# VCenter Server Appliance

VMware vCenter Server is the centralized monitoring and resource management software for VMware [vSphere](https://www.techtarget.com/searchvmware/definition/VMware-vSphere) virtual infrastructure.

**VMware vCenter Server performs a number of tasks:**

**Including resource provisioning and allocation**

**Performance monitoring**

**Workflow automation and user privilege management.**

**It enables a vSphere administrator to manage multiple ESX and** [**ESXi**](https://www.techtarget.com/searchvmware/definition/VMware-ESXi) **servers and** [**virtual machines (VMs)**](https://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/definition/virtual-machine) **through a single console.**

It is use to manage Multiple Cluster

Multiple ESXI

Multiple Data Storage.

Multiple VMs.

There are two way to install VCenter:

1.vCentre Server on Windows

2.vCenter Server Appliance

Requirements:

Ram:8GB

2 Core Cpu

80GB

Domain(e.g. myprojects.com

### *ON Windows*

### **Create Data Source  
**

Before beginning if you intend to use vCenter Server with an external SQL database be sure to install the [SQL Server Native Client](https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=36434) v10 or v11.

You must also configure a **64-bit** ODBC data source for external databases. ODBC Data Source Administrator can be accessed via **Control Panel** > **Administrative Tools**. Click **System DNS**, **Add** and input the details for the external database, test the data source before continuing. If you are using the internal Postgres database then the System DSN is added automatically during installation.

![odbc](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/odbc.png align="left")

### **Installation**

Download the VMware vCenter Server and Modules for Windows ISO from VMware downloads: [v6.5.0](https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=VC650&productId=614&rPId=13344) | [v6.5.0 U1](https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?productId=614&rPId=13344&downloadGroup=VC65U1).

Mount the ISO and right click **autorun.exe**, select **Run as administrator**. The VMware vCenter Installer will open. Ensure vCenter Server for Windows is selected and click **Install**.

![vsc1](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vsc1.png align="left")

The vCenter Server 6.5 Installer will open in a separate window, click **Next**.

![vcs2](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs21.png align="left")

Accept the end user license agreement and click **Next**.

![vcs3](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs31.png align="left")

In this guide we will be using an embedded deployment model. If you are using an external deployment model the PSC component must be installed first before the vCenter. Select the deployment type and click **Next**. If the Windows server does not have sufficient resources allocated the installer will error at this stage.

![vcs4](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs41.png align="left")

Enter the FQDN in the **System Name** field and click **Next**.

![vcs5](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs51.png align="left")

Create a new Single Sign-On domain, or join the vCenter to an existing SSO domain. If you are creating a new SSO domain give this a meaningful name, (not the same as your Active Directory name) the default is vsphere.local. Configure a password for the SSO administrator account and a vCenter specific site name, click **Next**.

![vcs6](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs61.png align="left")

Select whether to run vCenter services as the local system account or enter details of a service account and click **Next**. Ensure the account running vCenter services has been granted permissions as per the other considerations section of this guide.

![vcs7](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs71.png align="left")

Select an embedded Postgre database or point the installer to the DSN for an external database, click **Next**.

![vcs8](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs81.png align="left")

Accept the default port configuration and click **Next**.

![vcs9](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs91.png align="left")

Select the directory to install vCenter services and click **Next**.

![vcs10](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs101.png align="left")

Tick or untick the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program as appropriate and click **Next**.

![vcs11](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs111.png align="left")

Check the configuration on the review page and click **Install** to begin the installation process.

![vcs12](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs121.png align="left")

Once the installation has completed click **Finish**.

![vcs13](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vcs131.png align="left")

### **Post-Installation**

Connect to the vCenter post install using the IP or FQDN of the vCenter. Access vSphere by clicking either the **vSphere Web Client (Flash)** or the **vSphere Client (HTML5)**. Connect to the vSphere Web Client to manage your system, the thick client (Windows) is no longer supported.

