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VMware VSphere Install Configure Manage V8 Lab 1734890594

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VMware vSphere Install, Configure, Manage | Lab Guide

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VMware vSphere Install, Configure, Manage | Lab Guide

Version 24.07

Ahmed Abdelwahed
ahmed@abdelwahed.me
LinkedIn

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Contents
Importance of Virtualization: ........................................................................................................................................ 5
VMware vSphere Introduction: .................................................................................................................................... 5
ESXi Installation and Configuration: .............................................................................................................................. 6
DNS Configuration for all ESXi Hosts and vCenter Servers ........................................................................................... 7
Basic Configuration for a Virtual Machine to Host ESXi Server inside VMware Workstation ...................................... 8
Set up the hostname and network configurations. ................................................................................................ 12
vCenter ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Deploy vCenter........................................................................................................................................................ 16
Configuring and managing using ESXi host. ................................................................................................................ 24
Add a welcome message and assign license ........................................................................................................... 24
Create new local datastore (VMFS) using ESXi ....................................................................................................... 28
Extend Existing Datastore ....................................................................................................................................... 30
Upload the ISO file to the datastore. ...................................................................................................................... 32
Create and configure VM through ESXi02 host ...................................................................................................... 33
Creating a Virtual Machine in ESXi .............................................................................................................................. 34
Download and Install VMRC........................................................................................................................................ 39
Set up VMware Tools. ............................................................................................................................................. 41
Edit VM settings. ..................................................................................................................................................... 42
Configuring and Managing ESXi Servers Using vCenter .............................................................................................. 43
Integrate vSphere with Active Directory................................................................................................................. 48
sign in using domain accounts and privileges ......................................................................................................... 49
Create VM using vCenter ............................................................................................................................................ 51
Edit VM Settings from vCenter. .............................................................................................................................. 55
Configuring NFS Server on Windows Server - NFS Datastore ..................................................................................... 57
Add ISCSI disk to both ESXi servers using vCenter. ..................................................................................................... 60
Migrate VM to Another iSCSI Datastore ..................................................................................................................... 67
Cold Migration Without the Need for vMotion ...................................................................................................... 68
Disk Migration ..................................................................................................................................................... 68
VM Migration (Power off required) .................................................................................................................... 69
Live Migrate (vMotion needed) .............................................................................................................................. 70
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VM Cloning, Templating, and Snapshot in vSphere .................................................................................................... 73

Steps to Create a Template: .................................................................................................................................... 74
Create a virtual machine using a template. ........................................................................................................... 75
Steps to Clone a VM: ............................................................................................................................................... 77
Steps to take a Snapshot ......................................................................................................................................... 81
OVF and OVA Template (Open Visualization Format and Appliance) ........................................................................ 83
VM Files ....................................................................................................................................................................... 85
Content Library in VMware vSphere ........................................................................................................................... 86
Using Alarms ............................................................................................................................................................... 92
Resetting the Password for ESXi Root Accounts ......................................................................................................... 95
vCenter password reset .............................................................................................................................................. 99
Password reset for vCenter root ............................................................................................................................. 99
Reinitialize the vCenter administrator credentials. .............................................................................................. 100
VMware vSphere Network ........................................................................................................................................ 101
Install an additional NIC on ESXi02 for load balancing through vCenter. ............................................................. 104
Attach a backup physical adapter to vSwitch0 (standard switch). ....................................................................... 108
Load Balancing and Standby NIC Features in vSphere 8 ...................................................................................... 111
Adding VMkernel Port for Management in vSphere ............................................................................................ 114
Modify VMkernel port settings to enable vMotion capability (for storage and VM migration). ........................ 118
Remove Physical NIC from vSwitch ....................................................................................................................... 119
VMware vSphere Distributed Virtual Switch (VDS) .................................................................................................. 120
VMware Cluster and Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) .................................................................................... 127
Creating VM and Host Groups in VMware vSphere .................................................................................................. 132
Set Up VM/Host Rules........................................................................................................................................... 134
Virtual Machine Overrides .................................................................................................................................... 136
Set up High Availability ......................................................................................................................................... 139
VMware vCenter Proactive HA ................................................................................................................................. 150
HA Summary and Heartbeat ............................................................................................................................ 153
VMware Fault Tolerance (FT) for Zero Downtime .................................................................................................... 154
Migrating a Virtual Machine Without Failure in VMware ........................................................................................ 161
Creating and Managing Resource Pools in VMware vSphere ................................................................................... 162
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vApp in VMware vSphere.......................................................................................................................................... 167

VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager ........................................................................................................................ 170
Upgrading ESXi Hosts Using VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager ........................................................................... 172
Backup and Restore vCenter Server.......................................................................................................................... 179
Performance Monitoring .......................................................................................................................................... 185
Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................................ 188
Services ..................................................................................................................................................................... 189
Establish SSH connection to ESXi host and vCenter.................................................................................................. 190

Importance of Virtualization:
• Efficiency:
o Maximizes hardware usage.
o Reduces the need for multiple physical machines.
• Cost Savings:
o Reduces power consumption.
o Lowers cooling and hardware costs.
• Flexibility:
o Enables rapid VM deployment.
o Supports scaling and migration.
• Business Continuity:
o Simplifies backup processes.
o Bolsters disaster recovery.
o Ensures high availability.
• Isolation:
o Provides distinct environments for applications.
o Enhances both security and performance.

VMware vSphere Introduction:

• vSphere: VMware's leading virtualization platform.
o ESXi Hypervisor: Bare-metal hypervisor for creating VMs.
o vCenter Server: Centralized management for ESXi hosts. Features include:
▪ Centralized control and automation of resources.
▪ Simplified deployment and management of virtual environments.
o vSAN: Software-defined storage for hyper-converged infrastructure.
▪ Performance: Flash-optimized storage.
▪ Resilient: Fault-tolerant and offers data protection.
▪ Scalable: Effortlessly add capacity as needs grow.
o Cloud Integration: Seamless connection to public cloud platforms.
▪ Hybrid Deployment: Combine on-premises and cloud resources.
▪ Scale on Demand: Extend infrastructure to the cloud when needed.
▪ Disaster Recovery: Backup and restore with cloud solutions.

ESXi Installation and Configuration:

ESXi is the bare-metal hypervisor from VMware that provides the foundation for running virtual machines on a
physical server. In this section, we will cover the basic steps for installing and configuring ESXi.

1. Check hardware compatibility:

• Before installing ESXi, you need to ensure that the hardware is compatible. You can check the hardware
compatibility by visiting the VMware Compatibility Guide - System Search.

2. Download ESXi ISO image and burn to CD/DVD or USB drive:

• Once you have downloaded the ESXi ISO image, you can burn it to a CD/DVD or USB drive using a tool like
Rufus or the built-in Windows USB/DVD Download Tool.

