Vi3!35!25 Admin Guide

Basic System Administration
ESX Server 3.5, ESX Server 3i version 3.5

VirtualCenter 2.5
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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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Contents
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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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
212
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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Contents
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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368
11
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
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Abbreviation
Description
database
VirtualCenterdatabase
datastore
Storageforthemanagedhost
dsk#
Storagediskforthemanagedhost
hostn
VirtualCentermanagedhosts
SAN
Storageareanetworktypedatastoresharedbetweenmanagedhosts
tmplt
Template
user#
Userwithaccesspermissions
VC
VirtualCenter
VM#
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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18
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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
VirtualCenter
License Server
VirtualCenter
Agent
VM
VM
VI Client
VirtualCenter
Server
VC
database
VirtualCenter
Agent
VM
VM
ESX Server host
VM
VirtualCenter
Agent
VM
VM
ESX Server host
datastore
VI Client
VM
VM
ESX Server host
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.
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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.
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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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31
Getting Started
Theintroductorydiscussionspanssevenchaptersanddescribesthesystem
components,systemmanagementtools,andthebasictasksyoumustcompleteto
configureyourVMwareInfrastructureClient.Theintroductorypartcontainsthe
followingchapters:
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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:
34
DefinedPrivilegesIncludestableswiththepermissionsandrolesthatare
availablewiththeVMwareInfrastructuresystem.
InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepToolsDescribeshowtoinstalltheMicrosoft
SyspreptoolsonyourVirtualCenterServermachine.InstallingtheSyspreptools
isarequirementifyouplantocustomizeaWindowsguestoperatingsystem.
PerformanceChartMetricsIncludestableswiththemeasurementoptionsfor
eachresourcemonitoredonahost.
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Starting and Stopping the

Components
Thischapterincludesinformationonhowtostartandstopeachoneofthemajor
VMwareInfrastructurecomponents,ESXServerandVirtualCenterServer.
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.
IfconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,displaytheinventorysHosts&Clusters
panel.Selecttheappropriaterootfolder(bydefaultlabeledHosts&Clusters)or
subfolder.
SelecttheappropriateESXServerintheinventorypanel.
Fromthemainorrightclickpopupmenu,chooseRebootorShutDown,as
appropriate.
IfRebootisselected,theESXServershutsdownandreboots.
IfShutDownisselected,theESXServershutsdown.Youmustmanually
powerthesystembackon.
Provideareasonfortheshutdown.
Thisinformationisaddedtothelog.
To manually stop an ESX Server 3 host

1
LogintotheESXServerserviceconsole.
SeeConnectingtotheServiceConsoleonpage 42forinformationonaccessing
theserviceconsole.
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.
RightclicktheVMwareInfrastructureServerandchooseProperties.Inthe
VMwareVirtualCenterServicesPropertiesdialogbox,clicktheGeneraltaband
viewtheservicestatus.
Restarting the VirtualCenter Server

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

TheVirtualCenterServerisaWindowsservice.YoucanusetheWindowsinterfaceto
selecttheserviceandstopit.
YoushouldnothavetostoptheVirtualCenterServer.ItisbestfortheVirtualCenter
Servertohavecontinuousoperation.Continuousoperationensuresthatallmonitoring
andtaskactivitiesareperformedasexpected.
To stop the VirtualCenter Server
1
Forexample,selectStart>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Services.Click
VMwareVirtualCenterService.
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
LogintoyourWindowssystem.
ThefirsttimeyoustarttheVIClient,loginastheadministrator.
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
LaunchyourWebbrowser.
EntertheURLofyourESXServerorVirtualCenterServerinstallation:
https://<host or server name>/ui
TheVIWebAccessloginpageappears.
Theloginpagecontainsfieldsforyourusernameandpassword.Thisusername
andpasswordarethesamecredentialsyouwoulduseifyouconnectedusingthe
VIClient.Also,thesamepermissionsareusedtodetermineifausercanviewand
manipulateobjects.VI WebAccessdoesnothaveitsownconceptofusersor
permissions.
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VMware, Inc.
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.
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
Inventory panel
Main
Toolbar
Console button
Status bar
Status panel
Inventory tabs
Pop-up menu
Information panel
TheVIClientareasarecoveredinthefollowingsections:
46
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
File>
Export>
ExportEvents*|ExportList|ExportMaps*|
ExportDiagnosticData
File>
Report>
HostSummary|Performance
File>
VirtualAppliance>
Import|Export
File>
PrintMaps>
PrintSettings|PrintPreview|Print
File>
Exit
EditMenuDisplaysmenuitemsrelevanttotheselectedobject.
Table 4-2. Edit Menu Items
Edit>
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Rename|Remove|CustomizationSpecifications|ClientSettings
47
ViewMenuControlswhichpanelsarevisible.Thisprovidesamenuitemfor
selectingoneofthenavigationbuttons.
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.
Table 4-5. Inventory Menu Items
48
Inventory>
Datacenter>
NewFolder|NewCluster|AddHost|
AddAlarm|AddPermission|Remove|
Rename
Inventory>
VirtualMachine>
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
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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
Inventory>
Host>
NewVirtualMachine|Connect*|
Disconnect*|EnterMaintenanceMode|
ShutDown|Reboot|ReportSummary|
ReportPerformance|AdvancedSettings
|Remove*|RelocateVMFiles
Inventory>
Cluster*>
AddHost|NewVirtualMachine|New
ResourcePool|EditSettings|Remove|
Rename
Inventory>
ResourcePool>
NewVirtualMachine|NewResource
Pool|ReportPerformance*|Remove|
Rename
Inventory>
Datastore*>
BrowseDatastore|Rename|Remove|
Refresh
Inventory>
Network*>
Remove
Inventory>
Permission>
Add|Delete|Properties
Inventory>
Alarm*>
Properties|Remove
Inventory>
ScheduledTask*>
Run|Remove|Properties
AdministrationMenuDisplaysconfigurationoptionsthatapplyacrossthe
VMwareInfrastructureenvironment.
Table 4-6. Administration Menu Items
Administration>
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CustomAttributes*|VirtualCenterManagementSettings*|
Role|Session*|EditMessageoftheDay*|Export
DiagnosticData*|ConsolidationSettings
PluginsDisplaysoptionsformanagingVirtualCenterplugins.
49
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.
Additional Console menu
The message line indicates

the number of active
connections to this virtual
machine.
Allconnectionstothevirtualmachineseethesamedisplayinformation.Themessage
lineindicatesifothersareviewingthevirtualmachine.
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VMware, Inc.
ThepopoutvirtualmachineConsolehasthefollowingmenuitems.Theembedded
ConsolehassimilarmenuitemsbutdoesnotincludealloftheexternalConsolemenu
items.
Table 4-7. Virtual Machine Pop-Out Console Menu Items
File>
Exit
View>
AutofitWindow|FitWindowNow|FitGuestNow|FullScreen
VM>
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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51
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
Client
Connected To
Button, Tab, or
Toggle
Description
ESXServer
navigationbar
button
Listsselectedconfigurationoptionsand
information.
VirtualCenter
Alarms
VirtualCenter
inventorypanel
tab
Liststheconfiguredalarmsforthe
selectedobject.
Alarms
VirtualCenter
togglebutton
Liststhetriggeredalarmsfortheselected
object.
ESXServer
inventorypanel
tab
Providesaccesstoconfiguringthe
selectedhost.
inventorypanel
tab
Displaysaremoteconsoletointeract
directlywiththevirtualmachine.
Throughtheremoteconsoleyoucantake
selectedactionsuponthevirtualmachine.
Configuration
VirtualCenter
Console
ESXServer
VirtualCenter
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Table 4-8. Inventory View Tabs (Continued)

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

Panel Name
Client
Connected To
Button, Tab, or
Toggle
Description
ScheduledTasks
VirtualCenter
navigationbar
button
Providesaccessforcreatingand
managingscheduledtasks.
Sessions
VirtualCenter
adminpaneltab
ListstheVIClientsessionsconnectedto
theVirtualCenterServer.
Summary
ESXServer
VirtualCenter
inventorypanel
tab
Displaysacollectionofdataforthe
selectedobject.
ESXServer
adminpaneltab
Listsselectedlogfilesfortheservers.
SystemLogs
VirtualCenter
Tasks
VirtualCenter
togglebutton
Liststherecenttasksfortheselected
object.
Tasks&Events
VirtualCenter
inventorypanel
tab
Liststhetaskscompletedandtheevent
messagesthatreportonthestatusofthe
selectedobject.
Templates
VirtualCenter
navigationbar
button:Virtual
Machines&
Templates
Providesaccessformanagingtemplates.
VirtualMachines
ESXServer
inventorypanel
tab
Liststhevirtualmachinesassignedtothe
selecteddatacenterorhostandgroup.To
access,clicktheVirtualMachinestaband
thevirtualmachinesinthegroupare
displayed.
VirtualCenter
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.
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
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.
AddacustomattributeandclickAdd.
Theattributeisaddedtothelistofvirtualmachinecharacteristics.
3
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
Selectthevirtualmachineorhostintheinventory.
ClicktheSummarytabforthevirtualmachineorhost.
IntheAnnotationsbox,clicktheEditlink.
TheEditCustomAttributesdialogboxisdisplayed.
Toaddanattribute:
a
ClickAdd.
IntheNametextbox,typethenameoftheattribute.
IntheTypedropdownlist,selecttheattributetype:VirtualMachine,Host,
orGlobal.
IntheValuetextbox,typethevalueyouwanttogivetotheattributeforthe
currentlyselectedobject.
ClickOK.
Afteryouhavedefinedanattributeonasinglevirtualmachineorhost,itis
availabletoallobjectsofthattypeintheinventory.However,thevalueyou
specifyisappliedonlytothecurrentlyselectedobject.
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
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
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
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
LaunchtheVirtualCenterclientandlogintoaVirtualCenterserver.
SelectPlugins>ManagePlugins.
TheAvailabletabdisplaysmodulesthatareavailabletobeinstalled.TheInstalledtab
displayscurrentlyinstalledmodules.
To install modules:
1
SelecttheAvailabletabinthePluginManagerdialogbox.
ClickDownloadandInstallforthemoduleyouwant.
Followthepromptsintheinstallationwizard.
Afterinstallationiscomplete,verifythatthemoduleislistedundertheInstalled
tabandthatitisenabled.
To disable and enable modules:

1
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.
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:
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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:
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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.
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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.
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.
EnableIIS.
Forexample,chooseStart>ControlPanel>AdministrativeTools>Internet
ServicesManager.SelectInternetInformationServices.
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\
Setthepermissionsforthisdirectorytoallowexecution.
CopythefileVmdbHttpProxy.dlltothisdirectory.
Thefileisin\Program Files\VMware\Infrastructure\VirtualCenter
Server\.
Verifythatthechangehasbeenapplied.
StopandrestartthedefaultWebsite.
10
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:
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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
FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheAdminbuttonin
thenavigationbar.ThenclicktheSessionstab.
Rightclickthesessiontoclose.ChooseTerminate.
Toconfirmthetermination,clickOK.
To send a message to all users logged on to an active session

1
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
Description
VMWARE-ROOT-MIB.mib
ContainsVMwaresenterpriseOIDandtoplevelOID
assignments.
VMWARE-ENV-MIB.mib
Definesvariablesandtraptypesusedtoreporthardware
environmentstatus.(ESXServer3ihostsonly)
VMWARE-PRODUCTS-MIB.mib
DefinesOIDstouniquelyidentifyeachSNMPagentoneach
VMwareplatform.
VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB.mib
Definesvariablesusedtoreportinformationonresource
usageoftheVMkernel,includingmemory,CPU,anddisk
utilization.
VMWARE-SYTEM-MIB.mib
TheVMWARE-SYSTEM-MIB.mibfileisobsolete.Usethe
SNMPv2MIBtoobtaininformationfromsysDescr.0and
sysObjecID.0.
VMWARE-TC-MIB.mib
DefinescommontextualconventionsusedbyVMwareMIB
files.
VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB.mib
DefinesvirtualmachinepowerrelatedtrapssentbyESX
ServerandtrapssentbyVirtualCenter.
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Table 5-1. VMware MIB Files (Continued)

MIB File
Description
VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB.mib
Definesvariablesforreportinginformationaboutvirtual
machines.
VMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB.mib
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
Identification Mapping
vmware
enterprises 6876
vmwSystem
vmware 1
vmwVirtMachines
vmware 2
vmwResources
vmware 3
vmwProductSpecific
vmware 4
vmwTraps
vmware 50
vmwOID
vmware 60
vmwExperimental
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
ID Mapping
Description
vmwEnv
vmwProductSpecific 20
DefinestheOIDrootforthisMIB
module.
vmwEnvNumber
vmwEnv 1
Numberofconceptualrowsin
vmwEnvTable.
vmwEnvLastChange
vmwEnv 2
Thevalueof sysUptimewhena
conceptualrowwaslastaddedtoor
deletedfromvmwEnvTable.
vmwEnvTable
vmwEnv 3
Thistableispopulatedbymonitoring
subsystemssuchasIPMI.
vmwEnvEntry
vmwEnvTable 1
Oneentryiscreatedinthetablefor
eachphysicalcomponentreportingits
statustoESXServer3i.
vmwEnvIndex
vmwEnvEntry 1
Auniqueidentifierforthephysical
component.Thisidentifierdoesnot
persistacrossmanagementrestarts.
vmwSubsystemType
vmwEnvEntry 2
Thetypeofhardwarecomponentthat
isreportingitsenvironmentalstate.
vmwHardwareStatus
vmwEnvEntry 3
Thelastreportedstatusofthe
component.
vmwEventDescription
vmwEnvEntry 4
Adescriptionofthelastreportedevent
forthishardwarecomponent.
vmwHardwareTime
vmwEnvEntry 5
ThevalueofsysUptimewhen
vmwHardwareStatuswasreported.
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
Identification Mapping
oidESX
vmwOID 1
vmwESX
vmwEmbeddedESX
vmwVC
vmwServer
VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB
TheVMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB.mibfiledefinesvariablesusedtoreportinformationon
resourceusage.Table 55liststheidentificationmappingsdefinedinthisfile.
Table 5-5. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB
Variable
ID Mapping
Description
vmwCPU
vmwResources 1
DefinestherootOIDforthesubtreeof
variablesusedtoreportCPU
information.
numCPUs
vmwCPU 1
ThenumberofphysicalCPUspresenton
thesystem.
cpuTable
vmwCPU 2
AtableofCPUusagebyeachvirtual
machine.
cpuEntry
cpuTable 1
AnentryincpuTablethatrecordsCPU
usageforasinglevirtualmachine.
cpuVMID
cpuEntry 1
Theidentificationnumberallocatedto
thevirtualmachinebytheVMkernel.
cpuShares
cpuEntry 2
TheshareoftheCPUallocatedtothe
virtualmachinebytheVMkernel.
cpuUtil
cpuEntry 3
Amountoftimethevirtualmachinehas
beenrunningontheCPU(inseconds).
vmwMemory
vmwResources 2
DefinestherootOIDforthesubtreeof
variablesusedtoreportmemory
information.
memSize
vmwMemory 1
Amountofphysicalmemorypresenton
thehost(inKB).
CPU Subtree
Memory Subtree
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Table 5-5. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-RESOURCES-MIB (Continued)

