This howto was intended to be a guide on how to do basic installation of vSphere completely for dummies. All screenshots as per given here was taken during my personal test with below setup :-

1. 1x ESX 4.0 (Eval)
2. 1x ESXi (Eval)
3. vCenter running on VMs
4. Resolve hostname using /etc/hosts file

I will not discuss on how to install the ESX here since it’s quite easy for newbies actually. So, first we need to create a VMs with minimum setup as below :-

• 1x vCPU
• 2gb memory
• 15gb each for C:\ and E:\ drive

First, mount vCenter iso or dvd to the VMs as below and choose “vCenter Server” for the installation. You will get vCenter installation wizard screen and press “Next” then, choose to accept the agreement and proceed with the customer information.

Now we will proceed with the SQL Express installation and it’s one of requirements for the vCenter. Choose to install SQL or use existing one. Since this is for new installation, I choosed “Install SQL” then “Next”. On vCenter service, choose it’s to run the service using Windows “System Account” and select on which folder the installation should goes. For this example and for my normal practice, I’ll install it on other than C:\ drive for easy management (extend the disk, backup & etc). On Linked mode wizard, choose “Standalone” unless you have more than one vCenter in your environment.

On ports configuration, leave it as default one and proceed with the installation by pressing “Install” button.

Notes: I noticed MS SQL Express wil be installed on C:\ instead D:\ drive. Make sure you have an enough space for that.

Once finished with the installation, now using vi-client, login to your vCenter server using appropriate Windows account. Okay, we’ve done about 50% till here. It’s pretty straight forward isn’t?. So, proceed with new Datacenter creation, right click on “VCENTER” icon there and choose add “New Datacenter”. Right click again, then click “New Cluster”. At this moment, I just leave “Cluster Features” remain untouched same goes with “EVC”. On swap configuration, leave it as default since it’s recommended one.

Okay, now you will get cluster icon there like mine. Next, we will add two hosts one for ESX4.0 and one ESXi 4.0. Right click on the “Cluster” icon, choose “Add Host”. You need to provide valid ESX “hostname” or IP Address with authorized user name and password for that particular hosts. On “Security Alert” just press “Yes” then review “Host Information” summary before you click “Next”. On license part, since I’m using Evaluation one, I leave it as is then click “Finished”.

Enable Locked Down mode if you really one to limit client access to the host only via vCenter.

Ariyossss

athlon_crazy 16/09.2009 5:46am