3. Boot the server from the CD/DVD or USB drive:

• Insert the CD/DVD or USB drive into the server and boot from it. The ESXi installer will start.

4. Install ESXi:

• Follow the on-screen instructions to install ESXi. You will need to select the disk on which to install ESXi
and provide basic networking information like IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server.

5. Configure ESXi:

• After installing ESXi, you can configure it by logging in to the vSphere Web Client or vSphere Client. You
can configure settings like hostname, network configuration, time zone, and NTP server.

6. Create a virtual machine:

• Once ESXi is installed and configured, you can create virtual machines using the vSphere Web Client or
vSphere Client. You will need to provide settings like virtual machine name, guest operating system,
number of CPUs, amount of RAM, and storage.

7. Power on and access the virtual machine:

• After creating the virtual machine, you can power it on and access it using a remote desktop or a console
connection. You can also install an operating system and other software on the virtual machine.

Note: All instructions are explained in detail below with screenshots to guide you through each step of the
process.

DNS Configuration for all ESXi Hosts and vCenter Servers

Configuring Domain Name System (DNS) for all ESXi hosts and vCenter Servers is important as it allows these hosts
to communicate with other hosts and services on the network using domain names instead of IP addresses.
Forward Lookup Zone Configuration
1. Add A (Address) Records:
o Open your DNS manager. Hostname IP Address
o Navigate to the forward lookup zone for abdelwahed.me. ESXI01 200.200.200.201
o Add the following A records for each ESXi host, vCenter server: ESXI02 200.200.200.202
vCenter01 200.200.200.111
Reverse Lookup Zone Configuration DC 200.200.200.200
1. Add Reverse Lookup Zone:
o Open your DNS manager.
o Create a new reverse lookup zone for the network 200.200.200.x.
2. Add PTR (Pointer) Records:
o Within the reverse lookup zone, add the following PTR IP Address Hostname
records:
200.200.200.201 ESXI01.abdelwahed.me
200.200.200.202 ESXI02.abdelwahed.me
200.200.200.111 vCenter01.abdelwahed.me
200.200.200.200 dc.abdelwahed.me

Basic Configuration for a Virtual Machine to Host ESXi Server inside VMware
Workstation

Press F11 to agree to the license.

Press F2 to sign in as the root user.

Set up the hostname and network configurations.

You can now set up the hostname and network to enable remote management of the server via http.

Now, all ESXi servers are manageable directly through a web browser.

Repeat these steps for every ESXi server you intend to set up.

vCenter
vCenter is a management software platform for VMware vSphere, a virtualization platform used by many
organizations to host and manage virtual machines. vCenter allows administrators to manage multiple ESXi hosts
and their virtual machines from a single centralized location, providing a more streamlined and efficient way to
manage a virtual infrastructure. Here are some of the key features and benefits of vCenter:

1. Centralized Management:

o With vCenter, administrators can manage multiple ESXi hosts and their virtual machines from a
single, unified console.

o This provides a more streamlined and efficient way to manage virtual infrastructure, as well as
more control over the virtual environment.

2. High Availability:

o vCenter supports high availability features, such as vCenter High Availability (vCHA), that ensure
that vCenter remains available in the event of hardware or software failures.

3. Automation:

o vCenter includes automation features, such as vSphere Auto Deploy and vSphere PowerCLI, that
allow administrators to automate tasks and workflows in the virtual environment, reducing the
workload and potential for human error.

4. Security:

o vCenter includes security features, such as vCenter Single Sign-On (SSO), that help ensure that the
virtual environment is secure and protected from unauthorized access.

5. Performance Monitoring:

o vCenter includes performance monitoring features, such as vSphere Distributed Resource

Scheduler (DRS) and vSphere High Availability (HA), that help administrators optimize the
performance and availability of the virtual environment.

Deploy vCenter
Install vCenter by mounting the VCA ISO onto a Domain Controller or any virtual machine that is part of the
abdelwahed.me domain. Begin the installation process with ESXI1 designated as the host for deploying vCenter.

vCenter Server 8.0 Installer interface, which provides

four main options:
1. Install:
o Install a new vCenter Server.
2. Upgrade:
o Upgrade an existing vCenter Server
Appliance or upgrade and converge an
existing vCenter Server Appliance with
an external Platform Services Controller.
3. Migrate:
o Migrate from an existing Windows
vCenter Server or migrate and converge
an existing Windows vCenter Server with
an external Platform Services
Controller.
4. Restore:
o Restore from a previous vCenter Server
Backup.

Prior to installing vCenter, it's crucial to create DNS A and PTR records for the server to ensure that other
systems can identify the vCenter's hostname and IP, which is essential for seamless interaction within
the vSphere infrastructure.
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Configuring and managing using ESXi host.

Add a welcome message and assign license

• Based on the license you assign, additional features will be added.

• A trial license is available and works for 60 days, during the trial period, all features are fully functional.

Lockdown Mode and Auto Restart Option

• Purpose: Lockdown mode is a security feature in ESXi that restricts access to the host to prevent
unauthorized changes to its configuration.
• Functionality:
o When Lockdown
mode is enabled,
only the vCenter
Server system and
the local DCUI
(Direct Console
User Interface)
can perform
operations on the
host.
o All other access to
the host, including
SSH, console, and
vSphere Web
Client, is blocked.
Auto Restart Option:
• The Auto Restart option allows virtual machines (VMs) to automatically restart if the ESXi host they are
running on is restarted or fails. This ensures that critical VMs are brought back online without manual
intervention, enhancing the availability and resilience of the virtual environment.

Adding Local Users to ESXi Host

ESXi hosts have the ability to create and manage local user accounts. Local user accounts can be used to allow
users to log in to the ESXi host using the vSphere Web Client, vSphere Client, or SSH. Once you have added local
user accounts to the ESXi host, users can log in to the host using their username and password. Local user
accounts have a limited set of privileges, which can be modified using the vSphere Web Client or vSphere Client.