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

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

vmPoweredOn
Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachineispoweredonfroma
suspendedorpoweredoffstate.
vmPoweredOff
Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachineispoweredoff.
vmHBLost
Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachinedetectsalossinguest
heartbeat.VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledintheguest
operatingsysteminorderforthisvaluetobevalid.
vmHBDetected
Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachinedetectsorregainsthe
guestheartbeat.VMwareToolsmustbeinstalledintheguest
operatingsysteminorderforthisvaluetobevalid.
vmSuspended
Thistrapissentwhenavirtualmachineissuspended.
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.
vmConfigFile
vmwTraps 102
Theconfigurationfileofthevirtualmachine
generatingthetrap.
VirtualCenter Server Trap Variables
90
vpxdTrapType
vmwTraps 301
ThetraptypeoftheVirtualCentertrap.
vpxdHostName
vmwTraps 302
Thenameoftheaffectedhost.
vpxdVMName
vmwTraps 303
Thenameoftheaffectedvirtualmachine.
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Table 5-7. Variables Defined in VMWARE-TRAPS-MIB (Continued)

Variable
ID Mapping
Description
vpxdOldStatus
vmwTraps 304
Thepriorstatus.
vpxdNewStatus
vmwTraps 305
Thenewstatus.
vpxdObjValue
vmwTraps 306
Theobjectvalue.
VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB
TheVMWARE-VMINFO-MIB.mibfiledefinesvariablesforreportingvirtualmachine
information.Table 58liststhevariablesdefinedinthisfile.
Table 5-8. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB
Variable
ID Mapping
Description
vmTable
vmwVirtMachines 1
Atablecontaininginformationonthe
virtualmachinesthathavebeen
configuredonthesystem.
vmEntry
vmTable 1
Therecordforasinglevirtualmachine.
vmIdx
vmEntry 1
Anindexforthevirtualmachineentry.
vmDisplayName
vmEntry 2
Thedisplaynameforthevirtual
machine.
vmConfigFile
vmEntry 3
Thepathtotheconfigurationfileforthis
virtualmachine.
vmGuestOS
vmEntry 4
Theguestoperatingsystemrunningon
thevirtualmachine.
vmMemSize
vmEntry 5
Thememory(inMB)configuredforthis
virtualmachine.
vmState
vmEntry 6
Thevirtualmachinepowerstate(onor
off).
vmVMID
vmEntry 7
Anidentificationnumberassignedto
runningvirtualmachinesbythe
VMkernel.Poweredoffvirtual
machinestonothavethisID.
vmGuestState
vmEntry 8
Thestateoftheguestoperatingsystem
(onoroff).
hbaTable
vmwVirtMachines 2
Atableofdiskadaptersvisibletoa
virtualmachine.
hbaEntry
hbaTable 1
RecordforasingleHBA.
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Table 5-8. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB (Continued)
92
Variable
ID Mapping
Description
hbaVmIdx
hbaEntry 1
Anumbercorrespondingtothevirtual
machinesindexinthevmTable.
hbaIdx
hbaEntry 2
ThevirtualmachinesvirtualSCSI
adapternumber.
hbaNum
hbaEntry 3
ThedevicenumberfortheHBA.
hbaVirtDev
hbaEntry 4
ThevirtualdevicetypeforthisHBA.
hbaTgtTable
vmwVirtMachines 3
ThetableofSCSItargetsvisibletoa
virtualmachine.
hbaTgtEntry
hbaTgtTable 1
RecordforasingleSCSItarget.
hbaTgtVmIdx
hbaTgtEntry 1
hbaTgtIdx
hbaTgtEntry 2
ThevirtualSCSItargetnumber.
hbaTgtNum
hbaTgtEntry 3
TheSCSItargetdescription.
netTable
vmwVirtMachines 4
Atableofnetworkadaptersseenbya
virtualmachine.
netEntry
netTable 1
Arecordforasinglenetworkadapter.
netVmIdx
netEntry 1
netIdx
netEntry 2
Indexforthistable.
netNum
netEntry 3
Thedevicenumberforthenetwork
adapter.
netName
netEntry 4
Thedevicenameforthenetwork
adapter.
netConnType
netEntry 5
Connectiontype(userormonitor
device).
floppyTable
vmwVirtMachines 5
Atableoffloppydrivesvisibletoa
virtualmachine.
floppyEntry
floppyTable 1
Arecordforasinglefloppydevice.
fdVmIdx
floppyEntry 1
fdIdx
floppyEntry 2
Indexforthefloppytable.Givesthe
orderofthefloppydeviceonthevirtual
machine.
fdName
floppyEntry 3
Thedevicenumberornameforthe
floppydevice.
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Table 5-8. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMINFO-MIB (Continued)

Variable
ID Mapping
Description
fdConnected
floppyEntry 4
Indicateswhetherthefloppydeviceis
connected.
cdromTable
vmwVirtMachines 6
AtableofCDROMdrivesvisibletoa
virtualmachine.
cdromEntry
cdromTable 1
ArecordforasingleCDROMdrive.
cdVmIdx
cdromEntry 1
cdromIdx
cdromEntry 2
IndexfortheCDROMtable.Givesthe
orderofCDROMdevicesonthevirtual
machine.
cdromName
cdromEntry 3
Thedevicenumberornameforthe
CDROMdevice.
cdromConnected
cdromEntry 4
IndicateswhethertheCDROMdevice
isconnected.
VMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB
TheVMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB.mibfiledefinesvariablesusedtoreporttheVMkernel
state.Table 59liststhevariablesdefinedinthisfile.
Table 5-9. Identification Mappings for VMWARE-VMKERNEL-MIB
Variable
ID Mapping
Description
esxVMKernel
vmwESX 1
TherootOIDforVMkernelvariables.
vmkLoaded
esxVMKernel 1
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.
SelectSNMPtodisplaytheSNMPpage.
IntheReceiverURLtextbox,entertheDNSnameorIPaddressoftheSNMP
receiver.
Intheadjacenttextbox,entertheportnumberoftheSNMPreceiver.
Iftheportvalueisleftempty,thedefaultvalueof162isused.
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
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.
Todisabletraps,addthefollowingentrytothefile:
<plugins>
<snmpsvc><generateTraps>false</generateTraps></snmpsvc>
</plugins>
Toreenabletraps,removetheentryfromthefile.
Restartvmware_hostdtoseethechangetakeeffect.
Configuring SNMP Trap Destinations for ESX Server 3

VMwaretrapsaregeneratedtothedestinationsspecifiedintheconfigurationfile.
To configure traps
1
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
Description
--communities <comm1>[, ...]

-c <comm1>[, ...]
Specifiescommunitiesseparatedbycommas.Thesettings
specifiedusingthisflagoverwriteanyprevioussettings.
--disable
StopstheSNMPservice.
-D
--enable
StartstheSNMPservice.
-E
--port <port-number>
SetstheportusedbytheSNMPagent.Thedefaultisudp/162.
-p <port-number>
--reset
Clearsallpreviouslyspecifiedcommunitiesandtargets.
-r
--show
DisplaysthecurrentSNMPconfiguration.
-s
--targets <hostname[@port]>
</community>[, ...]
Setsthedestinationfor(notifications)traps.Thesettings
specifiedusingthisflagoverwriteanyprevioussettings.
-t <hostname[@port]>
</community>[, ...]
--test
-T
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SendsatestnotificationthatcanbeusedtovalidatetheSNMP
configuration.
97
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
98
Variable
ID Mapping
Description
snmpInPkts
snmp 1
Thetotalnumberofmessagesdeliveredto
theSNMPentityfromthetransportservice.
snmpInBadVersions
snmp 3
ThetotalnumberofSNMPmessagesthat
weredeliveredtotheSNMPentityand
wereforanunsupportedSNMPversion.
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Table 5-11. Diagnostic Counters from SNMPv2-MIB (Continued)

Variable
ID Mapping
Description
snmpInBadCommunityNames
snmp 4
Thetotalnumberofcommunitybased
SNMPmessagesdeliveredtotheSNMP
entitythatusedaninvalidSNMP
communityname.
snmpInBadCommunityUses
snmp 5
Thetotalnumberofcommunitybased
SNMPmessagesdeliveredtotheSNMP
entitythatrepresentedanSNMPoperation
thatwasnotallowedforthecommunity
namedinthemessage.
snmpInASNParseErrs
snmp 6
ThetotalnumberofASN.1orBERerrors
encounteredbytheSNMPentitywhen
decodingreceivedSNMPmessages.
snmpEnableAuthenTraps
snmp 30
IndicateswhethertheSNMPentityis
permittedtogenerateauthenticationFailure
traps.Thevalueofthisobjectoverridesany
configurationinformation.Ittherefore
providesameansofdisablingall
authenticationFailuretraps.
snmpSilentDrops
snmp 31
ThetotalnumberofConfirmedClassPDUs
deliveredtotheSNMPentitythatwere
silentlydroppedbecausethesizeofareply
containinganalternateResponseClass
PDUwithanemptyvariablebindingsfield
wasgreaterthaneitheralocalconstraintor
themaximummessagesizeassociatedwith
theoriginatoroftherequest.
snmpProxyDrops
snmp 32
ThetotalnumberofConfirmedClassPDUs
deliveredtotheSNMPentitythatwere
silentlydroppedbecausethetransmission
ofthemessagetoaproxytargetfailedina
mannerotherthanatimeoutsuchthatno
ResponseClassPDUcouldbereturned.
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
100
FromtheVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer,
displaytheadministrationpanelandviewthesystemlogtab.
ClicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheSystemLogstab.
Fromthedropdownlist,choosethelogandentryyouwanttoview.
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To search and list selected items

1
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
Location
ESXServer2.xServicelog
/var/log/vmware/vmware-serverd.log
ESXServer3.xServicelog
/var/log/vmware/hostd.log
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Table 5-12. ESX Server System Logs (Continued)

Component
Location
VIClientAgentlog
/var/log/vmware/vpx/vpxa.log
VirtualMachineKernelCorefile
/root/vmkernel-core.<date>
and
/root/vmkernel-log.<date>
Thesefilesarepresentafteryourebootyourmachine.
Sysloglog
/var/log/messages
ServiceConsoleAvailability
report
/var/log/vmkernel
VMkernelMessages
/var/log/vmkernel
VMkernelAlertsandAvailability
report
/var/log/vmkernel
VMkernelWarning
/var/log/vmkwarning
VirtualMachinelogfile
vmware.loginthesamedirectoryasthe.vmxfileforthe
virtualmachine
VirtualMachineConfiguration
file
<virtual_machine_name>/<virtual_machine_name>.
vmx locatedonadatastoreassociatedwiththemanaged
host.UsedthevirtualmachinesummarypageintheVI
Clienttodeterminethedatastoreonwhichthisfileis
located.
Table 513listslogfilesassociatedwiththeVIClientmachine.
Table 5-13. VI Client System Logs
Component
Location
VIClient
Installationlog
Example:
TempdirectoryontheVIClientmachine.
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
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.
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
104
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
ChooseAdministration.ClickServerSettings>LoggingOptions.
ChooseVerbosefromthepopupmenu.
ClickOK.
To collect VMware Infrastructure log files

Choosefromtheoptions:
Toviewtheviclient-*.logfiles,changetothedirectory,%temp%.
IfyouarerunningtheVIClientontheVirtualCenterServermachine,download
thelogbundle.
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105
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.
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.
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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.
comprehensiveinformationonconfiguringESXServernetworks.
DatastoresInVirtualCenterServeronly.Childobjecttodatacenters.Datastores
arediscoveredwhenhostsareaddedtotheVMwareInfrastructureenvironment.
Thisincludesthediscoveryofdatastoresthatarelocaltothemanagedhostaswell
asdatastoresontheSANorNAS.
comprehensiveinformationonconfiguringESXServerdatastores.
Adding an Inventory Object

Eachinventoryobjectcanbeaddedonlytoitscorrespondinghierarchicalparent.Only
permissibleobjectsarelistedontheparentmenus.Thesepairingsareasfollows:
To add an inventory object
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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
Selecttheobjecttobemovedfromtheappropriateinventoryviewbyclickingit.
Aboxisdisplayedaroundit.Thisindicatestheobjectisselected.
Dragthemovingobjecttothetargetobject.
Ifthemovingobjectisallowedtomovetothetarget,thetargetobjectis
displayedwithaboxaroundit,indicatingitisselected.
Ifthemovingobjectisnotallowedtomovetothetarget,anaughtsign(zero
withaslash)appears,andtheobjectisnotmoved.
Theinventoryobjectscanbemovedasfollows:
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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
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:
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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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116
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Managing Hosts in
VirtualCenter
ThischapterdescribeshowtomanagehostsusingVirtualCenter.Forinformationon
configurationmanagementofESXServerhosts,seetheESXServer3ConfigurationGuide
orESXServer3iConfigurationGuide.
process,task,ordescriptionappliestoallkindsofVIClientconnections.
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.
ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,
andclicktheappropriatedatacenter,folder,orcluster.
Selecttheappropriatedatacenterorcluster,andchooseNewHostfromthemain
orpopupmenu.
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Enterthemanagedhostconnectionsettings.
TypethenameofthemanagedhostintheHostnamefield.
EntertheUsernameandPasswordforauseraccountthathasadministrative
privilegesontheselectedmanagedhost.
VirtualCenterusestherootaccounttologintothesystemandthencreatesa
specialuseraccount.VirtualCenterthenusesthisaccountforallfuture
authentication.
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ToconfirmtheHostSummaryinformation,clickNext.
Ifyouareaddingthehosttoacluster:
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Specifywhatshouldhappentotheresourcepoolsonthehost.
Theoptionsare:
Putallthehostsvirtualmachinesintotheclustersrootresourcepool.
Createnewresourcepoolforthehostsvirtualmachines.Thedefault
resourcepoolnameisderivedfromthehostsname.Typeoverthetextto
supplyyourownname.
ClickNext.
SeetheResourceManagementGuideformoreinformationonclusters.
7
Ifyouareaddingthehosttoadatacenter:
a
Identifythelocationofthehostsvirtualmachines.
SelectfromthelistofinventoryobjectsdisplayedintheSelectionbox.
ToconfirmcompletingtheAddHostwizard,clickFinish.
WhenthedialogboxiscompleteandyouclickNext,VirtualCenterdoesthe
following:
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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.
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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
124
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.
Releasethemousebutton.
VirtualCentermovesthehosttothenewlocation.
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
VM1.dsk
VM2
VM2.dsk
VirtualCenter
host B
VM3
VM3.dsk
VM4.dsk
VM4
shared datastore
2. Remove host. Virtual machines stay on the hosts datastore.
host A
VirtualCenter
VM1
VM1.dsk
VM2
VM2.dsk
host B
VM3
VM3.dsk
VM4.dsk
VM4
shared datastore
To remove a managed host

