Vmware Vcenter Server: Module Number 4-1

VMware vCenter Server
Module 4
VMware vSphere 4: Install, Configure, Manage Revision B Copyright 2009 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved.
Module Number 4-1
You Are Are Here Here
vSphere Environment
Introduction to VMware Virtualization Configuring VMware ESX and ESXi Installing and Using VMware vCenter Server Networking Storage Virtual Machines
Operations
Access Control Resource Monitoring Scalability High Availability and Data Protection Configuration Management Installing VMware ESX and ESXi
Module Number 4-2
Importance
VMware vCenter Server allows you to centrally manage multiple VMware ESX/ESXi servers and their virtual machines. Failure to properly install, configure, and manage vCenter Server could result in reduced administrative efficiency or possible ESX/ESXi and virtual machine downtime.
Module Number 4-3
Module Lessons
Lesson 1: Lesson 2:
Installing vCenter Server Using vCenter Server
Module Number 4-4
Lesson 1: Installing vCenter Server
Module Number 4-5
Lesson Objectives
Describe the vCenter Server architecture Describe the vCenter Server components Install vCenter Server Install the VMware vSphere Client Install a vCenter Server additional module
Module Number 4-6
vCenter Server: Management Platform
VMware vCenter Server is the central point for configuring, provisioning, and managing virtualized IT environments.
Module Number 4-7
vCenter Architecture
Module Number 4-8
vCenter Server Components

Distributed Services Additional Services Core Services
Update Manager Converter Plug-in
Active Directory Interface
Active Directory domain
User Access Control
vSphere API
Third-party applications
Database Interface
ESX/ESXi Management
vCenter Server database
Hosts
Module Number 4-9
vCenter Server Modules

These modules provide additional features and functionality to vCenter Server. Examples:
VMware vCenter Update Manager VMware vCenter Converter
These modules include a server component and a client component:

The client component is a plug-in available for download and installation to vSphere Clients after the server component is installed in vCenter Server. The client component alters the interface by adding items related to the enhanced functionality.
Module Number 4-10
vCenter Server: Physical or Virtual Machine

When using a physical machine:
A dedicated server is required. vCenter Server is not susceptible to potential VMware vSphere outage. vCenter Server performance is limited only by the system hardware.
When using a virtual machine:

A dedicated server is not required. vCenter Server is susceptible to potential vSphere outage. The vCenter Server instance can be migrated from one system to another during maintenance activities. vCenter Server must contend for resources with the other virtual machines on the host.
Module Number 4-11
vCenter Server Hardware/Software Requirements

Hardware requirements (physical or virtual machine)
Processor 2.0GHz or higher Intel or AMD x86 processor* Memory 2GB RAM minimum* Disk storage 1GB minimum, 2GB recommended* Networking Gigabit recommended
*Requirements higher if vCenter Server database running on same system
Software requirements
Guest operating systems supported:
Windows XP Pro, Windows 2003 Server, Windows Server 2008
For a complete, detailed list of supported guest operating systems, see the vSphere installation guide.
Module Number 4-12
vCenter Database Requirements

Each vCenter Server instance must have a connection to a database to organize all the configuration data. Supported databases:
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Oracle 10g and 11g For a complete list of supported databases, see the vSphere installation guide.
Default database: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express

Bundled with vCenter Server Used for product evaluations and demos Also used for small deployments (up to 5 hosts and 50 virtual machines)
Module Number 4-13
Calculating the Database Size

vCenter Server has a built-in database calculator. This is a what if calculator. No database changes are made.
Module Number 4-14
Steps Before Installing vCenter Server

Before beginning the vCenter Server installation, perform the following steps:
Ensure that vCenter Server hardware and software requirements are met. Ensure that the vCenter Server system belongs to a domain rather than a workgroup. Create a vCenter Server database, unless using the default database. Obtain and assign static IP address and host name to the vCenter Server system.
Module Number 4-15
vCenter Server Installation Procedure
Launch the VMware vCenter Installer wizard. Other vSphere components can also be installed with this wizard.
Module Number 4-16
vCenter Server Installation Information