Steps to Add Local Users to ESXi Host

Add and Manage Datastore

A datastore is a storage location in vSphere where you can store virtual machine files, ISO images, templates, and
other files. Adding and managing datastores in vSphere is an important part of managing your virtual
infrastructure.
Steps to Add and Manage a Datastore in vSphere
1. Add a Datastore:
o To add a datastore, go to the host or cluster that you want to add the datastore to in the vSphere
Web Client or vSphere Client, and click the Storage tab.
o Click the "Add Datastore" button and select the type of datastore that you want to add, such as
NFS, iSCSI, or VMFS.
o Follow the prompts to configure the settings for the datastore, such as the datastore name,
capacity, and storage location.
2. Manage a Datastore:
o After adding a datastore, you can manage it by performing various tasks, such as formatting,
extending, and deleting the datastore.
▪ Format a Datastore: Go to the host or cluster that the datastore is attached to, select the
datastore in the Storage tab, and click the "Format Datastore" button.
▪ Extend a Datastore: Select the datastore and click the "Extend Datastore" button, and
follow the prompts to add more storage capacity.
▪ Delete a Datastore: Select the datastore and click the "Delete Datastore" button, and
follow the prompts to confirm the deletion.
3. Monitor a Datastore:
o You can also monitor the performance and usage of a datastore in vSphere.
o To do this, go to the host or cluster that the datastore is attached to, select the datastore in the
Storage tab, and click the "Monitor" tab.
o Here, you can view charts and statistics for the datastore, such as the amount of free space, the
number of virtual machines using the datastore, and the amount of read and write activity.
Storage Allocation for ESXi Hosts
Both servers book around 8GB for the OS, and the rest of the hard disk space is allocated for datastores to save
any kind of data, including VM data and OS ISO files.

Create new local datastore (VMFS) using ESXi

To establish a new local
datastore (VMFS) using ESXi,
first, you need to install a
new hard drive on the
server. Afterward, either
reboot the ESXi server or
perform a storage rescan
without restarting by
utilizing vCenter. Simply
right-click on the ESXi server,
select 'storage', and choose 'rescan'. Then proceed as follows:

Extend Existing Datastore

To extend an existing datastore, follow these steps. In this example, we will add a 200GB hard disk to extend
datastore1. Note that you may need to restart the server for the new hard disk to be recognized, or you can
rescan the storage without restarting.

Upload the ISO file to the datastore.

Begin by navigating to that store.

Next, transfer the ISO file to the OS Source directory.

Create and configure VM through ESXi02 host

To create and configure a virtual machine (VM) through ESXi02 host, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the vSphere Web Client or vSphere Client using the credentials for the ESXi02 host.

2. Select the ESXi02 host from the inventory and go to the Virtual Machines tab.

3. Click the Create/Register VM button to create a new virtual machine.

4. In the New Virtual Machine wizard, select the type of VM that you want to create, such as a typical VM or
a custom VM.

5. Follow the prompts to configure the settings for the VM, such as the VM name, guest operating system,
virtual hardware, and storage.

6. After the VM is created, select it in the inventory and go to the Configure tab to configure additional
settings.

7. Configure the VM settings as appropriate for your environment, such as the network adapter, storage
adapter, CPU and memory allocation, and advanced settings.

8. Power on the VM to begin using it.

9. To access the console of the VM, select the VM in the inventory and go to the Console tab.

10. Use the console to install the guest operating system, install applications, and configure the VM as
needed.

Creating a Virtual Machine in ESXi

Choose CPU Settings

Choose memory configurations.

Options for Hard Disk

Storage

Disk Provisioning: Options

include:

• Thin Provisioned:
Selected option,
which allocates
storage space as
needed.

• Thick Provisioned,
Lazily Zeroed:
Allocates storage
space immediately
but zeros out
blocks as they are
written.

• Thick Provisioned, Eagerly Zeroed: Allocates and zeroes out storage space immediately.

Options for NIC and DVD (choose an ISO file from the datastore)

beginning installation

VM files saved inside selected datastore.

Download and Install VMRC

VMRC (VMware Remote Console) is a standalone application that allows you to connect to virtual machines on an
ESXi host or vCenter Server using a remote console. Here are the steps to download and install VMRC:

Go to the VMware VMRC Download Page:

Visit the following URL: VMware VMRC Download Page.

Download VMRC Installer:

Click the "Download" button to download the VMRC installer for your operating system.

You will need to log in with your VMware account or create a new one if you don't have one already.

Install VMRC:

Once the download is complete, run the installer.

Follow the installation wizard to install VMRC on your system.

You can add that VM to the abdelwahed.me domain.

Set up VMware Tools.

VMware Tools comprises various utilities and drivers that improve the performance and capabilities of virtual
machines within vSphere.

If VMware Tools do not appear in this VM area, edit the CD/DVD VM settings (connect at power) as shown below.

Now VM tools looks installed.

Edit VM settings.
By editing the settings of a VM using ESXi, you can modify its configuration to meet the needs of your
environment.

Key Configuration Changes

1. Adjust CPU and Memory Allocation:
o CPU Allocation: Modify the number of virtual CPUs assigned to the VM.
o Memory Allocation: Adjust the amount of memory allocated to the VM.
2. Add or Remove Virtual Disks:
o Add Disks: Increase storage capacity by adding new virtual disks.
o Remove Disks: Free up resources by removing unnecessary virtual disks.
3. Configure Network Adapters:
o Add Adapters: Connect the VM to different networks or increase bandwidth.
o Remove Adapters: Simplify network configuration by removing unused adapters.

With the ESXI01 server, you are able to adjust few settings such as AutoStart directly.

As indicated, the management of VMs via ESXi comes with a set of limited features; therefore, we transition to
using Vcenter which offers an expanded suite of management tools including migration, cloning, and high
availability options.

Configuring and Managing ESXi Servers Using vCenter

vCenter Server: vCenter01

By adding ESXi servers to vCenter, you can centralize the management of your virtual environment and perform
tasks such as creating virtual machines, configuring storage and networking, and monitoring performance. It's
important to follow best practices for managing ESXi servers, such as keeping them up-to-date with the latest
patches and updates, monitoring their performance and usage, and securing them with appropriate permissions
and firewall rules.

Adding ESXi hosts is now possible.

Remember to review the new folder option.

Apply the same process to ESXi02 for integration into our data center.

Both hosts have now been added.

Integrate vSphere with Active Directory

Integrating vSphere with Active Directory (AD) allows you to use AD user accounts and groups to authenticate and
authorize access to vSphere resources. This simplifies user management, improves security, and provides a
centralized view of user permissions across the organization. Here are the steps to integrate vSphere with AD:

sign in using domain accounts and privileges

You are now able to log in, however, you lack the necessary permissions to access vCenter resources.

Now grant it01@abdelwahed.me permissions using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).

IT01 now has a full access.

Create VM using vCenter

Server Core 2022 is now installed.

Edit VM Settings from vCenter.

With VM configurations, you are able to modify various virtual machine settings. In this instance, we will be
demonstrating how to increase the size of the hard drive (note that some settings may necessitate turning the
power off).

Using vCenter, we will increase the VM's hard drive size from 20 GB to 22 GB.

Hard drive now expanded to 22GB

Configuring NFS Server on Windows Server - NFS Datastore

Creating an NFS datastore in vSphere using a Windows Server involves setting up the NFS Server role on the
Windows machine and then configuring vSphere to mount the NFS share as a datastore. Here's a step-by-step
guide on how to achieve this:

The upcoming configuration will enable NFS on all ESXi servers in the datacenter, and these steps can be
replicated at the ESXi level.

