Course Content
VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage Content
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Introduction to vSphere and the Software Defined Data Center
As a vSphere administrator, you must be familiar with the components on which vSphere is based. You must also understand the following concepts: Virtualization, the role of the ESXi hypervisor in virtualization and virtual machines Fundamental vSphere components and the use of vSphere in the software-defined data center Use of vSphere clients to administer and manage vSphere environments
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Virtual Machines
You can create a virtual machine in several ways. Choosing the correct method can save you time and make the deployment process manageable and scalable.
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vCenter Server
vCenter Server helps you centrally manage multiple ESXi hosts and their virtual machines. If you do not properly deploy, configure, and manage vCenter Server Appliance, your environment might experience reduced administrative efficiency or ESXi host and virtual machine downtime.
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Configuring and Managing Virtual Networks
When you configure ESXi networking properly, virtual machines can communicate with other virtual, and physical, machines. In this way, remote host management and IP-based storage operate effectively.
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Configuring and Managing Virtual Storage
Understanding the available storage options helps you set up your storage according to your cost, performance, and manageability requirements. You can use shared storage for disaster recovery, high availability, and moving virtual machines between hosts.
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Virtual Machine Management
Virtual machines are the foundation of your virtual infrastructure. Managing VMs effectively requires skills in creating templates and clones, modifying VMs, migrating VMs, taking snapshots, and protecting the VMs through replication and backups.
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Resource Management and Monitoring
Although the VMkernel works proactively to avoid resource contention, maximizing performance requires both analysis and ongoing monitoring. Developing skills in resource management, you can dynamically reallocate resources so that you can use available capacity more efficiently.
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vSphere Clusters
Most organizations rely on computer-based services like email, databases, and web-based applications. The failure of any of these services can mean lost productivity and revenue. By understanding and using vSphere HA, you can configure highly available, computer-based services, which are important for an organization to remain competitive in contemporary business environments. And by developing skills in using vSphere DRS, you can improve service levels by guaranteeing appropriate resources to virtual machines.
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vSphere Lifecycle Management
Managing the life cycle of vSphere involves keeping vCenter Server and ESXi hosts up to date and integrated with other VMware and third-party solutions. To achieve these goals, you must understand how to use the new features provided by vSphere Lifecycle Manager, namely, clusterlevel management of ESXi hosts and the vCenter Server Update Planner.
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VMware vSphere: Install, Configure, Manage
About Lesson

Deploying vCenter Server Appliance

Learner Objectives

After completing this lesson, you should be able to meet the following objectives:

  • Deploy vCenter Server Appliance into an infrastructure
  • Configure vCenter Server settings

Preparing for vCenter Server Appliance Deployment

Before deploying vCenter Server Appliance, you must complete several tasks:

  • Verify that all vCenter Server Appliance system requirements are met.
  • Get the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or the static IP of the host machine on which you install vCenter Server Appliance.
  • Ensure that clocks on all VMs in the vSphere network are synchronized.

vCenter Server Appliance Native GUI Installer

Deploying vCenter Server Appliance

 

The GUI installer has several features:

  • With the GUI installer, you can perform an interactive deployment of vCenter Server Appliance.
  • The GUI installer is a native application for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
  • The installer has no dependency on browsers or plug-ins.
  • It performs validations and prechecks during the deployment.

vCenter Server Appliance Installation

 

 

The vCenter Server Appliance installation is a two-stage process:

  • Stage 1: Deployment of OVF
  • Stage 2: Configuration The deployment can be fully automated by using JSON templates with the CLI installer on Windows, Linux, or macOS.

vCenter Server Appliance Installation: Stage 1

 

Stage 1 begins with the UI phase:

  • Accept the EULA.
  • Connect to the target ESXi host or vCenter Server system.
  • Define the vCenter Server Appliance name and root password.
  • Select compute size, storage size, and datastore location (thin disk).
  • Define networking settings.

Stage 1 continues with the deployment phase:

  • OVF is deployed to the ESXi host.
  • Disks and networking are configured.

vCenter Server Appliance Installation: Stage 2

 

Stage 2 is the configuration phase:

  • Configure time synchronization mode and SSH access.
  • Create a vCenter Single Sign-On domain or join an existing SSO domain.
  • Join the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP).

Getting Started with vCenter Server

After you deploy vCenter Server Appliance, use the vSphere Client to log in and manage your vCenter Server inventory: https://vCenter_Server_FQDN_or_IP_address/ui.

 

Configuring vCenter Server Using the vSphere Client

Using the vSphere Client, you can configure vCenter Server, including settings such as licensing, statistics collection, and logging.

vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface

 

Using the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface (VAMI), you can configure and monitor your vCenter Server Appliance instance. Tasks include:

  • Monitoring resource use by the appliance
  • Backing up the appliance
  • Monitoring vCenter Server services
  • Adding additional network adapters

vCenter Server Appliance Multihoming

With vCenter Server Appliance multihoming, you can configure multiple NICs to manage network traffic.

 

For example, vCenter Server High Availability requires a second NIC for its private network.

Review of Learner Objectives

After completing this Deploying vCenter Server Appliance lesson, you should be able to meet the following objectives:

  • Deploy vCenter Server Appliance into an infrastructure
  • Configure vCenter Server settings
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