sglee
asked on
VMWare VCenter Installation
Hi,
I purchased paid version of VMWare VCenter from VMWare.
I originally installed it on Windows 2008 Server (which was a virtual machine within the same VMWare server) and added the license code to use it. All worked fine.
Then I determined that it was not a smart move to install the control program (VMWare VCenter) on the very same VMware server. So I installed it on another server box dedicated for Windows 2008 STD only, however after installation, I can't seem to find the "Copy existing Virtual Machine" option in the VMWare VSphere Client for some reason. It was nice to be able to make a copy of existing virtual machine right inside VSphere Client. Also I can't add additional VMWare box to this VCenter. I have a couple of more VMWare boxes that I use for testing and I was able to add additiona VMWare boxes (with different IP address).
Please see attached for VCenter Client and the screen shot of the main menu. Off the main menu, I installed VCenter Server and VCenter Client.
VSphereInstallation.doc
I purchased paid version of VMWare VCenter from VMWare.
I originally installed it on Windows 2008 Server (which was a virtual machine within the same VMWare server) and added the license code to use it. All worked fine.
Then I determined that it was not a smart move to install the control program (VMWare VCenter) on the very same VMware server. So I installed it on another server box dedicated for Windows 2008 STD only, however after installation, I can't seem to find the "Copy existing Virtual Machine" option in the VMWare VSphere Client for some reason. It was nice to be able to make a copy of existing virtual machine right inside VSphere Client. Also I can't add additional VMWare box to this VCenter. I have a couple of more VMWare boxes that I use for testing and I was able to add additiona VMWare boxes (with different IP address).
Please see attached for VCenter Client and the screen shot of the main menu. Off the main menu, I installed VCenter Server and VCenter Client.
VSphereInstallation.doc
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)
Connect the vSphere Client to your vCenter Server IP Address.
ASKER
- coolsport00
I installed VCenter on a physical W2K8 server and uninstalled it from W2K8 VM.
Attached is the screenshots from Add/Remove Program & Programs/VMWare folder from a physical W2K8 server
VCenter-Icons.doc
I installed VCenter on a physical W2K8 server and uninstalled it from W2K8 VM.
Attached is the screenshots from Add/Remove Program & Programs/VMWare folder from a physical W2K8 server
VCenter-Icons.doc
Ok..as I suspected. So, as I stated above, just log into vCenter with your vSphere Client and add your ESXi hosts your VMs are on to your vCenter and you'll have those options again.
~coolsport00
~coolsport00
ASKER
If you meant "Manage this host from vCenter Server", I clicked the link.
Then I see popup message (please see attached) that says that ESX host is currently managed by the cCenter Server at IP address 192.168.1.104 which is prev. installation on W2k8 VM (from which I uninstalled vCenter completely and rebooted the server already).
VCenter-1.doc
Then I see popup message (please see attached) that says that ESX host is currently managed by the cCenter Server at IP address 192.168.1.104 which is prev. installation on W2k8 VM (from which I uninstalled vCenter completely and rebooted the server already).
VCenter-1.doc
As I thought may have happened. You didn't remove your hosts from vCenter (Rt-click then choose 'Remove') before you decomm'd your vCenter VM. Try to add your host to your new vCenter instance. Log into vCenter and try to add it there. What you may have to do is completely reinstall ESXi5 on your hosts. Only takes 7mins. May be quicker than trying to resolve this 'connected to vcenter' message.
~coolsport00
~coolsport00
Log into vCenter with vSphere Client, rt-click on vCenter in the left 'pane', then select New Datacenter. Add one then rt-click on the datacenter object and select 'Add Host'. Enter either the IP or FQDN of your ESXi host(s) to add them. If it works ok, the VMs will be added and if you rt-click on your VMs you'll see those vCenter options for your VMs again.
~coolsport00
~coolsport00
ASKER
Since I do not see the option "Add Host" when I right click on "192.168.1.2", I will un-install everything from this physical W2K8 server and re-install vCenter again.
I will get back to report the progress.
I will get back to report the progress.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Well, it's not the vCenter you need to uninstall...but ESXi. Your vCenter is probably fine. Just reinstall ESXi. BUT...it looks like you have several VMs on your hosts. IF you don't need them, then you can wipe the disks during reinstall. If you do, just choose to *NOT OVERWRITE EXISTING VMFS VOLUMES* when you go through the reinstall process of ESXi. Or, if those VMs are on the SAN, just disconnect it during the install, then reconnect when you're done reinstalling.