Add ISCSI disk to both ESXi servers using vCenter.

Initially, I set up dc.abdelwahed.me for ISCSI storage and permitted the two ESXI servers access to this storage via
the network. In this setup, I utilized two ISCSI disks, with capacities of 800 GB and 700 GB respectively. At this
point, the ISCSI software (ISCSI initiator) is used..

• NVMe over RDMA Adapter: Enable this option if using NVMe storage devices that are shared over an
RDMA network for high performance.
• Software FCoE Adapter: Discover and use software Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) adapters.

Link the ISCSI software you installed to the network adapter.

The ISCSI Disk becomes visible and is available for addition as a datastore.

Now, do the same for ESXi02. We won't add a new datastore; we just want to connect it.

Please proceed to upload files to the ISCSI storage.

Migrate VM to Another iSCSI Datastore

Cold Migration (Without vMotion)

Without vMotion enabled, it is not possible to move a virtual machine (VM) during its powered-on state. The only
way to move a VM in this state is through a process called "cold migration," which involves powering off the VM,
moving its files to another location, and then powering it back on.

Hot Migration (With vMotion)

On the other hand, with vSphere vMotion, it is possible to move a VM while it is in a powered-on state, without
any disruption to its services. This type of migration is often referred to as "hot migration" or "live migration," and
it is a key feature of vSphere that allows for more flexibility and agility in managing virtual environments.

Key Points About vSphere vMotion

• Live Migration: vSphere vMotion enables the live migration of a running virtual machine from one host to
another with zero downtime.

• Use Cases: You can move virtual machines between hosts for load balancing, maintenance, or other
reasons, without any disruption to their services.

• Requirements:

o Shared Storage: vMotion relies on shared storage accessible by both the source and target hosts.

o High-Speed Network Connection: A high-speed network connection between the hosts is

essential.

o License: vSphere Enterprise Plus license is required to use vMotion.

Best Practices for Using vMotion

• Monitor Network and Storage Performance: Ensure that network and storage resources are sufficient to
handle the migration process.

• Check VM Compatibility: Verify that the virtual machines are compatible with the target hosts.

• Secure vMotion: Implement appropriate permissions and firewall rules to secure the vMotion process.

Cold Migration Without the Need for vMotion

Disk Migration

VM Migration (Power off required)

Live Migrate (vMotion needed)

VM Cloning, Templating, and Snapshot in vSphere

VM Cloning
Cloning involves making an exact copy of a VM. Key points about cloning:
1. Exact Copy:
o A cloned VM is an exact replica of the original VM, including virtual hardware, configuration
settings, and data.
2. Use Cases:
o Useful for testing, backup, or disaster recovery.
3. Any Power State:
o Cloning can be done at any time, regardless of the VM's power state.
4. MAC Address:
o Option to keep the same MAC address or generate a new one.
5. Source VM:
o The source VM remains unchanged and functional after cloning.
VM Templating
Templating involves creating a new VM based on a master template. Key points about templating:
1. Master Copy:
o A template is a master copy of a VM used to create new VMs with the same configuration and
software settings.
2. Use Cases:
o Useful for creating multiple identical VMs for specific purposes, like web server farms or
development environments.
3. Create Template:
o First, create a VM with desired settings, then convert it to a template.
4. Customization:
o When creating a new VM from a template, customize settings and assign a unique name and MAC
address.
5. Source VM:
o The source VM is converted into a template and becomes unavailable as a regular VM.
VM Snapshots
Snapshots capture the state of a VM at a specific point in time. Key points about snapshots:
1. State Capture:
o A snapshot captures the state, configuration, and data of a VM at a particular moment.
2. Revert Changes:
o Useful for reverting the VM to a previous state in case of errors or issues during updates or
changes.
3. Multiple Snapshots:
o Multiple snapshots can be taken, but it's best to manage and limit the number to avoid
performance issues.
4. Source VM:
o The source VM continues to operate normally after taking a snapshot.

Steps to Create a Template:

It is essential to turn off the virtual machine (VM) before converting it into a template to secure a consistent and
stable condition.

Create a virtual machine using a template.

I set up four servers with two VMs on each host.

Steps to Clone a VM:

Cloning a running VM will create a new VM that is an exact copy of the source VM, while converting a VM to a
template will convert the source VM into a template and make it unavailable as a regular VM. Both cloning and
creating a template will generate a new UUID for the new VM or template. You can check the VM's UUID by
running the following command on the guest operating system: wmic path win32_computersystemproduct
get uuid

I will be transferring to a different ESXI host.

To adjust the hardware settings of a virtual machine, opt for the second choice.

Post-cloning, all attributes remain unchanged except for the IP address and UUID.

Steps to take a Snapshot

Once I captured a snapshot, I included an additional folder as

demonstrated below.

Now I'm going to restore the virtual machine to its previous state to observe the modifications.

The recently added folder has been removed.

OVF and OVA Template (Open Visualization Format and Appliance)

Using OVF (Open Virtualization Format) or OVA (Open Virtualization Appliance) templates, users can create
preconfigured VMs that can be easily deployed in different virtualization environments. These templates include
all necessary configuration settings, such as the number of virtual CPUs, the amount of memory, and the disk
configuration, making it easy to import and deploy the VM without having to manually configure these settings.

Before exporting the VM, ensure it is powered off.

You can now import the OVF into either the same environment or a different one by following these steps:

VM Files
Virtual machines (VMs) in VMware vSphere are encapsulated by a set of files stored on a VMFS (Virtual Machine
File System) datastore. These files collectively define the VM's behavior, configuration, and content.

Overview of VM Files

File Description Example VM State Where

File Appears

.vmx Main configuration file for the Stores settings like the VM's CPU and memory Always Present
VM. configuration.

.vmdk Represents the VM's hard The VM's 80GB hard drive data is stored here. Always Present
drive.

.nvram Contains the VM's BIOS or EFI Changes to the boot order in the VM's BIOS are Always Present
configuration. saved here.

.log Log files for operational Provides logging while the VM is managed by Always Present
activities of the VM. vSphere.

.vswp vSwap file used for virtual If a VM with 8GB RAM and 2GB reservation uses Powered On
memory. its physical RAM, ESXi might swap memory pages
to this file.

.vmsd Maintains snapshot Stores snapshot information. When VM has

metadata. Snapshots

.vmsn Represents the state of a Captures the running state of a VM at the time a When VM has
snapshot. One for each snapshot was taken. Snapshots
snapshot

.vmss Suspended state file. Captures the exact running state of a VM at the Suspended
time of suspension.

