Installing vSphere Components

Module 12

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You Are Here
1. Course Introduction
2. Software-Defined Data Center
3. Creating Virtual Machines
4. vCenter Server
5. Configuring and Managing
Virtual Networks
6. Configuring and Managing
Virtual Storage
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7. Virtual Machine Management
8. Resource Management and
Monitoring
9. vSphere HA and vSphere Fault
Tolerance
10. Host Scalability
11. vSphere Update Manager and
Host Maintenance
12. Installing vSphere
Components
VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-2
Importance
By understanding the options available for deploying VMware vCenter
Server™ and VMware ESXi™ hosts, you can select deployment options
that best fit the enterprise.

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Module Lessons
Lesson 1: Installing ESXi
Lesson 2: Installing vCenter Server

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-4

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Lesson 1:
Installing ESXi

12-5
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Learner Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to meet the following
objectives:
• Describe how to install ESXi interactively
• Describe other methods of ESXi installation
• Identify the basic requirements for a boot-from-SAN configuration

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-6

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ESXi Hardware Prerequisites
Processor: 64-bit x86 CPU:
• Requires at least two cores.
• ESXi supports a broad range of x64 multicore processors.
• Requires NX/XD bit to be enabled for the CPU in the BIOS.

Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum

One or more Ethernet controllers:
• Gigabit, 10 Gigabit, and 40 Gigabit Ethernet controllers are supported.

Disk storage:
• A SCSI adapter, Fibre Channel adapter, converged network adapter, iSCSI
adapter, or internal RAID controller
• A SCSI disk, Fibre Channel logical unit number (LUN), iSCSI disk, or RAID
LUN with unpartitioned space: SATA, SCSI, or Serial Attached SCSI

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Information for Installing ESXi

Installation Required or Default

Comments
Option Optional Selection
Keyboard layout Required U.S. English
vSphere Client and vCenter Server can use either
Required for
Host name None the host name or the IP address to access the
static IP settings
ESXi host.
Must be at least 5 GB if you install the components
Install location Required None
on a single disk.
VLAN ID Optional None VLAN ID range: from 0 through 4094.
IP address Optional DHCP
Configure a static IP address or use DHCP to
Calculated based on IP configure the network.
Subnet mask Optional
address
Based on IP address and IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS
Gateway Optional network settings can be changed after installation.
subnet mask
Based on IP address and Secondary DNS server can also be defined
Primary DNS Optional
subnet mask
Must contain between 8 and 40 characters
Root password Optional None

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Installing ESXi
You must have the ESXi ISO file on CD, DVD, or USB flash drive media.
Boot from the media to start the ESXi installer.
Select a volume that is not formatted with VMware vSphere® VMFS.

Select a volume that

is not formatted with
VMFS.

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-9

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Other ESXi Installation Options
In addition to using an interactive installation procedure to install ESXi,
the following options are available:
• Scripted ESXi installation:
– The script contains the host configuration settings.
– The script must be stored in an accessible location such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, NFS,
CD, or USB.
– A PXE boot installation is possible.

• Automatic ESXi installation with VMware vSphere® Auto Deploy™:

– The ESXi host loads the image directly into the host memory.
– The ESXi installation can be either stateful or stateless.
– PXE boot is used to contact an autodeploy server.
– vSphere Auto Deploy uses host profiles.

• Remote management applications:

– Install ESXi on hosts in remote locations with third-party management applications.

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-10

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Booting from SAN
You can configure the boot device for an ESXi host.
ESXi
An ESXi host can be booted from SAN:
• Supported for Fibre Channel SAN
• Supported for iSCSI and FCoE for qualified storage adapters

The host boots from the LUNs rather than from its local
disk.
The ESXi host must have exclusive access to its boot
LUN, where the boot image is stored.
SAN connections must be made through a switched
topology unless the array is certified for direct-connect.
Use different LUNs for VMFS datastores and boot
partitions.
Configure a diagnostic partition to store host fault
Boot LUN
information.
VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-11
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Review of Learner Objectives
You should be able to meet the following objectives:
• Describe how to install ESXi interactively
• Describe other methods of ESXi installation
• Identify the basic requirements for a boot-from-SAN configuration

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-12

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Lesson 2:
Installing vCenter Server

12-13
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Learner Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to meet the following
objectives:
• Choose between a distributed configuration and an embedded configuration,
based on your requirements
• Choose between a Windows-based installation and an appliance, based on
your requirements
• Identify the basic requirements for a vCenter Server installation

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Overview of the vSphere Installation Process
VMware vSphere® is a product suite with multiple components. To
ensure a successful vSphere deployment, follow the correct sequence of
installation and configuration tasks.
1. Read the vSphere release notes.
2. Verify that your system meets vSphere hardware and software requirements.
3. Install ESXi 6 on host(s).
4. Configure ESXi boot and network settings, the direct console, and other
settings.
5. Consider setting up a syslog server for remote logging.
6. Install vCenter Server on a Windows virtual machine or physical server, or
deploy VMware vCenter™ Server Appliance™.
7. Connect to vCenter Server from the vSphere Web Client.
8. Configure vCenter Server or vCenter Server Appliance.

