Installing VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1 on a VMware ESXi machine

Products

• VMware
• VMware vCenter Server

Issue/Introduction

This article provides steps for installing vCenter Server 5.1 appliance on a VMware ESXi machine.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1.x

Resolution

Installing VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1 on a VMware ESXi machine

Notes: These steps are performed assuming that:

• You have reviewed the vSphere Installation and Setup Guide.
• You have met all minimum software and hardware requirements for vSphere 5.1. For more information, see the System Requirements section in the vSphere Installation and Setup Guide.
• You have configured both a forward and reverse lookup zone for the domain name that you want to use for vCenter Server appliance.
• This is the first installation of vSphere within your environment.
• You have already deployed VMware ESXi within your environment.
  

To install VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1 on a VMware ESXi machine:

Deploying the OVF File from the command line

1. Download and deploy the OVF Tool. For more information, see the OVF Tool Documentation.
   
   Note: The OVF Tool can be deployed on Windows, Linux, and Mac operating system (OS) platforms.
   
   
2. Download a copy of the VMware vCenter Server 5.1 Appliance from the VMware download page.
   
3. From the command line, run this ovftool command with syntax similar to:
   
   ovftool --powerOn -ds=datastore -n=name --prop:ip0:ip_address_for_the_primary_interface --prop:netmask0:netmask_or_prefix_for_this_interface --prop:gateway:gateway-ip-address --prop:DNS:comma_delimited_list_of_dns_server_ip_addresses ovf file vi://root:password@esxi_host_FQDN_or_IP
   
   Make these modifications to the preceding command:
   
   
   • Replace datastore with the name of the datastore that you want to deploy the appliance to. The appliance requires 120 GB of storage. You can optionally use the -dm=thin option to deploy the appliance with thin provisioned disks.
     
   • Replace ovf file with the name of the ovf file that you want to deploy. The ovf file can be hosted internally using various methods outlined in the OVF Tool Documentation.
     
   • Replace name with the name of the virtual machine.
   • Replace ip_address_for_the_primary_interface with the desired IP address.
     
   • Replace netmask_or_prefix_for_this_interface with the appropriate netmask.
     
   • Replace gateway-ip-address with the IP address of the gateway.
     
   • Replace comma_delimited_list_of_dns_server_ip_addresses with a list of DNS servers separated by comas.
     
     Note: If the password is omitted, the user is prompted for the password.
     

Determining the IP address of the virtual machine using the browser

1. Navigate to https://ip_or_hostname/mob/?moid=ha-folder-vm where ip_or_hostname is either the IP or hostname for the ESXi host.
2. Under the Properties heading, and the NAME column, locate the row containing childEntity.
3. In the VALUE column, record the number beside the name of your virtual machine.
4. Navigate to http://ip_or_hostname/mob/?moid=number&doPath=guest where ip_or_hostname is either the IP or hostname for the ESXi host, and number is the number recorded in Step 3.
5. Under the Properties heading, and the NAME column, find the row containing ipAddress, and record the value in the VALUE column, which is your guest operating system IP address.

Determining the IP address of the virtual machine using the ESXi command line

1. Log in to the console of the ESXi host.
2. Run this command and note the value within the Vmid column:
   
   vim-cmd vmsvc/getallvms
   
   Note: The vim-cmd command is not officially documented and therefore not supported, so use it at your own risk.
   
   
3. Run this command and note the IP address in the output:
   
   vim-cmd vmsvc/get.summary Vmid number | grep ip
   
   Note: The vim-cmd command is not officially documented and therefore not supported, so use it at your own risk.
   

Appliance configuration wizard

1. Navigate to https://IP_address:5480.
2. When prompted, enter the username and password.
   
   Note: By default, the administrator account is root and the password is vmware.
   
   
3. Review the EULA and check the Accept license agreement. If you agree to the terms, click Next >.
4. When prompted, select one of these options:
   • Configure with default settings: This option goes directly to the review configuration step and selects these options:
     • Embedded database
     • Embedded Single Sign-On service
     • No Active Directory integration
       
   • Upgrade from previous version: The installer provides the local service key and requests for the remote service key.
     
   • Upload configuration file: A configuration file can be downloaded from the web interface after the setup has completed. The configuration file can be used in future deployments.
     
   • Set custom configuration: This option proceeds through these steps:
     1. During the Database Settings screen, provide these parameters:
        • Database type: The type of database that you are using. You can select from embedded or oracle.
          
          Note: By default, the option is embedded.
          
          
        • Server: The IP or FQDN address of the database server.
        • Port: TCP port number.
        • Instance: The name of the database instance.
        • Login: A username with access to the database.
        • Password: The password to the username.
          
     2. During the SSO settings screen, provide these parameters:
        • SSO Deployment type: Select from embedded or external.
          
          Note: By default, the option is embedded.
          
          
        • Username:
        • Password:
        • Name:
        • URL:
        • Certificate status:
        • Database type:
        • Server:
        • Port:
        • Login:
        • Password:
        • DBA Login:
        • DBA Password:
     3. During the Active Directory settings screen, provide these parameters:
        • Active Directory Enabled checkbox: By default, Active Directory is not used.
        • Domain:
        • Administrator user:
        • Administrator password:
5. Review the configuration of the appliance and click the Start button.
   

Additional Information

The --X:logToConsole and --X:logLevel=verbose options can be used to troubleshoot any failed deployments using the OVF tool.
在 VMware ESXi 计算机上安装 VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1