Content Library in VMware vSphere

A Content Library is a centralized repository for storing and managing virtual machine templates, ISO images,
scripts, and other files that can be used to create and deploy virtual machines in a VMware vSphere environment.
This feature allows users to create, share, and manage a library of virtual machine content across multiple vCenter
Server instances.
Key Features and Benefits
1. Centralized Storage:
o The Content Library is stored on a datastore, which can be shared across multiple hosts and
vCenter Server instances. This centralization makes it easier to manage and distribute content
across the entire virtual infrastructure.
2. Organization:
o Content can be organized into folders and subfolders, making it easy to manage and find specific
items. It also supports versioning to keep track of changes and updates.
3. Variety of Content Types:
o Virtual Machine Templates: Preconfigured VMs used as starting points for creating new VMs.
o ISO Images: Bootable images for installing operating systems or applications on VMs.
o Scripts: Scripts or configuration files for automating VM configurations.
o Other Files: Documentation, images, and multimedia files.
4. Consistency and Efficiency:
o Eliminates the need to duplicate content across multiple hosts and vCenter Server instances,
saving time and storage space while ensuring consistency across the virtual infrastructure.
5. Automation:
o Facilitates the automated deployment of VMs, allowing for quick provisioning of new resources as
needed.
Benefits of Using a Content Library
• Centralized Management: Simplifies the management of VM templates, ISO images, and other resources.
• Resource Sharing: Enables sharing of content across multiple vCenter Server instances and hosts.
• Consistency: Ensures consistent deployment and configuration of VMs across the environment.
• Storage Efficiency: Reduces the need for duplicate copies of templates and other content, saving storage
space.
• Automation: Streamlines the process of deploying VMs, making it easier to quickly provision new
resources.

This library can be made public, allowing another vCenter to link to it and utilize its resources.

You now have the ability to upload various kinds of data to it.

You have the option to change this local library into a subscription-based web library.

You can also utilize this link as a local library for another vCenter.

You can now use the ISO that's been uploaded to the library to set up a new virtual machine.

Using Alarms
In a VMware vSphere environment, alarms can be created to monitor events and conditions related to virtual
machines (VMs). Alarms can be configured to alert administrators when specific events or conditions occur,
allowing them to quickly take action to resolve issues and maintain the health of the virtual infrastructure.

You can initiate actions once your criteria are fulfilled.

Host Profile in VMware vSphere

Host Profile is a feature in vSphere that allows you to create a template for configuring and managing ESXi hosts in
your environment. With Host Profile, you can define a standard set of configuration settings, policies, and security
settings, and apply them to one or more hosts at once. This ensures consistency and compliance across your host
infrastructure and simplifies host management.
Steps to Create and Apply a Host Profile in vSphere
1. Create a Host Profile:
o Access Host Profiles: Go to the Host Profiles section in the vSphere Web Client or vSphere Client.
o Create Profile: Click Create Profile, provide a name and description for the profile, and select the
host to use as the reference.
o Configure Settings: Define the settings for the profile, including networking, storage, security, and
advanced settings. You can also add custom scripts and commands.
2. Edit the Host Profile:
o Access Host Profiles: Go to the Host Profiles section and select the profile to edit.
o Edit Profile: Click Edit Profile and make the necessary changes to the settings.
3. Attach the Host Profile:
o Select Hosts: Go to the Hosts and Clusters view and select the hosts to apply the profile to.
o Attach Profile: Click the Attach/Detach Host Profile button, select the Host Profile to apply, and
click Attach.
4. Remediate the Host Profile:
o Select Host Profile: Go to the Host Profiles section and select the Host Profile to remediate.
o Remediate Hosts: Click Remediate, select the hosts to remediate, and the vSphere system will
check the host's current settings against the profile settings and apply the changes if necessary.
Benefits of Using Host Profiles
• Consistency: Ensures that all ESXi hosts adhere to a standardized configuration, reducing configuration
drift.
• Compliance: Helps maintain compliance with internal and external policies by enforcing consistent
settings across hosts.
• Simplified Management: Streamlines the management of multiple hosts by allowing administrators to
apply configuration changes to all hosts from a central location.
• Automated Remediation: Automatically identifies and corrects configuration deviations from the defined
Host Profile.

Resetting the Password for ESXi Root Accounts

To set this profile as default, clear all current configurations to prevent conflicts before adding your custom
settings.

No host is linked to the profile yet.

A host is now connected to that profile, and you can also link it to a cluster.

vCenter password reset

Password reset for vCenter root

1. Restart the vCenter server.

2. During the boot process, access the GRUB menu by pressing "e."

3. Edit the selected entry and append "rw init=/bin/bash" to the end of the line starting with "linux
/$photon"

4. Boot into single-user mode with a root shell prompt.

5. Remount the root filesystem in read-write mode: mount -o remount,rw /

6. Reset the root password: passwd root

7. Reboot the server: reboot -f

8. After the server restarts, log in to vCenter using the new root password.

Reinitialize the vCenter administrator credentials.

1. Log in to the VCSA management portal using root credentials through port 5480

2. Navigate to the "Administration" section.

3. Look for the "Access" tab or similar option that provides SSH and Bash access settings. Enable SSH and
Bash access if they are not already enabled.

4. Open an SSH client (such as PuTTY) and connect to the vCenter server using the SSH protocol on port 22.
Use the IP address or hostname of the vCenter server. using root user.

VMware vSphere Network

Use Two Networks
It's advised to have two distinct network types in a VMware vSphere environment:
1. ESXi Management Network:
o Specifically for managing ESXi hosts.
2. VM Network:
o Exclusively for virtual machine (VM) traffic.
Benefits
1. Improved Security:
o By segregating traffic, potential security vulnerabilities are minimized.
2. Enhanced Performance:
o Isolates VM traffic from ESXi management traffic, ensuring smooth operations.
Network Configuration
1. Two Virtual Switches:
o Create two standard virtual switches in vSphere.
2. Connectivity with Failover and Load Balancing:
o Two Uplinks per Virtual Switch:
▪ Each virtual switch should be linked to two uplinks (NICs) connected to two physical
switches.
o Failover:
▪ Configuring failover ensures that if one NIC fails, the other can take over, ensuring
continuous connectivity.
o Load Balancing:
▪ Distributing the network traffic across both NICs optimizes bandwidth utilization and
potentially increases throughput.
3. Port Group on vSwitch1:
o Used for VM connections.
4. VMkernel Port on vSwitch2:
o Used for ESXi management connections.
5. IP Assignments:
o VMkernel port gets its IP from the uplink (NIC), while the VM gets its IP from the port group.
Default Configuration
1. vSwitch0:
o Post ESXi installation, a standard virtual switch named vSwitch0 is created.
2. Port Groups:
o Includes a port group named VM Network.
3. VMkernel Port:
o Named Management Network for ESXi management.