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-15

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Platform Services Controller
Platform Services Controller is a component of the VMware Cloud
Infrastructure Suite.
Platform Services Controller deals with identity management for
administrators and applications that interact with the vSphere platform.
Platform Services Controller includes a set of common infrastructure
services:
• VMware vCenter™ Single Sign-On™ Virtual Machine or Physical
• VMware License Server
• Lookup Service Platform Services
Controller
• Certificate Authority
• Certificate Store vCenter Server

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vCenter Server Functions and Services
vCenter Server provides functions and services as part of the vSphere
system:
• vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere® Web Client (server)
• VMware Inventory Service Virtual Machine
or Physical Server
• vSphere Auto Deploy
Platform Services
• VMware vSphere® ESXi™ Dump Collector Controller
• VMware vSphere® Syslog Collector
vCenter Server

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Choosing Your Configuration
You decide on the following major options when planning your vCenter
Server installation:
• Single system or distributed system?
• Windows server-based system or virtual appliance?
• Embedded database or external database?
• Physical server or virtual machine?

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When to Use a Windows Server or a Virtual Appliance
Should you use a Windows server or a virtual appliance?
Virtual appliance advantages:
• A virtual appliance is much easier to install and configure.
• No operating system license is required.
• All configuration is done through a GUI.
• vCenter Server running on a virtual appliance can scale to the same loads as a
vCenter Server installed on a Windows server
vCenter Server system running on a Windows server advantages:
• Better for administrators who are more comfortable with Windows.
• More options for external database support.
• Configuration is done through a GUI, but individual components appear as
Windows services.
Both the Windows and the virtual appliance types of installation appear
the same and operate the same in the vSphere Web Client, with identical
functionality.

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Choosing a Single System or a Distributed System
Consider the following options when you install a single (embedded)
system or a distributed system:
• In a single system all components are installed on one server:
– Much simpler to install.
– Much simpler to manage.
– The user interface calls a single system deployment an embedded deployment.

• In a distributed system you have multiple servers:

– You can have different components on different servers.
– A distributed system can handle higher loads and provide more fault tolerance if it is
configured correctly.
– The user interface calls a distributed deployment an external install.

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vCenter Server in an Embedded Install
All services bundled with the Platform Services Controller are deployed
on the same host as vCenter Server.

Virtual Machine or Physical Server

Platform Services Controller

vCenter Server

After a deployment method is selected, it cannot be undone.

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Distributed vCenter Server System Configuration
The services included with Platform Services Controller and vCenter Server are
deployed on different physical servers or virtual appliances.
You must first deploy Platform Services Controller on one machine and then
deploy vCenter Server on another machine.

Virtual Machine Virtual Machine

or Physical Server or Physical Server
Platform Services VMDir Platform Services
Controller Controller
Replication

Virtual Machine Virtual Machine Virtual Machine Virtual Machine

or Physical Server or Physical Server or Physical Server or Physical Server

vCenter Server vCenter Server vCenter Server vCenter Server

A single Platform Services Controller is suitable for deployments with eight or fewer vCenter
Server instances.

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Choosing an Installation Method
You must determine which vCenter Server installation method meets the
needs of your organization:
• A virtual appliance is much easier to install and configure:
– No operating system license is required.
– All configuration is done through a GUI.
– vCenter Server Appliance must be installed on an ESXi host.

• vCenter Server Appliance and Windows-based vCenter Server have the same
functionality. Both can be used to manage large environments.

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vCenter Server Appliance Benefits
VMware vCenter Server™ Appliance™ has many benefits:
• Simplified installation and setup.
• Contains all of the necessary services, such as vCenter Single Sign-On and
the License Service, which can be shared between multiple vCenter Server
instances.
• The VMware vFabric® Postgres embedded database supports larger
environments than databases embedded in previous vCenter Server Appliance
versions.
• Support for both IPv4 and IPv6 connectivity (no mixed mode deployments).

