(seeUnderstandingSnapshotsonpage 249)
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Customizeavirtualmachine(seePreparingforGuestCustomizationon page 216) Addahost(seeAddingaHostonpage 119) NOTEAnyoperationcanbesetasascheduledtaskthroughtheVMware InfrastructureAPI.However,onlyasubsetofalloperationscanbepartofa scheduledtaskthroughtheVIClient.
To create a scheduled task 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheScheduledTasks optioninthenavigationbar. Thecurrentlistofscheduledtasksappears. 2 3 ClickNewinthetoolbar,orchooseFile>New>ScheduledTask. Selectthetaskyouwanttoschedulefromthedropdownmenu.ClickOK.
Completethetaskspecificinformation. TheNewTaskwizarddisplaysaseriesofpagesthatcorrespondtothepagesyou seewhenyouperformthetaskstartingfromtheselectedobject. Seethesectionorthemanualthatisappropriateforeachoptionforspecific informationoneachtask.Mostoftheschedulingprocessesdifferfrommanually performedtasksonlyinthatyoumustspecifythevirtualmachine,host,or datacentertowhichthetaskappliesandspecifythetimetoperformthetask.
Selectthefrequencyofthescheduledtask,andcompetetheschedulingaccording totheoptiondescribedinTable 191. ThetimewhenascheduledtaskoccursisrelativetotheVirtualCenterServerand nottothelocalVIClientfromwhichyouconfigurethetask. NOTEOnlyonetimingschedulecanbesetpertask.Tosetmorethanone frequencytype,setupadditionaltasks.
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Table 19-1. Scheduled Task Frequency Options

Frequency Once Procedure to Set Torunthescheduledtaskimmediatelyaftercreation,selectNow, andclickNext. Torunthescheduledtaskatalaterdateandtime,dothe following: 1 2 3 SelectLater. TypeaclocktimeintheTimefield. ClicktheDatearrowtodisplayacalendar.Selectadateby clickingitonthecalendar. Clicktheleftandrightarrowstoviewadditionalmonths. Selectthemonthandchoosefromthelist.Selecttheyearby clickingtheupanddownarrows. 4 AfterStartup Hourly Daily ClickNext. Entertheamountofdelay,andclickNext. Enterthestarttimeafterthebeginningofthehourandtheinterval (forexample,15minutesaftereveryeighthours).ClickNext. Enterthestarttimeandinterval.ClickNext. Forexample,enter14:30everyfourthdaytorunthetaskat2:30 pmeveryfourdays. Weekly Enterthestarttime,dayoftheweek,andinterval.ClickNext. Forexample,TuesdaysandThursday,8:00am,everysecond week.Youcanselectmultipledaysoftheweek. Monthly Enterthestarttime,dayofthemonth,andinterval.ClickNext. Forexample,entersecondThursdayofthemonth,11:00every thirdmonth. Ifyouselectadayhigherthan28,awarningmessageisdisplayed becausesomemonthsare29,30,or31days. Thelast<day>ofthemonthselectsthelastweekinthemonththat thedayoccurs.IfyouselectthelastMondayofthemonth,andthe monthendsonaSunday,thelastMondaywillbesixdaysbefore theendofthemonth.
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Tocompletethewizard,clickFinish. VirtualCenteraddsthetasktothelistintheScheduledTaskstab.
Rescheduling a Scheduled Task

Youcanchangethepropertiesofscheduledtasks: NOTETheVIClientconvertstolocaltimewhenitandtheVirtualCenterServer arelocatedindifferenttimezones.Forexample,assumetheVirtualCenterServer islocatedinEasternStandardTime(EST),andtheVIClientislocatedinPacific StandardTime(PST),threehoursbehindEST.Assumeauserschedulesataskto runatnoon,MondayPST.BeforetheVIClientsendsthetasktotheVirtualCenter Server,itconvertstheexecutiontimetoMonday,3pmEST.Auserinyetadifferent timezonewillseethetaskscheduledforwhateverMonday,3pmESTequatestoin theirlocaltime. To edit a scheduled task 1 2 ClickScheduledTasksinthenavigationbar. RightclickonataskandselectProperties. Thewizardassociatedwiththetaskisdisplayed. 3 Edittaskpropertiesthroughthewizard.
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Removing a Scheduled Task

Removingascheduledtaskremovesallfutureoccurrencesofthetask.Thehistory associatedwithallpreviousexecutionsofthetaskremainsintheVirtualCenter database. NOTERemovingataskdiffersfromcancelingatask.Cancelingataskstopsatask currentlyoccurring,whetherstartedmanuallyorschedule.Removingataskremoves futureoccurrencesofascheduledtask. To remove a task that has been scheduled 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheScheduledTasks optioninthenavigationbar. Thelistofscheduledtasksappears. 2 Selecttheappropriatetaskfromthelist.ChooseInventory>ScheduledTask> Remove. VirtualCenterremovesthetaskfromthescheduledtasklist. 3 Toverifythatyouwanttoremovethetask,clickOK. Thetaskisdeletedfromthelistoftasks.
Canceling a Task
Onlytasksthatareinprocesscanbecanceled.Andonlyselected(scheduledor manuallyinitiated)taskscanbecanceledwhileinprocess.Cancelingataskwhileitis runningrequiresthatyouhavetheappropriatepermissionsassignedtothehostwhere thetaskisoccurring. NOTEThecancelingoperationisnotallowedifoneorbothofthehostsinvolvedisan ESXServerversion2.0.1. Cancelingataskdiffersfromremovingatask.Cancelingataskstopsataskcurrently occurring,whetherstartedmanuallyorscheduled.Removingataskremovesfuture occurrencesofascheduledtask. Thetasksthatcanbecanceledaftertheystartare:

Connectingtoahost Cloningavirtualmachine Migratingavirtualmachine
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Deployingatemplate Creatingatemplatefromavirtualmachine Cloningatemplate
To cancel a task that is currently running 1 2 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,viewtheRecentTasks panel. IftheRecentTaskspanelisnotcurrentlydisplayed,clickTasksatthelowerleft corneroftheVIClientwindow.
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Selecttheappropriatetaskfromthelist. Rightclickthetask,andchooseCancel. Notalltaskscanbecancelled.Ifthecanceloptionisunavailable,theselectedtask cannotbecancelled.
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VirtualCenterstopsprogressonthetask,returnstheobjectstotheirprevious states,anddisplaysthetaskascanceled.
Managing Events
AneventisanyactionthatisofinteresttotheVirtualCenterServerortheESXServer. Eacheventtriggersaneventmessage.Alleventmessagesarearchivedonthe VirtualCenterServersdatabase.Vieweventmessagesfromtwolocations:
TheEventsoptioninthenavigationbardisplaysalleventsthathaveoccurredon theVirtualCenterServer. AnEventstabforanyobjectundertheInventorybutton.TheseEventstablistings showonlytheeventsthatoccurredonortotheselecteddatacenter,host,orvirtual machine.
Themostrecenteventsappearattheendofascrollablelist.Messagesareidentifiedby type:Information,Error,orWarning.Messagesarealsocolorcoded.Ashortenedevent messageappearsinthedescriptionportionofthepanel.Amoredetailedversionofa selectedeventmessageappearsintheEventDetailsportionofthepanel.Typically,the EventDetailentryindicatesthehostorvirtualmachineonwhichtheeventoccurred anddescribestheactionthatoccurred.Theobjectoftheeventisalinktotheobjects individualeventpage. Thissectioncontainsthefollowing:

ViewingAllEventMessagesonpage 308 ViewingSelectedEventMessagesonpage 309 SortingandFilteringEventMessagesonpage 310 ExportingEventMessagesonpage 311
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Viewing All Event Messages

TheEventstabisavailablewhenyouselectaresourcepool,host,orvirtualmachine objectfromtheInventorypanel.ThisviewoftheeventsisavailablewhentheVIClient isconnectedtoanESXServer. NOTEWhenconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,EventsarecombinedwiththeTasks tab. Figure 19-1. VI Client Connected to ESX Server > Inventory > Virtual Machine > Events Tab
To view event details FromtheInventorypanel,clicktheEventstab.Clickanevent. TheEventDetailsfielddisplaysadditionalinformationabouttheevent:
EventsaremessagesthatreportVMwareInfrastructureClientactivity.Event messagesarepredefinedintheproduct. Logsarestoredreferenceinformationrelatedtoselectedeventmessages.Logsare predefinedintheproduct.Youcanconfigurewhetherselectedlogsaregenerated ornot. NOTETheviewsandcapabilitiesdisplayedvarydependingonwhethertheVI ClientisconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer.Unlessindicated, theprocess,task,ordescriptionappliestobothkindsofconnections.
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Viewing Selected Event Messages

EachobjectintheinventorypanelhasanEventstabintheinformationpanel.Each eventthatappearsisanobjectspecificsubsetofalltheserverevents. To view the event messages and event detail for an object 1 2 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer, clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded. Intheinventorypanel,selectafolder,cluster,resourcepool,host,orvirtual machine,asappropriate. Ifyouselectahost,theeventmessagesforallthevirtualmachinesonthathostare includedintheEventslog. 3 4 ClicktheEventstab. Clicktheevent. AfulltextmessagewithlinkstorelatedobjectsappearsintheEventDetailsbox.
ClickanyofthebluehighlighteditemsintheEventsDetailsbox. Theviewchangestodisplaytheselectedlinkedobject.
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Sorting and Filtering Event Messages

Sortallitemsinthelistbyclickinginthecolumnlabelheading.Atriangleinthecolumn headshowsthesortorderasascendingordescending. To sort a list Clickthecolumnheadingtoresortthelistbytheentriesinthatcolumn.Thecurrent selectiondoesnotchange. To change ascending or descending order Clickthecolumnheadingtotogglebetweenascendinganddescendingorder. To choose items in a list Clickanindividualitem.UseShiftclicktochoosemultipleitemsintheEventspanel. To view selected columns only Rightclickanycolumnhead,andchoosefromthelistofdatafieldstobedisplayed. To search and list selected items 1 2 ChooseView>Filteringtoseethefilteringoptions. Entertextintothedatafield.ClickCleartoemptythedatafield.
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Entriesinmultiplecolumnsthatmatchthesearchtermaredisplayed.Inthe example,thesearchwordpowerisfoundinboththeDescriptionandtheTask columnentries.
Exporting Event Messages

Youcanexportallorpartoftheeventslogfile. To export the events file 1 2 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,chooseFile>Export> ExportEvents. Specifythetimerangeofmessagesandthetypeofmessagestoexport.
Specifyafilename,filetype,andlocationfortheexportedfile.ClicktheBrowse buttontoviewtheSaveAsdialogbox. Thefileissavedasatextfile.
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SelecttheTyperadiobuttontoindicatethetypeoferrorstoincludeintheexported file. Youcanspecifywhethertoincludeusergeneratedorsystemgeneratedevents. Youcanspecifyallusers,oryoucanspecifyTheseusersandclickBrowsetoselect asubsetofusers.
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Specifythetimerangeofeventstoexport.OptionsareHours,Days,Weeks, Months,andFrom/Todateranges. Specifythenumberofeventstoexport,eitheralloraspecificnumber. ClickOKtocreateafileoftheselecteddata.
VirtualCentercreatesafileoftheselecteddatabasedonthefileextensionprovidedand storesthefileatthespecifiedlocation.Ifnofileextensionisprovided,thedefaultisa textfile.ThefilecontainsType,Time,andDescription.
Managing Alarms
Alarmsarespecificnotificationsthatoccurinresponsetoselectedevents.Somealarms aredefinedbyproductdefault.Additionalalarmscanbecreatedandappliedto selectedinventoryobjectsorallinventoryobjects. NOTETheviewsandcapabilitiesdisplayedvarydependingonwhethertheVIClient isconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer.TheAlarmsoptionisnot availablewhentheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServer. Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:

UnderstandingAlarmsonpage 314 PreparingforEmailMessageSMTPAlarmNotificationonpage 315 PreparingforSNMPAlarmNotificationonpage 316 CreatingAlarmsonpage 317 EditingAlarmsonpage 322 RemovingAlarmsonpage 323
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TheAlarmstabintheinventorypaneldisplaysthelistofalarmsfortheselectedobject thatareactivatedupondesignatedevents.Alarmscanapplytohostsandvirtual machines,andcanbedefinedinparententitiessuchasfoldersorresourcepools. NOTEAlarmsareconfigurableonlythroughtheVirtualCenterServer.ESXServer hostsconnectedtoaVIClientdirectlydonothavethealarmsfunctionality.Togetthe alarmfeatures,havetheVirtualCenterServermanagetheESXServer. TheAlarmstabhastwoviewsavailablethroughbuttons:
AlarmsDisplaystriggeredalarmsagainsttheselectedinventoryitem. Figure 19-2. VI Client Connected to VirtualCenter Server > Inventory: Hosts and Clusters > Host > Alarms Tab > Alarms Button
DefinitionsDisplaysthealarmsthataremonitoringtheselectedinventoryitem. Iftheeventconfiguredinanalarmoccurs,thealarmistriggeredandtheserver takestheconfiguredaction(forexample,sendsanemailnotification). Figure 19-3. VI Client Connected to VirtualCenter Server > Inventory: Hosts and Clusters > Host > Alarms Tab > Definitions Button
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Understanding Alarms
Alarmssendnotificationmessageswhenselectedeventsoccurtooronhostsorvirtual machines.Alarmsindicatethestatuslevelsofanobjectorcollectionofobjectsinthe hierarchy.Alarmscanbedefinedatallhierarchicallevels,includingfolders, datacenters,clusters,resourcepools,hosts,andvirtualmachines. Alarmsareinheritedfromparentlevelsandcannotbechangedoroverriddenatachild level.Whenyouaddnewalarmstoanyobjectyoucontributetothecollectionofalarms thatareinforceatanyofitschildlevels. Whenanalarmiscreated,VirtualCenterverifiestheuserpermissionstoperformthe actionsontherelevantdatacenters,hosts,andvirtualmachines.Afterthealarmis created,thealarmisperformedevenifthecreatingusernolongerhaspermissionto createthealarm. Alarmsareappliedtoeitherhostsorvirtualmachines.Eachalarmhasatriggering eventandanotificationmethod. Therearetwokindsofalarmtriggers:
PercentageMonitorshostprocessor(orCPU)usage,hostmemoryusage, virtualmachineprocessor(orCPU)usage,virtualmachinememory,andvirtual machineheartbeat. ThetriggeringoptionsareIsAbove(percent)andIsBelow(percent).Thedefault monitorforvirtualmachineheartbeatissettoIsBelow.Thedefaultmonitorforall otherpercentageoptionsissettoIsAbove.
StateMonitorhoststateandvirtualmachinestate. Thetriggeringoptionsare:Is(state)andIsNot(state).
Thereareseveraltypesofalarmnotificationmethods:
Sendanotificationemailmessage SMTPsendsanemailmessage.TheSMTPmustbereadywhentheemailmessage issent.TherearetwowaystosetSMTP:throughVirtualCenterorthrough MicrosoftOutlookExpress.TheVirtualCentersetupisnotalwaysneededifthe SMTPsettinginOutlookExpressiscorrect. TheVirtualCenterServergeneratesthesubjectandbodytextoftheemailmessage. OnlytheTolist(receiver)isrequiredfromuserinput.Specifytheemailmessage addresswherethemessageshouldbesent.Separatethenamesofmultiple recipientswithcommasorsemicolons.
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Sendanotificationtrap TheVirtualCenterServeristhedefaultSNMPnotificationreceiver.AnSNMPtrap viewerisrequiredtoviewasenttrap.TheVirtualCenterServerhostmustbe configuredtoreceiveSNMPtraps.SeePreparingforSNMPAlarmNotification onpage 316.
Runascript Theuserscriptcommandanditsargumentsmustbeformattedintoonestring. TheuserscriptisrunningasseparateprocessanddoesnotblocktheVirtualCenter Serverprocesses.Butthescriptdoesrunandconsumetheresourcesonthe VirtualCenterServermachine,suchasprocessorandmemory.
Suspendthevirtualmachine Poweroffthevirtualmachine Resetthevirtualmachine
Theactionsavailablewithalarmsaredescribedinthefollowingsections:

PreparingforEmailMessageSMTPAlarmNotificationonpage 315 PreparingforSNMPAlarmNotificationonpage 316 CreatingAlarmsonpage 317 EditingAlarmsonpage 322 RemovingAlarmsonpage 323
Preparing for Email Message SMTP Alarm Notification

IfyouwanttouseemailmessagestosendSMTPnotifications,youmust:

DefinetheSMTPandemailmessageaddressinginformation. Specifytheemailmessageaddressforthoseintendedtoreceivethenotification whenyoucreatethealarm.
To define the SMTP and email message addressing information 1 2 FromtheVIClient,chooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServer Configuration. ClickMailinthenavigationlist.
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Foremailmessagenotification,settheSMTPserverandSMTPport:(SEEUPDATE)
SMTPServerTheDNSnameorIPaddressoftheSMTPgatewaytousefor sendingemailmessages. SenderAccountTheemailaddressofthesender,forexample,mail_server datacenter.com.
ClickOK.
Preparing for SNMP Alarm Notification

TouseSNMPtraps,youmustconfigure:

TheVirtualCenterServerhost. TheSNMPreceiverservertoacceptthetrapsfromVirtualCenter.
Whenyoucreateanalarm,onlyonetrapistriggeredandsent.Thealarmparameters include:
TypeThestateVirtualCenterismonitoringforthealarm.OptionsincludeHost Processor(orCPU)usage,HostMemoryusage,HostState,VirtualMachine Processor(orCPU)usage,VirtualMachineMemoryusage,VirtualMachineState, VirtualMachineHeartbeat. NameThenameofthehostorvirtualmachinethattriggersthealarm. OldStatusThealarmstatusbeforethealarmwastriggered. NewStatusThealarmstatuswhenthealarmistriggered. ObjectValueTheobjectvaluewhenthealarmistriggered.
To define the SNMP information 1 2 3 FromtheVIClient,chooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServer Configuration. ClickSNMPinthenavigationlist. EntertheSNMPandmailaddressing,asappropriate: ConfigureuptofourreceiversofSNMPtraps.Theymustbeconfiguredin numericalorder,1,2,3,and4.EachSNMPtraprequiresacorrespondinghost name,portandcommunity.Forexample:
ReceiverURLTheDNSnameandIPaddressoftheSNMPreceiver.
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ReceiverportTheportnumberofthereceiver. Iftheportvalueisempty,VirtualCenterusesthedefaultport.Thedefaultport is902.
CommunityStringThecommunityidentifier.
ClickOK.
Creating Alarms
IfyouplantouseemailmessageorSNMPnotification,seePreparingforEmail MessageSMTPAlarmNotificationonpage 315anddefinetheaddressinformation beforeyoucreateyouralarm. To create an alarm 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheInventorybutton. Expandtheinventoryasneeded,clicktheappropriateobject,clicktheAlarmstab, andclicktheDefinitionsbutton. ChooseFile>New>Alarm. Ifyoustartfromafolder,datacenter,orcluster,theAlarmPropertiesdialogbox displaystheoptiontocreateanalarmforeitherahostoravirtualmachine.Ifyou startfromaresourcepool,host,oravirtualmachine,MonitorahostorMonitora VMispreselectedandtheotheroptionisdimmed. 3 Selectthealarmtype.
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IntheGeneraltab,specifyanameforthealarm,theobjecttobemonitored(host orvirtualmachine),thetriggerpriority,andwhethertoenablethisalarm. TriggerprioritiescanbesettoRedorGreen:
RedThedefault,triggersthealarmsprioritizedredasfirst,thenyellow,and greenalarmslast. GreenTriggersthealarmsprioritizedasgreenfirst,thenyellow,andred alarmslast.
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Todefinethealarmbutnotmakeitactive,deselecttheEnablebox. ClicktheTriggerstabandtheAddbutton.
IntheTriggerstab,therearefourdropdownmenus:
TriggerType Theoptionslistedapplytoeitherthehostorvirtualmachine. Forhostalarms,theoptionsareHostProcessor(orCPU)Usage,Host MemoryUsage,HostNetworkUsage,HostDiskUsage,andHostState. Forvirtualmachinealarms,theoptionsareVMProcessor(orCPU)Usage, VMMemoryUsage,VMNetworkUsage,VMDiskUsage,andVMState.
Condition TheoptionsforpercentagetriggersareIsAbove(percent)andIsBelow (percent). TheoptionsforstatetriggersareIs(state)andIsNot(state).
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Warning(Yellow)stateorpercentageandAlert(Red)stateorpercentage Percentageoptionsrangefrom5percentto100percentin5percent increments.Exitingconditionisconsideredayellowconditionatn percentage. Virtualmachinestateoptionscorrespondtotheseactivities:Creating, Migrating,Connecting,Disconnecting,MigratingwithVMotion, Reconnecting,Removing,Resetting,Resuming,Starting,Stopping, Suspending,Disconnected,Initial,Orphaned,PoweredOff,PoweredOn,and Suspended.Hoststateoptionscorrespondtotheseactivities:Connecting, Disconnecting,Reconnecting,Removing,Shuttingdown,Connected,and Disconnected.Exitingstateisconsideredayellowconditionatselectedstate. Thecolorscorrespondingtotheexiting/fromandentering/tostatesaresetin theActionstab.ThedefaultisFromyellowtored.
(Optional)Definemultipleconditionsforthealarmtriggeringevent.ClickAdd. Entertheparametersforeachcondition.
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Specifythereportingfrequencywhenthealarmistriggered.Enteravaluefor ToleranceandoneforFrequency.
Specifytheactiontobetakenwhenthealarmistriggered.
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ClicktheActionstab.ClicktheAddbutton.Clicktheappropriatecheckbox. Therearefourdifferentlevelchanges:greentoyellow,yellowtored,redtoyellow, andyellowtogreen.Attachanactionforeachchangefromoneleveltoanother.
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Choosetheactiontobetakenwhentheeventistriggeredandspecifythe associatedinformation. Theoptionsare:
Sendanotificationemail. ProvidetheemailaddressofthenotificationrecipientintheValuefield. SMTPsendsanotificationemail.TheSMTPmustbereadywhentheemailis sent.TherearetwowaystosetSMTP:throughVirtualCenterorthrough MicrosoftOutlookExpress.VirtualCentersetupisnotalwaysneededifthe SMTPsettinginOutlookExpressiscorrect. VirtualCenterServergeneratestheemailmessagesubjectandbodytext.Only thetolist(receiver)isrequiredfromuserinput.Specifytheemailaddress towhichthemessageshouldbesent.Separatemultiplerecipientswith commasorsemicolons.SeePreparingforEmailMessageSMTPAlarm Notificationonpage 315.
Sendanotificationtrap. ThereisadefaultSNMPnotificationreceiver,theVirtualCenterServer.An SNMPtrapviewerisrequiredtoviewasenttrap.TheVirtualCenterServer hostmustbeconfiguredtoreceiveSNMPtraps.SeePreparingforSNMP AlarmNotificationonpage 316.
Runascript. Ifthescriptisa.exe file,providethepathtothescripttorun.Ifthescriptis a.batfile,providethescriptpathasanargumenttothe c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe command.Forexample,toexecuteascript locatedinc:\alarmscript.bat,givethescriptpathas c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe /c c:\alarmscript.bat. Theuserscriptcommandanditsargumentsmustbeformattedintoone string. TheuserscriptrunsinotherprocessesanddoesnotblocktheVirtualCenter Serverfromrunning.However,thescriptconsumesserverresources,suchas processorandmemory.
{eventDescription} full formatted message for alarm triggering event {targetName} name of the entity name where the alarm is triggered {alarmName} name of the alarm that is triggered {triggeringSummary} summary info of the alarm with triggering values {declaringSummary} summary info of the alarm declaration
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{oldStatus} alarm status before it is triggered {newStatus} alarm status after it is triggered {target} inventory object as triggering alarm Example scripts: "c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe /c c:\MyAlarmProcess.bat {targetName} {alarmName}"
Twoalarmtriggeringparametersarepassedtothebackfile.Thefirst parameteristhenameoftheentity,andthesecondisthenameofthealarm. WhentheentitynameisMyEntityandalarmnameisMyAlarm,thescript becomes"c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe /c c:\MyAlarmProcess.bat MyEntity MyAlarm".