1
FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,displaytheinventory.
ToremovetheVirtualCenteragentfromthemanagedhost,ensurethatthe
managedhostisinaconnectedstate.
Themanagedhostcanbeinaconnectedordisconnectedstatewhenyouremove
it.However,removingamanagedhostwhileitisdisconnecteddoesnotremove
theVirtualCenteragentfromthemanagedhost.
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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.
completeinformationonconfiguringESXServerhosts.
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Consolidating the
Datacenter
ThischapterdescribestheGuidedConsolidationfeature,afeaturerecommendedfor
smallerITenvironmentstogetsetupandrunningwithVMwareInfrastructure.This
featureenablesyoutoconsolidatephysicalsystemsinyourdatacenterbyconverting
themtovirtualmachinesandimportingthemintoVirtualCenter.
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:
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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
SelectAdministration>ConsolidationSettings>Credentialstab.
ClickChangeinoneofthefollowingareas:
ServiceCredentialsUsedtorunthecollectorserviceontheVirtualCenter
Server.Ensurethatthisaccounthasadministratorprivilegesonthe
VirtualCenterserverand,ifActiveDirectoryisdeployed,thattheyalsohave
thenecessaryprivilegestoqueryActiveDirectory.Furthermore,thisaccount
mustbegrantedtheuserrighttoLogonasaservice.Thisisaccomplished
throughtheLocalSecurityPolicyutility(Start>AdministrativeTools>Local
SecurityPolicy).
DefaultCredentialsUsedtoaccesssystemsthatareselectedforanalysisbut
forwhichnoadministratorcredentialsarespecified.
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
IntheVIClienttoolbar,clickConsolidationtodisplaytheConsolidationview.
IntheGettingStartedtabclickAnalyzephysicalcomputersforconsolidation,or
intheAnalysistab,clickAddtoAnalysis.
TheAddtoAnalysisdialogboxisdisplayed.Ifthisisthefirsttimeyouareusing
thisfeature,seeFirstTimeUseonpage 131.
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
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
IntheAddtoAnalysisdialogbox,selectsystemstoaddtoanalysis.
ClickAddtoAnalysis.
IntheSetAuthenticationdialogbox,enteradomainqualifiedusername(for
example,DOMAIN\username)andpassword.
YoucanchoosetosetcredentialsatalatertimebyselectingSpecifyLater.This
optionisusefulifsomeoftheselectedsystemsrequiredifferentcredentials.See
Tospecifycredentialsforaspecificsystemonpage 134.
ConfirmthepasswordandclickOK.
To specify credentials for a specific system

1
IntheAnalysistab,selectasystem.Youcanselectmultiplesystems.The
credentialsyouspecifywillbeusedforallselectedsystems.
ClickSetAuthentication.
Enteradomainqualifiedusername(forexample,DOMAIN\username)and
password.
ClickOK.
Viewing Analysis Results

AnalysisresultsaredisplayedintheAnalysistab.Whenanalysisiscomplete,the
followinginformationisdisplayed:
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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.
Selectasystem.
OptionallychangethenamedisplayedinthePhysicalComputercolumnby
doubleclickingitandenteringanewname.Yourentrywillbeusedasthename
fortheresultantvirtualmachine.
Optionallychangedestinations,ifalternativedestinationsareavailable,by
clickingintheDestinationscolumnandselectingfromthedropdownmenu.
ThenumberofstarsdisplayedintheDestinationRatingcolumnindicatethe
degreetowhichthehostsystemcancomfortablyaccommodatetheestimated
resourceneedsoftheresultantvirtualmachine.
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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Name
Target
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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
SelectAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServerConfiguration.
SelectAdvancedOptions.
ClickAddRow.
EnterthefollowingintheKeyfield:
dontStartConsolidation
EnterthefollowingintheValuefield:
true
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.
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.
ClickNext.
OntheHost/Cluster/ResourcePoolpage,selectthehost,cluster,orresourcepool
(ifapplicable)inwhichyouwanttorunthevirtualmachineandclickNext.
Ifyouselectedaclusteroraresourcepoolonthepreviouspage,andDRSis
disabledorisinmanualmode,theSpecificHostpageappears.Selectthehoston
whichyouwanttorunthisvirtualmachine,andclickNext.
10 Chooseadatastoreforthevirtualmachine,andclickNext.
Thevirtualmachineconfigurationfileandvirtualdiskfilesarestoredonthe
datastore.Chooseadatastorelargeenoughtoaccommodatethevirtualmachine
andallofitsvirtualdiskfiles.
11
Ifyourinfrastructurecontainsmultiplenetworks,mapeachnetworkspecifiedin
theOVFfiletoanetworkinyourinfrastructure.
12
ClickNext.
13
ReviewyoursettingsandclickFinish.
TheprogressoftheimporttaskisdisplayedintheVIClientStatuspanel.
Exporting a Virtual Machine

YoucanexportavirtualmachinetoOVFformattomakeitavailabletootherusersto
importintotheirinventory.
To export a virtual machine
1
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
10
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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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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Chapter 10 Creating Virtual Machines
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
FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbarandexpand
theinventoryasneeded.
Intheinventorylist,selectthemanagedhosttowhichyouwanttoaddthenew
virtualmachine.
TheSummarytabforthehostappears.
ChooseFile>New>VirtualMachine.
TheNewVirtualMachinewizardappears.
SelectTypical,andclickNext.
Typeavirtualmachinename,andclickNext.
ThenameyouenterintheVirtualMachineNamefieldisthenamethatislisted
intheVirtualCenterclientinventory.Itisalsousedasthenameofthevirtual
machinesfiles.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandmaycontain
alphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.This
namemustbeuniquewithinthefolder.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thename
my_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm.
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.
10
Selectthenumberofvirtualprocessorsinthevirtualmachinefromthedropdown
menu,andclickNext.
LicensingforVMwareVirtualSMPisrequiredtopoweronmultipleCPU
virtualmachines.SeetheInstallationGuideforESXServer3,ortheSetupGuidefor
yourESXServer3iproduct,moreinformationonlicensing.
NOTETheVirtualCPUspagedoesnotappearifthehostissingleprocessororthe
guestoperatingsystemdoesnotsupportSMP(forexample,NetWareand
WindowsNT4.0).
11
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
ClickNext.
13
Choosethenetworkstoconnecttoandtheiroptionsbyselectinghowmany
networkadapters(NICs)youwanttoconnectto,thenamesofthenetworks,and
whetheryouwanttoconnecttothematpoweron.
TheNetworkdropdownmenuliststheportgroupsthatareconfiguredforvirtual
machineuseonthehost.Ifnovirtualmachineportgroupsareconfigured,a
warningdialogboxappears,andyouarenotallowedtoconfigureanyvirtual
networkcards.
NOTEExercisecautionwhenyouconfigureavirtualmachinetoconnectto
multiplenetworks.Becausevirtualmachinessharetheirphysicalnetwork
hardwarewiththehost,theaccidentalormaliciousbridgingoftwonetworksbya
virtualmachinecanoccur.MinimumSpanningTreeprotocolcannotprotect
againsttheseoccurrences.
14
ClickNext.
15
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
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ClickNext.
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17
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
FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbar,andexpand
theinventoryasneeded.
Intheinventorylist,selectthemanagedhosttowhichyouwanttoaddthenew
virtualmachine.
ChooseFile>New>VirtualMachine.
TheNewVirtualMachinewizardappears.
SelectCustom,andclickNext.
Typeavirtualmachinename,andclickNext.
ThenameyouenterintheVirtualMachineNamefieldisthenamethatislisted
intheVirtualCenterclientinventory.Itisalsousedasthenameofthevirtual
machinesfiles.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandmaycontain
alphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.This
nameshouldbeuniqueacrosstheentiredatacenterandmustbeuniquewithinthe
folder.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm.
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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.
UnderGuestoperatingsystem,selecttheoperatingsystemfamily(Microsoft
Windows,Linux,NovellNetWare,Solaris,orOther).
10
Choosetheversionfromthedropdownmenu.
Thisistheoperatingsystemforyourvirtualmachine.Yourchoiceshouldbebased
onyourplanneduseofthevirtualmachine.Theselectedguestoperatingsystem
affectsthesupporteddevicesandnumberofvirtualCPUsavailableforthevirtual
machine.
Thewizarddoesnotinstalltheguestoperatingsystemforyou.TheNewVirtual
Machinewizardusesthisinformationtoselectappropriatedefaultvalues,suchas
theamountofmemoryneeded.
11
ClickNext.
12
Selectthenumberofvirtualprocessorsinthevirtualmachinefromthedropdown
menu,andclickNext.
NOTETheNumberofVirtualCPUspagedoesnotappearifthehostis
singleprocessorortheguestoperatingsystemdoesnotsupportSMP(forexample,
NetwareandWindowsNT4.0).
13
Configurethevirtualmachinesmemorysizebyselectingthenumberof
megabytes.
Theminimum,recommended,andmaximumsizesarebasedontheguest
operatingsystem.Regardlessoftheguestoperatingsystem,theminimum
memorysizeis4MB.Themaximumdependsonthehost,butforESXServer3.5
andESXServer3iversion3.5itis65532MB(64GBminus4MB).Thememorysize
mustbeamultipleof4MB.
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14
ClickNext.
15
ChoosethenetworkstoconnecttoandtheiroptionsbyselectinghowmanyNICs
youwanttoconnectto,thenamesofthenetworks,andwhetheryouwantto
connecttothematpoweron.
Ifyoudonotwantthevirtualnetworkadaptertoconnectwhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon,deselecttheConnectatPowerOncheckbox.
TheNetworkdropdownmenuliststheportgroupsthatareconfiguredforvirtual
machineuseonthehost.Ifnovirtualmachineportgroupsareconfigured,a
warningdialogboxappears,andyouarenotallowedtoconfigureanyvirtual
networkcards.
NOTEExercisecautionwhenyouconfigureavirtualmachinetoconnectto
multiplenetworks.Becausevirtualmachinessharetheirphysicalnetwork
hardwarewiththehost,theaccidentalormaliciousbridgingoftwonetworksbya
virtualmachinecanoccur.MinimumSpanningTreeprotocolcannotprotect
againsttheseoccurrences.
16
ClickNext.
17
ChoosethetypeofSCSIadapteryouwanttousewiththevirtualmachine.
TwoIDEadaptersandaSCSIadapterareinstalledinthevirtualmachine.TheIDE
adapterisalwaysATAPI.FortheSCSIadapter,youcanchoosebetweenaBusLogic
orLSILogicSCSIadapter.
IntheSelectI/OAdapterTypespage,thedefaultforyourguestoperatingsystem
isalreadyselected.OlderguestoperatingsystemsdefaulttotheBusLogicadapter.
TheLSILogicadapterhasimprovedperformance,worksbetterwithnondisk
SCSIdevices,andisincludedwithWindowsServer2003.
YoucandownloadthedriverfromtheLSILogicWebsite.SeetheGuestOperating
InstallationGuidefordetailsaboutthedriverandtheguestoperatingsystemyou
plantoinstallinthisvirtualmachine.
NOTEThechoiceofSCSIadapterdoesnotaffectwhetheryourvirtualdiskisan
IDEorSCSIdisk.
18
Selectthetypeofdisk,andclickNext.
Youcanstorevirtualmachinedatainanewvirtualdisk,anexistingvirtualdisk,
oramappedstorageareanetwork(SAN)logicalunitnumber(LUN).
Avirtualdiskcomprisesoneormorefilesonthefilesystemthatappearasasingle
harddisktotheguestoperatingsystem.Thesedisksareportableamonghosts.
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MappingaSANLUNgivesyourvirtualmachinedirectaccesstothatSAN,
allowingyoutouseexistingSANcommandstomanagestorageforthedisk.
Youalsohavetheoptionofcreatingyourvirtualmachinewithoutadisk.
SeetheSANConfigurationGuidefordetailsaboutSANLUNconfiguration.
19
Ifyouchoosetocreateanewvirtualdisk,gotoStep 19.
Ifyouchoosetouseanexistingvirtualdisk,gotoStep 24.
IfyouchoosetocreateamappedSANLUN,gotoMappingaSANLUNon
page 153.
Ifyouchoosetocreateavirtualmachinewithoutadisk,gotoStep 23.
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.
20
SelectTheVirtualdevicenodeanddiskmodeforthevirtualdisk.
21
IfyouselectIndependentdiskmode,chooseoneofthefollowing:
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PersistentChangesareimmediatelyandpermanentlywrittentothedisk.
NonpersistentChangestothediskarediscardedwhenyoupoweroffor
reverttothesnapshot.
ClickNext.
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23
CheckthisoptionifyouwanttoopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialog
boxtosetfurtherconfigurationoptions,suchasaddingadditionaldisks(see
PerformingAdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletiononpage 144).
24
Ifyouchosetouseanexistingvirtualdisk,clickBrowseandnavigatetothe
virtualdiskyouwanttouse.ClickNext.
25
Selectwhichvirtualdevicenodeshouldbeusedbyyourvirtualdisk.
26
IfyouselectIndependentmode,chooseoneofthefollowing:
a
reverttothesnapshot.
27
ClickNext.
28
CheckthisoptionifyouwanttoopentheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogboxto
setfurtherconfigurationoptions,suchasaddingadditionaldisks(seePerforming
AdditionalConfigurationBeforeCompletiononpage 144).
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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
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
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
Openaconsoletothevirtualmachine.
Poweronthevirtualmachine.
Aftertheguestoperatingsystemstarts,rightclickthevirtualmachineandchoose
InstallVMwareTools.
Frominsidethevirtualmachine,clickOKtoconfirmthatyouwanttoinstall
VMwareToolsandlaunchtheInstallShieldwizard.
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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
InstallVMwareTools.
Theremainingstepstakeplaceinsidethevirtualmachine.
Dooneofthefollowing:
IfyouseeaVMwareToolsCDicononthedesktop,doubleclickit,andafter
itopens,doubleclicktheRPMinstallerintherootoftheCDROM.
Ifyouseeafilemanagerwindow,doubleclicktheRPMinstallerfile.
InsomeLinuxdistributions,theVMwareToolsCDiconmightfailtoappear.In
thiscase,continueinstallVMwareToolsfromthecommandline.
5
Whenprompted,entertherootpasswordandclickOK.
Theinstallerpreparesthepackages.
ClickContinuewhentheinstallerpresentsadialogboxthatshowsCompleted
SystemPreparation.
Adialogboxappearswithaprogressbar.Whentheinstallerisdone,VMware
Toolsisinstalled.Thereisnoconfirmationorfinishbutton.
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
InstallVMwareTools.
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
Startyourgraphicalenvironment.
vmware-toolbox &
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To install or upgrade VMware Tools on a Solaris guest

1
InstallVMwareTools.
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
Startyourgraphicalenvironment.
vmware-toolbox &
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To install VMware Tools in a NetWare virtual machine

1
InstallVMwareTools.
LoadtheCDROMdriversotheCDROMdevicemountstheISOimageasa
volume.
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
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
164
Option
Description
-u user
Specifiesauserwithsufficientprivilegesonthetargetvirtualmachine,
includingVirtualMachine.Config.*,VirtualMachine.Interact.*,and
VirtualMachine.Provisioning.*
-p password
Specifiesapasswordonthecommandline.Ifthisisomitted,thetool
immediatelypromptsforapassword.
-n vmname
Thenameofthevirtualmachinetoupgrade.Thisnamecorresponds
tothedisplaynameofavirtualmachine.Specifymultiplevirtual
machinesusingmultiplenparameters.Thenoptionisignoredifh
isspecified.
-h host
Attemptstoupgradeallthevirtualmachinesonaparticularhost.Fails
ifthespecifiedhostifnotversionESX3.0orgreater.
-m maxpowerons
Onaparticularhost,powerononlythisnumberofvirtualmachines
atatime.
-o port
SpecifiestheVirtualCenterServerport,ifoneotherthanthedefault
port902hasbeenconfigured.
-t maxpowerontime
Afterthetoolsupgradeisscheduledonavirtualmachine,thevirtual
machineispoweredonandallowedtorunthroughthetools
installationprocess.Inmostcases,theguestpowersoffthemachine
whentheprocesscompletes.Thisparameterallowsausertosetthe
maximumamountoftimeforavirtualmachinetobepoweredonin
casetheguestisunabletoshutdownthemachineitself.
-s
Skipsthetoolsanddoesonlythevirtualhardwareupgrade.
-q
Worksquietly.Doesntproducestatusorcompletionmessageson
shutdown.
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To configure virtual machines to automatically upgrade VMware Tools:

1
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
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
166
Openaconsoletoapoweredonvirtualmachine.
Inthevirtualmachine,chooseStart>Settings>ControlPanel>AddorRemove
Programs.
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Inthelistofprograms,selectVMwareToolsandclickChange.
TheVMwareToolsInstallationwizardisdisplayed.
ClickNext.
TheProgramMaintenancepageisdisplayed.
SelectModifyandclickNext.
TheCustomSetuppageisdisplayed.
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
RightclickapoweredonvirtualmachineandchooseUpgradeVMwareTools.
IntheAdvancedtextbox,typesetup.exe /s /vINSTALL_WYSE=1.
ClickOK.
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11
Managing Virtual Machines
11
Thischapterdescribesvirtualmachinetasks,includingaddingandremovingvirtual
machinesandpoweringvirtualmachinesonandoff.
process,task,ordescriptionappliestobothkindsofVIClientconnections.
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:
170
PoweronPowersonthevirtualmachineandbootstheguestoperatingsystemif
theguestoperatingsystemisinstalled.
PoweroffPowersoffthevirtualmachine.Thevirtualmachinedoesnotattempt
toshutdowntheguestoperatingsystemgracefully.
SuspendPausesthevirtualmachineactivity.Alltransactionsarefrozenuntilyou
issuearesumecommand.
ResumeAllowsvirtualmachineactivitytocontinueandreleasestheSuspended
state.
ResetShutsdowntheguestoperatingsystemandrestartsit.Thisoperation
dependsontheoperatingsystembeingshutdown.Ifshutdownisnotautomatic
forthatoperatingsystem,VMwareToolsmustbeinstalled.
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Chapter 11 Managing Virtual Machines
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
power on
remove
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
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
Ifyourvirtualmachineisrunninginfullscreenmode,returntowindowmodeby
pressingtheCtrlAltkeycombination.
ClickSuspendontheVMwareInfrastructureClienttoolbar.
WhenVMwareInfrastructureClientcompletesthesuspendoperation,itissafeto
exitVMwareInfrastructureClient.
ChooseFile>Exit.
To resume a virtual machine that you have suspended

1
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.
RightclickandchooseNewScheduledTask,orchooseFile>New>Scheduled
Task.
TheSelectaTasktoSchedulewindowappears.
SelectChangethepowerstateofavirtualmachine,andclickOK.
TheChangeaVirtualMachinesPowerStatewizardappearsanddisplaysthe
SelectVirtualMachinepage.
Selectthevirtualmachinewhosestateyouwanttochange.
TheSelectaPowerOperationpageappears.
SelectaPowerOperationoption,andclickNext.
IfyouselectedaPowerOnoperation,theSelectHostpageappears.Selectthehost
whichwillpoweronthevirtualmachine.
ClickNext.
TheScheduletheTaskscreenappears.
Namethetask,giveadescription,andspecifythetimingofthetask.
Todisplaytothecalendar,selectLater,andclickthedropdownarrowtochoosea
datefromthedisplayedcalendar.Aredcircleindicatestodaysdateandadark
circleindicatesthescheduleddate.
ClickNext.
10
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
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
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.
176
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
SelecttheInventorybutton.
Selectahostmachine.
ClicktheConfigurationtab.
Configurationinformationforthehostappears.
ClicktheVirtualMachineStartup/Shutdownlink.
Thevirtualmachinestartupandshutdowninformationappears.
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ClickProperties.
TheVirtualMachineStartupandShutdowndialogboxappears.
Ifyouwanttoallowvirtualmachinestostartandstopautomatically,clickthe
checkboxatthetopofthedialogboxandenteratimeinsecondsforthedefault
startupdelayandthedefaultshutdowndelay.
Ifyouwanttheoperatingsystemtostartafterabriefdelay,specifyadelaytimein
theDefaultStartupDelaybox.
ThisallowstimeforVMwareToolsorthebootingsystemtorunscripts.
Clickthecheckboxifyouwanttheoperatingsystemtobootimmediatelyafter
VMwareToolsstarts.
Next,specifytheorderinwhichthevirtualmachinesstartwhenthesystemstarts.
UsetheMoveUp,MoveDown,andEditbuttonstorearrangethevirtual
machinesinthedisplay.
VirtualmachineslistedunderManualStartupdonotautomaticallystartuporshut
down.Inordertoautomaticallystartuporshutdownavirtualmachine,youmust
moveitsothatitislistedundereitherAutomaticStartuporAnyOrder.
Thevirtualmachinesarestoppedinreverseorder.
10
178
ClickOKtoexitthedialogboxwhenyouarethroughchangingthesystem
settings.
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12
Configuring Virtual
Machines
12
ThischapterdescribestheVirtualMachinePropertieseditorandtheAddHardware
wizard.Theseallowyoutoeditandconfigureyourvirtualmachines.Italsodiscusses
advancedvirtualmachineconfigurationoptions.Theseactivitiescanbeperformed
duringthevirtualmachinecreationprocessorafteryoucreatethevirtualmachineand
installtheguestoperatingsystem.Thischapteralsodescribeslegacyvirtualmachines
andhowtoupgradethemtothecurrentvirtualmachinehardwareversion.Youmust
havesufficientpermissiontoperformtheactivitiesdescribedinthischapter.
VirtualMachinePropertiesEditoronpage 179
AddingNewHardwareonpage 196
LegacyVirtualMachinesonpage 201
UpgradingVirtualHardwareonpage 202
Virtual Machine Properties Editor

TheVirtualMachinePropertiesEditorallowsyoutochangenearlyeverycharacteristic
thatyouchoosewhenyoucreatedthevirtualmachine.Thissectiondescribeshowto
usethispowerfuleditor.
To edit an existing virtual machine configuration
1
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
180
ClicktheHardwaretab.
ClicktheDVD/CDROMdriveintheHardwarelist.
Makechangesasneededtothedevicestatus,connection,orvirtualdevicenodefor
thevirtualmachinetouse.
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Chapter 12 Configuring Virtual Machines
IfyoudonotwanttheCDROMdriveconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinestarts,
deselectConnectatpoweron.
SelecttheUsephysicaldriveradiobuttontoconnectthevirtualmachinesdriveto
aphysicaldriveonthehostcomputer.
YoucanaccessaclientCDROMdeviceorhostCDROMdevice.Therearetwo
typesofDVD/CDROMaccess:
a
UsePassthrough(raw)modeonlyforremoteclientdeviceaccess.
UseATAPIemulationtoaccessahostCDROMdevice.
ThelocalorhostCDROMdeviceisaccessedthroughemulationmode.
PassthroughmodeisnotfunctionalforlocalhostCDROMaccess.Youcan
writeorburnaremoteCDonlythroughpassthroughmodeaccess,butin
emulationmodeyoucanonlyreadaCDROMfromahostCDROMdevice.
Ifyouelectedtouseaphysicaldrive,choosethedrivetousefromthedropdown
list.
Alternatively,selectUseISOImagetoconnectthevirtualmachinesdrivetoan
ISOimagefile.
IfyouselectedUseISOImage,clickBrowsetonavigatetothefile.
UnderVirtualdevicenode,usethedropdownmenutochoosethedevicenodethe
driveusesinthevirtualmachine.
10
ClickOKtosaveyourchangesandclosethedialogbox.
To change the floppy drive configuration

1
ClickthefloppydriveintheDevicelist.
UnderDeviceStatus,selectConnectatpowerontoconnectthisvirtualmachine
tothefloppydrivewhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon.
UnderConnection,selectUsephysicaldrivetouseaphysicaldrive,chooseClient
orHost,andchoosethedrivefromthelist.
Touseafloppyimage,selectUseexistingfloppyImageorCreateanewfloppy
image,andbrowsetothefloppyimage.
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To change the SCSI device configuration

1
SelecttheSCSIdeviceinthehardwarelist.
ToconnectthisvirtualmachinetotheserversSCSIdevicewhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon,selectConnectatpoweron.
UnderConnection,selectthephysicaldeviceyouwanttouse.
UnderVirtualdevicenode,selectthevirtualdevicenodewhereyouwantthis
devicetoappearinthevirtualmachine.
To change the virtual disk configuration

1
ClicktheappropriateHardDiskintheHardwarelist.
Usethedropdownmenutochangethevirtualdevicenode.
Forindependentmode,whichisunaffectedbysnapshots,selectthecheckbox.
ThenchoosePersistentorNonpersistentmodetodeterminethepersistenceof
changes.
NOTETheManagePathsfeatureforRDMdisksisnotavailableforvirtualmachines
onlegacyhostsrunningversionsofESXServerpriortorelease3.0.
To change the memory configuration
1
ClickMemoryintheHardwarelist.
Adjusttheamountofmemoryallocatedtothevirtualmachine.
(SEEUPDATE)Therangeofmemorysupportedis128MBto16384MBandisnot
limitedtothephysicalmemoryofthehostwherethevirtualmachineresides.
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To change the virtual Ethernet adapter (NIC) configuration

1
ClicktheappropriateNICintheHardwarelist.
ToconnectthevirtualNICwhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon,selectConnect
atpoweron.
UnderNetworkconnection,usethedropdownmenutochoosethenetworklabel
youwantthevirtualmachinetouse.
To change the parallel port configuration

1
ClicktheappropriateParallelportintheHardwarelist.
DeselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxifyoudonotwanttheparallelport
devicetobeconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinepowerson.
ThedefaultsettingisConnectatpoweron.
UnderConnection,selectaradiobuttontoindicateaphysicalparallelportorto
connectthevirtualparallelporttoafile.
a
IfyouselectUsephysicalparallelport,choosetheportfromthedropdown
menu.
IfyouselectUseoutputfile,browsetothefilelocation.
To change the SCSI controller configuration

YoucanchangetheSCSIcontrollerconfigurationforavirtualmachineonanESX
Serverhostonly.
CAUTIONChangingtheSCSIcontrollertypemightresultinavirtualmachineboot
failure.
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YoucanalsospecifywhethertheSCSIbusisshared.Dependingonthetypeofsharing,
virtualmachinescanaccessthesamevirtualdisksimultaneouslyonthesameserveror
anyserver.
1
ClicktheappropriateSCSIControllerintheDevicelist.
SelecttheSCSIcontrollertypeinthelist.
CAUTIONChangingtheSCSIcontrollertypemightresultinavirtualmachine
bootfailure.
SelectthetypeofsharingintheSCSIBusSharinglist:
NoneVirtualdiskscannotbesharedbyothervirtualmachines.
VirtualVirtualdiskscanbesharedbyvirtualmachinesonsameserver.
PhysicalVirtualdiskscanbesharedbyvirtualmachinesonanyserver.
To change the serial port configuration (SEEUPDATE)

1
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
Fortheservervirtualmachine,selectServerintheNearendlist.
Fortheclientvirtualmachine,selectClientintheNearendlist.
SelectAvirtualmachineintheFarendlist.
Ifyouareconnectingtoanapplicationonthehost,dothefollowing:
a
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.
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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
ClickVirtualProcessororCPUintheHardwarelist.
Selectthenumberofvirtualprocessorsforthevirtualmachine.
YoumusthaveVMwareVirtualSMPforESXServerifyouwantmorethanone
virtualprocessororCPUforthevirtualmachine.IfyoudonothaveVMware
VirtualSMPforESXServer,thevirtualmachinecanhaveonlyonevirtual
processororCPU.
Changing Virtual Machine Options

YoucanchangethefollowingsettingsintheOptionstab:
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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
ClicktheOptionstab.
SelectGeneralOptionsintheSettingslist.
ThevirtualmachinenameisdisplayedintheVirtualmachinenamefield.
Changingthenamedoesnotchangethenameofanyvirtualmachinefilesorthe
associateddirectory.
Selectanoperatingsystemandversion.
To change VMware Tools options

NOTEVMwareToolsoptionscannotbechangedwhilethevirtualmachineis
poweredon.
1
ClicktheOptionstab.
SelectVMwareToolsintheSettingslist.
Thestopbuttononthetoolbarcanbeconfiguredtopoweroffthevirtualmachine,
shutdowntheguestoperatingsystem,orusethesystemdefault.Thepausebutton
onthetoolbarcanbeconfiguredtosuspendthevirtualmachineorusethesystem
default.Theresetbuttononthetoolbarcanbeconfiguredtoresetthevirtual
machine,restarttheguestoperatingsystem,orusethesystemdefault.
SelecttheactionsyouwantfromthedropdownmenusunderPowerControls.
(Optional)ConfigureVMwareToolsscriptstorunwhenyouchangethevirtual
machinespowerstatebyselectingoptionsunderRunVMwareToolsscripts.
NOTEForESXServervirtualmachines,therearenoscriptsforresumingand
suspendingvirtualmachines.
(Optional)ConfigureVMwareToolstocheckforandinstallupdatesbeforeeach
poweronbyselectingtheCheckandupgradeToolsbeforeeachpoweronoption
underAutomaticVMwareToolsUpgrade.
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(Optional)Configuretheguestoperatingsystemtosynchronizetimewiththehost
byselectingtheSynchronizeguesttimewithhostoption.
To change power management settings

1
ClicktheOptionstab.
SelectPowerManagementintheSettingslist.
GuestPowerManagementallowsyoutodeterminehowthevirtualmachine
respondswhentheguestoperatingsystemisplacedonstandby.
UnderGuestPowerManagement,selecteitherSuspendthevirtualmachineor
Puttheguestoperatingsysteminstandbymodeandleavethevirtualmachine
poweredon.
(Optional)Ifyouchosetoleavethevirtualmachineon,selectWakeonLANfor
virtualmachinetrafficonyourvirtualmachinenetworkbyselectingthecheck
box.
NotallguestoperatingsystemssupportWakeonLAN.Onlythefollowingtypes
ofNICssupportWakeonLAN:
Flexible(VMwareToolsrequired).
vmxnet
Enhancedvmxnet
Optionsaredisablediftheyarenotsupported.
5
To change advanced virtual machine settings

1
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.
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.
ClickAdvancedtoaccesstheCPUIdentificationMaskdialogbox.An
explanationofthesymbolsinthisdialogboxisavailablebyclickingLegend.
NOTEThevirtualmachinemustbepoweredoffbeforeyoucanchange
thissetting.
SelectAdvanced>BootOptions.
a
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:
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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
ToeditthevirtualmachinesWWNs,poweroffthevirtualmachine.
EnsurethatthevirtualmachinehasadatastorecontainingaLUNthathas
beenmadeavailabletothehost.
SelecttheOptionstab.
SelectFibreChannelNPIV.
CurrentlyassignedWWNsaredisplayedintheWWNAssignmentsbox.
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
ClicktheResourcestab.
SelectCPUintheSettingslist.
Selectasharesvalue,whichrepresentsarelativemetricforallocatingCPU
capacity.
192
SharesThevaluesLow,Normal,High,andCustomarecomparedtothe
sumofallsharesofallvirtualmachinesontheserverand,onESXServer3
hosts,theserviceconsole.Shareallocationsymbolicvaluescanbeusedto
configuretheirconversionintonumericvalues.
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ReservationGuaranteedCPUallocationforthisvirtualmachine.
LimitUpperlimitforthisvirtualmachinesCPUallocation.Select
Unlimitedtospecifynoupperlimit.
Formoreinformationonsharevalues,seetheResourceManagementGuide.
4
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
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.
Memory Resources
TheMemoryResourcespanelletsyouallocatememoryresourcesforavirtualmachine
andspecifyreservations,limits,andshares.Youcaneditsomeofthesameinformation
ontheResourcePoolstabofthemainVIClientwindow,whichyoumightdotoedit
resourcesettingsatthesametimeasothervirtualmachinesettings.
To change memory settings
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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.
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
SelecttheResourcestab,andchooseMemory.
IntheNUMAMemoryAffinitypanel,setmemoryaffinity.
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Disk Resources
TheDiskResourcespanelletsyouallocatehostdiskI/Obandwidthtothevirtualhard
disksofthisvirtualmachine.DiskI/Oisahostcentricresourceandcannotbepooled
acrossacluster.However,CPUandmemoryresourcesaremuchmorelikelyto
constrainvirtualmachineperformancethandiskresources.
To change disk settings
1
SelectDiskintheSettingslist.
Onthisdialogbox,youcanadjustthehostdiskallocationforthisvirtualmachine.
IntheResourceAllocationpanel,selectthevirtualharddiskfromthelist.
ClickintheSharesfield.Usethedropdownmenutochangethevaluetoallocate
anumberofsharesofitsdiskbandwidthtothevirtualmachine.
Sharesisavaluethatrepresentstherelativemetricforcontrollingdiskbandwidth
toallvirtualmachines.ThevaluesLow,Normal,High,andCustomarecompared
tothesumofallsharesofallvirtualmachinesontheserverand,onanESXServer
3host,theserviceconsole.Shareallocationsymbolicvaluescanbeusedto
configuretheirconversionintonumericvalues.
Adding New Hardware