The vCenter Server installer asks for the following information:
User name and organization License key Destination folder for software Other information (covered in the next few slides)
Database information SYSTEM account information vCenter Server linked mode options Ports
Module Number 4-17
Configuring Access to the Database
Database information:
Use the default database or an existing supported database.
Module Number 4-18
vCenter Server Account Considerations

Use the Windows SYSTEM account or a user-specified account for running vCenter Server. A user-specified account
Enables the use of Windows authentication for SQL Server Can be used for security purposes Must be an Administrator on local machine
Module Number 4-19
Standalone Instance or Linked Mode Group

Install vCenter Server as a standalone instance or as part of a vCenter Linked Mode group.
vCenter Linked Mode allows you to view and manage the inventories of multiple vCenter Server instances. Use vCenter Linked Mode primarily for large-scale managing and monitoring of virtual environments.
Module Number 4-20
Ports Used by vCenter Server

vSphere Web Access vSphere Client Other SDK clients These ports are used by vCenter Server to communicate with its client interfaces and managed hosts.
vCenter Server
443
902/903
ESXi or ESX
Module Number 4-21
Configuring Ports Used by vCenter Server

Customize these ports or use the defaults. In addition to ports 80, 443, and 902, other ports used are:
8080 and 8443: For Web Services HTTP and HTTPS ports 389 and 636: LDAP and SSL ports used by Directory Services
Module Number 4-22
vCenter Server Services

vCenter Server is installed on a Windows system. Once installed, vCenter Server services can be managed from the Windows Control Panel (Administrative Tools > Services).
Module Number 4-23
vSphere Client Installation Procedure

1. Start the VMware vCenter Installer wizard. 2. Select vSphere Client. 3. In the vSphere Client installer:
a. Accept the EULA. b. Enter user name and company name. c. Select Install VMware vSphere Host Update Utility if you plan to manage host patches, updates, and upgrades from this machine. d. Accept the default installation location.
Module Number 4-24
Logging In to the vSphere Client

At the vSphere Client login screen, enter:
Host name or IP address of the vCenter Server system Windows user and password
(Optional) Use your Windows session credentials.
Module Number 4-25
Installing vCenter Additional Modules and Plug-Ins

To install an additional vCenter Server module, use the VMware vCenter Installer wizard.
To install the corresponding plug-in, use the Plug-in Manager.
Module Number 4-26
Lab 2
In this lab, you will install vCenter Server components.
1. Access your vCenter Server system. 2. Configure a SQL Server ODBC connection to a preconfigured database. 3. Install vCenter Server. 4. Install the vSphere Client. 5. Check the vCenter Server installation. 6. Install an additional vCenter Server module: vCenter Converter. 7. Install and enable a plug-in: Converter plug-in.
Module Number 4-27
Lesson Summary
The vCenter architecture consists of the vCenter Server, the vCenter Server database, vSphere Web Access, vSphere Client, Active Directory, and managed ESX/ESXi hosts. Install vCenter Server and its components using the VMware vCenter Installer wizard. Install the server component of vCenter Server additional modules using the VMware vCenter Installer wizard. Install the client component of vCenter Server additional modules as plug-ins in the vSphere Client.
Module Number 4-28
Lesson 2: Using vCenter Server
Module Number 4-29
Lesson Objectives
Navigate using the vSphere Client Create and organize vCenter Server inventory objects Add license keys to vCenter Server View vCenter Server logs and events Create a vCenter Server administrator
Module Number 4-30
vSphere Client Home Page

This lesson focuses on the inventory and some administration tasks.
Module Number 4-31
Navigating the vSphere Client

Home page search box
navigation bar
Module Number 4-32
vCenter Inventory Objects

The vCenter Server inventory panels organize objects into a hierarchy.
Hosts and Clusters Datastores
VMs and Templates
Networks
Module Number 4-33
Organizing Inventory Objects into Folders
Module Number 4-34
Managing Multiple Datacenters
Each datacenter has its own hosts, virtual machines, templates, datastores, and networks.
Module Number 4-35
vCenter Views: Hosts, Clusters, VMs, Templates

Hosts and Clusters View VMs and Templates View
Module Number 4-36
vCenter Views: Datastores and Networks
Datastores View
Networking View
Module Number 4-37
Adding Host to vCenter Server Inventory

To add an ESX/ESXi host to the vCenter Server inventory, use the Add Host wizard. Specify:
Fully qualified domain name User name and password (ESXi hosts only) Lockdown mode enabled
You can also add legacy hosts:

ESX 2.5.x or later ESXi 3.5 and later
Module Number 4-38
ESX/ESXi and vCenter Communication
Module Number 4-39
vCenter License Overview

Licenses are managed and monitored from vCenter Server. Licensing consists of the following components:
Product A license to use a vSphere software component or feature License key A 25-character serial number that corresponds to a product Asset A machine on which a product is installed
vCenter Server can also manage licenses for legacy hosts.

vCenter Server must have a VMware License Server connection. When adding a legacy host to the vCenter Server inventory, vCenter Server checks out vCenter Server agent licenses from the License Server.
Module Number 4-40
Adding License Keys

1. In the navigation bar, go to Home > Administration > Licensing. 2. Enter license keys for each product.
(Optional) Enter a label for each license key.
3. Assign the license key to an asset.
Module Number 4-41
vCenter Server Events

event search
details of selected event
Module Number 4-42
vCenter Server System Logs

log search
Module Number 4-43
Creating a vCenter Server Administrator

Avoid using the Windows Administrator user to run vCenter Server after it has been installed.
By default, the Windows local Administrators group is given the vCenter Server role named Administrator.
Instead, use a nonadministrative Windows account to run vCenter Server.
Rawlinson (user) and vSphereGurus (group) are assigned vCenter Server Administrator role. Remove the Administrators group from the list.
Module Number 4-44
Lab 3
In this lab, you will use the vCenter Server inventory, add a license key, and view system logs.
1. Add container objects to the Hosts and Clusters inventory view. 2. Add your ESX host to the Hosts and Clusters inventory view and display general host information. 3. Add folder objects to the VMs and Templates inventory view. 4. Add vCenter Server and ESX host license keys.
Module Number 4-45
Lesson Summary
The vSphere Client Home page allows you to view the inventory, as well as perform various management and administrative tasks. The vCenter Server Inventory panel organizes vCenter Server objects such as hosts, virtual machines, datastores, and networks into a hierarchy. vCenter system logs and events are viewed using the vSphere Client.
Module Number 4-46
Key Points
Use vCenter Server to centrally manage your hosts and virtual machines instead of logging directly in to each host. Use the inventory views to organize inventory objects in a meaningful way. Assign the vCenter Server Administrator role to a normal Windows user account and remove this role from the Windows Administrator group.
Module Number 4-47

Vmware Vcenter Server: Module Number 4-1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vmware Vcenter Server: Module Number 4-1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vmware Vcenter Server: Module Number 4-1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is vCenter Server and what are its main components and architecture?

What is vCenter Server and what are its main components and architecture?

What are the steps to install vCenter Server?

What are the steps to install vCenter Server?

VMware vCenter Server

Module Number 4-1

You Are Are Here Here

Module Number 4-2

Module Number 4-3

Installing vCenter Server Using vCenter Server

Module Number 4-4

Lesson 1: Installing vCenter Server

Module Number 4-5

Module Number 4-6

vCenter Server: Management Platform

Module Number 4-7

Module Number 4-8

vCenter Server Components

Active Directory Interface

Active Directory domain

User Access Control

vCenter Server database

Module Number 4-9

vCenter Server Modules

These modules include a server component and a client component:

Module Number 4-10

vCenter Server: Physical or Virtual Machine

When using a virtual machine:

Module Number 4-11

vCenter Server Hardware/Software Requirements

Module Number 4-12

vCenter Database Requirements

Default database: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express

Module Number 4-13

Calculating the Database Size

Module Number 4-14

Steps Before Installing vCenter Server

Module Number 4-15

vCenter Server Installation Procedure

Module Number 4-16

vCenter Server Installation Information

Module Number 4-17

Configuring Access to the Database

Module Number 4-18

vCenter Server Account Considerations

Module Number 4-19

Standalone Instance or Linked Mode Group

Module Number 4-20

Ports Used by vCenter Server

Module Number 4-21

Configuring Ports Used by vCenter Server

Module Number 4-22

vCenter Server Services

Module Number 4-23

vSphere Client Installation Procedure

Module Number 4-24

Logging In to the vSphere Client

(Optional) Use your Windows session credentials.

Module Number 4-25