"d:\tools\alarm.exe '{targetName}' '{alarmName}' {newStatus}"
Threealarmtriggeringparametersarepassedtotheexecutionfile.Thefirstis theentityname,thesecondisthealarmname,andthethirdisthealarmstatus aftertriggering.Whentheentitynameismy dummy vm,thealarmnameismy test alarm,andthenewstatusisred,thescriptbecomes:

"d:\tools\alarm.exe my dummy vm my test alarm red
Poweron,Poweroff,Suspend,orResetthevirtualmachine. Theseapplyonlytoavirtualmachinealarm.
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Tocompletethealarm,clickOK. VirtualCenterverifiestheconfigurationofthealarmandaddsthealarmtothelist ofalarmsfortheselectedobject. NoticethattheDefinedIncolumnindicateswhereintheinventoryhierarchythe alarmisdefined.
Editing Alarms
Alarmscanbemodified,butyoumusteditthematthehierarchicallevelwherethey werecreated.Asimplechangeistoenableordisablethealarm.Ifanalarmisdisabled, anXappearsonthealarmlistingicon. To edit an existing alarm 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheInventorybutton inthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,clicktheAlarmstab,and clicktheDefinitionsbutton.
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Ifthealarmyouwanttochangeisnotdefinedatthecurrentlocation,clickthe linkedobjectintheDefinedincolumn. VirtualCenterdisplaystheAlarmspanelfortheobjectwherethealarmwas defined.
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Selectthealarmtoedit.ChooseInventory>Alarm>EditSettings.Theentryin theDefinedincolumnforthealarmmustbeThisobject. Editthealarmgeneralsettings,triggers,oractions,asneeded.ClickOK. VirtualCenterverifiestheconfigurationofthealarmandeditsthealarmforthe selectedobject.SeeCreatingAlarmsonpage 317foradditionalinformation.
Removing Alarms
Removealarmsfromtheobjectinwhichtheyweredefined.Youcannotremovethem fromachildthatinheritedthealarm. To remove an alarm 1 FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheInventorybutton inthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,clicktheAlarmstab,and clicktheDefinitionsbutton. Ifthealarmyouwanttochangeisnotdefinedatthecurrentlocation,clickthe linkedobjectintheDefinedincolumn.VirtualCenterdisplaystheAlarmspanel fortheobjectwherethealarmwasdefined. Toremovethealarm,selectthealarm,andchooseInventory>Alarm>Remove. Aconfirmationpopupwindowappears. 4 ClickYes. Thealarmisremoved.
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Appendixes
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Defined Privileges
Thefollowingtableslistthedefaultprivilegesthat,whenselectedforarole,canbe pairedwithauserandassignedtoanobject.ThefollowingtablesuseVCtoindicate VirtualCenterServerandHCtoindicatehostclient,astandaloneESXServer. Whensettingpermissions,verifyalltheobjecttypesaresetwithappropriateprivileges foreachparticularaction.Someoperationsrequireaccesspermissionattherootfolder orparentfolderinadditiontoaccesstotheobjectbeingmanipulated.Someoperations requireaccessorperformancepermissionataparentfolderandarelatedobject.See Chapter 17,ManagingUsers,Groups,Permissions,andRoles,onpage 261for informationonapplyingprivilegestoinventoryobjects. SeeTable 171,DefaultRoles,onpage 269foralistofpredefinedgroupedprivileges. Thisappendixcontainsthefollowingtopics:

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Alarmsonpage 328 Datacenteronpage 329 Datastoreonpage 329 Extensionsonpage 330 Foldersonpage 330 Globalonpage 331 HostCIMonpage 333 HostConfigurationonpage 333 HostInventoryonpage 335 HostLocalOperationsonpage 337
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Networkonpage 337 Performanceonpage 338 Permissionsonpage 339 Resourceonpage 339 ScheduledTaskonpage 341 Sessionsonpage 341 Tasksonpage 342 VirtualMachineConfigurationonpage 342 VirtualMachineInteractiononpage 345 VirtualMachineInventoryonpage 346 VirtualMachineProvisioningonpage 347 VirtualMachineStateonpage 348
Alarms
Table A-1. Alarms Privileges
Privilege Name CreateAlarm1 Description Createsanewalarm. UserinterfaceelementAlarmtab popupmenu,Filemenu DeleteAlarm Deletesanexistingalarm. UserinterfaceelementAlarmtab popupmenu,Filemenu ModifyAlarm Changesthepropertiesofanexisting alarm. UserinterfaceelementAlarmtab popupmenu,Filemenu VConly VConly Used VConly Pair with Object Alarm object parent Alarm object parent Alarm object parent Effective on Object All inventory items All inventory items All inventory items
1. Whencreatingalarmswithacustomaction,privilegetoperformtheactionisverifiedwhentheusecreates thealarm.
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Appendix A Defined Privileges
Datacenter
Table A-2. Datacenter Privileges
Privilege Name Create Datacenter Description Createsanewdatacenter. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu,toolbarbutton,andFile> NewDatacenter Removesadatacenter. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu,Inventory>Datacenter> Remove,Edit>Remove Movesadatacenter. Privilegemustbepresentatboththe sourceanddestination. UserinterfaceelementInventory draganddrop Rename Datacenter Changesthenameofadatacenter. UserinterfaceelementInventory object,Inventorypopupmenu,Edit> Rename,Inventory>Datacenter> Rename VConly Datacenter Datacenters VConly VConly Datacenter plusparent object Datacenter, sourceand destination Affects VConly Pair with Object Datacenter Effective on Object Datacenter folders
Delete Datacenter
Datacenters
Move Datacenter
Datacenters, Datacenter folders
Datastore
Table A-3. Datastore Privileges
Privilege Name Browse Datastore Description Browsesfilesonadatastore. UserinterfaceelementAddexisting disk,browseforCDROMorFloppy media,serialorparallelportfiles Removesadatastore. UserinterfaceelementInventory datastorepopupmenu,Edit>Remove, Inventory>Datastore>Remove Deletesafileinthedatastore. UserinterfaceelementDatastore BrowsertoolbarbuttonandDatastore popupmenu HCandVC Datastores Datastores HCandVC Datastores Datastores Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Datastores Effective on Object Datastores
Delete Datastore
Delete DatastoreFile
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Table A-3. Datastore Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name File Management Rename Datastore Description Carriesoutfileoperationsinthe datastorebrowser. Renamesadatastore. UserinterfaceelementDatastore PropertiesdialogChangebutton,host Summarytabpopupmenu Affects HCandVC HCandVC Pair with Object Datastores Datastores Effective on Object Datastores Datastores
Extensions
Table A-4. Extensions Privileges
Privilege Name Register Extension Unregister Extension Update Extension Description Registersanextension(plugin) Unregistersanextension(plugin) Updatesanextension(plugin) Affects VConly VConly VConly Pair with Object Root Folder Root Folder Root Folder Effective on Object RootFolder RootFolder RootFolder
Folders
Table A-5. Folder Privileges
Privilege Name CreateFolder Description Createsanewfolder. UserinterfaceelementTaskbar button,Filemenu,popupmenu DeleteFolder Deletesafolder. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu, popupmenu VConly Foldersplus parentobject Folders Affects VConly Pair with Object Folders Effective on Object Folders
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Table A-5. Folder Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name MoveFolder Description Movesafolder. Privilegemustbepresentatboththe sourceanddestination. UserinterfaceelementInventory draganddrop RenameFolder Changesthenameofafolder. UserinterfaceelementInventory paneobjecttextfield,popupmenu, Filemenu VConly Folders Folders Affects VConly Pair with Object Folders, sourceand destination Effective on Object Folders
Global
Table A-6. Global Privileges
Privilege Name CancelTask Description Cancelsarunningorqueuedtask. UserinterfaceelementRecenttasks panepopupmenu,Tasks&Events popupmenu.Cancurrentlycancel cloneandclonetotemplate. Capacity Planning Enablestheuseofcapacityplanningfor planningconsolidationofphysical machinestovirtualmachines. UserinterfaceelementConsolidation buttonintoolbar. Diagnostics Getslistofdiagnosticfiles,logheader, binaryfiles,ordiagnosticbundle. UserinterfaceelementFile>Export> ExportDiagnosticData,Admin SystemLogstab Disable Methods AllowsserversforVirtualCenter extensionstodisablecertainoperations onobjectsmanagedbyVirtualCenter. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. VConly Anyobject Rootfolder VConly Anyobject Rootfolder VConly Anyobject Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Anyobject Effective on Object Inventory object relatedtothe task Rootfolder
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Table A-6. Global Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name Enable Methods Description AllowsserversforVirtualCenter extensionstoenablecertainoperations onobjectsmanagedbyVirtualCenter. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. Licenses Seeswhatlicensesareinstalledand addsorremoveslicenses. UserinterfaceelementLicensestab, Configuration>LicensedFeatures LogEvent Logsauserdefinedeventagainsta particularmanagedentity. UserinterfaceelementShouldaskfor areasonwhenshuttingdownor rebootingahost. Manage Custom Attributes Proxy Adds,removes,renamescustom attributesforamanagedentity. Userinterfaceelement Administration>CustomAttributes Allowsaccesstoaninternalinterface foraddingorremovingendpointstoor fromtheproxy. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. ScriptAction Schedulesascriptedactionin conjunctionwithanalarm. UserinterfaceelementAlarm Settingsdialogbox Service Managers Allowsuseoftheresxtopcommandin theRemoteCLI. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. SetCustom Attributes Views,creates,andremovescustom attributefields. UserinterfaceelementAnylistview showsthefieldsdefinedandallows settingthem VConly Allobjects All inventory objects HCandVC VConly All inventory objects Hosts All inventory objects Hosts VConly Allobjects Rootfolder VConly Allobjects HCandVC Allobjects All inventory objects HCandVC Anyobject Rootfolder Affects VConly Pair with Object Anyobject Effective on Object Rootfolder
Rootfolder
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Table A-6. Global Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name Settings Description ReadsandmodifiesruntimeVC configurationsettings. Userinterfaceelement Administration>VirtualCenter ManagementServerConfiguration VCServer PreparesorinitiatesaVMotionsend operationoraVMotionreceive operation. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. VConly Allobjects Rootfolder Affects VConly Pair with Object Allobjects Effective on Object Rootfolder
Host CIM
Table A-7. Host CIM Privileges
Privilege Name CIM Interaction Description Allowsaclienttoobtainatickettouse forCIMservices. Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Hosts Effective on Object Hosts
Host Configuration
Table A-8. Host Configuration Privileges
Privilege Name Advanced Configuration Description Setsadvancedoptionsinhost configuration. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>Advanced Settings,Inventoryhierarchypopup menu ChangeDate TimeSettings Setstimeanddatesettingsonthehost. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>Time Configuration Allowssettingoflockdownmode. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>SecurityProfile> LockdownMode>Edit HCandVC Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Hosts Effective on Object Hosts
Change Settings(SEE UPDATE)
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Table A-8. Host Configuration Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name ChangeSNMP Settings Connection Description Edits,restarts,andstopsSNMPagent. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. Changestheconnectionstatusofahost (connectedordisconnected). UserinterfaceelementRightclick Host Firmware Allowsupdatestothehostfirmwareon ESXServer3ihosts. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. Hyper Threading Enablesanddisableshyperthreadingin thehostCPUscheduler. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>Processors Maintenance Putsthehostinandoutofmaintenance mode,shutsdownandrestartsthehost. UserinterfaceelementHostpopup menu,Inventory>Host>Enter MaintenanceMode Memory Configuration Setsconfiguredserviceconsolememory reservation.Thissettingisapplicable onlyonESXServer3hosts. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>Memory Network Configuration Configuresnetwork,firewall,and VMotionnetwork. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>Networking, NetworkAdapter,DNSandRouting QueryPatch Security Profileand Firewall Allowsqueryingforinstallablepatches andinstallationofpatchesonthehost. Configuresinternetservices,suchas SSH,Telnet,SNMP,andhostfirewall. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>SecurityProfile HCandVC HCandVC Hosts Hosts Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts(ESX Server3i only) Hosts VConly Hosts Hosts Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Hosts Effective on Object Hosts
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Table A-8. Host Configuration Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name System Management Description Allowsextensionstomanipulatethefile systemonthehost. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. System Resource Settings Updatestheconfigurationofthesystem resourcehierarchy. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>SystemResource Allocation ManagesVMFSdatastoreand diagnosticpartitions.Scansfornew storagedevices.ManagesiSCSI. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>Storage,Storage Adapters,HostConfigurationtab datastorepopupmenu Virtual Machine Autostart Configuration Changesautostartandautostoporder ofvirtualmachinesonasinglehost. UserinterfaceelementHost Configurationtab>VirtualMachine StartuporShutdown HCandVC Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts HCandVC Hosts Hosts Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Hosts Effective on Object Hosts
Storage Partition Configuration
Host Inventory
Table A-9. Host Inventory Privileges
Privilege Name AddHostTo Cluster Add Standalone Host Description Addsahosttoanexistingcluster. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu Addsastandalonehost. UserinterfaceelementToolbar button,inventorypopupmenu, Inventory>Datacenter>AddHost, File>New>AddHost,Hoststab popupmenu VConly Hosts Datacenters, Hostfolders Affects VConly Pair with Object Hosts Effective on Object Clusters
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Table A-9. Host Inventory Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name CreateCluster Description Createsanewcluster. UserinterfaceelementToolbar button,inventorypopupmenu, Inventory>Datacenter>NewCluster, File>New>Cluster Modify Cluster Changesthepropertiesofacluster. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu,Inventory>Cluster> EditSettings,Summarytab Movesaclusterorstandalonehost betweenfolders. Privilegemustbepresentatboththe sourceanddestination. UserinterfaceelementInventory hierarchy MoveHost Movesasetofexistinghostsintoa cluster. Privilegemustbepresentatboththe sourceanddestination. UserinterfaceelementInventory hierarchydraganddrop Remove Cluster Deletesaclusterorstandalonehost. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu,Edit>Remove, Inventory>Cluster>Remove Removesahostinaclusteror standalonehost. UserinterfaceelementInventory draganddropoutofcluster,popup menu,Inventory>Host>Remove Rename Cluster Renamesacluster. UserinterfaceelementInventory singleclick,inventoryhierarchypopup menu,Inventory>Cluster>Rename VConly Clusters Clusters VConly VConly Clustersplus parentobject Clusters, Hosts VConly Hosts,source and destination Clusters, Hostfolders VConly Clusters, sourceand destination Clusters, Hostfolders VConly Clusters Affects VConly Pair with Object Clusters Effective on Object Datacenters, Hostfolders
Clusters
Move Cluster/Standa loneHost
RemoveHost FromCluster
Clustersplus parentobject
Clusters, Hostfolders
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Host Local Operations

