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Vmware Vcenter, on which servers to install ?

Greetings,

I have Vmware essential. I want to install Vcenter Server for managing my vmware host (two hosts). But I don't know where should I install the vcenter server.

There are my options;

I have the following server
1 virtualized Windows 2008 32bits Domain controller, file server. (4gb ram)
1 virtualized Windows 2008 R2 Exchange server (8gb ram)
1 virtualized Windows 2008 R2 Terminal server (8gb ram)
1 virtualized Windows 2008 R2 for access card and security camera but on a branch office (I would prefer not to install vcenter on a remote office)

I wished to install the vcenter on my windows 2008 domain controller.. but I can't since it's 32 bits.

What would be the better choice ? Exchange server or TS ?

Also, I have Eopen licence for my Windows 2008... could I use the same serial number two times ? so like that I could configure another windows 2008 R2 excusively for vcenter and other minor things like that ?

I don't want to have to buy another windows Licence..

Thank you.

smangogna

The best solution is to install Vcenter on a Phisical Server, I suggest TS, instead of Exchange.

Paul Solovyovsky

It's not supported on a Domain controller so that takes one server out of the mix

According to VMWare you can put this on a 64 bit Windows XP machine. I would avoid Exchange or TS as it uses Java and that may eat up a lot of memory thus starving the user sessions on a TS Server.

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=ex&bbid=TSEBB_1295976613308&url=&stateId=0 0 163435876&dialogID=163437182&docTypeID=DT_KB_1_1&externalId=1022104&sliceId=1&rfId=

tblinc

ASKER

I don't have other physical server.

lloydclinton

You will need a 64bit operating system for vCenter. If you are going to have to purchase a new OS, look at Windows Server 2008 Datacenter. It is my understanding that with the Datacenter licensing, you can install as many server instances per virtual host per license. So if you have 2 hosts, buy 2 data center licenses and you can install on both hosts as many instances as necessary. If you need a short term cheaper fix, then purchase a copy of XP 64 and install in a VM. Just make sure you give it enough system requirements to do the job. You will love vCenter. It will make your VMware administration much easier!

tblinc

ASKER

I don't want to spend money on datacenter.. it's very expensive and we are a smb.

Do you know if vcenter will fit into a Windows 7 Pro 64bits ?

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Paul Solovyovsky

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lloydclinton

Doesn't look like it:

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r40/vsp_compatibility_matrix.pdf

Still only support XP 64...

lloydclinton

You can also check out the Linux vCenter beta and see how that is progressing. The last time I checked it out (about a year ago), there were some things they were still working on.... I may go check it out and see if it is ready to run in a production environment..

ChrisKranz

I would install vCenter as a virtual machine. It'll cost you an extra Windows license (no, you can't use the same key twice), but it'll be a much more scalable solution. VMware recommend vCenter is virtualised actually.

From licensing, it depends on your Windows license, if it's Enterprise, then you can install a copy more copies I believe (4 in total), but I'd check with your licensing guys to see what you can do in a virtualised environment.

smangogna

VMware recommends that you install vCenter Server on a dedicated server

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r41/vsp_41_esxi_i_get_start.pdf

tblinc

ASKER

The vCenter Server system is a physical machine or virtual machine with access to a supported database.

tblinc

ASKER

ok i just saw

ChrisKranz

Regardless of physical or virtual, the recommendation is that it should be dedicated. VMware now recommend having this virtualised, but I haven't got to hand the docs to support this.

tblinc

ASKER

How it could be dedicated when it's virtualized ?

tblinc

ASKER

Does this mean it can be installed in the host but need the virtualized OS to be dedicated to the vcenter ?

ChrisKranz

Yes, sorry. Dedicated as in the operating system does not share with any other application. So virtualised or physical, you wouldn't use the vCenter server for anything else (Exchange or domain controller for example). This system (virtual or physical) would be dedicated just to vCenter.

ChrisKranz

I should add, if you virtualise vCenter (recommended), then you can have other virtual machines on the same physical host. vCenter is just a single virtual machine just running vCenter within the OS. Other VMs can (and should) exist on this host and share the physical resources.

Hope this helps.

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smangogna

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deeshcp

I am suggesing you to install on TS also vcenter require database server. So you need one database server (SQL) else you can install venter with inbuild database application on Terminal server.

tblinc

ASKER

I installed my vcenter on a standalone windows xp 64bits system.

thanks for your answer.

tblinc

ASKER

thanks