Better yet if it works without vCenter being available. Good form @hanccocka :)
There is no need to re-install, install ESXi again!
ASKER
Sorry. I have uninstatted vcenter already. I will attempt to install it again later today. As to reinstalling ESX, I have too many VMs on it already and like to keep them as they are if possible.
No need to re install ESXi or vCenter, okay so you have already done it.
Dissassociate ESXi server from old vCenter as above.
Dissassociate ESXi server from old vCenter as above.
Yeah, uninstalling vCenter won't take that msg away. Keep us posted on your progress..
ASKER
OK. I clicked "disassociate host from vCenter server...".
Now the only option that I see under "Host Management" is "Manage this host throught VMWare vCenter".
When I click that link, it takes me to the page "Download VMware vSphere" - http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere/4_1
What do I do next?
Now the only option that I see under "Host Management" is "Manage this host throught VMWare vCenter".
When I click that link, it takes me to the page "Download VMware vSphere" - http://downloads.vmware.com/d/info/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere/4_1
What do I do next?
ASKER
I can't seem to find vCenter program that I installed.When I open vCenter folder, I see the following.
Okay, the ESXi host is now disassociated from vCenter server.
Download vCenter and install.
Its not a Program its a Service, run the vSphere Client, and use the IP address of the server you have installed it on.
Download vCenter and install.
Its not a Program its a Service, run the vSphere Client, and use the IP address of the server you have installed it on.
use that IP address in the vSphere Client.
ASKER
VCenter-Install-Menu.PNG
What else do I need to download? I have downloaded vCenter already and installed it.
And when I run VSphere Client, it alread has 192.168.1.2 and its VMs. It does not display that message "it is run by 192.168.1.104" anymore.
What else do I need to download? I have downloaded vCenter already and installed it.
And when I run VSphere Client, it alread has 192.168.1.2 and its VMs. It does not display that message "it is run by 192.168.1.104" anymore.
Correct, you have disassociated it from vCenter Server.
what is the IP address of vCenter server 192.168.1.104?
what is the IP address of vCenter server 192.168.1.104?
if 192.168.1.104 is the ip address of vCenter server, use that IP address in the client
ASKER
I see now how it works.
On vSphere client, instead of entering IP address to manage 1 host, I entered the name of the computer where I installed vCenter Server which is this very computer (TS3, 192.168.1.12).
I created a new datacenter "Datacenter1" and added a host "192.168.1.2". Now I can see that I can add additional hosts here and when I right click on existing VM, I see "Clone" option as well.
My confusion as to where vCenter was that:
(1) Since I installed both vCenter Server and vSphere client on the same computer (TS3), I was expecting to see an separate icon (for vCenter Server) just like vSphere client. You told me it is a service.
(2) I did not know that I can enter TS3 on the vSphere logon menu to log into vCenter.
Now I have a little better understanding how these works.
So I guess that you can install vCenter Server on a totally different W2008 Server and access it via vSphere Client login menu. I just happened to install both vCenter and vSphere client on this computer.
On vSphere client, instead of entering IP address to manage 1 host, I entered the name of the computer where I installed vCenter Server which is this very computer (TS3, 192.168.1.12).
I created a new datacenter "Datacenter1" and added a host "192.168.1.2". Now I can see that I can add additional hosts here and when I right click on existing VM, I see "Clone" option as well.
My confusion as to where vCenter was that:
(1) Since I installed both vCenter Server and vSphere client on the same computer (TS3), I was expecting to see an separate icon (for vCenter Server) just like vSphere client. You told me it is a service.
(2) I did not know that I can enter TS3 on the vSphere logon menu to log into vCenter.
Now I have a little better understanding how these works.
So I guess that you can install vCenter Server on a totally different W2008 Server and access it via vSphere Client login menu. I just happened to install both vCenter and vSphere client on this computer.
Correct.
Normally you install vSphere on your workstation, that you use for management or general usage.
Normally you install vSphere on your workstation, that you use for management or general usage.
ASKER
hanccocka,
I need help in setting up Web based vCenter Server Management.
If I open the new question, would you be able to help me set that up now?
Thanks.
I need help in setting up Web based vCenter Server Management.
If I open the new question, would you be able to help me set that up now?
Thanks.
Ha..ok, yeah. There are many "parts" to a vSphere environment. It can be confusing. Once you've used them for a while it's not so bad.
@hanccocka - is that option/link new to v5? I don't recall "disassociate" in v4.x...
Ok..thought so..didn't think I was completely crazy.