YoucanaddvirtualhardwaretoavirtualmachineusingtheAddHardwarewizard.
ThevirtualhardwarethatyouaddappearsinthehardwarelistdisplayedintheVirtual
MachinePropertieswizard.Theselectedguestoperatingsystemdeterminesthe
devicesthatareavailabletobeaddedtoagivenvirtualmachine.
To start the wizard
1
FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clickInventoryinthenavigationbar.Expandthe
inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine.
TodisplaytheVirtualMachinePropertiesdialogbox,clicktheEditSettingslink
intheCommandspanel.
ClickAddtostarttheAddHardwarewizard.
Followthestepsinthefollowingsectionstoaddvarioustypesofvirtualhardware
toyourvirtualmachine.
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To add a serial port

1
StarttheAddHardwarewizard.
SelectSerialPort,andclickNext.
Selectthetypeofmediayouwantthevirtualporttoaccess:useaphysicalserial
portonthehost,outputtoafile,orconnecttoanamedpipe.
ClickNext.
IfyouselectedUsephysicalserialportonthehost,usethedropdownmenuto
choosetheportonthehostcomputerthatyouwanttouseforthisserial
connection.
IfyouselectedOutputtofile,browsetothefileonthehostthatyouwanttouseto
storetheoutputofthevirtualserialport.
IfyouselectedConnecttonamedpipe,enterapipenameinthePipeNamefield
andusethedropdownmenustochoosethenearandfarendsofthepipe.
Theoptionsforthenearendareclientorserver.Theoptionsforthefarendarea
processoravirtualmachine.
Bydefault,theserialportisconnectedwhenyoupoweronthevirtualmachine.
(Optional)DeselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxifyoudonotwantthe
serialporttoconnectwhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon.
(Optional)DeselecttheI/OmodeYieldCPUonpollcheckboxifyouwantto
configurethisserialporttouseinterruptmodeasopposedtopolledmode.
Polledmodeisofinterestprimarilytodeveloperswhoareusingdebuggingtools
thatcommunicateoveraserialconnection.Polledmodecausesthevirtualmachine
toconsumeadisproportionateshareofCPUtime.Thismakesthehostandother
guestsrunsluggishly.
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(Optional)Tomaintainbestperformanceforapplicationsonthehost,selectthe
YieldCPUonpollcheckbox.
Thisforcestheaffectedvirtualmachinetouseinterruptmode,whichyieldsCPU
timeiftheonlytaskitistryingtodoispollthevirtualserialport.
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ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinish.
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To add a parallel port

1
SelectParallelPort,andclickNext.
SelectphysicalparallelportonthehostorOutputtofile.
ClickNext.
IfyouselectedUsephysicalparallelportonthehost,choosetheportfromthe
dropdownmenu.IfyouselectedOutputtofile,browsetothelocationofthefile.
UnderDevicestatus,deselecttheConnectatpoweroncheckboxifyoudonot
wanttheparallelportdevicetobeconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinepowerson.
ClickNext.
To add a DVD/CD-ROM drive

1
SelectDVD/CDROMDrive,andclickNext.
SelecteitherUsephysicaldriveorUseISOimage.
a
IfyouselectedUsephysicaldrive,selecteitherclientorhostasthedevice
location.Choosethedriveyouwanttousefromthedropdownmenu.
Selectpassthroughandusethecheckboxtoindicatewhethertoconnect
exclusivelytothevirtualmachine,orselectATAPIemulation.
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IfyouselectedUseISOImage,enterthepathandfilenamefortheimagefile,
orclickBrowsetonavigatetothefile.
IfyoudonotwanttheCDROMdriveconnectedwhenthevirtualmachinestarts,
deselectConnectatpoweron.
ClickNext.
Specifythevirtualdevicenodethedriveusesinthevirtualmachine,andclick
Next.
ReviewtheinformationontheReadytoCompletewindow,andclickFinishor
Backifyouwanttochangeanyinformation.
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To add a floppy drive

1
SelectFloppyDrive,andclickNext.
Selectthetypeoffloppymediatouse:
Aphysicalfloppydrivetogivetheguestaccesstothefloppyonthehost.
Afloppyimage,whichisafileonthehostthatstoresdatainthesameformat
asaphysicalfloppydisk.
Ablankfloppyimagetocreateanduseablankfloppyimage.
ClickNext.
IfyouselectedUseaphysicalfloppydrive,selecteitherclientorhostasthedevice
locationandchoosethedrivefromthedropdownmenu.
a
IfyouselectedUseafloppyimage,browsetothefloppyimage.
IfyouselectedCreateablankfloppyimage,browsetothefloppyimage.
Tohavethefloppydriveconnectedtothevirtualmachinewhenyoupoweriton,
selectConnectatpoweron.
ClickNext.
To add an Ethernet adapter (NIC)

1
SelectEthernetAdapter,andclickNext.
IntheNetworkconnectionpanel,chooseeitheranamednetworkwithaspecified
labeloralegacynetwork.
ToconnectthevirtualNICwhenthevirtualmachineispoweredon,selectConnect
atpoweron.
Tocompletethewizard,clickFinish.
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To add a hard disk

1
SelectHardDisk,andclickNext.
Selectthetypeofstorageforthevirtualmachinesdisk,andclickNext.
Youcanstorevirtualmachinedatainanewvirtualdisk,anexistingvirtualdisk,
oraMappedSANLUN.Avirtualdisk,whichappearsasasingleharddisktothe
guestoperatingsystem,iscomposedofoneormorefilesonthehostfilesystem.
Virtualdiskscaneasilybecopiedormovedonthesamehostorbetweenhosts.
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IfyouselectedCreateanewvirtualdisk,dothefollowing:
a
Enterthediskcapacity.
SelectthelocationaseitherStorewiththevirtualmachineorSpecifya
datastore.
IfyouselectedSpecifyadatastore,browseforthedatastorelocation,andclick
Next.ContinuewithStep 7.
Ifyouselectedanexistingdisk,browseforthediskfilepathandclickNext.
IfyouselectedMappedSANLUN:
a
SelecttheLUNthatyouwanttousefortherawdisk,andclickNext.
SelectadatastoreandclickNext.
Selectthecompatibilitymode:physicaltoallowtheguestoperatingsystemto
accessthehardwaredirectlyorvirtualtoallowthevirtualmachinetouse
VMwaresnapshotsandotheradvancedfunctions.ClickNext.
Specifythevirtualdevicenode.
Setvirtualdiskmodeoptions:
a
SelectIndependenttomakethediskindependent.Independentdisksarenot
affectedbysnapshots.
IfyouselectedIndependent,selectoneofthetwomodesforindependent
disks:
PersistentThediskoperatesnormallyexceptthatchangestothedisk
arepermanentevenifthevirtualmachineisrevertedtoasnapshot.
NonpersistentThediskappearstooperatenormally,butwheneverthe
virtualmachineispoweredofforrevertedtoasnapshot,thecontentsof
thediskreturntotheiroriginalstate.Alllaterchangesarediscarded.
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ClickNext.
10
Reviewtheinformation,andclickFinish.
To add a SCSI device

1
SelectSCSIDevice,andclickNext.
UnderConnection,usethedropdownmenutochoosethephysicaldeviceyou
wanttouse.
ToconnectthisvirtualmachinetotheserversSCSIdevicewhenthevirtual
machineispoweredon,selectConnectatpoweron.
UnderVirtualdevicenode,selectthevirtualdevicenodewhereyouwantthis
devicetoappearinthevirtualmachine.
Youcanalsoselectthecheckboxtoindicatethatthevirtualdeviceissetupinthe
samewayasthephysicalunit.
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
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?
ClickYes.
AprogressbarappearsintheRecentTaskspaneatthebottomoftheclient
window.
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13
Working with Templates and

Clones
13
Thischapterdescribescreatingtemplatesandcloningvirtualmachines.
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:
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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
StarttheVIClientandlogintotheVirtualCenterServer.
Theinventorypanelandtheinformationpaneldisplayinformationabout
manageddatacenters,hosts,resourcepools,andvirtualmachines.Theinventory
toolbarappears.
Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andselectavirtualmachine.
Turnoffthevirtualmachineusingtheshutdownorpoweroffoptions.
FromtheCommandsareaorthepopupmenu,clickConverttoTemplate.
VirtualCentermarksthatvirtualmachineasatemplateanddisplaysthetaskinthe
RecentTaskspane.
To clone a virtual machine to a template

1
StarttheVIclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer.
ClickInventoryinthenavigationbartodisplaytheinventorypanel.
Turnoffthevirtualmachineusingtheshutdownorpoweroffoptions.
RightclickthevirtualmachineandclickClonetoTemplate.
TheCloneVirtualMachinetoTemplatewizardappears.
Givethenewtemplateaname,selectitsinventorylocation,andclickNext.
Enterausefulnamethatdescribesthetemplate.Thenamecanbeupto80
characterslongandcancontainalphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore(_)
andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniqueacrossalltemplatesandvirtual
machinesinthedatacenter.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vmis
identicaltoMy_Vm.
Passthroughthetargetlocationpage.ClickNext.
ClickFinish.
VirtualCenterdisplaystheTasksinventorypanelforreferenceandaddsthecloned
templatetothelistintheinformationpanel.
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To clone an existing template

1
StarttheVIclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer.
Selectthedatacenterthatcontainsthetemplate.
Thevirtualmachinesandtemplatesassociatedwiththedatacenterappearinthe
datacenterpanel.
RightclickthetemplateandchooseClone.
TheCloneTemplatewizardappears.
Givethenewtemplateauniquenameanddescription,andclickNext.
Enterausefulnameandabriefdescriptionofthetemplate.Description
informationcaninclude,forexample,theoperatingsystem,applications,versions,
andintendedusesforthetemplate.Thenamecanbeupto80characterslong,and
cancontainalphanumericcharactersandtheunderscore
(_)andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniqueacrossalltemplatesand
virtualmachinesinthedatacenter.Namesarecaseinsensitive:thenamemy_vm
isidenticaltoMy_Vm.
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
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Convertthetemplatetoavirtualmachine.
Editthevirtualmachine.
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Convertthevirtualmachinetoatemplate.
Youcandirectlychangethenameofatemplateusingtheprocedurebelow.
To change the name of a template
1
FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clicktheInventorybutton.
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
StarttheVIClient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer.
toolbarappears.
Selectthedatacenterthatcontainsthetemplate,andclicktheVirtualMachines
tab.
datacenterpanel.
Rightclickthetemplate,andchooseDeployVirtualMachinefromthis
Template.
TheDeployTemplatewizardappears.
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Givethenewvirtualmachineaname,selectalocation,andclickNext.
Thenamecanbeupto80characterslongandcancontainalphanumericcharacters
andtheunderscore(_)andhyphen()characters.Itshouldalsobeuniqueacross
alltemplatesandvirtualmachinesinthedatacenter.Namesarecaseinsensitive:
thenamemy_vmisidenticaltoMy_Vm.
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
StartVirtualCenterclient,andlogintotheVirtualCenterServer.
toolbarappears.
datacenterpanel.
ClicktheVirtualMachinestab.
RightclickonthetemplateandchooseConverttoVirtualMachine.
Thetemplateisconvertedtoavirtualmachine.
Deleting Templates
To remove templates from the VirtualCenter inventory
Thisprocedureunregistersthetemplate.Itdoesnotremovethetemplatefilesfromthe
datastore.
1
ClicktheInventorybutton.
Selecttheappropriatetemplate.
Rightclickthetemplate,andchooseRemovefromInventory.
ClickOKtoconfirmremovingthetemplatefromtheVirtualCenterdatabase.
AllnondatastoretemplatefilesareremovedfromtheVirtualCenterinventory.
To delete a template from disk

CAUTIONAfteratemplateisdeletedfromahost,thereisnowaytorecoverit.
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
ClicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar,andselectthehostthatcontains
thetemplate.
RightclickthedatastorethatcontainsthetemplateandselectBrowseDatastore.
Browsethroughthedatastorefolderstofindthe.vmtxfile.
Rightclickthe.vmtxfileandselectAddtoInventory.
TheAddtoInventorywizardappears.
Enteratemplatemachinename,selectalocation,andclickNext.
Selectahostorclusteronwhichtostorethetemplate,andclickNext.
Reviewyourselections,andclickFinish.
ThetemplateisregisteredtothehostandcanbeviewedfromthehostsVirtual
Machinetab.
Cloning Virtual Machines

Acloneisacopypluscustomizationofavirtualmachine.Whenyoucreateaclone,
VirtualCenterprovidesanoptiontocustomizetheguestoperatingsystemofthat
virtualmachine.Youcanplacethenewcloneonanyhostwithinthesamedatacenter
astheoriginalvirtualmachine,oryoucanplaceitinadifferentdatacenter.
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To clone a virtual machine