![vsphereweb](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vsphereweb.png align="left")

Log in to the vSphere Web Client using the SSO administrator login. Verify the installed version is correct under the **Summary** tab when selecting the vCenter, you can also go to **Help** > **About**.

![vsphereclient](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/vsphereclient.png align="left")

You must apply a new vCenter license key within 60 days. From the **Hosts and Clusters** view select the vCenter Server. Click **Actions** and **Assign License**. Select a license or use the green plus button to add a new license and click **Ok**.

You can obtain a 60 day trial license for vCenter Server [here](https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=vsphere6). If you have purchased vCenter Server then log into your licensing portal [here](https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/login?contextType=external&username=string&OverrideRetryLimit=1&action=%2F&password=sercure_string&challenge_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.vmware.com%2Fweb%2Fvmware%2Flogin&creds=username+password&request_id=122602230496865432&authn_try_count=0&locale=en_GB&resource_url=https%253A%252F%252Fmy.vmware.com%252Fgroup%252Fvmware%252Fhome). If the license key does not appear then check with your VMware account manager.

![client](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/client.png align="left")

If you have an Active Directory domain then vCenter can use this as a source for permissions and sign on credentials. First join the vCenter to the domain; from the home page click **System Configuration**, **Nodes**, and select the vCenter server. In the **Active Directory** section of the **Manage** tab click **Join**, input your AD details and click **Ok**. Reboot the appliance either right clicking the vCenter server under **Nodes** and selecting **Reboot**.

When the vCenter server comes back online we can add AD as an identity source; from the home page click **Administration**, under **Single Sign-On** select **Configuration**. Ensure the **Identity Sources** tab is open and click the green plus symbol to add a source. Fill in the Active Directory details for your domain and click **Ok**.

![identity](https://simoncranney.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/identity.png align="left")

You can now add permissions to vCenter objects such as datacentres, clusters, folders, individual virtual machines, etc. for Active Directory users and groups by selecting the object and clicking **Permissions** under the **Manage** tab. To learn more about how vSphere permissions work review the [vSphere permissions](https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-60/index.jsp#com.vmware.vsphere.security.doc/GUID-3B78EEB3-23E2-4CEB-9FBD-E432B606011A.html) documentation section.

Step to how to install VCenter Server Appliance:

1. Mount the ISO on your computer. The VCSA installer is compatible with Mac, Linux, and Windows.
    
2. Browse to the corresponding directory for your operating system, e.g., `\vcsa-ui-installer\win32`: right-click **Installer** and select **Run as administrator**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-01.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-01.png align="left")
    
3. As we are installing a new instance, click **Install**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-02.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-02.png align="left")
    
4. The installation is split into two stages, and we will begin with deploying the appliance. Click **Next** to start.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-03.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-03.png align="left")
    
5. Read and accept the EULA, and then click **Next** to continue.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-04.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-04.png align="left")
    
6. Select the ESXi host on which to install the VCSA as a guest. This must be a host that runs ESXi 6.5 or later. NVIDIA recommends that the vCenter server (Windows or appliance-based) run on a separate management cluster from the one designated for VDI workloads. Enter the IP address or fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the chosen host, its root username, and password; then click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-05.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-05.png align="left")
    
7. If your desktop can reach the host, you should see a certificate warning as it connects. This warning is due to the use of a self-signed certificate. If you are using a signed certificate, you will not see this warning. Click **Yes** to continue.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-06.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-06.png align="left")
    
8. The credentials are validated.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-07.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-07.png align="left")
    
9. When prompted after a successful connection, provide a VM name for the vCenter Server 7, type the passwords in the Set Root password field, and enter the root password again, and click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-08.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-08.png align="left")
    
10. Select a deployment size appropriate to the number of hosts and virtual machines that vCenter Server will manage, then click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-09.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-09.png align="left")
    
11. Select the datastore where the VCSA will be deployed, select thin provisioning if required, and click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-10.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-10.png align="left")
    
