VMware Installation

[Keith Nelson]

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction for getting my first server going with Vmware.  I have a blank server ready to go, Server 2008R2 Enterprise and VWware Essentials. 

Any tricks to get it running?

Thanks Much
Keith

[Brian Norman]

Too bad I didn't video tape the half-day class I taught last summer for VMware ESXi installation... Anyway, the ESXi install is pretty self explanatory, download the ISO, burn it to a DVD, boot it and run the install. After the install is complete, give it a static IP and point a browser from your workstation to it. From your browser you can download vsphere client. This is going to get way tooooooo long.

The install is simply, but the configuration is more involved. When I get back to my office on Monday I'll look for my notes from that class.

Brian

[Keith Nelson]

Thanks Brian!

[Brian Norman]

This is the outline, not sure how helpful it is without the content I provided during the class. One thing for sure, you have to set up your nic's correctly. One for management and on for your VM traffic. The mangement one is assigned an IP.


VMware website
• VMware hypervisor versions.
• What’s new in vSphere (not 32 bit compatible)
• https://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/buy/editions_comparison.html
• vCenter Server
• How to download and license key.

Installing ESXi
• 7 minutes
• Set password and IP info.
• Connect with browser and install VI Client.
• http://communities.vmware.com/thread/181386?tstart=0&src=EM_08Q...

Create new VM from ISO -
• explain XP iso file needed.
• While installing show VI Client tabs and config info.
• Install VMware Tools

Create VM from existing vmdk file
• Browse datastore and create VM.

Convert Physical machine to Virtual machine
• Converter Standalone Client
• Run conversion from old OgemaServer2 – 30 minutes

Host Details
• NIC setup

Datastore Planning
• Local Datastores
• SAN’s
• iSCSI vs FiberChannel

Snapshot Manager
• Snapshots are NOT snapshots…

Backups
• Use existing backup strategy for data.
• Backup VM’s for free using converter
• Veeam Backup and vRanger

vCenter Server

[Keith Nelson]

Brian,

Thanks for the information! It was helpful to see the steps. Have a few question maybe you (or someone) knows the answer to.

1. How does licensing of multiple VM's of Server 2008 work. Do I just keep using the same license code? My understanding is that each license can be 5 VM's

2. Can I install a VM of Win 7 32bit on this 64 bit host?

3. Can VCenter Server reside on a Virtual Server 2008 Install?

Thanks
Keith

[Brian Norman]

1. Same license code, in fact we all use the same license code. Each "enterprise" license is legal for 3 virtual servers.

2. Yes, any 32 bit client will work (XP, Server 2003 or Server 2008). XP requires a special driver available here.

3. Yes, VCenter can reside on a VM (mine does). Some would say this isn't fully kosher, because if a host fails you could lose your connection back to your license files... I'm willing to take the risk.

Hope that helps.


Keith Nelson said:

Brian,

Thanks for the information! It was helpful to see the steps. Have a few question maybe you (or someone) knows the answer to.

1. How does licensing of multiple VM's of Server 2008 work. Do I just keep using the same license code? My understanding is that each license can be 5 VM's

2. Can I install a VM of Win 7 32bit on this 64 bit host?

3. Can VCenter Server reside on a Virtual Server 2008 Install?

Thanks
Keith