1
StartVirtualCenterandlogintotheVirtualCenterServer.
Fromtheinventorypanel,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.
Theinventorypanelandtheinformationpaneldisplaythedatastores,resource
pools,hosts,andvirtualmachineinformation.Theinventorytoolbarappears.
Expandtheinventoryasneeded,andclickthesourcevirtualmachine.
Poweroffthevirtualmachine.
TostarttheCloneaVirtualMachinewizard,clicktheClonetoNewVirtual
MachinelinkintheCommandsarea,orchooseClonefromthepopupmenu.
TheCloneVirtualMachinewizardappears.
Enteravirtualmachinename,selectalocation,andclickNext.
Selectahostorclusteronwhichtoruntheclone,andclickNext.
Ifyouchooseacluster,youmustchooseaspecifichostwithinthecluster,andclick
Next.
Selectaresourcepoolinwhichtoruntheclone,andclickNext.
10
Selectthedatastorelocationwhereyouwanttostorethevirtualmachinefiles,and
clickNext.
11
ClicktheAdvancedbuttonformoreoptions,andclickNext.
TheSelectGuestCustomizationOptionpageappears.Youcanchooseto
customizetheguestoperatingsystemusingthewizardorusinganexisting
customizationspecification.Youcanalsochoosenottocustomize.
Formoreinformation,seeCustomizingGuestOperatingSystemsonpage 215.
12
Selecttheappropriateradiobutton,andclickNext.
13
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.
ChooseFile>New>ScheduledTask,orclicktheNewbutton.
TheSelectaTasktoScheduledialogboxappears.
UsethedropdownmenutochooseCloneavirtualmachine,andclickOK.
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Selectthevirtualmachinetoclone,andclickNext.
Followthewizardthroughthesamestepsasthoseintheprevioustaskinwhich
youclonedavirtualmachine.ThepageafterGuestCustomizationistheSchedule
theTaskpage.
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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14
Customizing Guest
Operating Systems
14
Nowthatyouhavecreatedandconfiguredavirtualmachine,youhavetheoptionto
customizetheidentityandnetworksettingsofyourvirtualmachinesguestoperating
systemsothatitisreadytobeginworkimmediatelyinyourtargetenvironment.
Youcansaveyourvirtualmachinesettingsinaspecificationthatyoucanrecalllater
andreuse.Youdothisusingthecustomizationwizard.Therearetwowaystoaccess
thecustomizationwizard:usingthecustomizationspecificationmanager,whichlets
youcreatespecificationsandstoretheminthedatabaseforlateruse,andusingthe
wizardwhenyourecloninganewvirtualmachine.
NOTEVirtualmachinesmustberegisteredintheVirtualCenterinventorybeforeyou
cancustomizetheirguestoperatingsystems.
ThischapterdescribeshowtousetheCustomizationSpecificationManagerto
customizeyourguestoperatingsystems.
PreparingforGuestCustomizationonpage 216
CustomizingaWindowsGuestOperatingSystemonpage 218
UsingtheCustomizationSpecificationWizardonpage 224
UsingtheCloneVirtualMachineWizardonpage 228
CompletingaGuestOperatingSystemCustomizationonpage 229
Formoredetailsoninstallingaguestoperatingsystem,seetheGuestOperatingSystem
InstallationGuide.
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215
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.
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ThemostrecentversionofVMwareToolsisinstalledintheguestoperating
system.
217
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
StarttheGuestCustomizationwizard.
OntheRegistrationInformationpage,enterthevirtualmachineownersname
andorganization.ClickNext.
Thisinformationisforguestoperatingsystemregistrationpurposes.Itis
displayedintheguestoperatingsystemSystemProperties.IntheNamefield,you
canenterthenameofaperson,user,orgroup.
OntheComputerNamepage,specifytheComputerNameforthevirtual
machine.ClickNext.
Thecomputernameisthenamegiventotheparticularinstanceofaguest
operatingsystem.Theoperatingsystemusesthisnametoidentifyitselfonthe
network.OnWindowssystems,itiscalledthecomputername.Onmostother
operatingsystems,itiscalledthehostname.Thisisnotthesameasthevirtual
machinenamethatwasdeclaredearlierintheDeployTemplatewizardorClone
VirtualMachinewizard.Youcansetthecomputernameusingthefollowing
options:
VMware, Inc.
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.
OntheTimeZonepage,choosethetimezoneforthevirtualmachine.ClickNext.
OntheRunOncepage,typeanycommandsyouwanttorunaspartofthefirst
startupforthenewvirtualmachine.Afteryoutypeeachcommand,clickAdd.Use
theDeleteandMoveoptionstocreatetherunorderforthecommands.Whenyou
aredonewiththecommandlist,clickNext.
NOTESeeMicrosoftWindowsSysprepdocumentationformoreinformationon
theRunOncecommands.
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IfyouwantVirtualCentertoautomaticallyconfigureallnetworkinterfacesfroma
DHCPserver,selectTypicalsettingsontheNetworkpage.ClickNext.
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IftypicalVirtualCenterconfigurationisnotappropriateforyourenvironment,
selectCustomsettings,selectthenetworkinterfacecard(NIC)tocustomizeand
clickCustomizetomakeadditionalspecifications.
TheNetworkPropertiesdialogboxopens.
UsetheNetworkPropertiesdialogboxtoperformthesesteps:
VMware, Inc.
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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10
OntheWorkgrouporDomainpage,completeoneofthesesteps:
Tojoinaworkgroup,selectWorkgroup,typetheworkgroupname,andclick
Next.
Tojoinadomain,selectWindowsServerDomain,specifytheusernameofa
userwhocanaddcomputerstotheWindowsdomain,andspecifytheusers
password.ClickNext.
11
OntheOperatingSystemOptionspage,selectGenerateNewSecurityID(SID)
togenerateanewsecurityIDforthevirtualmachine.
12
ClickNext.
13
(Optional)OntheSaveSpecificationpage,savethecustomizedoptionsasan
.xmlfilebycompletingthesesteps:
a
SelectSavethiscustomizationspecificationforlateruse.
Specifythenameforthespecification,andclickNext.
VirtualCentersavesthecustomizedconfigurationparametersintheVirtualCenter
database.Ifthecustomizationsettingsaresaved,theadministrator,anddomain
administrator,passwordsarestoredinencryptedformatinthedatabase.Because
thecertificateusedtoencryptthepasswordsisuniquetoeachVirtualCenter
Server,reinstallingtheVirtualCenterServer,orattachinganewinstanceofthe
serverthedatabase,invalidatestheencryptedpasswords.Thepasswordsmustbe
reenteredbeforetheycanbeused.
14
ClickFinishtosaveyourchangesandexittheGuestCustomizationwizard.
15
ClickFinishtodeploythevirtualmachineandexittheDeployTemplatewizardor
CloneVirtualMachinewizard.
Customizing a Linux Guest Operating System

To customize a Linux guest operating system
YoucannotstarttheGuestCustomizationwizardfromamenuortoolbaroption.The
GuestCustomizationwizardstartsindirectlyfromtheDeployTemplatewizardor
CloneVirtualMachinewizard.
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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.
IfyouwantVirtualCentertoautomaticallyconfigureallnetworkinterfacesfroma
DHCPserver,selectTypicalsettingsontheNetworkpage.ClickNext.
IfVirtualCenterconfigurationisnotappropriateforyourenvironment,select
Customsettings,andclickNext.
Selectthenetworkinterfacecard(NIC)tocustomizeandclickCustomizetomake
additionalspecifications.
UsetheNetworkPropertiesdialogboxtoperformthesesteps:
VMware, Inc.
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
SelectSavethiscustomizationspecificationforlateruse.
Specifythefilenameforthespecification,andclickNext.
VirtualCentersavesthecustomizedconfigurationparametersintheVirtualCenter
database.Ifthecustomizationsettingsaresaved,theadministrator,anddomain
administrator,passwordsarestoredinencryptedformatinthedatabase.Because
thecertificateusedtoencryptthepasswordsisuniquetoeachVirtualCenter
Server,reinstallingtheVirtualCenterServer,orattachinganewinstanceofthe
serverthedatabase,invalidatestheencryptedpasswords.Thepasswordsmustbe
reenteredbeforetheycanbeused.
8
ClickFinish.
VirtualCenterclosestheGuestCustomizationwizardandreturnsyoutothe
DeployTemplatewizardorCloneVirtualMachinewizard.
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.
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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225
ClickNext.
TheoperatingsystemLicensepageappears.
IntheLicensepage,typetheproductIDifthevirtualmachinerequireslicensing
information.
Somevirtualmachinesmightnotrequirelicensinginformation.Inthatcase,leave
thesefieldsblank.
10
SelectthecheckboxforIncludeServerLicenseInformationifyouare
customizingaserverguestoperatingsystem.
11
Selecteitherperseatorperserveroperatingsystem,enterthemaximum
connectionsforserverlicensemode,andclickNext.
12
OntheAdministratorPasswordpanel,typeapasswordandconfirmitforthe
administratoraccount.
Ifyoudonotenterapassword,awarningdialogboxappears.
13
Selectthecheckboxifyouwanttoautomaticallyloginastheadministrator,and
choosethenumberoftimestologin.
14
ClickNext.
15
Usethedropdownmenutochooseatimezone,andclickNext.
16
IntheRunOncepage,specifycommandstoberunthefirsttimeauserlogson.
Usethenavigationbuttonstoadd,delete,andmovecommandsupordown.
NOTESeeMicrosoftWindowsSysprepdocumentationformoreinformationon
theRunOncecommands.
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17
ClickNext.
18
Specifythenetworkinterfacesettingsifyouwanttocustomizethesoftware
settingsforeachnetworkinterface.Selecttheradiobuttonfortypicalsettingsto
enableDHCPforallnetworkinterfacesortheradiobuttonforcustomsettingsto
manuallyconfigureeachnetworkinterface.
19
ClickNext.
20
IntheWorkgrouporDomainpage,selectthewayinwhichthevirtualmachine
participatesinthenetwork,selecttheradiobuttonforworkgroupandentera
workgroupname,orselecttheradiobuttonforWindowsserverdomainandenter
thedomain.
VMware, Inc.
Inthelattercase,youmustalsoenterausernameandpasswordforauseraccount
thathaspermissiontoaddacomputertothespecifieddomain.
21
ClickNext.
22
IntheOperatingSystemOptionspage,selectGenerateNewSecurityID(SID)to
generateanewsecurityidentifier.
23
ClickNext.
24
Reviewtheinformationyouhaveentered,andclickFinish.
ThespecificationappearsintheCustomizationSpecificationManagerpageand
canbeusedtocustomizeaguestoperatingsystem.
SavedcustomizationspecificationsareuniquetoeachVirtualCenterServerandto
eachversionofVirtualCenterduetoencryption.Youhavetorecreatethe
customizationspecificationsforeachVirtualCenterServer.Encryptionis
preservedbetweenupgradeversionsonthesameVirtualCenterServer.This
meansyoucanusethesamespecificationsbetweenupgradesofVirtualCenter.
However,ifyouuninstallVirtualCenterandlaterdoafreshinstallation,theability
todecryptpasswordsfromtheearlierinstallationislost.
25
Toviewthepropertiesofaspecification,clickthePropertiesicon.
TheCustomizationSpecificationPropertiesdialogboxappears.
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227
26
ClickOKtoclosethedialogbox.
27
ClicktheEditicontoredisplaytheGuestCustomizationwizard,andchangethe
informationforthespecification.
28
ClicktheCopyicontocreateacopyofthespecification.
29
Todeleteaspecification,selectitandclicktheDeleteicon.
Thespecificationisdeletedfromthespecificationmanager.
30
Toimportanexistingspecificationintothemanager,clicktheImporticonand
selectthespecificationintheBrowsedialogbox.
31
Toexportaspecification,clicktheExporticonandchooseaSaveAslocation.
32
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.
228
MovethroughthewizarduntilyoureachtheSelectGuestCustomizationOption
pagefromwhichyoucancustomizeusingtheCustomizationwizardorcustomize
usinganexistingcustomizationspecificationselectedfromthespecification
managerslist.
VMware, Inc.
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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229
Ifanyoftheinformationrequiredintheconfigurationfinalizationprocessisnot
correct,theguestoperatingsystempauseswhenthenewvirtualmachinebootsand
waitsforyoutoenterthecorrectinformation.Incorrectinformationmightinclude:
Thecomputernameisnotunique.Thecomputernamemustbeuniqueforthe
networkonwhichthemachineisdeployed.
Theproductkeyisincorrect.
Theuserspecifiedtojoinadomainthatdoesnotexist.
TheDHCPserverforthenetworkisnotfunctioningproperly.
To determine if the system is waiting for information

Openthevirtualmachinesconsoletoseeifthesystemiswaitingforinformation.
230
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15
Migrating Virtual Machines
15
Thischapterdescribestheprocessofmigratingmovingavirtualmachinefromone
hosttoanother.
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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231
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
232
32-bit Guest Virtual Machines
64-bit Guest Virtual Machines
VMotion
(poweredon)
Fullysupportedwithin
VMotioncompatible32bitCPUs
AND64bitCPUs(InteltoIntelor
AMDtoAMD).
(InteltoIntelorAMDtoAMD).
Cold
Migration
(poweredoff)
Fullysupportedwithinsupported
32bitCPUsand64bitCPUsand
abletopoweronirrespectiveofany
CPUincompatibilities
(InteltoAMDOK).
(InteltoAMDOK).
VMware, Inc.
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.
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
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
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VMotionrequiresaGigabitEthernetnetworktoensurerapidmigration:
Adedicatednetworkisrecommendedtokeepvirtualmachinememorystate
secure.
VMotionrequiresaprivateGigabitEthernetmigrationnetworkbetweenallof
theVMotionenabledmanagedhosts.WhenVMotionisenabledona
managedhost,configureauniquenetworkidentityobjectforthemanaged
hostandconnectittotheprivatemigrationnetwork.
TwohostswithcrossconnectedGigEcardscanbeusedfordemopurposes.
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
FromtheVirtualCenterclient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.
ChooseMigratefromthepopupmenu.
TheMigrateVirtualMachinewizardstarts.
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.
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Selecttheradiobuttontokeepthevirtualmachineconfigurationfilesandvirtual
disksintheircurrentlocationsortheradiobuttontomovethevirtualmachine
configurationfilesandtheirvirtualdisks.
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VirtualCentermovesthevirtualmachine,includingthevirtualdisks,tothenew
host.EventmessagesappearintheEventstab.ThedatadisplayedontheSummary
tabshowsthestatusandstatethroughoutthemigration.
NOTEYoucanrelocateonlypoweredoffandsuspendedvirtualmachines.You
cannotrelocatevirtualmachinesthatarebeingmigratedwithVMotion.
8
ClickNext.
Reviewthesummary,andclickFinish.
To migrate a powered-on virtual machine

NOTEBeforeyoubegin,disconnectanyperipheraldevicesconnectedtothevirtual
machine.Ifthevirtualmachineisusingaphysicaldeviceonthesourcehost,thatdevice
willnotbeaccessibleonthedestinationhost.Thisisanincompatibilitythatwill
preventuseofVMotion.Forexample,ifthevirtualmachineisreadingfromaCDROM
driveonthesourcehost,itcannotaccessthatdrivefromthedestinationhost.
1
FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandthe
inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriatevirtualmachine.
MakesurethatboththesourceandtargethostsareVMotionenabledandusing
thesameshareddatastore.Foreachhost:
a
SelecttheSummarytab.
ChecktheVMotionEnabledfieldandtheDatastoresection.
TheVMotionEnabledfieldshouldsayYes.Datastoresonbothhostsshould
listthedatastorewhichthevirtualmachinetobemigratedresideson.
InmigrationwithVMotion,ahostmusthaveVMotionenabledonittomigratea
poweredonvirtualmachinetoorfromthehost.VMotioninterfacesare
configuredandenabledusingthenetworkconfigurationoptionsforthehost.
3
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
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.
10
Selectthemigrationprioritylevel:
HighPriorityVirtualCenterreservesresourcesonboththesourceand
destinationhoststomaintainvirtualmachineavailabilityduringthe
migration.Highprioritymigrationsdonotproceedifresourcesare
unavailable.
LowPriorityVirtualCenterdoesnotreserveresourcesonthesourceand
destinationhoststomaintainavailabilityduringthemigration.Lowpriority
migrationsalwaysproceed.However,thevirtualmachinemightbecome
brieflyunavailableifhostresourcesareunavailableduringthemigration.
Clicktheappropriatebutton,andclickNext.
Afteralloptionshavebeenselected,aReadytoCompletepageappearsthatshows
asummaryoftheselectedchoices.
11
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:
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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
Description
<datacenter>
Thedatacenterwhichcontainsthevirtualmachinetobemigrated.
<VM config
datastore path>
Thedatastorepathtothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile.The
pathshouldbeenclosedinsinglequotes.
Todeterminethepathtothevirtualmachinesconfigurationfile:
1
IntheVIClientinventory,selectthevirtualmachineandclickthe
Summarytab.
ClickEditSettingstodisplaytheVirtualMachineProperties
dialogbox.
ClicktheOptionstab,andselectGeneralOptions.
Thepathtothevirtualmachineconfigurationfileisdisplayedin
theVirtualMachineConfigurationFiletextbox.
<new datastore>
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Thenameofthenewdatastoretowhichthevirtualmachine
configurationfileordiskistobemoved.Donotincludebrackets
aroundthenameofthenewdatastore.
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Table 15-2. svmotion command parameters (Continued)

