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VMware vSphere client for Windows 8.1 x64

Guys,

I'm browsing through MyVMware downloads, and not sure which VI client should i download for my new laptop with Windows 8.1 x64 installed.

I need to manage both ESXi 4.x + 5.x hosts and the VC is 5.1.

Thanks in advance

vmdude

Always go with the latest if possible. If you are connection to a host with the wrong version of the client it will prompt you to download the right one.

I would also get very used to using the web client to manage your environment. This is the route VMware are going down so would be good to get used to it now.

IT_Group1

ASKER

Thanks,
Does the web client is fully functional on both ESXi 4. x + 5.x hosts?

vmdude

You would normally point the web browser/client to virtual center and manage the hosts from there.

How is you Environment set-up? Do you have virtual center of are all of the hosts stand-alone?

IT_Group1

ASKER

We do have a VC 5.1 which manage 3 hosts ranging from 4.1-5.1

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vmdude

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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IT_Group1

ASKER

Great.
Will the Web Client software allow to directly manage the ESXi hosts (4.1-5.1) in a case that the VC is not available?

Thanks

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Yes, that's correct, Web Client connects to vCenter Server, so whatever VC manages, Web Client will observe and manage.

Try it out before you get excited, we think it's a horrible step backwards....it's slow and clunky, and very few VMware Admins like it!

IT_Group1

ASKER

Understood..
I'll give it a try, but still not sure I got what you're telling me; Let's say that the VC is completely shut down. Will I be able to connect directly to the hosts?

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Sorry, missed that if vCenter Server is unavailable, you will need to connect to each host using the vSphere Client....

you cannot use the Web Client to manage individual ESXi hosts. (yet!)