Table A-10. Host Local Operations Privileges
Privilege Name AddHostto VirtualCenter Description Installsanduninstallsvariousagentson ahost,forexample,vpxaandaam. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. CreateVirtual Machine Createsanewvirtualmachinefrom scratchonadiskwithoutregisteringit onthehost. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. DeleteVirtual Machine Deletesavirtualmachineondisk, whetherregisteredornot. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. ManageUser Groups Manageslocalaccountsonahost. UserinterfaceelementUsers& Groupstab(onlypresentiftheVIClient logsontothehostdirectly) HConly Rootfolder Rootfolder HConly Rootfolder Rootfolder HConly Rootfolder Rootfolder Affects HConly Pair with Object Rootfolder Effective on Object Rootfolder
Network
Table A-11. Network Privileges
Privilege Name Delete Network Description Removesanetwork. UserinterfaceelementInventory networkpopupmenu,Edit>Remove, Inventory>Network>Remove Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Datacenter Effective on Object Datacenters
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Performance
Table A-12. Alarm Management Privileges
Privilege Name Modify Intervals Description Creates,removes,andupdates performancedatacollectionintervals. Userinterfaceelement Administration>VirtualCenter ManagementServerConfiguration> Statistics Affects VConly Pair with Object Rootfolder Effective on Object Rootfolder
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Permissions
Table A-13. Permissions Privileges
Privilege Name Modify Permission Description Definesoneormorepermissionrules onanentity,orupdatesrulesifalready presentforthegivenuserorgroupon theentity. UserinterfaceelementPermissions tabpopupmenu,Inventory> Permissionsmenu ModifyRole Updatesarolesnameandthe privileges. UserinterfaceelementRolestab popupmenu,toolbarbutton,File menu ReassignRole Permissions Reassignsallpermissionsofaroleto anotherrole. UserinterfaceelementDeleteRole dialogboxradiobuttonandassociated menu HCandVC Anyobject Rootfolder HCandVC Anyobject Rootfolder Used HCandVC Pair with Object Anyobject plusparent object Effective on Object All inventory items
Resource
Table A-14. Resource Privileges
Privilege Name Apply Recommenda tion AssignVirtual MachineTo Pool CreatePool Description Askstheservertogoaheadwitha suggestedVMotion. UserinterfaceelementClusterDRS Recommendationstab Assignsvirtualmachinestoaresource pool. UserinterfaceelementNewVirtual Machinewizard Createsanewresourcepool. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu, popupmenu,Summarytab, Resourcestab HCandVC Resource pools, clusters Resource pools, clusters HCandVC Resource pools Resource pools Affects VConly Pair with Object Clusters Effective on Object Clusters
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Table A-14. Resource Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name Migrate Description Migratesavirtualmachinesexecution toaspecificresourcepoolorhost. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu,VirtualMachine Summarytab,Inventory>Virtual Machine>Migrate,draganddrop ModifyPool Changestheallocationsofaresource pool. UserinterfaceelementInventory> ResourcePool>Remove,Resources tab MovePool Movesaresourcepool. Privilegemustbepresentatboththe sourceanddestination. Userinterfaceelement Draganddrop Query VMotion InvestigatesthegeneralVMotion compatibilityofavirtualmachinewith asetofhosts. UserinterfaceelementRequired whendisplayingthemigrationwizard forapoweredonVM,tocheck compatibility Relocate Coldmigratesavirtualmachines executiontoaspecificresourcepoolor host. UserinterfaceelementInventory popupmenu,VirtualMachine Summarytab,Inventory>Virtual Machine>Migrate,draganddrop RemovePool Deletesaresourcepool. UserinterfaceelementEdit> Remove,Inventory>ResourcePool> Remove,inventorypopupmenu, Resourcestab RenamePool Renamesaresourcepool. UserinterfaceelementEdit> Rename,Inventory>ResourcePool> Rename,singleclick,popupmenu HCandVC HCandVC Resource poolsplus parent object Resource pools Resource pools VConly Virtual machines Virtual machines VConly HCandVC HCandVC Resource poolsplus parent object Resource pools, sourceand destination Resource pools Affects VConly Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
Resource pools
Rootfolder
Rootfolder
Resource pools
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Scheduled Task
Table A-15. Scheduled Task Privileges
Privilege Name CreateTasks1 Description Schedulesatask.Requiresthe privilegestoperformthescheduled actionatthetimeofscheduling. UserinterfaceelementScheduled Taskstoolbarbuttonandpopupmenu ModifyTask Reconfiguresthescheduledtask properties. UserinterfaceelementInventory> ScheduledTasks>Edit,Scheduled Taskstabpopupmenu RemoveTask Removesascheduledtaskfromthe queue. UserinterfaceelementScheduled Taskspopupmenu,Inventory> ScheduledTask>Remove,Edit> Remove RunTask Runsthescheduledtaskimmediately. UserinterfaceelementScheduled Taskspopupmenu,Inventory> ScheduledTask>Run VConly Allinventory objects Allinventory objects VConly Allinventory objects Allinventory objects VConly Allinventory objects Allinventory objects Affects VConly Pair with Object Allinventory objects Effective on Object Allinventory objects
1. Creatingandrunningatask(ondemand)requirespermissiontoinvoketheassociatedaction.Forexample, Alarmsrequirespermissionsonafoldertocreatealarmsonobjectsinthatfolder.
Sessions
Table A-16. Session Privileges
Privilege Name Global Message Description Setsthegloballoginmessage. UserinterfaceelementSessionstab, Administration>EditMessageofthe Day Impersonatesanotheruser.This capabilityisusedbyextensions. VConly Rootfolder Rootfolder Affects VConly Pair with Object Rootfolder Effective on Object Rootfolder
Impersonate User
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Table A-16. Session Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name Validate Session Viewand Terminate Sessions Description Verifiessessionvalidity. Allowsviewingofsession.Forceslog outofoneormoreloggedonusers. UserinterfaceelementSessionstab Affects VConly VConly Pair with Object Rootfolder Rootfolder Effective on Object Rootfolder Rootfolder
Tasks
Table A-17. Tasks Privileges
Privilege Name Create Update Description Allowsanextensiontocreatea userdefinedtask. Allowsanextensiontoupdatesa userdefinedtask. Affects VConly VConly Pair with Object Rootfolder Rootfolder Effective on Object Rootfolder Rootfolder
Virtual Machine Configuration

Table A-18. Virtual Machine Privileges
Privilege Name AddExisting Disk Description Addsavirtualdiskthatreferstoan existingvirtualdisk. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox AddNewDisk Addsavirtualdiskthatcreatesanew virtualdisk. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox Addor Remove Device Addsorremovesanynondiskdevice. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
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Table A-18. Virtual Machine Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name Advanced Description ChangesvaluesinextraConfig. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox> Optionstab>AdvancedGeneral option>ConfigurationParameters button ChangeCPU Count Change Resource DiskExtend DiskLease ChangesthenumberofvirtualCPUs. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox Changesresourceconfigurationofaset ofVMnodesinagivenresourcepool. Expandsthesizeofavirtualdisk. LeasesdisksforVMwareConsolidated Backup. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. HostUSB Device AttachesahostbasedUSBdevicetoa virtualmachine. Userinterfaceelement>Virtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox Memory Changestheamountofmemory allocatedtotheVM. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox> Memory ModifyDevice Settings Changesthepropertiesofanexisting device. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox> SCSI/IDEnodeselection RawDevice1 Addsorremovesarawdiskmapping orSCSIpassthroughdevice. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachineProperties>Add/Removeraw diskmapping HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC HCandVC HCandVC HCandVC Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines
Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines
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Table A-18. Virtual Machine Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name RemoveDisk Description Removesavirtualdiskdevice. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox>Hard Disk(butnotarawdiskmapping) Rename Renamesavirtualmachineormodifies theassociatednotesofavirtual machine. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox, inventory,inventorypopupmenu,File menu,Inventorymenu ResetGuest Information Settings Clearsguestinfovariables. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. ChangesgeneralVMsettings. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox> Optionstab Swap Placement Upgrade Virtual Hardware Changestheswapfileplacementpolicy foravirtualmachine. Upgradesthevirtualmachinesvirtual hardwareversionfromaprevious versionofVMware. UserinterfaceelementPopupmenu, Filemenu(appearsonlyifvmxfile showsalowerconfigurationnumber)
1. Settingthisparameteroverridesanyotherprivilegeformodifyingrawdevices,includingconnectionstates.
Affects HCandVC
Pair with Object Virtual machines
Effective on Object Virtual machines
HCandVC
Virtual machines
Virtual machines
HCandVC
Virtual machines Virtual machines
HCandVC
HCandVC HCandVC
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Virtual Machine Interaction

Table A-19. Virtual Machine Interaction
Privilege Name Answer Question Description ResolvesissueswithVMstate transitionsorruntimeerrors. UserinterfaceelementSummarytab, Inventorymenu,popupmenu ConfigureCD Media ChangesthebackingofaCDROM device. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox> DVD/CDROM Configure FloppyMedia Console Interaction Changesthebackingofafloppydevice. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox Interactswiththevirtualmachines virtualmouse,keyboard,andscreen; getsscreenshotinformation. UserinterfaceelementConsoletab, toolbarbutton,Inventory>Virtual Machine>OpenConsole,inventory popupmenu Defragment AllDisks Device Connection Defragmentsalldisksonthevirtual machine. Changestheconnectedstateofavirtual machinesdisconnectablevirtual devices. UserinterfaceelementVirtual MachinePropertiesdialogbox PowerOff Powersoffapoweredonvirtual machine,shutsdownguest. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu item,popupmenu,popupconsole menu,toolbarbutton,Summarytab PowerOn Powersonapoweredoffvirtual machine,resumesasuspendedvirtual machine. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu item,popupmenu,popupconsole menu,toolbarbutton,Summarytab HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC. HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
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Table A-19. Virtual Machine Interaction (Continued)

