VMWARE VSPHERE 5 - PART 1: VCENTER SERVER INSTALLATION
CLVI_VMWA_A02_IT_ENUS
5.0 Hours
VCENTER SERVER INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Vcenter Server Hardware and Port Requirements
Active Directory and DNA Setup
Creating the Vcenter server Database
SQL Server 2008 R2 Instllation
64-bit ODBC Connection
VCENTER SERVER INSTALLATION
1. Overview: Installing Vcenter Server
2. Installing Vcenter Server
VCENTER SERVER HARDWARE AND PORT REQUIREMENTS
Topic Notes: vCenter Server Hardware and Port Requirements
vCenter Server Hardware and Port Requirements
In the majority of today's information systems, the client-server architecture is king. This
emphasis is because the client-server architecture has the ability to centralize management of
resources and to provide end-users and client systems with access to those resources in a
simplified manner.
Information systems used to exist in a flat peer-to-peer model, when user accounts were
required on every system where resource access was needed and when significant
administrative overhead was needed simply to make things work.
vCenter Server
As the size of a virtual infrastructure grows, the ability to manage the infrastructure from a
central location becomes significantly more important. vCenter Server is a Windows-based
application that serves as a centralized management tool for ESXi hosts and their respective
VMs. vCenter Server acts as a proxy that performs tasks on the individual ESXi hosts that have
been added as members of a vCenter Server installation. VMware includes vCenter Server
licensing in every kit and every edition of vSphere, underscoring the importance of vCenter
Server. Some of the more functional features of vSphere, such as vMotion and High Availability,
can only be implemented when using vCenter Server.
Apart from centralized management, vCenter Server also provides an extensible platform for
scalability and choice. The ability to enhance the functionality of vCenter Server through native
VMware components or third party additions provides flexibility and scalability.
vCenter Server is available as a virtual appliance in vSphere 5. Rather than a Windows-based
solution, vCenter Server is offered as a Linux-based VM with the functionality of vCenter Server
prepackaged and preinstalled.
vCenter Server can also assist with securing your virtual environment by providing a simplified
means of updating ESXi hosts and their associated VMs with the latest security patches, and it
can integrate with Active Directory, leveraging its security features, as well as provide auditing
tools and granular roles and permissions.
vCenter Server Pieces
There are several tasks and prerequisites for the installation of vCenter server, as well as
several pieces of information one will need available.
Installation files can be downloaded from VMware's web site. vCenter server requires a 64-bit
Dual Core CPU, 4 GB of RAM, and Gigabit network connection. DNS should be configured with a
FQDN for the vCenter Server.
Several databases are supported, but regardless of the choice, a 64 bit DSN will need to be
created for ODBC connectivity. Ongoing maintenance of the database will be required.
vCenter Server Hardware Requirements
Pay particular attention to memory requirements. One might consider more RAM if the database
is running on the same machine.
vCenter Server uses several Java services, one of which is the Inventory Service. During
installation, the user is prompted to specify the size of their inventory (which can be adjusted
later). The specified size is used to allocate memory to these services.
Virtual Center Server Appliance
vSphere 5 offers a new method for deploying vCenter Server packaged in the form of a Linuxbased VM that has been optimized for running vCenter Server. No knowledge of Linux is required,
and no installation needs to be performed. There is no additional cost, but a vCenter Server
license is still required.
This implementation provides a quick way to get the functionality of vCenter Server in your
environment, but note that some functionality such as not supporting all databases, linked
mode, and single sign-on using Windows session credentials are not supported.
The vCSA requires 7 GB of disk space for installation and 4 GB of memory. Additional memory
is suggested per the recommended settings for the JVM.
vCenter Server will require various ports be configured to allow for communication with the
virtual elements of your environment, as well as for providing vCenter Server services and
functionality.
Port
80
Significance
 Http request that gets redirected to port 443
 Watch out for IIS on the same port
 SQL Server Reporting also runs on port 80 if the install Is local
389
443
636
902
8080/8443
60099
10443
10109
10111

vCenter Server needs this. Also used for ADAM in Linked Mode for
communication between vCenter Servers.
 Don't install vCenter Server on a domain controller {O_o}
 vSphere Client uses this to talk to vCenter Server - https://{vcenter
server name}:443
 If you're using a SDK to build custom apps, this is the port that will
be used to communicate with vCenter
Required for Linked Mode (changeable)
 vCenter talks to hosts on this port
 Checks heartbeat over UDP
 Used for virtual machine console display (vSphere Client to vCenter)
VirtualCenter Server Management Web Services
Web Service change notification port
Inventory Service
Inventory Service Management
Linked Mode Inventory Management
TOPIC NOTES: ACTIVE DIRECTORY AND DNS SETUP
Active Directory and DNS
In vSphere 5, VMware includes the ability to use Microsoft Active Directory, a widely deployed
directory service, as the centralized security authority for ESXi hosts. The Windows-based
version of vCenter Server already leverages Active Directory, so allowing your ESXi hosts to
leverage the same security authority makes sense.
TOPIC NOTES: CREATING THE VCENTER SERVER DATABASE
Creating the Virtual Center Server Database
vCenter Server requires a database to store and organize data relating to your virtual
environment.
There are several methods for creating the vCenter Server database:
1. SQL Server 2008 R2 Express is bundled with vCenter Server. It provides a quick and easy
way to provide a turnkey solution, providing your environment isn't too complex.
Depending on the environment, an administrator may wish to consider upgrading to the
full SQL Server product or consider a more robust solution.
2. The installation scripts used by the installer to initially install and configure the
database can be edited to meet your environment's particular customization needs
during installation.
3. Of course, if familiar with database administration and planning, one may wish to simply
create that database manually, giving one complete control over the installation and
configuration process.