Explanation:
• Phys.Sw: Physical Switch
• Uplink1/Uplink2: Uplinks connecting ESXi hosts to physical switches.
• ESXi: ESXi hosts
• N1 | N2: Network interfaces (NICs) on the ESXi hosts.
• vSw1: Virtual Switch 1 for VM connections.
• vSw2: Virtual Switch 2 for ESXi management connections.
• PortG: Port Group on Virtual Switch 1 for VMs.
• VMKern: VMkernel Port on Virtual Switch 2 for ESXi management.
• VM: Virtual Machine network traffic.
• Mgmt: Management network traffic.

Install an additional NIC on ESXi02 for load balancing through vCenter.

Insert an additional network interface card via the ESXi VM settings and reboot the server.

Below are two methods to add a network adapter: directly using 'Add Networking' or via the settings menu.

• Setting both NICs to "Active" on a vSphere vSwitch activates load balancing, which distributes network
traffic between the NICs for better bandwidth utilization and improved network efficiency.

Attach a backup physical adapter to vSwitch0 (standard switch).

Begin by installing a new NIC adapter to the virtual machine and then proceed with the subsequent steps.

Upon disconnection of the primary network interface card, ESXi02 maintains continuous operation due to the
failover capabilities in place on the secondary NIC. This guarantees consistent performance and provides network
redundancy.

Load Balancing and Standby NIC Features in vSphere 8

Up next on standby.

Adding VMkernel Port for Management in vSphere

1- For both ESXi servers, install a new NIC with a Host-only profile (restart the network management for the
NIC to show up) and do not assign an IP address.
2- Add a new switch to both ESXi servers for VMKernel port assignment.

Please be aware that it's advisable for each VMkernel to serve a single purpose, possess a distinct IP address,
and be set up on a separate VLAN.

• MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) represents the largest packet or frame size, specified in bytes, that
can be sent over a network interface without fragmentation.
• Ethernet Default: For Ethernet, the default MTU size is typically 1500 bytes.
• Jumbo Frames: In modern Ethernet networks, especially in data centers and for specific use-cases, the
MTU can be increased to up to 9000 bytes. This is often referred to as using "jumbo frames".
• Example: Jumbo frames might be used within a storage area network (SAN) because larger frames can
improve efficiency by reducing the overhead of the header information for each packet.

On a different computer, assign an additional IP address to the Network Interface Card and attempt to connect to
the VMKernel port of ESXi01, then apply the same configuration to ESXi02.

Modify VMkernel port settings to enable vMotion capability (for storage and VM migration).

Please be aware that for executing storage or VM migration across ESXi hosts, it's crucial to set up a dedicated
VMKernel adapter to handle vMotion traffic. This task can be accomplished by creating a new adapter or enabling
the vMotion capability on an existing one, allowing the live relocation of virtual machines between hosts
seamlessly and without any interruptions.

Remove Physical NIC from vSwitch

Transfer that network interface card to the unassigned adapter.

VMware vSphere Distributed Virtual Switch (VDS)

A VMware Virtual Distributed Switch (VDS) allows you to manage network switches centrally at the data center
level, which can help to simplify management and improve efficiency. Instead of creating separate switches for
each ESXi server, you can create a single VDS that spans multiple hosts within a data center.
Key Benefits of VDS
1. Centralized Management:
o Configure network settings such as VLANs, port groups, and traffic shaping from a central location.
o Apply settings to all hosts that are part of the VDS to ensure consistency and avoid errors.
2. Consistency:
o Ensures that network configurations are consistent across all ESXi hosts in the data center.
o Reduces the risk of misconfiguration by managing switches at the individual host level.
3. Policy Application:
o Apply policies and settings across multiple hosts to meet security and compliance requirements
consistently.
o Monitor network traffic and performance from a central location and optimize as needed.

Initially, install NICs on the ESXi servers.

Choose the earliest version of ESXi available if you're working with various versions, and remember that this
choice cannot be downgraded later.

Uplinks correspond to the count of Network Interface Cards (NICs), which you can later adjust by adding or
reducing the number. For instance, if there are initially 2 uplinks per server, you can increase the total to 4.

NIC now connected to DSwitch.

Now transfer the VM network to the new production DSwitch (currently, we have only the Web-Server on ESXi01).

Be aware of the changes to NIC assignments in vSphere 8.

Allocate virtual machines to the newly created distributed switch.

VMware Cluster and Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)

Adding VMware Cluster

For the following labs, you must add a VMware cluster using vCenter and move the ESXi servers to it.

VMware vSphere Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) – Power of Cluster

Overview

VMware DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler) is a feature available with a vCenter cluster. Once DRS is enabled, it
monitors CPU and memory utilization on each ESXi host in the cluster and will automatically migrate included
virtual machines to another ESXi host if the utilization of a particular host exceeds a certain threshold.

• Workload Balancing: Ensures that each host is used efficiently and that VMs have access to the resources
they need.

• Improves Performance: Reduces the risk of downtime or other issues.

DRS Automation Levels

1. Manual:

o DRS makes recommendations for VM placement, requiring manual approval for migrations.

2. Partially Automated:

o DRS automatically migrates VMs in response to resource imbalances but prompts for approval if
disruptions may occur.

3. Fully Automated:

o DRS automatically migrates VMs without requiring manual approval.

Choosing the Appropriate Automation Level

• Fully Automated Mode: Effective at balancing workloads but may cause frequent migrations that could
impact performance.

• Manual Mode: Provides more control but requires more intervention.

DRS Rules

Even if DRS is set to fully automated mode, you can still add DRS rules to guide its behavior:

1. Separating Critical VMs:

o Ensure that critical VMs, such as domain controllers and Active Directory servers, are always
separated across different ESXi hosts in case of hardware failure.

2. Keeping Application Servers Together:

o Ensure that application servers and database servers are always kept together on the same ESXi
host to reduce latency and improve performance.

3. Preventing Power Disconnects:

o Prevent VMs from being migrated to ESXi hosts in different compute racks in case of power
disconnects to ensure high availability.

4. Predictive DRS:

o Use historical performance data to predict and initiate VM migrations before resource utilization
reaches critical levels.

Additional Options in DRS

1. Automation Level:

o Determines how much automation DRS uses to manage resource allocation and workload
placement (Manual, Partially Automated, Fully Automated).

2. Migration Threshold:

o Determines the threshold at which DRS will initiate a migration of VMs to balance resource
utilization (Conservative, Moderate, Aggressive).

3. Power Management:

o Allows you to enable or disable vSphere Distributed Power Management (DPM) to dynamically
power on and power off hosts to balance resource utilization and save energy.

