Two ESXi’s are installed in previous labs and Virtual machines can be created over them directly but how to manage Esxi and their VMhosts? In business generally, we tend to use more so managing from one place is a necessity. The answer to this problem is the VCenterServer appliance(VCSA). This can be hosted on ESXi or on Server based on requirement installation iso file needs to be choosed. It includes services like Vsphere client, webclient to interact with Vmhosts , syslog collected, update manager and many more.
In this lab, we deploy the VcenterServer Appliance on ESXi Host ,configure it by adding Esxi hosts and take a backup of them.
Note: As a prerequisite, we have created a virtual machine with Server 2019 installed to access the ESXi Hosts and VCSA. Set the network of Server in same range as ESXi’s.
Deploy VCenter Server on ESXi Service:
Task1: Deploy VcenterServer Appliance:
Step1: Select the ISO based on requirement (On ESXI- VCSA VIM for installing on server) in cd/dvd options of VM.
Step2:Open the drive connected to access the files inside VCSA
Step3: To run installed go to below mentioned path: Drive>VMWare VCSA>VCSA-UI-Installer>Win32>Installer, if deployed on other operating systems like IOS choose Ios instead of Win32
Step4: Running the installer gives you below options. Since, we are installing for the first time ,click install
Step5: Accept the Licence agreement
Step6: This is important since it decides the features we would like to install with appliance,Select Embeded platform service controller for entire features.
Step7: Select the IP Address of ESXi and provide credentials of ESXi host
upon successful authentication to ESXi, certificate warning is prompted.
Step8: Select the name of the VM and password. This name refers to Virtual machine created on ESXi host with VCSA.
Step9: Size of deployment and pre-requisites of ESXi hosts capacity is displayed in table, Select Tiny and default for our labs.
Step10: Choose the location (VMFS) storage to install the VCSA and check the enable thin disk mode box.
Step11: Set the Network configurations like IP Address,Mask,Gateway and DNS for VCSA.
First phase of installation is ran where pre-requisites are also verified.
Task2: Complete Setup of VcenterServer
Step1: click Next for Stage 2 installation
Step2: Synchronize time with NTP Server, which can be an ESXi Host or Server from where the time needs to be synced.
Step3: Set the credentials for logging in to WebClient
Step4: Uncheck this for reducing the prompts while using application
Step5: Finish the Appliance setup and review.
Process:
Task3: Access and Configure VCSA
Since we do not have any Licenses to configure we skip the initial steps to SSO configuration
Step1: Access the link 172.20.10.195 which is set for VCSA to use Client or WebClient.
Step2: Choose Webclient and Home>Administration>Single-Sign-on>Configuration to change password settings
Step3:Create DataCenter by rightclicking the VcenterServer
Task4: Add ESXi Hosts (Repeat for both ESXi Hosts)
Step1: Provide the IP address or host name of ESXi
Step2: Provide credentials of ESXi host
upon successful authentication
Step3:VM’s hosted on ESXi are displayed to verify
Step4: License needs to be selected.
Step5: Disable lockdown mode for easy access (Access to ESXi host with DCUI is disabled if lockdown mode is enabled)
Step6: Select Location to store the ESXi Hosts
Review:
Task5: Configure ESXi hosts as NTP Clients
Step1: Select the ESXi host which needs to be set as NTP Client
Step2: Select Configure > Time Configuration and edit
Step3: Use as NTP Client and provide the NTP Server address which is 172.20.10.10 and start the service.
Task6: Backup VCenter Server Appliance
Step1: Login to 172.20.10.195:5480 using root and lab password and select Backup Now option .
Step2: Provide the details of the FTP Location where backup can be taken
Step3: Upon Successful completion of Backup confirmation page is displayed.
Access the Server to check the files generated after backup
TroubleShooting:
- While installing VCSA after step1 error which states “The host does not support Intel VT-X” may occur
Solution: This is related to Warning we received during Installing ESXi lab. Turn off the ESXi and go to CPU and check the Hardware Virtualization option and reinstall the appliance will fix this issue.
2.While Adding Host , Timed out waiting for VPxa to start error may occur
Solution: Compatibility issues cause this error. If VCSA 6.5 is used to add ESXi hosts of 6.7 (Older generation Appliance to add new generation Hosts) cause this error. Use VCSA which is same version of ESXi host or later .
3. During Backup task, Access to remote server Denied
Solution: Install FTP Role on server and GPO’s to users for accessing the FTP Location. Re-verify the FTP Process on server.
4. Warning sign when host is added ESXi1
Solution: Turnoff ESXi Shell .It is just an indicator stating ESXI Shell is enabled on host. (Troubleshooting options>Disable ESXi shell)
Critical Thinking:
The lab helps in configuring and exploring the VCSA Module. In business use ,
- Management of ESXi hosts and their VM’s is easily administrated with VCSA (backup,update,firewall and other services).
- Configuring ESXi hosts as NTP Clients and VCSA is important since the logs generated in each system are with system configured time stamps, Syncing would simplify debugging.
- Backup can help to restore in case of Failure by running through the same module.
Net701: Enterprise Infrastructures 