Parameter
Description
--disks
Ifyoudonotspecifythisparameter,allvirtualdisksassociatedwith
avirtualmachinearerelocatedtothesamedatastoreasthevirtual
machineconfigurationfile.Byspecifyingthisparameter,youcan
choosetolocateindividualvirtualdiskstodifferentdatastores.
Ifyouwouldliketokeepavirtualdiskonitscurrentdatastore,use
the--disksoptionforthatdiskwithitscurrentdatastoreasthe
<new datastore>.
<virtual disk
datastore path>
Thedatastorepathtothevirtualdiskfile.
Todeterminethepathtoavirtualdiskfile:
1
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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Using Snapshots
16
VMwareVirtualCentersnapshotsallowyoutopreservethestateofthevirtualmachine
soyoucanreturntothesamestaterepeatedly.
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.
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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
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ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>EditSettings.
ClicktheHardwaretab,andselecttheharddiskyouwanttoexclude.
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UnderMode,selectIndependent.Independentdisksarenotaffectedby
snapshots.
Youhavethefollowingpersistenceoptionsforanindependentdisk:
Allchangestoanindependentdiskinpersistentmoderemain,evenwhenyou
reverttothatsnapshot.
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
ChooseInventory>VirtualMachine>Snapshot>SnapshotManager.
IntheSnapshotManager,selectasnapshotbyclickingit.
Togotoasnapshot,clicktheGotobuttontorestorethevirtualmachinetoany
arbitrarysnapshot.
TheGotocommandallowsyoutorestorethestateofanysnapshot.
ClickYesintheconfirmationdialogbox.
Todeleteasnapshot,clicktheDeletebuttontopermanentlyremoveasnapshot
fromVirtualCenteruse.
Todeleteallsnapshots,clicktheDeleteAllbuttontopermanentlyremoveall
snapshotsfromVirtualCenteruse.
NOTEDeletecommitsthesnapshotdatatotheparentandthenremovesthe
selectedsnapshot.DeleteAllcommitsalltheimmediatesnapshotsbeforetheYou
areherecurrentstatetothebasediskandremovesallexistingsnapshotsforthat
virtualmachine.
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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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17
Managing Users, Groups,

Permissions, and Roles
17
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.
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
Role Type
NoAccessUser
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
VirtualMachine
PowerUser
sample
Performactionsonvirtualmachinesonly.
Interactwithvirtualmachines,butnotchangethe
virtualmachineconfiguration.Thisincludes:
sample
Allprivilegesforthescheduledtasksprivileges
group.
Selectedprivilegesfortheglobalitemsandvirtual
machineprivilegesgroups.
Noprivilegesforthefolder,datacenter,datastore,
network,host,resource,alarms,sessions,
performance,andpermissionsprivilegesgroups.
Performactionsonthevirtualmachineandresource
objects.
Interactandchangemostvirtualmachine
configurationsettings,takesnapshots,andschedule
tasks.Thisincludes:
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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
Role Type
Description User Capabilities
ResourcePool
Administrator
sample
Performactionsondatastores,hosts,virtualmachines,
resources,andalarms.
Providesresourcedelegationandisassignedto
resourcepoolinventoryobjects.Thisincludes:
Datacenter
Administrator
sample
Allprivilegesforfolder,virtualmachine,alarms,
andscheduledtaskprivilegesgroups.
Selectedprivilegesforglobalitems,datastore,
resource,andpermissionsprivilegesgroups.
Noprivilegesfordatacenter,network,host,
sessions,orperformanceprivilegesgroups.
Performactionsonglobalitems,folders,datacenters,
datastores,hosts,virtualmachines,resources,and
alarms.
Setupdatacenters,butwithlimitedabilitytointeract
withvirtualmachines.Thisincludes:
VirtualMachine
Administrator
sample
Allprivilegesforfolder,datacenter,datastore,
network,resource,alarms,andscheduledtask
privilegesgroups.
Selectedprivilegesforglobalitems,host,and
virtualmachineprivilegesgroups.
Noprivilegesforsession,performance,and
permissionprivilegesgroups.
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
LogintotheVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer
hostasauserwithAdministratorprivileges.
FromtheVIClient,clicktheAdminbuttoninthenavigationbar.ClicktheRoles
tab.
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RightclickintheRolestabinformationpanel.ChooseAdd.
TheAddRoledialogboxappears.
Typeanameforthenewrole.
Selecttheprivilegesyouwantthenewroletohave.Clicktheplus(+)signsto
expandthelists,asneeded.ClickOKtocompletetheprocess.
Cloning Roles
Youcanmakeacopyofanexistingrole,renameit,andlatereditit.Whenyoumakea
copy,thenewroleisnotautomaticallyappliedtothesameuserorgroupsandobjects.
To clone a role
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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
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
tab.
Toselecttheroletoremove,clicktheobjectinthelistofroles.
YoucanselectmultiplerolesusingtheCtrlorShiftkeys.
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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
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
LogintotheVIClientasauserwiththeAdministratorprivileges.
inventoryasneeded,andclicktheappropriateobject.
Theobjectsthatcanhavepermissionsassignedtothemare:(SEEUPDATE)
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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
ChoosethedomainwheretheuserorgroupislocatedfromtheDomain
dropdownmenu.
TypeanameintheSearchboxorselectanamefromtheNamelist.
ClickAdd.
ThenameisaddedtoeithertheUsersorGroupslist.
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.
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
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
Withtheobjectselected,clickthePermissionstab.
Toselecttheuserorgroup+rolepairthatyouwanttodelete,clicktheappropriate
lineitem.
ChooseInventory>Permissions>Delete.
TheVMwareInfrastructureserverremovesthepermissionsetting.
NOTEThereisnoadditionalwarningthatthepermissionisgoingtoberemoved.
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18
Setting Up and Monitoring

Performance Statistics and
Resource Maps
18
Thischapterdescribeshowtosetupperformancestatisticsforhosts,clusters,resource
pools,andvirtualmachines.Italsoprovidesinformationoncustomizingandviewing
performancechartsandresourcemaps.
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
Interval
Duration
Collection
Frequency
Day
1Day
5Minutes
Configurable Attributes Possible Values

IntervalLength(Days)13
CollectionFrequency(Minutes)1,2,3,5
Week
1Week
30Minutes
None
Month
1Month
2Hours
None
Year
1Year
1Days
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
Metrics
Best Practice
Level1
Basicmetrics:
Useforlongtermperformance
monitoringwhendevice
statisticsarenotrequired.
Level2
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AverageusageforCPU,memory,disk,and
networkcounters
Systemuptimeandheartbeat
DRSmetrics
Allmetricsfor:
CPU,memory,disk,andnetworkcounters
Average,summation,andlatestrolluptypes
(doesnotincludemaximumandminimum
rolluptypes)
Systemuptimeandheartbeat
DRSmetrics
Level1isthedefaultCollection
LevelforallCollectionIntervals.
Useforlongtermperformance
monitoringwhendevice
statisticsarenotrequiredbut
youwanttomonitormorethan
thebasicstatistics.
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Table 18-2. Statistic Collection Levels (Continued)

Collection Level
Metrics
Best Practice
Level3
Allmetricsforallcountergroups,excluding
Useforshorttermperformance
monitoringafterencountering
problemsorwhendevice
statisticsarerequired.
thoseformaximumandminimumrolluptypes.
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:
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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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Ifnecessary,selectthecollectionintervalcheckboxtoenableordisableit.
Selecttherowcontainingthecollectioninterval.
ClickEdit.TheEditCollectionIntervaldialogboxopens.
Changethefollowingattributevalueswhereappropriate:
CollectionFrequency
Keepsamplesfor
CollectionLevel
NOTETokeepdatasamplesformorethan3years,archiveitoutsideofthe
VirtualCenterdatabase.
Foralistofcollectionintervalattributesthatareconfigurable,SeeTable 182,
StatisticCollectionLevels,onpage 283.
Foradescriptionofcollectionfrequencyandduration,seeAboutCollection
IntervalsandCollectionLevelsonpage 282.
7
ClickOK.
RepeatStep 3Step 7foreachcollectionintervaltochange.
Validatethenewconfigurationbyusingthedatabaseestimationcalculator.
EnterthenumberofPhysicalHostsinyourinventory.
EnterthenumberofVirtualMachinesinyourinventory.
To enable or disable a collection interval

1
IntheVirtualCenterManagementServerConfigurationdialogbox,select
Statistics.
Toenableacollectioninterval,selectitscheckboxunderIntervalDuration.
Todisableacollectioninterval,deselectitscheckboxunderInterval
Duration.
NOTEWhenyoudisableacollectioninterval,allsubsequentintervalsare
automaticallydisabled.
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(Optional)Validatethechangebyusingthedatabaseestimationcalculator.
To estimate the statistics impact on the database

1
Configureyourcollectionintervals.SeeToconfigurecollectionintervals.
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
Selectahost,cluster,resourcepool,orvirtualmachineintheinventorypanel.
SelectthePerformancetab.
Figure 18-3. VI Client displaying Performance tab for virtual machine.
290
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
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:
292
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
IntheCustomizePerformanceChartdialogbox,clickSaveChartSettings.The
SaveSelectiondialogboxisdisplayed.
SelectachartandclickOK.YoursettingsaresavedandaddedtotheSwitchto
menu,andtheSaveSelectiondialogboxisclosed.
To delete chart views

1
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
Thumbnailgraphicofthefullscalemap.
MapRelationships
section
Displayedwhenmorethanonemapviewisavailable.
Refreshlink
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
19
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
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FromtheVIClient,clicktheInventory,andclicktherootfolder.
ClicktheTask&Eventstab.ClicktheTasksbuttonontheTasks&Eventspanel.
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Clickataskinthepanel.
DetailedinformationappearsintheTaskDetailspane.
To sort the list of tasks

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FromtheVIClient,displaytheinventorypanel,selecttheappropriateobjectand
viewtheTasks&Eventspanel.
Clickthecolumntitle.Ittogglesbetweenascendinganddescendingsort.
To filter the list of tasks
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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

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FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheScheduledTasks
optioninthenavigationbar.
Thecurrentlistofscheduledtasksappears.
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
Procedure to Set
Once
Torunthescheduledtaskimmediatelyaftercreation,selectNow,
andclickNext.
Torunthescheduledtaskatalaterdateandtime,dothe
following:
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SelectLater.
TypeaclocktimeintheTimefield.
ClicktheDatearrowtodisplayacalendar.Selectadateby
clickingitonthecalendar.
Clicktheleftandrightarrowstoviewadditionalmonths.
Selectthemonthandchoosefromthelist.Selecttheyearby
clickingtheupanddownarrows.
ClickNext.
AfterStartup
Entertheamountofdelay,andclickNext.
Hourly
Enterthestarttimeafterthebeginningofthehourandtheinterval
(forexample,15minutesaftereveryeighthours).ClickNext.
Daily
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
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ClickScheduledTasksinthenavigationbar.
RightclickonataskandselectProperties.
Thewizardassociatedwiththetaskisdisplayed.
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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.
Selecttheappropriatetaskfromthelist.ChooseInventory>ScheduledTask>
Remove.
VirtualCenterremovesthetaskfromthescheduledtasklist.
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

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FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,viewtheRecentTasks
panel.
IftheRecentTaskspanelisnotcurrentlydisplayed,clickTasksatthelowerleft
corneroftheVIClientwindow.
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
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FromtheVIClientconnectedtoeitheraVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer,
clicktheInventorybuttoninthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded.
Intheinventorypanel,selectafolder,cluster,resourcepool,host,orvirtual
machine,asappropriate.
Ifyouselectahost,theeventmessagesforallthevirtualmachinesonthathostare
includedintheEventslog.
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
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ChooseView>Filteringtoseethefilteringoptions.
Entertextintothedatafield.ClickCleartoemptythedatafield.
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Entriesinmultiplecolumnsthatmatchthesearchtermaredisplayed.Inthe
example,thesearchwordpowerisfoundinboththeDescriptionandtheTask
columnentries.
Exporting Event Messages

Youcanexportallorpartoftheeventslogfile.
To export the events file
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FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,chooseFile>Export>
ExportEvents.
Specifythetimerangeofmessagesandthetypeofmessagestoexport.
Specifyafilename,filetype,andlocationfortheexportedfile.ClicktheBrowse
buttontoviewtheSaveAsdialogbox.
Thefileissavedasatextfile.
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SelecttheTyperadiobuttontoindicatethetypeoferrorstoincludeintheexported
file.
Youcanspecifywhethertoincludeusergeneratedorsystemgeneratedevents.
Youcanspecifyallusers,oryoucanspecifyTheseusersandclickBrowsetoselect
asubsetofusers.
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.
isconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServeroranESXServer.TheAlarmsoptionisnot
availablewhentheVIClientisconnectedtoanESXServer.
Thissectioncontainsthefollowingtopics:
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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

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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