4. CPU Overcommitment:

o Allows you to enable or disable CPU overcommitment, allowing multiple VMs to share a physical
CPU core.

5. Memory Overcommitment:

o Allows you to enable or disable memory overcommitment, allowing VMs to share memory
resources.

6. CPU Affinity Rules:

o Allows you to configure CPU affinity rules to control the placement of VMs on physical hosts.

7. VM Distribution:

o Allows you to configure how DRS distributes VMs across physical hosts (Spread, Pack, Evenly
Balanced).

Steps to create DRS

Any suggestions provided here can be considered and implemented as needed.

Creating VM and Host Groups in VMware vSphere

In a VMware vSphere environment, creating VM and host groups helps organize and manage virtual machines and
ESXi hosts based on specific criteria. These groups can simplify management tasks, improve performance and
availability, and ensure optimal resource utilization.

Uses of VM and Host Groups

1. Resource Allocation:

o Purpose: Ensure that VMs are distributed across ESXi hosts to maximize resource utilization.

o Example: Group VMs based on CPU or memory requirements and distribute them across capable
ESXi hosts.

2. High Availability:

o Purpose: Ensure that VMs are distributed to maximize high availability.

o Example: Group critical VMs and ensure they are distributed across ESXi hosts in different
compute racks or datacenters to ensure high availability in case of hardware failure.

3. Simplified Management:

o Purpose: Simplify management tasks such as patching, updates, or migration.

o Example: Group VMs based on their application and ensure they are patched and updated
together to minimize disruptions.

Steps to Create VM and Host Groups

Set Up VM/Host Rules

To manage DRS actions.

Virtual Machine Overrides

Enable this option during DRS setup to customize settings and other details for a particular VM.

After activating, you can set up configurations from

Begin by choosing the virtual machine (VM) on which to apply various DRS settings.

VMware High Availability (HA)

VMware HA (High Availability) is designed to reduce downtime by automatically restarting virtual machines on another
ESXi host in the event of a host failure. Here are the key points and features of VMware HA:
Key Points of VMware HA
1. Network Storage Requirement:
o VMware HA requires network storage (such as iSCSI or NFS) to store the virtual machine data, allowing
multiple ESXi hosts to access it.
2. Downtime and Fault Tolerance:
o While HA reduces downtime by restarting VMs on another host, there may still be some downtime
during the reboot process.
o For true zero-downtime operation, use VMware Fault Tolerance (FT), which creates a real-time
duplicate of a VM on a secondary host.
3. Heartbeat Monitoring:
o VMware HA uses heartbeat monitoring to detect host failures. Heartbeat traffic is sent over multiple
channels (network, storage, and management interfaces) to ensure robustness.
4. vCenter Server Independence:
o If the vCenter Server goes down, VMware HA will continue to operate because the master host in the
cluster manages the HA configuration. If the master host fails, another host is elected to take its place.
5. Admission Control:
o Ensures sufficient resources are available in the cluster to accommodate VM failover. This can involve
reserving a percentage of resources on each host or an entire host as a standby.
o Admission control can also trigger VM resource reduction to ensure a VM can be restarted on a
different host even with limited resources.
6. Shared Datastores and Network Settings:
o VMware HA requires at least two shared datastores and properly configured network settings
(including a default gateway) to ensure proper operation and fault detection.
vSphere Cluster Services (vCLS)
vCLS ensures essential vSphere cluster services (like DRS) operate even if vCenter Server is unavailable.
Key Points of vCLS
1. vCLS VMs:
o Lightweight VMs, typically three per cluster, identifiable with the "vCLS" prefix.
2. Functionality:
o Allows DRS to function without vCenter.
o Monitors ESXi host health.
3. Operational Notes:
o Do not manually power off or delete vCLS VMs. If deleted, they are automatically recreated.
o vCLS VMs dynamically adjust resources as per cluster needs.
Best Practices for vCLS
• Monitor Rather Than Modify: It's optimal to monitor vCLS VMs rather than modify them manually.
• Understanding vCLS Role: Understanding their role can lead to better cluster management decisions. For
instance, if vCLS VMs are deleted, vCenter will redeploy them to ensure uninterrupted DRS functionality.
Example
• DRS Functionality Without vCenter:
o DRS can rebalance VM workloads across hosts in a cluster even if vCenter Server is down, ensuring
continuous operation and resource optimization.

Set up High Availability

Attach two ISCSI disks to each server and then create a new datastore.

We have previously configured an ISCSI datastore of 500GB size; now we are proceeding to add an additional ISCSI
datastore with a capacity of 300GB.

Currently, both hosts are connected to two iSCSI datastores.

Set a pingable default gateway for both hosts (using the vCenter IP as an example).

Now you can enable HA

Summary of HA Response Options in VMware vSphere

Response for Host Isolation

• Disabled: No action taken when a host is isolated.

• Power off and restart VMs: VMs on the isolated host are powered off and restarted on another host.

• Shut down and restart VMs: VMs on the isolated host are gracefully shut down and then restarted on
another host.

Datastore with PDL (Permanent Device Loss) Failure Response

• Disabled: No action taken on the affected VMs.

• Issue events: No action taken on the affected VMs, but events are generated.

• Power off and restart VMs: All affected VMs are terminated, and vSphere HA attempts to restart them on
hosts with datastore connectivity.

Datastore with APD (All Paths Down) Failure Response

• Disabled: No action taken on the affected VMs.

• Issue events: No action taken on the affected VMs, but events are generated.

• Power off and restart VMs - Conservative restart policy: A VM is powered off if HA determines it can be
restarted on a different host.

• Power off and restart VMs - Aggressive restart policy: A VM is powered off if HA determines it can be
restarted on a different host or if it cannot detect resources on other hosts due to network partition.

Summary of VMware HA Settings

Host Failure Response

• Disabled: Host Monitoring is turned off. vCenter will not respond to host failures.

• Restart VMs: When a host failure is detected, VMs are restarted in the order determined by their restart
priority.

Default VM Restart Priority

• Options to set the default restart priority for VMs (e.g., Medium).

VM Dependency Restart Condition

• Resources Allocated: vSphere HA proceeds with the next VM restart priority after the condition is met.

• Additional Delay: Specify a delay before restarting VMs.

• VM Dependency Restart Condition Timeout: Set a timeout period for VM dependency restart conditions
(e.g., 600 seconds).

Datastore Usage for Heartbeat

• Use Datastores Only from the Specified List: Restrict to specified datastores.

• Use Datastores from the Specified List and Complement Automatically if Needed: Allows automatic
selection of additional datastores if necessary.

Available Heartbeat Datastores

• List of datastores selected for heartbeat:

o Datastore5-ISCSI

o Datastore04-ISCSI

o Hosts mounting each datastore (e.g., 2 hosts).