12. The installer displays the **Configure network settings**. Before you configure these settings, choose an appropriate static IP address, and enter it into local DNS (e.g., on the Domain Controller). Once you can resolve the address, enter the IP address hostname on the network setting page, then scroll down and enter the remaining items. When all desired settings are complete, select **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-11.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-11.png align="left")
    
13. Review the settings before starting the vCenter Server deployment and click **Finish** to start the installation.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-12.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-12.png align="left")
    
14. The vCenter Server will start deploying on the specified target ESXi host. Installation progress can be viewed on the screen.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-13.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-13.png align="left")
    
15. With the VCSA now deployed, move on to stage 2 by clicking **Continue**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-14.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-14.png align="left")
    
16. Select **Next** to proceed with Stage 2, setting up the vCenter Server.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-15.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-15.png align="left")
    
17. Configure the NTP server by selecting the Time synchronization mode and Enabling the SSH access, then click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-16.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-16.png align="left")
    
18. Enter a unique SSO domain name, configure a password for the SSO administrator, click **Next**.
    
    > **Note**
    > 
    > The default SSO domain name is vSphere.local. **The SSO domain name should not be the same as your Active Directory Domain**.
    > 
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-18.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-18.png align="left")
    
19. Select or deselect the customer experience improvement program box and click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-19.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-19.png align="left")
    
20. Review the details on the summary page and click **Finish** to finalize the setup.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-20.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-20.png align="left")
    
21. The installer displays a warning that you cannot pause or stop the install once you start it. Click **Ok** to acknowledge the warning and start the install.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-21.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-21.png align="left")
    
22. When the install process is complete, click **Close** to exit the installer and entire Stage 2 of the VCSA setup.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-22.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-22.png align="left")
    

## **Post Installation**

This section describes the post-install and configuration of the vCenter Server VCSA.

### Adding Licenses to the vCenter Server

Use the following procedure to configure vCenter:

1. Connect to the vCenter post install using the IP or FQDN of the vCenter. Access vSphere by selecting **Launch vSphere Client (HTML5)**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-23.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-23.png align="left")
    
2. The VMware Single Single-On page displays. Enter the username and password that you specified during installation, then click the **Login** button.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-24.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-24.png align="left")
    
3. The VMware vSphere Web Client page displays.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-25.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-25.png align="left")
    
4. You must apply for a new vCenter license key within 60 days. If you have purchased vCenter Server, log in to your [licensing portal](https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/login?contextType=external&username=string&OverrideRetryLimit=1&action=%2F&password=sercure_string&challenge_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.vmware.com%2Fweb%2Fvmware%2Flogin&creds=username+password&request_id=122602230496865432&authn_try_count=0&locale=en_GB&resource_url=https%253A%252F%252Fmy.vmware.com%252Fgroup%252Fvmware%252Fhome). Select your license and log in to the vSphere Web Client using the SSO administrator login. (If the license key does not appear, then check with your VMware account manager.)
    
5. Click the **Menu drop-down**, then click **Administration**. Select Licenses from the left-hand menu, then select the Licenses tab. Click **Add New Licenses** to open the New Licenses dialog.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-26.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-26.png align="left")
    
6. Enter the vCenter Server Standard license key provided at the vSphere Licensing Portal.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-27.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-27.png align="left")
    
7. Enter a unique name for the license in the License Name field and then click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-28.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-28.png align="left")
    
8. Review your selections, then click **Finish** to close the Enter New License dialog and return to the VMware vSphere Web Client page.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-29.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-29.png align="left")
    

### Adding a Host

Use the following procedure to add a host in vCenter.