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FromtheVIClient,chooseAdministration>VirtualCenterManagementServer
Configuration.
ClickSNMPinthenavigationlist.
EntertheSNMPandmailaddressing,asappropriate:
ConfigureuptofourreceiversofSNMPtraps.Theymustbeconfiguredin
numericalorder,1,2,3,and4.EachSNMPtraprequiresacorrespondinghost
name,portandcommunity.Forexample:
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ReceiverURLTheDNSnameandIPaddressoftheSNMPreceiver.
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ReceiverportTheportnumberofthereceiver.
Iftheportvalueisempty,VirtualCenterusesthedefaultport.Thedefaultport
is902.
CommunityStringThecommunityidentifier.
ClickOK.
Creating Alarms
IfyouplantouseemailmessageorSNMPnotification,seePreparingforEmail
MessageSMTPAlarmNotificationonpage 315anddefinetheaddressinformation
beforeyoucreateyouralarm.
To create an alarm
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FromtheVIClientconnectedtoaVirtualCenterServer,clicktheInventorybutton.
Expandtheinventoryasneeded,clicktheappropriateobject,clicktheAlarmstab,
andclicktheDefinitionsbutton.
ChooseFile>New>Alarm.
Ifyoustartfromafolder,datacenter,orcluster,theAlarmPropertiesdialogbox
displaystheoptiontocreateanalarmforeitherahostoravirtualmachine.Ifyou
startfromaresourcepool,host,oravirtualmachine,MonitorahostorMonitora
VMispreselectedandtheotheroptionisdimmed.
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Selectthealarmtype.
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IntheGeneraltab,specifyanameforthealarm,theobjecttobemonitored(host
orvirtualmachine),thetriggerpriority,andwhethertoenablethisalarm.
TriggerprioritiescanbesettoRedorGreen:
RedThedefault,triggersthealarmsprioritizedredasfirst,thenyellow,and
greenalarmslast.
GreenTriggersthealarmsprioritizedasgreenfirst,thenyellow,andred
alarmslast.
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.
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(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
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inthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,clicktheAlarmstab,and
clicktheDefinitionsbutton.
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Ifthealarmyouwanttochangeisnotdefinedatthecurrentlocation,clickthe
linkedobjectintheDefinedincolumn.
VirtualCenterdisplaystheAlarmspanelfortheobjectwherethealarmwas
defined.
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
inthenavigationbar.Expandtheinventoryasneeded,clicktheAlarmstab,and
clicktheDefinitionsbutton.
Ifthealarmyouwanttochangeisnotdefinedatthecurrentlocation,clickthe
linkedobjectintheDefinedincolumn.VirtualCenterdisplaystheAlarmspanel
fortheobjectwherethealarmwasdefined.
Toremovethealarm,selectthealarm,andchooseInventory>Alarm>Remove.
Aconfirmationpopupwindowappears.
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:
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
Description
Used
Pair with
Object
Effective
on Object
CreateAlarm1
Createsanewalarm.
VConly
Alarm
object
parent
All
inventory
items
VConly
Alarm
object
parent
All
inventory
items
VConly
Alarm
object
parent
All
inventory
items
UserinterfaceelementAlarmtab
popupmenu,Filemenu
DeleteAlarm
Deletesanexistingalarm.
popupmenu,Filemenu
ModifyAlarm
Changesthepropertiesofanexisting
alarm.
popupmenu,Filemenu
1. Whencreatingalarmswithacustomaction,privilegetoperformtheactionisverifiedwhentheusecreates
thealarm.
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Appendix A Defined Privileges
Datacenter
Table A-2. Datacenter Privileges
Privilege
Name
Create
Datacenter
Delete
Datacenter
Move
Datacenter
Description
Affects
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
Createsanewdatacenter.
VConly
Datacenter
Datacenter
folders
VConly
Datacenter
plusparent
object
Datacenters
VConly
Datacenter,
sourceand
destination
Datacenters,
Datacenter
folders
VConly
Datacenter
Datacenters
Description
Affects
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
Browsesfilesonadatastore.
HCandVC
Datastores
Datastores
HCandVC
Datastores
Datastores
HCandVC
Datastores
Datastores
UserinterfaceelementInventory
popupmenu,toolbarbutton,andFile>
NewDatacenter
Removesadatacenter.
popupmenu,Inventory>Datacenter>
Remove,Edit>Remove
Movesadatacenter.
Privilegemustbepresentatboththe
sourceanddestination.
draganddrop
Rename
Datacenter
Changesthenameofadatacenter.
object,Inventorypopupmenu,Edit>
Rename,Inventory>Datacenter>
Rename
Datastore
Table A-3. Datastore Privileges
Privilege
Name
Browse
Datastore
Delete
Datastore
Delete
DatastoreFile
VMware, Inc.
UserinterfaceelementAddexisting
disk,browseforCDROMorFloppy
media,serialorparallelportfiles
Removesadatastore.
datastorepopupmenu,Edit>Remove,
Inventory>Datastore>Remove
Deletesafileinthedatastore.
UserinterfaceelementDatastore
BrowsertoolbarbuttonandDatastore
popupmenu
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Table A-3. Datastore Privileges (Continued)

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

Privilege
Name
Description
Affects
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
MoveFolder
Movesafolder.
VConly
Folders,
sourceand
destination
Folders
VConly
Folders
Folders
draganddrop
RenameFolder
Changesthenameofafolder.
paneobjecttextfield,popupmenu,
Filemenu
Global
Table A-6. Global Privileges
Privilege
Name
Description
Affects
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
CancelTask
Cancelsarunningorqueuedtask.
HCandVC
Anyobject
Inventory
object
relatedtothe
task
VConly
Anyobject
Rootfolder
VConly
Anyobject
Rootfolder
VConly
Anyobject
Rootfolder
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.
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Table A-6. Global Privileges (Continued)

Privilege
Name
Enable
Methods
Description
Affects
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
AllowsserversforVirtualCenter
extensionstoenablecertainoperations
onobjectsmanagedbyVirtualCenter.
VConly
Anyobject
Rootfolder
HCandVC
Anyobject
Rootfolder
HCandVC
Allobjects
All
inventory
objects
VConly
Allobjects
Rootfolder
VConly
Allobjects
Rootfolder
VConly
All
inventory
objects
All
inventory
objects
HCandVC
Hosts
Hosts
VConly
Allobjects
All
inventory
objects
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.
ScriptAction
Schedulesascriptedactionin
conjunctionwithanalarm.
UserinterfaceelementAlarm
Settingsdialogbox
Service
Managers
Allowsuseoftheresxtopcommandin
theRemoteCLI.
SetCustom
Attributes
Views,creates,andremovescustom
attributefields.
UserinterfaceelementAnylistview
showsthefieldsdefinedandallows
settingthem
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Table A-6. Global Privileges (Continued)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Privilege
Name
Reset
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
HCandVC
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
HCandVC
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
HCandVC
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
Description
Affects
Resetsvirtualmachineandrebootsthe
Suspend
Suspendsapoweredonvirtual
machine,putsguestinstandbymode.
ToolsInstall
MountsandunmountstheVMware
ToolsCDinstallerasaCDROMforthe
menu
Virtual Machine Inventory

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

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

Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
VConly
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
VConly
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
VConly
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
VConly
Rootfolder
Rootfolder
VConly
Rootfolder
Rootfolder
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
Privilege Name
Description
Affects
DeployTemplate
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
Modify
Customization
Specs
Creates,modifies,ordeletes
customizationspecifications.
Read
Customization
Specs
Viewsthecustomizationspecifications
definedonthesystem.
CustomizationSpecificationsManager
CustomizationSpecifications
Virtual Machine State

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

Privilege
Name
Description
Affects
Pair with
Object
Effective on
Object
Rename
Snapshot
Renamesthissnapshotwitheithera
newnameoranewdescriptionorboth.
HCandVC
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
HCandVC
Virtual
machines
Virtual
machines
RevertTo
Snapshot
SetstheVMtothestateitwasinata
givensnapshot.
toolbarbutton,Inventorymenu,
VirtualMachinestab
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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\
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
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:
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VirtualMachine
Host
ResourcePool
Cluster
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Appendix C Performance Chart Metrics
Virtual Machine
Table C-1. CPU Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
CPUUsage
1(4)
Yes/Yes
Description
CalculatesCPUusageasapercentage.
Rollup:Average(Minimum/Maximum)
StatsType:Rate
CPUUsagein
MHz
1(4)
Yes/Yes
CalculatesCPUusageinMegahertz.
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
consumedbybeinginthereadystate.
Rollup:Latest
StatsType:Absolute
CPUSystem
Yes/Yes
consumedbysystemprocesses.
Rollup:Latest
StatsType:Absolute
CPUIdleTime
Yes/Yes
consumedbybeinginthewaitstate.
Rollup:Latest
StatsType:Absolute
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Host
Table C-2. CPU Performance Metrics for Hosts
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
CPUUsed
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.
StatsType:Rate
CPUUsage
1(4)
Yes/Yes
CalculatesCPUusageasapercentage.
StatsType:Rate
Resource Pool
Table C-3. CPU Performance Metrics for Resource Pools
Counter
CPUUsagein
MHz
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
1(4)
Yes/Yes
Description
StatsType:Rate
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Cluster
Table C-4. CPU Performance Metrics for Clusters
Counter
CPUUsagein
MHz
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
1(4)
Yes/No
Description
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
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
1(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatessumofdatareadandwrittentoall
diskinstancesinkilobytespersecond.
StatsType:Rate
Read
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofdatareadfromdiskin
kilobytespersecondperHBA.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Rate
Write
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofdatawrittentodiskin
kilobytespersecondperHBA.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Rate
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Table C-5. Disk Performance Metrics for Host and Virtual Machines (Continued)
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
numberWrite
Yes/Yes
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
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Description
Calculatesamountofmemoryswappedin.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap
In
Yes/Yes
Calculatesaverageminimumamountof
memoryswappedin.
Rollup:Minimum
StatsType:Absolute
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Table C-6. Memory Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines (Continued)
Counter
MemorySwap
In
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
Yes/Yes
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
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Table C-6. Memory Performance Metrics for Virtual Machines (Continued)
Counter
Memory
Granted
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Description
Calculatesamountofmemorygranted.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Consumed
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofhostmemoryconsumed
bythevirtualmachineforguestoperating
systemmemory.
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
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
MemoryState
Yes/Yes
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
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
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Table C-7. Memory Performance Metrics for Hosts (Continued)
Counter
Memory
Consumed
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofhostmemoryconsumed
bythevirtualmachineforguestoperating
systemmemory.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap
Out
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Unreserved
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemorythatis
unreserved.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemoryHeap
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountofmemoryallocatedfor
heap.
Memory
Reserved
Capacity
Yes/Yes
CalculatesamountinMBofmemoryreserved
bythevirtualmachines.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemoryZero
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemoryHeap
Free
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Calculatesamountoffreespaceinthe
memoryheap.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemoryUsage
1(4)
Yes/Yes
availablememory.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Shared
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap
In
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
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Table C-7. Memory Performance Metrics for Hosts (Continued)

Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
Memory
Overhead
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Memory
Balloon
2(4)
Yes/Yes
memorycontrol.
Counter
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Granted
2(4)
Yes/Yes
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
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
MemoryUsage
1(4)
Yes/No
availablememory.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Granted
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Active
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Shared
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
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Table C-8. Memory Performance Metrics for Resource Pools (Continued)
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
MemoryZero
2(4)
Yes/Yes
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
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemorySwap
Out
2(4)
Yes/No
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Balloon
2(4)
Yes/No
memorycontrol.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
BalloonTarget
2(4)
Yes/Yes
memorycontrol.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Overhead
2(4)
Yes/Yes
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
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Cluster
Table C-9. Memory Performance Metrics for Clusters
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
MemoryUsage
1(4)
Yes/No
availablememory.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Granted
2(4)
Yes/No
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Active
2(4)
Yes/No
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Shared
2(4)
Yes/No
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
MemoryZero
2(4)
Yes/No
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
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
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Table C-9. Memory Performance Metrics for Clusters (Continued)
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
MemoryHeap
2(4)
Yes/No
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
memorycontrol.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
BalloonTarget
2(4)
Yes/No
memorycontrol.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Memory
Overhead
2(4)
Yes/No
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Absolute
Cluster Services
Thetableinthissectionlistsmetricsformeasuringtheperformanceofclusterservices
suchasDRSandHA.Clusterservicesperformancechartsareavailableonlyfor
clusters.
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Cluster
Table C-10. Cluster Services Metrics for Clusters
Counter
EffectiveCPU
Resources
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
1(4)
Yes/No
CalculatesaverageDRSeffectiveCPUresources
availablemeasuredinMHz.
Rollup:Average
StatsType:Rate.
1(4)
Effective
Memory
Resources
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
Available in
Collection
Level
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
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Table C-11. Network Metrics for Hosts and Virtual Machines (Continued)
Counter
Network
Usage
(Average)
Available in
Collection
Level
VC/ESX
Description
1(4)
Yes/Yes
Aggregatednetworkperformancestatisticsin
KBps.
StatsType:Rate
Network
Packets
Received
VMware, Inc.
Yes/Yes
Numberofpacketsreceivedintheperiod.
Rollup:Summation
StatsType:Delta
369
System
Thetableinthissectionlistsmetricsformeasuringsystemperformance.System
performancechartsareavailableforvirtualmachinesandhosts.
Table C-12. System Metrics for Virtual Machines and Hosts
Counter
Available in
Collection
Level
Heartbeat
VC/ESX
Description
Numberofheartbeatsincollectionperiod.
Rollup:Summation
Yes/Yes
Uptime
Yes/Yes
StatsType:Delta
Numberofsecondssincestartup.
Rollup:Latest
StatsType:Absolute
ResourceCPU
Usage
3(4)
Yes/Yes
CPUusage.
StatsType:Rate
370
VMware, Inc.
Index
Symbols
176, 281
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
VMware, Inc.
B
baselines, security 25
boot settings 189
BusLogic 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
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
D
database
calculator 289
VirtualCenter 22, 76
datacenters 27
consolidation 130
372
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
VMware, Inc.
Index
events 28
about 307
alarms 312
export 104, 311
navigation bar 54
tab 54
export
appliances 139
events 104
extensions
privileges 330
F
Fibre Channel NPIV 81, 187, 190
firewall
configure communication 76
floppy drives 180, 199
folders 27
privileges 330
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
VMware, Inc.
advanced configuration 127

CIM privileges 333
configuration privileges 333
configure 70
connect to VirtualCenter 122
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
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
L
legacy virtual machines 201
373
license server 23
diagram 21
Linux
guest, customize 215
guest, install VMware Tools on 158
load balancing 25
log files 28, 100
collect 105
export 101
external 101
logging
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
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
MAC address 88
mail
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
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
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
VMware, Inc.
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
VirtualCenter 37
resume 170
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
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
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
Solaris 161
SSH 42
SSL
VirtualCenter 76
standby 170
starting
VI Client 38
startup 177
statistics
about 281
database calculator 289
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
swapfile 81, 187
syslog 103
sysprep 351
SNMP, configure 96
troubleshoot
consolidation 137
log files 100, 105
tutorial 57
upgrade
VMware Tools 155, 157
users 265
utilities
sysprep 351
VMware Tools 155
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
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
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
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
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
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
VMware, Inc.
Update1
Updates for the Basic Administration Guide
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
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:
Update4
# snmpd -P
# snmptrapd -P
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

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

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.
HCandVC
Hosts
Hosts
(ESXionly)
Userinterfaceelement:
1
SelecttheHostConfigurationtab.
ClickSecurityProfile.
SelectLockdownModeandclickEdit.
Updates to the Installing the Microsoft Sysprep Tools

Appendix on Page 351
TheversionoftheVirtualCenterServermentionedinthefourthparagraphinthe
InstallingtheMicrosoftSysprepToolsappendixisincorrect.Thetextshouldreadas
follows:
TheguestoperatingsystemcustomizationfeatureinVirtualCenterServer2.5takesfull
advantageofWindowsSysprepfunctionality.
VMware, Inc.
Update7
Update8
VMware, Inc.

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Basic System Administration

ESX Server 3.5, ESX Server 3i version 3.5

This document supports the version of each product listed and

Basic System Administration

Basic System Administration

Basic System Administration

Basic System Administration

Basic System Administration

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

Basic System Administration

Two Approaches to Managing Virtual Machines

ESX Server host

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

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

ESX Server host

ESX Server host

ESX Server host

Components of VMware Infrastructure

Basic System Administration

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

VMware Infrastructure Client Interfaces

Basic System Administration

Optional VirtualCenter Components

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

Basic System Administration

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

Basic System Administration

Access Privileges Components

Chapter 1 VMware Infrastructure Components

Basic System Administration

Using this Document

Basic System Administration

Chapter 2 Using this Document

Virtual Machine Management

Basic System Administration

Starting and Stopping the

Basic System Administration

To reboot or shut down your ESX Server (SEEUPDATE)

To manually stop an ESX Server 3 host

Chapter 3 Starting and Stopping the VMware Infrastructure Components

Verifying That VirtualCenter Server Started

Restarting the VirtualCenter Server

Basic System Administration

Stopping the VirtualCenter Server

Starting the VI Client and Logging In

Chapter 3 Starting and Stopping the VMware Infrastructure Components

To start a VI Client session

Stopping the VI Client and Logging Out

Basic System Administration

Chapter 3 Starting and Stopping the VMware Infrastructure Components

To log out of VI Web Access

VMware Service Console

Using DHCP for the Service Console

Basic System Administration