Privilege Name Reset Description Resetsvirtualmachineandrebootsthe guestoperatingsystem. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu item,popupmenu,popupconsole menu,toolbarbutton,Summarytab Suspend Suspendsapoweredonvirtual machine,putsguestinstandbymode. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu item,popupmenu,popupconsole menu,toolbarbutton,Summarytab ToolsInstall MountsandunmountstheVMware ToolsCDinstallerasaCDROMforthe guestoperatingsystem. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu item,popupmenu,popupconsole menu HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
Virtual Machine Inventory

Table A-20. Virtual Machine Inventory Privileges
Privilege Name Create Description Createsanewvirtualmachineand allocatesresourcesforitsexecution. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu, popupmenu,SummarytabNew VirtualMachinelinks Move Relocatesavirtualmachineinthe hierarchy. Privilegemustbepresentatboththe sourceanddestination. UserinterfaceelementInventory hierarchydraganddropinVirtual Machines&Templatesview Remove Deletesavirtualmachine,optionally removesunderlyingfilesfromdisk. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu, popupmenu,Summarytab HCandVC Virtual machines plusparent folders VConly Virtual machines, parent folders Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Parent folders Effective on Object Virtual machine folders
Virtual machines, virtual machine folders
Virtual machines
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Virtual Machine Provisioning

Table A-21. Virtual Machine Provisioning Privileges
Privilege Name AllowDisk Access Description Opensadiskonavirtualmachinefor randomreadandwriteaccess.Used mostlyforremotediskmounting. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. AllowReadOnly DiskAccess Opensadiskonavirtualmachinefor randomreadaccess.Usedmostlyfor remotediskmounting. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. AllowVirtual Machine Download Readsfilesassociatedwithavirtual machine,includingvmx,disks,logs, andnvram. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. AllowVirtual MachineFiles Upload Writesfilesassociatedwithavirtual machine,includingvmx,disks,logs, andnvram. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. Clone Clonesanexistingvirtualmachineand allocatesresources. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu, popupmenu,Summarytab CloneTemplate Clonesatemplate. UserinterfaceelementFilemenu, popupmenu,VirtualMachinestab CreateTemplate FromVirtual Machine Createsanewtemplatefromavirtual machine. UserinterfaceelementCloneto template...Filemenu,popupmenu, Summarytabitems Customizesavirtualmachinesguest operatingsystemwithoutmovingthe virtualmachine. UserinterfaceelementCloneVirtual Machinewizard:GuestCustomization VConly Virtual machines Virtual machines VConly VConly Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines Virtual machines VConly Virtual machines Virtual machines HCand VC Virtual machines Rootfolders HCand VC Virtual machines Rootfolders n/a Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects n/a Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
Customize
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Table A-21. Virtual Machine Provisioning Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name DeployTemplate Description Createsanewvirtualmachinefroma template. UserinterfaceelementDeployto templateFilemenu,popupmenu items,VirtualMachinestab MarkAs Template Marksanexisting,poweredoffvirtual machineasatemplate. UserinterfaceelementConvertto template...Filemenu,popupmenu items,VirtualMachinestab,Summary tab MarkAsVirtual Machine MarksanexistingtemplateasaVM. UserinterfaceelementConvertto VirtualMachine...Filemenu,popup menuitems,VirtualMachinestab Creates,modifies,ordeletes customizationspecifications. Userinterfaceelement CustomizationSpecificationsManager Viewsthecustomizationspecifications definedonthesystem. UserinterfaceelementEdit> CustomizationSpecifications VConly Rootfolder Rootfolder VConly VConly Virtual machines Virtual machines VConly Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects VConly Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
Modify Customization Specs Read Customization Specs
Rootfolder
Rootfolder
Virtual Machine State

Table A-22. Virtual Machine State Privileges
Privilege Name Create Snapshot Description Createsanewsnapshotfromthevirtual machinescurrentstate. UserinterfaceelementPopupmenu, toolbarbutton,Inventorymenu Remove Snapshot Removesasnapshotfromthesnapshot history. UserinterfaceelementPopupmenu, toolbarbutton,Inventorymenu HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
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Table A-22. Virtual Machine State Privileges (Continued)

Privilege Name Rename Snapshot Description Renamesthissnapshotwitheithera newnameoranewdescriptionorboth. NouserVIClientinterfaceelementsare associatedwiththisprivilege. RevertTo Snapshot SetstheVMtothestateitwasinata givensnapshot. UserinterfaceelementPopupmenu, toolbarbutton,Inventorymenu, VirtualMachinestab HCandVC Virtual machines Virtual machines Affects HCandVC Pair with Object Virtual machines Effective on Object Virtual machines
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Installing the Microsoft Sysprep Tools
IfyouplantocustomizeaWindowsguestoperatingsystem,youmustfirstinstallthe MicrosoftSyspreptoolsonyourVirtualCenterServermachine. MicrosoftincludestheSyspreptoolsetontheinstallationCDROMdiscsforWindows 2000,WindowsXP,andWindows2003.ItalsodistributesSysprepfromtheMicrosoft Website.ToperformaWindowscustomization,youmustinstalltheSyspreptools eitherfromyourinstallationdisc,orfromtheMicrosoftdownloadpackage.Youmust installthecorrectversionoftheSyspreptoolsforeachoperatingsystemyouwantto customize.Also,ensurethatthepasswordforthelocaladministratoraccountonthe virtualmachineissettoblank(). Duringcustomization,VirtualCentersearchesfortheSyspreppackagecorresponding toyourguestoperatingsystem.IfVirtualCenterdoesnotfindanySyspreptools,the Windowsvirtualmachinecustomizationdoesnotproceed. (SEEUPDATE)TheguestoperatingsystemcustomizationfeatureinVirtualCenterServer 3.5takesfulladvantageofWindowssysprepfunctionality.Asaresult,itisvery importantthatyouhavesysprepinstalledforeachofthegueststhatyouwishto customize.IfforexamplesysprepisnotprovidedforWindowsServer2003, customizationwillnotattempttouseanearlierversion,butwillsimplydisablethe customizationoperationforthatguest. NOTESyspreptoolsarebuiltintotheWindowsVistaoperatingsystem.
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To install the Microsoft Sysprep tools from a Microsoft Web site download 1 DownloadtheSyspreppackagefromtheMicrosoftdownloadcenter.Makesure thatyoudownloadthecorrectversionfortheguestoperatingsystemyouwantto customize. ClickNexttocontinue. ClickIagreetoacceptthetermsandconditions. ClickDownload. Savethefiletoyourlocaldisk. Openandexpandthe.cabfile,usingatoolsuchasWinzip.exeoranothertool capableofreadingMicrosoftCABfiles. Extractthefilestotheprovideddirectory. ThefollowingSysprepsupportdirectorieswerecreatedduringVirtualCenter installation:
C:\<ALLUSERSPROFILE>\Application Data\Vmware\VMware VirtualCenter\sysprep ...\1.1\ ...\2k\ ...\xp\ ...\svr2003\ ...\xp-64\ ...\svr2003-64\
2 3 4 5 6 7
where<ALLUSERSPROFILE>isusually\Documents And Settings\All Users\. Thisiswherevpxd.cfgisalsolocated. Selectthesubdirectorythatcorrespondstoyouroperatingsystem. 8 ClickOKtoexpandthefiles. Afteryouhaveextractedthefilesfromthe.cabfile,youshouldsee:

...\<guest>\deptool.chm ...\<guest>\readme.txt ...\<guest>\setupcl.exe ...\<guest>\setupmgr.exe ...\<guest>\setupmgx.dll ...\<guest>\sysprep.exe ...\<guest>\unattend.doc
where<guest>is2k,xp,svr2003,xp64,orsvr200364.
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Appendix B Installing the Microsoft Sysprep Tools
To install the Microsoft Sysprep tools from the Windows operating system CD 1 2 3 4 InserttheWindowsoperatingsystemCDintotheCDROMdrive(oftentheD: drive. LocatetheDEPLOY.CABfileintheCDdirectory,\Support\Tools. OpenandexpandtheDEPLOY.CABfile,usingatoolsuchasWinzip.exeoranother toolcapableofreadingMicrosoftCABfiles. ExtractthefilestothedirectoryappropriatetoyourSysprepguestoperating system. ThefollowingSysprepsupportdirectorieswerecreatedduringVirtualCenter installation:
C:\<ALLUSERSPROFILE>\Application Data\Vmware\VMware VirtualCenter\sysprep ...\1.1\ ...\2k\ ...\xp\ ...\svr2003\ ...\xp-64\ ...\svr2003-64\
where<ALLUSERSPROFILE>isusually\Documents And Settings\All Users\. Thisiswherevpxd.cfgisalsolocated. Selectthesubdirectorythatcorrespondstoyouroperatingsystem. 5 ClickOKtoexpandthefiles. Afteryouhaveextractedthefilesfromthe.cab file,youshouldsee:

...\<guest>\deptool.chm ...\<guest>\readme.txt ...\<guest>\setupcl.exe ...\<guest>\setupmgr.exe ...\<guest>\setupmgx.dll ...\<guest>\sysprep.exe ...\<guest>\unattend.doc
where<guest>is2k,xp,svr2003,xp64,orsvr200364. 6 RepeatthisproceduretoextractSysprepfilesforeachoftheWindowsguest operatingsystems(Windows2000,WindowsXP,orWindows2003)youplanto customizeusingVirtualCenter.
YouarenowreadytocustomizeanewvirtualmachinewithasupportedWindows guestoperatingsystemwhenyoucloneanexistingvirtualmachine.
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Performance Chart Metrics
Thisappendixliststhemetrics,orcounters,availablefordisplayinperformancecharts. TheavailabilityofsomecountersdependsontheStatisticsCollectionLevelsetting(see AboutCollectionIntervalsandCollectionLevelsonpage 282).Changestochart optionstakeeffectafterthecurrentdatacollectioncycleiscompleteandthenextcycle begins. Countershaverollupandstatisticstypecharacteristics.Ametricsrollupreferstowhat typeofmeasurementisbeingpresented.Rolluptypesincludethefollowing:
AverageDatacollectedforthespecifieddurationisaveraged.Themeasurement displayedinthechartrepresentsanaverageforthedurationofthedatacollection cycle. SummationDatacollectedissummed.Themeasurementdisplayedinthechart representsthesumofdatacollectedduringthecollectioncycle. LatestDatacollectedisasetvalue.Themeasurementdisplayedinthechart representsthecurrentsetting. MinimumDatacollectedisaveraged.Themeasurementdisplayedinthechart representstheaverageminimumvalueforthedurationofthedatacollectioncycle. MaximumDatacollectedisaveraged.Themeasurementdisplayedinthechart representstheaveragemaximumvalueforthedurationofthedatacollection cycle.
Ametricsstatisticstypereferstowhetherthemeasurementrepresentsachangedvalue (Delta),anabsolutevalue(Absolute),oraratio(Rate).
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Tablesareorganizedbyresourceandinventoryobjectandcontainthefollowing information:

CounterListsthedisplaynameofeachmetric. AvailableinCollectionLevelIndicatestheminimumvaluetowhichthe statisticscollectionlevelmustbesetforthemetrictobeincludedasaselectable optionintheCustomizeChartPerformancedialogbox. VC/ESXIndicateswhethertheoptionisavailablewhentheVIClientis connectedtoVirtualCenterServerordirectlytoanESXServerhost. DescriptionProvidesabriefdescriptionofthemetric.
Calculationsforallmetricslistedinthetablesareforthedurationofthedatacollection cycle.CollectioncycledurationsarespecifiedintheStatisticsCollectionIntervalsetting (seeAboutCollectionIntervalsandCollectionLevelsonpage 282). Thisappendixcontainsthefollowingtopics:

CPUonpage 356 Diskonpage 359 ClusterServicesonpage 367 Networkonpage 368 Systemonpage 370
CPU
ThetablesinthissectionlistmetricsformeasuringCPUperformance.All measurementsareinmillisecondsunlessotherwisenoted.CPUperformancechartsare availableforthefollowinginventoryobjects:

VirtualMachine Host ResourcePool Cluster
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Appendix C Performance Chart Metrics
Virtual Machine
Table C-1. CPU Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines
Available in Collection Level 1(4)
Counter CPUUsage
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description CalculatesCPUusageasapercentage. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
CPUUsagein MHz
1(4)
Yes/Yes
CalculatesCPUusageinMegahertz. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
CPUUsed
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatisused. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
CPU Guaranteed
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatis guaranteed. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
CPUExtra
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatisunused. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
CPUReady
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatis consumedbybeinginthereadystate. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
CPUSystem
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatis consumedbysystemprocesses. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
CPUIdleTime
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatis consumedbybeinginthewaitstate. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
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Host
Table C-2. CPU Performance Metrics for Hosts
Available in Collection Level 1
Counter CPUUsed
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description CalculatesamountofCPUtimethatisused. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
idle
Yes/Yes
CalculatesCPUidletime. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
CPUReserved Capacity
Yes/Yes
Comparesvalueofresourcepoolsreservation settingwithsumofchildobjectsreservation settings.Displaysthegreaterofthetwo values. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
CPUUsagein MHz
1(4)
Yes/Yes
CalculatesaverageCPUusageinMegahertz. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
CPUUsage
1(4)
Yes/Yes
CalculatesCPUusageasapercentage. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
Resource Pool
Table C-3. CPU Performance Metrics for Resource Pools
Counter CPUUsagein MHz
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description CalculatesCPUusageinMegahertz. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
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Cluster
Table C-4. CPU Performance Metrics for Clusters
Counter CPUUsagein MHz
VC/ESX Yes/No
Description CalculatesCPUusageinMegahertz. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
Disk
Thetableinthissectionlistsmetricsformeasuringdiskperformance.All measurementsareinkilobytesunlessotherwisenoted.Diskperformancechartsare availableforhostsandvirtualmachines;chartoptionsareidenticalforboth.
Host and Virtual Machine

Table C-5. Disk Performance Metrics for Host and Virtual Machines
Counter DiskUsagein MHz
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatessumofdatareadandwrittentoall diskinstancesinkilobytespersecond. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
Read
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofdatareadfromdiskin kilobytespersecondperHBA. Rollup:Average StatsType:Rate
Write
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofdatawrittentodiskin kilobytespersecondperHBA. Rollup:Average StatsType:Rate
VMware, Inc.
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Table C-5. Disk Performance Metrics for Host and Virtual Machines (Continued)
Counter numberWrite
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatestotalnumberofdiskwriteactions perHBA. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
numberRead
Yes/Yes
Calculatestotalnumberofdiskreadactions perHBA. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
Memory
Thetablesinthissectionlistmetricsformeasuringmemoryperformance.Memory performancechartsareavailableforthefollowinginventoryobjects:

VirtualMachine Host ResourcePool Cluster
Virtual Machine
Table C-6. Memory Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines
Counter MemorySwap In
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesamountofmemoryswappedin. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap In
Yes/Yes
Calculatesaverageminimumamountof memoryswappedin. Rollup:Minimum StatsType:Absolute
360
VMware, Inc.
Table C-6. Memory Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines (Continued)

Counter MemorySwap In
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesaveragemaximumamountof memoryswappedin. Rollup:Maximum StatsType:Absolute
Memory BalloonTarget
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryavailableto memorycontrol. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Balloon
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryusedby memorycontrol. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Out
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryswappedout. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryUsage
1(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryusedasa percentageoftotalconfigured,ortotal availablememory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Overhead
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofadditionalhostmemory allocatedtothevirtualmachine. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryZero
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofzeropagememory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Active
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryactivelyused. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Shared
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryshared. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
VMware, Inc.
361
Table C-6. Memory Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines (Continued)

Counter Memory Granted
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesamountofmemorygranted. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Consumed
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofhostmemoryconsumed bythevirtualmachineforguestoperating systemmemory. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Target
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemorythatcanbe swapped. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Swapped
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryswapped. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Host
Table C-7. Memory Performance Metrics for Hosts
Counter MemoryState
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesthememorystate. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
MemoryUsed byVMKernel
Yes/Yes
Calculatestheamountofmemoryusedby vmkernel. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Used
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatestheamountofmemoryusedby swap Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Active
2(4)
Yes/Yes
362
VMware, Inc.
Table C-7. Memory Performance Metrics for Hosts (Continued)

Counter Memory Consumed
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesamountofhostmemoryconsumed bythevirtualmachineforguestoperating systemmemory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Out
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Memory Unreserved
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemorythatis unreserved. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryHeap Memory Reserved Capacity
2(4) 2
Yes/Yes Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryallocatedfor heap. CalculatesamountinMBofmemoryreserved bythevirtualmachines. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryZero
2(4)
Yes/Yes
MemoryHeap Free
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountoffreespaceinthe memoryheap. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryUsage
1(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryusedasa percentageoftotalconfigured,ortotal availablememory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Shared
2(4)
Yes/Yes
MemorySwap In
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryswappedin. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
VMware, Inc.
363
Table C-7. Memory Performance Metrics for Hosts (Continued)

Available in Collection Level 2(4) 2(4)
Counter Memory Overhead Memory Balloon
VC/ESX Yes/Yes Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesamountofadditionalhostmemory allocatedtothevirtualmachine. Calculatesamountofmemoryusedby memorycontrol. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Granted
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemorygranted. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Shared Common
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemorysharedby common. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Resource Pool
Table C-8. Memory Performance Metrics for Resource Pools
Counter MemoryUsage
VC/ESX Yes/No
Description Calculatesamountofmemoryusedasa percentageoftotalconfigured,ortotal availablememory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Granted
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Memory Active
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Memory Shared
2(4)
Yes/Yes
364
VMware, Inc.
Table C-8. Memory Performance Metrics for Resource Pools (Continued)

Counter MemoryZero
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Calculatesamountofzeropagememory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Swapped
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryswapped. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Target
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesamountofmemorythatcanbe swapped. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap In
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesamountofmemoryswappedin. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Out
2(4)
Yes/No
Memory Balloon
2(4)
Yes/No
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Memory Overhead
2(4)
Yes/Yes
VMware, Inc.
365
Cluster
Table C-9. Memory Performance Metrics for Clusters
Counter MemoryUsage
VC/ESX Yes/No
Description Calculatesamountofmemoryusedasa percentageoftotalconfigured,ortotal availablememory. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Granted
2(4)
Yes/No
Memory Active
2(4)
Yes/No
Memory Shared
2(4)
Yes/No
MemoryZero
2(4)
Yes/No
Memory Unreserved
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesamountofmemorythatis unreserved. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Used
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesamountofmemoryusedbyswap. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap Unreserved
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesamountofmemorynotreservedfor swap. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Memory Shared Common
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesamountofmemorysharedby common. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
366
VMware, Inc.
Table C-9. Memory Performance Metrics for Clusters (Continued)

Counter MemoryHeap
VC/ESX Yes/No
Description Calculatesamountofmemoryallocatedfor heap. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryHeap Free
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesfreespaceinmemoryheap. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
MemoryState
2(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesstate. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
Memory Balloon
2(4)
Yes/No
2(4)
Yes/No
Memory Overhead
2(4)
Yes/No
Cluster Services
Thetableinthissectionlistsmetricsformeasuringtheperformanceofclusterservices suchasDRSandHA.Clusterservicesperformancechartsareavailableonlyfor clusters.
VMware, Inc.
367
Cluster
Table C-10. Cluster Services Metrics for Clusters
Counter EffectiveCPU Resources
VC/ESX Yes/No
Description CalculatesaverageDRSeffectiveCPUresources availablemeasuredinMHz. Rollup:Average StatsType:Rate.
Effective Memory Resources
1(4)
Yes/No
CalculatesaverageDRSeffectivememory resourcesavailableinMB. Rollup:Average StatsType:Absolute
Current failoverlevel
1(4)
Yes/No
Calculatesthecurrentnumberoffailoversthatcan betoleratedbyHA. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute.
Network
Thetableinthissectionlistsmetricsformeasuringnetworkperformance.Network performancechartsareavailableforvirtualmachinesandhosts;chartoptionsare identicalforboth.
Host and Virtual Machine