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vCenter Server Appliance Features
vCenter Server Appliance is a preconfigured Linux-based virtual
machine, which is optimized for running vCenter Server.
• vCenter Server Appliance runs on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11, Update 3.
• vCenter Server Appliance can reside on a host running ESXi 5.5 or ESXi 6.
• Prepackaged with an embedded VMware vFabric® Postgres database :
– Suitable for environments with up to 1,000 hosts and 10,000 virtual machines.
– Also supports Oracle 11g R2 11.2.0.4 and Oracle 12c as external databases.

• Equipped with the vCenter Server Appliance console for troubleshooting and
configuration.
• Supports vSphere Web Client.
• Supports connections by either IPv4 or IPv6 addresses.

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Installing vCenter Server on a Windows Server
Instead of using a virtual appliance, you can install vCenter Server on
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 or later:
1. Validate vCenter Server hardware and software requirements.
2. Choose a vCenter Server database.
– Embedded vFabric Postgres database
– External database

3. Install vCenter Server and the infrastructure services.

– Embedded Platform Services
– External Platform Services Controller

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User Account for Running vCenter Server
You can use the Microsoft Windows built-in system account or a user
account to run vCenter Server:
• User (administrator) account:
– With this account, you can enable Windows authentication for SQL Server.
– This account provides more security.

• Microsoft Windows built-in system account:

– This account has more permissions and rights on the server than the vCenter Server
system needs.
– This account can contribute to security problems.

• The virtual appliance has a built-in administrator account (root).

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vCenter Server Windows Host Requirements
At installation, when you select the deployment model, the preinstallation
checker determines whether the Windows server on which you install
vCenter Server meets the minimum hardware requirements.

vCenter Server with an vCenter Server with an External

Embedded Platform Platform Services Controller
Services Controller
vCenter Platform Services
Property
Server Controller
Memory 8 GB 8 GB 2 GB
Disk Space 17 GB 17 GB 4 GB
Number of
2 2 2
CPUs

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Supported Operating Systems for vCenter Server 6
Windows operating systems supported by vCenter Server 6:
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 SP2 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 64-bit

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Supported External Databases for vCenter Server 6 on
Windows
Databases that are tested and supported for vCenter Server 6 as
external databases:
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2
• Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Microsoft SQL Server 2012 SP1
• Microsoft SQL Server 2014
• Oracle 11g R2 11.2.0.4
• Oracle 12c

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Before Installing vCenter Server
Before beginning the vCenter Server installation, ensure that the
following prerequisites are met:
• Ensure that vCenter Server hardware and software requirements are met.
• Ensure that the vCenter Server system belongs to a Microsoft Windows
domain rather than a workgroup.
• Create a vCenter Server database, unless you plan on using the embedded
vFabric Postgres database:
– If you create a database, you must also create a 64-bit data source name.

• Obtain and assign a static IP address and a host name to the vCenter Server
system:
– The name should be resolvable by DNS.
– If you plan to use IPv6, the name should be resolvable in IPv6 by DNS.

• Create any administrator accounts that are needed.

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Installing vCenter Server and Its Components
You use the VMware vCenter Installer to install vCenter Server.

Embedded
Deployment

Distributed
Deployment

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Required Information
The VMware vCenter Installer prompts you for the listed parameters.

Parameter Description

System name of the local

Must be a fully qualified domain name.
system

Either create a vCenter Single Sign-On domain or join

Single sign-on domain
an existing domain. User name and password required.

License key Evaluation or valid license key.

Default database or remote database connection
Database information
information.
System account information User for running the vCenter Server service.

Destination folder Software location.

Ports used for communicating with client interfaces

Ports
and managed hosts.

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vCenter Server Installation Demonstration
Your instructor will run a demonstration of the vCenter Server installation
on a Windows server.

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Review of Learner Objectives
You should be able to meet the following objectives:
• Choose between a distributed configuration and an embedded configuration,
based on your requirements
• Choose between a Windows-based installation and an appliance, based on
your requirements
• Identify the basic requirements for a vCenter Server installation

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-35

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Key Points
• ESXi installation requires little configuration during installation.
• vCenter Server consists of Platform Services Controller and vCenter Server
Appliance.
• You can install vCenter Server in distributed or embedded configurations.
• You can use either an external database or an embedded database.
• You can install vCenter Server on a Windows system or deploy vCenter Server
Appliance.
• vCenter Server installed on Windows operating systems can run on a physical
machine or a virtual machine.
Questions?

VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage 12-36

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