1. Select the **Home** icon (house) on the VMware vSphere Web Client page.
    
2. Select **Hosts** and **Clusters**.
    
3. From the **Actions** drop-down list, select **New Datacenter**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-30.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-30.png align="left")
    
4. Enter a name for the datacenter in the Datacenter Name field and click **Ok**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-31.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-31.png align="left")
    
5. The new datacenter is visible in the left panel of the vSphere Web Client. Click the **actions** drop-down and select **Add a Host**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-32.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-32.png align="left")
    
6. Enter the hostname or IP address of the vSphere host and click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-33.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-33.png align="left")
    
7. Enter the administrator account credentials in the **Username** and **Password** fields and click **Next**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-34.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-34.png align="left")
    
8. Click **Yes** to replace the host certificate.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-35.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-35.png align="left")
    
9. The Host summary dialog displays. Review the settings and click **Next** to proceed.
    
10. The **Assign license** dialog displays. Confirm the license selection and click **Next**.
    
11. The **Lockdown mode** dialog displays. Accept the default setting (Disabled) and click **Next**.
    
12. The **VM location** dialog displays. Select a cluster or accept the default option and click **Next** to continue.
    
13. The **Ready to Complete dialog** displays. Click **Finish** to complete adding the new host.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-36.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-36.png align="left")
    
14. The new host is now visible in the left panel when you click the datacenter name.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-37.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-37.png align="left")
    

### Setting the NTP Service on a Host

1. Click a host object in the menu on the left, click **Configure > System > Time Configuration > Network Time Protocol > Edit**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-38.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-38.png align="left")
    
2. Check the **Enable** box and enter a valid time server and click **OK**.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-39.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-39.png align="left")
    > 
    > **Note**
    > 
    > Use a Public NTP Server, a recommended choice is [pool.ntp.org](http://pool.ntp.org)
    

### Setting a vCenter Appliance to Auto-Start

Use the following procedure to set a vCenter Appliance to start automatically:

1. In the vSphere Web Client, select the host then select **Configure > Virtual Machines > VM Startup/Shutdown**. Click the **Edit** button.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-40.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-40.png align="left")
    
2. The Edit VM Startup and Shutdown Configuration window displays. Select the **vCenter Server**, then click the **Move To** button to move that virtual machine up to the **Automatic** section of the appliance table. Then click the **Edit** button.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-41.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-41.png align="left")
    
3. Select and set the following options:
    
    > * Set Startup Settings to Use specified settings
    >     
    > * Select Continue immediately if VMware Tools starts
    >     
    > * Set Startup Delay to 0
    >     
    > * Set Shutdown Settings to Use specified settings
    >     
    > * Set Shutdown Delay to 0
    >     
    > * Set Perform shutdown action to Guest shutdown
    >     
    > 
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-42.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-42.png align="left")
    
4. Click **Ok** to apply the configuration settings.
    
    > **Note**
    > 
    > The vCenter Web Client may not reflect these configuration changes immediately. Either click the Refresh icon or a different configuration group and return to the current setting.
    

### Mounting an NFS ISO Data Store

Use the following procedure to mount an NFS ISO data store.

1. In the main vSphere Web Client window, select **Hosts and Clusters** and select the host.
    
2. Select **Storage -> New Datastore** from the Actions drop-down menu. The New Datastore window displays with the Type tab selected.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-43.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-43.png align="left")
    
3. Select **NFS** and click **Next** to proceed.
    
4. The Select NFS version tab displays.
    
5. Select the correct NFS version and click **Next** to proceed.
    
6. The Name and configuration tab displays.
    
7. Enter the NFS exported folder path and the NFS server address in the **Folder** and **Address** fields.
    
    > * Because the data store is an ISO data store, consider mounting it as read-only by checking the **Mount NFS** as a read-only checkbox.
    >     
    
8. Click Next to proceed. The Host accessibility tab displays.
    
9. Select the host that will use the new data store.
    
10. Select **Next** to proceed. The Ready to complete tab displays.
    
    > ![../_images/dg-vcenter-44.png](https://docs.omniverse.nvidia.com/prod_deployment/_images/dg-vcenter-44.png align="left")
    
11. **Review** the settings.
    
12. Click **Finish** to complete adding the NFS ISO data store. This data store is now accessible as an installation source for virtual machine CD drives.