Table C-11. Network Metrics for Hosts and Virtual Machines
Counter NetworkData ReceiveRate
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description RateatwhichdataisreceivedinKBps. Rollup:Average StatsType:Rate
Network Packets Transmitted NetworkData TransmitRate
Yes/Yes
Numberofpacketstransmittedintheperiod. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
Yes/Yes
Rateatwhichdataistransmitted. Rollup:Average StatsType:Rate
368
VMware, Inc.
Table C-11. Network Metrics for Hosts and Virtual Machines (Continued)
Counter Network Usage (Average)
VC/ESX Yes/Yes
Description Aggregatednetworkperformancestatisticsin KBps. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
Network Packets Received
Yes/Yes
Numberofpacketsreceivedintheperiod. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta
VMware, Inc.
369
System
Thetableinthissectionlistsmetricsformeasuringsystemperformance.System performancechartsareavailableforvirtualmachinesandhosts. Table C-12. System Metrics for Virtual Machines and Hosts
Available in Collection Level 1 Yes/Yes Uptime 1 Yes/Yes
Counter Heartbeat
VC/ESX
Description Numberofheartbeatsincollectionperiod. Rollup:Summation StatsType:Delta Numberofsecondssincestartup. Rollup:Latest StatsType:Absolute
ResourceCPU Usage
3(4)
Yes/Yes
CPUusage. Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum) StatsType:Rate
370
VMware, Inc.
Index
Symbols
176, 281
B
baselines, security 25 boot settings 189 BusLogic 150
A
access inventory objects 262 permissions 274 privileges 327 rules 262 to VirtualCenter through Web 78 Active Directory 130 VirtualCenter settings 75 active sessions 81 send messages 82 adapters Ethernet 180, 199 SCSI 150 alarms 28 about 312 define rules for 317 edit 322 email notification of 312 privileges 328 remove 323 scripts 315 SNMP traps 315 tab 54 annotations 61 appliances 139 ATAPI 150
C
charts best practices for setting collection levels 283 customize 291 export 291 performance 289 clone save guest operating system customization 228 templates 204 virtual machines 210 clusters 26 remove hosts 124 shared storage 234 collection best practices 283 levels and intervals 281 command-line interface remote 42 commands ESX Server 74 service console 42 components datastore 22 ESX Server 21 host agent 23
VMware, Inc.
371
license server 23 VirtualCenter agent 23 VirtualCenter database 22 VirtualCenter Server 21 VMware Infrastructure 21 console service, the 41 tab 54 virtual machine 50 consolidation about 130 analysis results 134 cache 137 confidence metric 135 credentials 132 first time use 131 limits 137 prerequisites 130 services 130 settings 131, 132 tasks 136 troubleshoot 137 consolidation settings 130 convert, see consolidation CPU advanced settings 193 compatibility masks 240 configuration 186 CPU Identification Mask 189 credentials consolidation 132 custom attributes 61
privileges 329 topology maps 293 Datastore Browser 112 datastores 26 about 22 privileges 329 relocate virtual machine files 245 DHCP 41 diagnostic data export 101 diagnostics 98 disks 180, 200 independent 253 independent mode 151 modes 200 raw device mapping 72 resources 196 DVD/CD-ROM, see optical drives
E
ESX Server about 21 agent, configure 95 commands 74 diagram 21 hosts 118 hosts, add to VirtualCenter 119 hosts, configure 70 manage 20 reboot 36 storage 72 syslog service 103 traps 90 ESX Server 3 SNMP traps 96 ESX Server 3i SNMP 97 Ethernet adapters 180, 199
D
database calculator 289 VirtualCenter 22, 76 datacenters 27 consolidation 130
372
VMware, Inc.
Index
events 28 about 307 alarms 312 export 104, 311 navigation bar 54 tab 54 export appliances 139 events 104 virtual machines 141 extensions privileges 330
F
Fibre Channel NPIV 81, 187, 190 firewall configure communication 76 floppy drives 180, 199 folders 27 privileges 330
advanced configuration 127 CIM privileges 333 configuration privileges 333 configure 70 connect to VirtualCenter 122 custom attributes 61 disconnect from VirtualCenter 122 inventory privileges 335 local operations privileges 337 network configuration 72 remove from cluster 124 remove from VirtualCenter 125, 126 states 119 tab 54 HTTP and HTTPS ports VirtualCenter settings 76 hyperthreading 193
I
IDE 150 IIS 78 image files ISO 181 import appliances 139 independent disks 253 install VMware Tools 155 interfaces 24 inventory about 27 access to objects 262 navigation bar 54 objects, add 110 topology maps 293 ISO image files 181
G
Getting Started tabs, enable and disable 56 global privileges 331 groups 262, 267 guest operating systems 215 customization prerequisites 216 install 154 Guided Consolidation 53, 113
H
hardware virtual machine 180, 196 HBA 190 host bus adapter (HBA) 87 hosts 26 about 118 add 119
L
legacy virtual machines 201
373
VMware, Inc.
license server 23 diagram 21 VirtualCenter settings 74 Linux guest, customize 215 guest, install VMware Tools on 158 load balancing 25 log files 28, 100 collect 105 export 101 external 101 logging VirtualCenter settings 76 logging in 262 VI Client 38 VI Web Access 40 logging out VI Client 39 VI Web Access 40 LSI logic 150 LUNs 153, 200
MIB 83, 95 Microsoft Sysprep 351 migration about 232 relocate virtual machine files 245 Storage VMotion 245 with snapshots 238 modules, see plugins
N
navigation bar overview 51 NetWare 162 networks 26 host configuration 72 privileges 337 requirements for VMotion 236 NIC 199 NPIV 81, 187, 190 NUMA 194
O
object identifiers (OIDs) 83 objects inventory 110 VirtualCenter 63 Open Virtual Machine Format (OVF) 140 operating system, guest 154 optical drives 180, 198 OVF 139, 140
M
MAC address 88 mail VirtualCenter settings 75 man pages service console 43 managed devices MIB files 83 maps 28, 293 exporting 296 print 296 view 295 VMotion resources 294 memory resources 194 metrics performance 355
374
P
paravirtualization 189 PCI 189 performance best practices for setting collection levels 283 charts 289, 291 metrics 355
VMware, Inc.
Index
privileges 338 statistics collection 281 tab 54 permissions 262, 267 access 274 privileges 339 settings 263 tab 54 plugins 22 manage 67 ports 180 parallel 198 Web access to VirtualCenter 78 power management 25 power off shutdown, versus 172 power states transitional 172 virtual machines 169, 174 privileges 262, 327 alarms 328 configuration 333 datacenter 329 datastore 329 extension 330 folders 330 global 331 host CIM 333 host inventory 335 host local operations 337 network 337 performance 338 permission 339 resource 339 scheduled tasks 341 sessions 341 tasks 342 virtual machine 346
virtual machine configuration 342 virtual machine interaction 345 virtual machine provisioning 347 virtual machine state 348
R
raw device mapping 72, 200 remote command-line interface 42 reset 170 resource maps 293 resource pools 26 resources CPU 192 management 25 memory 194 privileges 339 virtual machine settings 192 restart virtual machines 170 VirtualCenter 37 resume 170 virtual machines 173 roles 262, 268 copy 272 create 271 default 269 edit 273 privileges, lists of 327 remove 273 rename 274 rollup 281, 355 figure 286 RPM installer 158 runtime settings VirtualCenter settings 75
VMware, Inc.
375
S
SAN LUN 200 mapping 153 schedule power states 174 scheduled tasks 298 about 27 cancel 305 clone virtual machine 212 manage 301 privileges 341 scheduling affinity 193 scripts alarms 315 SCSI 180, 201 adapter 150 security baselines 25 configuration 73 SNMP 98 serial port 197 service console 41 commands 42 configure ESX Server agent 95 connection 42 DHCP 41 man pages 43 remote command-line interface, versus 42 services consolidation 131 syslogd 103 VMware Tools 155 sessions privileges 341 VI Client, terminating 82 shutdown 170, 177 power off, versus 172 SMTP
376
VirtualCenter settings 75 snapshots about 249 exclude virtual disks from 252 manage 253 parent 255 revert to 255 virtual machines, migrate 238 SNMP 83, 98 alarms, set traps for notification of 315 configure 83, 93 diagnostics 98 ESX Server 3i 97 management software 98 security 98 traps 94 traps, configure 96 VirtualCenter settings 75 Solaris 161 SSH 42 SSL VirtualCenter 76 standby 170 starting VI Client 38 startup 177 statistics about 281 database calculator 289 VirtualCenter settings 74 storage 200 raw device mapping 72 Storage VMotion 245 command-line syntax 247 limitations 246 requirements 246 streaming multimedia WYSE 166
VMware, Inc.
Index
Summary tab 54 suspend 170 virtual machines 173 swapfile 81, 187 syslog 103 sysprep 351
SNMP, configure 96 troubleshoot consolidation 137 log files 100, 105 tutorial 57
U
upgrade VMware Tools 155, 157 users 265 utilities sysprep 351 VMware Tools 155
T
tabs Admin 54 Getting Started 56 Inventory 54 Summary 54 tar installer 159, 160 tasks 28 about 298 cancel 305 clone virtual machine 212 events 307 manage 297 navigation bar 54 privileges 342 scheduled 301 Telnet 42 templates 26 about 203 create 204 delete 209 deploy virtual machines 207 edit 206 inventory, return to 210 navigation bar 54 returning to VirtualCenter 176 unregister 209 virtual machines, convert to 209 timeout VirtualCenter settings 76 traps 90 SNMP 94
VMware, Inc.
V
VI Client 20, 24, 38 about 45 communication through firewall 76 console window 50 diagram 21 logging in 38 logging out 39 sessions 82 starting 38 stop 39 VirtualCenter port configuration 77 VI Web Access 24, 40 logging in 40 logging out 40 virtual disks 200 virtual hardware upgrade 202 virtual machine SCSI device 201 virtual machine configuration Fibre Channel NPIV 187 swapfile location 187 virtual machine name 148
377
virtual machines acceleration 188 add existing 175 advanced settings 188 boot settings 189 clone 210 configuration privileges 342 configure 179 convert 25 copy disks 113 CPU compatibility masks 240 CPU configuration 186 CPU settings, resource 192 CPU, settings, advanced 193 CPUID Mask settings 189 create 144 custom attributes 61 deploying from templates 207 disk settings 196 Ethernet adapter 199 export 141 Fibre Channel NPIV 81 Fibre Channel NPIV settings 190 floppy drives 199 guest operating system 154 guest operating system customization 216 guest operating system settings 187 hard disks 200 hardware 180, 196 interaction privileges 345 inventory privileges 346 legacy 201 log settings 188 managing 169 memory settings 194 migration 232 name 145, 187 NIC 199
378
optical drives 198 options 186 parallel port 198 paravirtualization settings 189 power management settings 188 power settings 80 power states 169 properties 179 provisioning privileges 347 removing 175 resource settings 192 resume 173 returning to VirtualCenter 176 scheduled task to clone 212 scheduling power states 174 security compliance 25 see also appliances serial port 197 shutdown 177 snapshots 249 startup 177 state privileges 348 statistic collection settings 188 suspend 173 swapfile location 81 tab 54 templates, convert from 209 templates, convert to 204 upgrade hardware 202 upgrade version 201 view configuration 79 VMware Tools 80 VMware Tools settings 187 VirtualCenter about 21 active sessions, view 81 agent 23 alarms 312 communication through firewall 76
VMware, Inc.
Index
configuration 74 custom attributes 61 database 22, 76 diagram 21 events 307 hosts, add 119 hosts, remove 125 inventory 27 objects 63 plugins 22, 25 port configuration 77 restarting 37 SNMP 93 start 36 stop 36, 38 tasks 297 templates, unregister 209 traps 90 VMFS 153 VMI paravirtualization 189 VMotion 24, 232 compatibility 238 network best practices 237 network requirements 236 Nx and XD considerations 235 requirements 234 resource maps 294 SSE3 and SSSE3 considerations 236 swapfile considerations 237 VMware Capacity Planner service 131 VMware Converter Enterprise about 25 service 131 VMware DRS 25 VMware High Availability (HA) 24 VMware Infrastructure components of 21 diagram 21
VMware, Inc.
VMware SDK 25 VMware Service Console 24 VMware Tools 80, 143 automate upgrades 163 install and upgrade 155 Linux 158 NetWare 162 properties 162 RPM installer 158, 159 settings 187 Solaris 161 tar installer 159 upgrade 157 WYSE 166 VMware Update Manager 25
W
Web access VirtualCenter port configuration 78 Web Service VirtualCenter settings 76 Windows guest operating system customization 215 WWN 190 WYSE multimedia 166
X
X terminal 158
379
380
VMware, Inc.
Updates for the Basic Administration Guide
LastUpdated:May14,2010 ThisdocumentprovidesupdatestotheESXServer3.5andESXServer3iversion3.5 versionsoftheBasicAdministrationGuide.Updateddescriptions,procedures,and graphicsareorganizedbypagenumbersothatyoucaneasilylocatetheareasofthe guidethathavechanges.Ifthechangespansmultiplesequentialpages,thisdocument providesthestartingpagenumberonly. ThefollowingupdatesweremadetotheBasicAdministrationGuide:

UpdatesfortheRebootorShutDownProcedureonPage 36 UpdatestotheConfiguringVirtualCenterCommunicationoveraWebConnection SectiononPage 79 UpdatestotheAboutMIBFilesSectiononPage 83 UpdatestotheToconfigureyourmanagementprogramtointerpretVirtualCenter SNMPtrapsProcedureonPage 94 UpdatestotheUsingSNMPwithESXServer3SectiononPage 95 UpdatestotheConfiguringtheESXServerAgentfromtheServiceConsoleSection onPage 95 UpdatestotheAddingaHostSectiononPage 119 UpdatestotheImportingaVirtualApplianceProcedureonPage 141 UpdatestotheChangetheMemoryConfigurationProcedureonPage 180 UpdatesfortheToChangetheSerialPortConfigurationProcedureonPage 184 UpdatestotheChangethevirtualprocessororCPUconfigurationProcedureon Page 186 UpdatestotheLinuxRequirementsforGuestCustomizationSectiononPage 218 UpdatestoUnderstandingSnapshotsSectiononPage 250 UpdatestotheToassignauserorgrouppermissionProcedureonPage 275
Update1
VMware, Inc.
UpdatesforthePreparingEmailMessageSMTPAlarmNotificationProcedureon Page 316 UpdatetotheHostConfigurationPrivilegesTableonPage 333 UpdatestotheInstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepToolsAppendixonPage 351
Updates for the Reboot or Shut Down Procedure on Page 36

ThetextinStep 1shouldbereplacedwiththefollowingtext: 1 ShutdownallvirtualmachinesrunningontheESXServerhost.
Updates to the Configuring VirtualCenter Communication over a Web Connection Section on Page 79
Step 7oftheToopenaWebportbetweentheVirtualCenterServerandtheVIClient usingIISprocedureisnowinvalid.Thefollowinginformationshouldbeincludedin thesection: ThecurrentversionofVirtualCenterdoesnotuseVmdbHttpProxy.dllfor communicationbetweentheVIClientandtheVirtualCenterServer. InVirtualCenterServer2.5andlater,theVirtualCenterServeractsasaWebservice.If yourenvironmentrequirestheuseofaWebproxy,VirtualCenterServercanbeusedas aproxyserverlikeanyotherWebservice. TheVIClientusesports80and443tocommunicatewithVirtualCenterServerand ESX/ESXihosts.Theseportscannotbechanged.Configureyourfirewalltoallow communicationbetweentheVIClientandVirtualCenterServerusingtheports80 and 443.
Updates to the About MIB Files Section on Page 83

ThecontentintheAboutMIBFilessectionshouldbereplacedwiththefollowing content: VMwareMIBfilesdefinetheinformationprovidedbyESX/ESXihostsandvCenter ServertoSNMPmanagementsoftware.YoucandownloadtheseMIBfilesfromthe VMwareWebsite. ReferKB1013758formoreinformationonusingSNMPwithVirtualCenter2.5and ESX 3.5.
Update2
VMware, Inc.
Table 51liststheMIBfilesprovidedbyVMwareanddescribestheinformationthat eachfileprovides.
Updates to the To configure your management program to interpret VirtualCenter SNMP traps Procedure on Page 94
Step 1intheToconfigureyourmanagementprogramtointerpretVirtualCenterSNMP trapsprocedureisincorrect.Thefollowingdetailsshouldreplacetheincorrectstep: 1 CopythefollowingMIBfilestothelocationrequiredbyyourmanagement software:

VMWARE-VC-EVENT-MIB VMWARE-OBSOLETE-MIB
TheseMIBfilesarerequiredtointerpretVirtualCenterServerTraps. YoucandownloadtheseSNMPMIBfilesfromtheVMwareWebsite.Refer KB 1013445formoredetailsondownloadingtheMIBfiles.
Updates to the Using SNMP with ESX Server 3 Section on Page 95

ThesentenceintheUsingSNMPwithESXServer3sectionregardingSMIv1and SNMPv1shouldbereplacedwiththefollowingcontent: TheESXServer3NetSNMPbasedagentcanbeusedwithanymanagementsoftware thatcanloadandcompileamanagementinformationbase(MIB)inSMIv2formatand canunderstandSNMPv2trapmessages.
Updates to the Configuring the ESX Server Agent from the Service Console Section on Page 95
TheConfiguringtheESXServerAgentfromtheServiceConsolesectiondoesnot providedetailedinstructionsforconfiguringanESXServerhostforgeneratingtraps. Thefollowingprocedure,whichenablesyoutomodify/etc/vmware/snmp.xmlto setuptraptargetsforVMwarerelatedtrapsfromserviceconsole,shouldbeaddedto thissection.(ReferKB1008065tousethevicfg-snmpcommandfromtheRemoteCLI toenabletheSNMPagentandconfiguretrapdestinations).
VMware, Inc.
Update3
To configure an ESX host for SNMP Traps 1 2 3 LoginasroottotheserviceconsoleoftheESXhost. Runthefollowingcommandtoeditthesnmp.xmlfile: vi /etc/vmware/snmp.xml Updatethesnmp.xmlfilewiththefollowingtext:
<config> <snmpSettings> <communities>public</communities> <enable>true</enable> <port>99</port> <targets>localhost@162 private</targets> </snmpSettings> </config>
Runthefollowingcommandtoedittheconfig.xmlfile: vi /etc/vmware/hostd/config.xml
Updatetheconfig.xmlfilewiththefollowingtext:
<log> <directory>/var/log/vmware/</directory> <name>hostd</name> <outputToConsole>false</outputToConsole> <level>verbose</level> </log>
Restarthostdusingthefollowingcommand: service mgmt-vmware restart
Runthefollowingcommandstoverifythatthesnmpdandsnmptrapdarerunning successfully:

etc/initd/snmpd status etc/initd/snmptrapd status
Ifthestatusisdisplayedasstopped,startthedaemons:

etc/initd/snmpd start etc/initd/snmptrapd start
Tomonitorandreceivethegeneratedtraps,enterthefollowingcommands:

# snmpd -P # snmptrapd -P
Update4
VMware, Inc.
Updates to the Adding a Host Section on Page 119

ThenoteintheAddingaHostsectionshouldcontainthefollowinginformation regardingtheLockdownmode: NOTELockdownMode,whichisavailableonlyinESXiEmbedded,isnotavailablein ESXinstallations.LockdownModedisablesremoteaccessfortheadministratorafter VirtualCenterServertakescontroloftheESXihost.Formoredetails,referthesection ESXServer3iLockdownModeinESXServer3iConfigurationGuide.
Updates to the Importing a Virtual Appliance Procedure on Page 141

Step 6oftheToimportavirtualapplianceprocedurestatesincorrectinformation. The nameprovidedtothedatacenteriscaseinsensitive.
Updates to the Change the Memory Configuration Procedure on Page 182

Step 3oftheTochangethememoryconfigurationprocedurestatesincorrect informationabouttherangeofmemorysupported.Thecorrectrangeofmemory supportedis128MBto65532MB.
Updates for the To Change the Serial Port Configuration Procedure on Page 184
ThefollowingnoteshouldprecedetheTochangetheserialportconfiguration procedure: NOTEHostserialdevicefunctionalityisnotavailableonESXihosts.
Updates to the Change the virtual processor or CPU configuration Procedure on Page 186
ThenoteinTochangethevirtualprocessororCPUconfigurationsectioncontaining informationonthesupportforchangingthenumberofprocessorsinanimported virtualmachineisincorrect.Thecorrectinformationis NOTENotallguestoperatingsystemssupportSMP,andsomethatdorequire reinstallationifthenumberofCPUschanges.
VMware, Inc.
Update5
Updates to the Linux Requirements for Guest Customization Section on Page 218
TheLinuxRequirementsforGuestCustomizationsectionshouldincludethefollowing requirement:
PerlisinstalledintheLinuxguestoperatingsystem.
Updates to Understanding Snapshots Section on Page 250

ThesectionUnderstandingSnapshotsdoesnotincludeinformationondeltadisks.The sectionshouldcontainthefollowingcontent: Totakeasnapshot,thestateofthevirtualdiskatthetimeoftakingthesnapshotmust bepreserved.Whenthisoccurs,theguestoperatingsystemcannotwritetotheVMDK file.ThedeltadiskisanadditionalVMDKfilewheretheguestisgivenwriteaccess. NOTEToconsolidateallsnapshotsintothebasevirtualmachine,youmightneedextra diskspace,aslargeasthebaseVMDK. Thedeltadiskrepresentsthedifferencebetweenthecurrentstateofthevirtualdiskand thestateatthetimeoftheprevioussnapshot.Ifmorethanonesnapshotsexist,delta disksmightrepresentthedifference(ordelta)betweeneachsnapshot.Also,theguest canwritetoeverysingleblockofthevirtualdiskcausingthedeltadisktogrowaslarge asthebaseVMDKofthevirtualmachine. Whenasnapshotisdeleted,ifauserchoosestomergethechangesbetweenthe snapshotstothepreviousdiskstate,allthedatafromthedeltadiskthatcontainsthe informationaboutthedeletedsnapshotiswrittentotheparentdisk.Thismightinvolve alargeamountofdiskI/Oandmightreducethevirtualmachineperformanceuntil consolidationiscomplete. Iftheuserchoosestoignorethedeltadisks,deltaconsolidationisnotrequired. SeeVMwareKnowledgeBasesystemformoreinformationontheiterativesnapshot deletionbehavior.SeealsoDeleteAllsnapshotoperationresultsinaConsolidate Helpersnapshotwhenadatastorehasinsufficientdiskspace(KBarticle1003302). NOTEWhilesnapshotsprovideapointintimeimageofthediskthatbackupsolutions canuse,snapshotsshouldnotbeusedforvirtualmachinebackups.
Update6
VMware, Inc.
Updates to the To assign a user or group permission Procedure on Page 275

InStep 2,theobjectsthatcanhavepermissionsassignedtothemwhicharelistedfor VirtualCenterandESXServerareincorrect.Thetextshouldread:

InVirtualCenterFolders,datacenters,clusters,resourcepools,hosts InESXServerHosts
Updates for the Preparing Email Message SMTP Alarm Notification Procedure on Page 316
InStep 3,theSenderAccountexampleisincorrect.Theemailaddressismissingtheat sign(@).Thetextshouldread:
SenderAccountTheemailaddressofthesender,forexample, mail_server@datacenter.com.
Update to the Host Configuration Privileges Table on Page 333

InTable A8,thedescriptionfortheChangeSettingsprivilegedoesnotmentionthatthe privilegeallowssettingtheLockdownModeonlyonESXihosts.Therowshould appearasfollows:
Change Settings AllowssettingoflockdownmodeonESXi hostsonly. Userinterfaceelement: 1 2 3 SelecttheHostConfigurationtab. ClickSecurityProfile. SelectLockdownModeandclickEdit. HCandVC Hosts Hosts (ESXionly)
Updates to the Installing the Microsoft Sysprep Tools Appendix on Page 351
TheversionoftheVirtualCenterServermentionedinthefourthparagraphinthe InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepToolsappendixisincorrect.Thetextshouldreadas follows: TheguestoperatingsystemcustomizationfeatureinVirtualCenterServer2.5takesfull advantageofWindowsSysprepfunctionality.
VMware, Inc.
Update7
Update8
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Basic System Administration

ESX Server 3.5, ESX Server 3i version 3.5 VirtualCenter 2.5

Basic System Administration

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

Basic System Administration

UsingDHCPfortheServiceConsole 41 ConnectingtotheServiceConsole 42 UsingCommandsontheServiceConsole 42

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CustomVMwareToolsInstallation 165 WYSEMultimediaSupport 166 InstallingWYSEMultimediaSupportwithVMwareTools 166 InstallingWYSEMultimediaSupportaspartofaVMwareTools Upgrade 166

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CloningVirtualMachines 210 CreatingaScheduledTasktoCloneaVirtualMachine

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B InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepTools 351 C PerformanceChartMetrics 355

Basic System Administration

About This Book

Basic System Administration

VMware Infrastructure Documentation

Abbreviations Used in Figures

About This Book

Technical Support and Education Resources

Online and Telephone Support

VMware Education Services

Basic System Administration

Basic System Administration

VMware Infrastructure Components

ThischapterintroducesVMwareInfrastructurecomponentsandtheoperationsthat youusewhenmanagingyourvirtualmachinesthroughESXServerorVirtualCenter Server. Thischaptercontainsthefollowingtopics:

TwoApproachestoManagingVirtualMachinesonpage 20 ComponentsofVMwareInfrastructureonpage 21 VMwareInfrastructureClientInterfacesonpage 23 OptionalVirtualCenterComponentsonpage 24 VirtualCenterModulesonpage 25 ManagedComponentsonpage 26 FunctionalComponentsonpage 27 AccessPrivilegesComponentsonpage 28

Basic System Administration

Two Approaches to Managing Virtual Machines

DirectlythroughanESXServerhost(asingleorstandalonehost)thatcanmanage onlythosevirtualmachines,andtheirresources,installedonit. ThroughaVirtualCenterServerthatmanagesmultiplevirtualmachinesandtheir resourcesdistributedovermanyESXServerhosts.

ESX Server host

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

Figure 1-2. VMware Infrastructure Components with a VirtualCenter Server

VirtualCenter License Server

ESX Server host

ESX Server host

ESX Server host

Components of VMware Infrastructure

VirtualCenterAservicethatactsasacentraladministratorforVMwareESX Serverhoststhatareconnectedonanetwork.VirtualCenterdirectsactionsonthe virtualmachinesandthevirtualmachinehosts(theESXServerhosts).

Basic System Administration

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

VMware Infrastructure Client Interfaces

Basic System Administration

Optional VirtualCenter Components

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

VMwareDRSAfeaturethathelpsimproveresourceallocationandpower consumptionacrossallhostsandresourcepools.VMwareDRScollectsresource usageinformationforallhostsandvirtualmachinesintheclusterandgives recommendations(ormigratesvirtualmachines)inoneoftwosituations:

Basic System Administration

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

FoldersContainersusedtogroupobjectsandorganizethemintohierarchies. Thisisnotonlyconvenientbutalsoprovidesanaturalstructureuponwhichto applypermissions. Therearethreetypesoffolders,eachofwhichcancontainotherfolders(ofthe sametype)andexactlyoneothertypeofobject.Theseobjectsare:

Datacenters Virtualmachines(whichincludetemplates) Computeresources(whichincludehostsandclusters)

Thedatacenterfoldersformahierarchydirectlyundertherootnodeandallow userstogrouptheirdatacentersinanyconvenientway.Withineachdatacenteris onehierarchyoffolderswithvirtualmachinesandtemplatesandonehierarchyof folderswithhostsandclusters.

DatacentersUnlikeafolder,whichisusedtoorganizeaspecificobjecttype,a datacenterisanaggregationofallthedifferenttypesofobjectsneededtodowork invirtualinfrastructure:hosts,virtualmachines,networks,anddatastores. Withinadatacentertherearefourseparatehierarchies.

Virtualmachines(andtemplates) Hosts(andclusters) Networks Datastores

InventoryAviewofallthemonitoredobjectsinVirtualCenter.Monitored objectsincludedatacenters,resourcepools,clusters,networks,datastores, templates,hosts,andvirtualmachines. ScheduledtasksAlistofactivitiesandameanstoschedulethoseactivities.This isavailablethroughVirtualCenterServeronly.

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Access Privileges Components

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

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Using this Document

VMwareInfrastructurecomponents Administrationtools Systemconfiguration Virtualmachinemanagementandconfiguration Accessandpermissionsmanagement Systemadministrationandmanagement

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Chapter 2 Using this Document

Virtual Machine Management

Basic System Administration

Datastore> Network> Permission> Alarm> ScheduledTask>