Performance Degradation VMs Tolerate

• Percentage (%): Indicates the percentage of performance degradation the VMs in the cluster are allowed
to tolerate during a failure (e.g., 100%).

o 0% raises a warning if there is insufficient failover capacity to guarantee the same performance
after VMs restart.

o 100% disables the warning.

Testing VMware HA Failover

Scenario: Testing Failover by Disconnecting ESXi02
Objective: Verify that VMware HA properly triggers a failover event when ESXi02 is disconnected from the network, and the AppDB virtual
machine is restarted on ESXi01.
Steps and Expected Outcomes
1. Network Disconnection:
o Action: Disconnect ESXi02 from the network.
o Expected Outcome: VMware HA detects the loss of network connection to ESXi02.
2. Failover Event:
o Response: If configured correctly, VMware HA will initiate the process to restart the virtual machines from ESXi02 on
another host in the cluster, such as ESXi01.
3. Resource Allocation:
o Assumption: ESXi01 has sufficient resources to accommodate the virtual machines from ESXi02.
o Outcome: The AppDB virtual machine should be automatically restarted on ESXi01.
4. Time to Completion:
o Consideration: The time required to restart the virtual machine depends on its size and complexity.
o Expected Outcome: The virtual machine is restarted and operational on ESXi01.
5. Post-Failover Connectivity:
o Verification: Connect to the AppDB virtual machine on ESXi01.
o Expected Outcome: You should be able to connect and use the virtual machine as usual.
Important Considerations
• Potential Downtime: VMware HA aims to minimize downtime but does not guarantee zero downtime. There may be a delay
during the failover process.
• Application Configuration: Some applications may require additional configuration to operate correctly after a failover.
• Testing in Controlled Environment: Always test failover scenarios in a controlled environment to ensure that your HA
configuration functions as expected.

VMware vCenter Proactive HA

VMware vCenter Server can utilize Proactive HA to monitor the health of physical server hardware components
and proactively migrate virtual machines to healthy hosts before a hardware failure occurs. This feature requires
specific hardware monitoring plugins such as Dell OpenManage or HP Insight Manager installed on the ESXi hosts.
Key Features of Proactive HA
1. Health Monitoring:
o Monitors hardware components like CPUs, memory, and storage for potential failures or
performance degradation.
2. Proactive Migration:
o Uses vCenter and Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) to migrate VMs to healthy hosts if an issue
is detected before it leads to hardware failure.
3. Minimize Downtime:
o Helps to minimize downtime and prevent data loss by taking preventive measures.
Requirements
• Hardware Monitoring Plugins: Plugins provided by hardware vendors (e.g., Dell OpenManage, HP Insight
Manager) need to be installed on ESXi hosts.
• Appropriate Hardware Sensors: Ensure the hardware supports the necessary sensors for health
monitoring.
• Configuration: Additional configuration beyond basic vCenter HA.
Configuration and Testing
1. Install Plugins:
o Install the necessary hardware monitoring plugins on the ESXi hosts.
2. Enable Proactive HA:
o In vCenter, navigate to the cluster settings and enable Proactive HA.
o Configure the hardware health monitoring settings and thresholds.
3. Define Remediation Policies:
o Set policies for how VMs should be migrated in case of hardware degradation.
o Determine whether remediation should be automatic or manual.
4. Test Configuration:
o Carefully test and validate the Proactive HA configuration to ensure it works properly.
o Simulate hardware failures or degradations to verify that VMs are migrated as expected.
Remediation Actions
• Proactive HA Remediation:
o Migrates VMs to healthy hosts before hardware failure occurs based on detected issues.
• vSphere DRS:
o Balances resource utilization across hosts, automatically migrating VMs as needed to ensure
optimal resource allocation and minimize downtime.
Policies and Planning
1. Define Policies:
o Set policies for migration to standby hosts or hosts with specific performance characteristics.
o Decide on automatic vs. manual remediation based on the severity of issues and impact on VM operations.
2. Regular Testing:
o Regularly test remediation policies to ensure timely and efficient VM migration.
o Ensure minimal disruption to critical workloads and avoid unnecessary risk.

Remediation dictates the response (for HA) when a server is flagged for hardware degradation.

- When a server is in quarantine mode, it's excluded from high-availability tasks such as being selected for
server transfers or chosen as the master.

- Maintenance mode, move all included VMs to another host.

- Mixed mode, move VMs to another host and mark as quarantine

HA Summary and Heartbeat

voted master server

VMware Fault Tolerance (FT) for Zero Downtime

VMware Fault Tolerance (FT) provides a way to achieve zero downtime by duplicating a virtual machine (VM) on
another host in the cluster and maintaining real-time synchronization of storage and memory between the
primary and secondary VMs. If the primary VM fails or becomes unavailable, the secondary VM takes over
seamlessly without any interruption.
Requirements and Considerations
1. Network Interface Cards (NICs):
o Each host in the cluster must have at least two dedicated NICs with 1 Gbps speed or higher.
2. Storage:
o The VM must be running on a datastore hosted on SSD storage to ensure optimal performance.
3. Licensing:
o A valid VMware Fault Tolerance license must be available for each host in the cluster.
4. VMware High Availability (HA):
o VMware HA must be enabled on the cluster.
Configuration Steps
1. Add and Configure NICs:
o Add the additional NICs to each ESXi host.
o Ensure that the network settings are properly configured.
2. Enable Fault Tolerance:
o Use the vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client to enable Fault Tolerance for the VM.
o This process creates a duplicate VM on another host in the cluster and synchronizes the storage
and memory between the primary and secondary VMs.
Important Notes
• Not a Replacement for Backups:
o Fault Tolerance helps maintain zero downtime but does not protect against data loss or other
types of disruptions.
o Maintain a comprehensive disaster recovery plan, including regular backups, replication, and
other measures to ensure data availability and integrity.

Include both adapters that were attached to the ESXi in the virtual switch.

Set up a distinct IP addressing scheme.

Do the same for EXSi02, which has the IP address 172.16.0.101.

Enabling Fault Tolerance (FT) for App Server

To enable FT for the Web_Server VM hosted on ESXi01 and ensure the secondary VM is stored in a different iSCSI
datastore

Now enable F

Testing Fault Tolerance (FT) by Disconnect ESXi02 (Primary Host)

Objective: Verify that VMware

Fault Tolerance (FT) functions
correctly when the primary
host (ESXi02) is disconnected
from the network, ensuring
zero downtime for the
Web_Server VM.

Migrating a Virtual Machine Without Failure in VMware

Migrating a virtual machine (VM) in VMware can be accomplished with minimal downtime and disruption by
following best practices and ensuring proper planning. Here are the steps and considerations for a successful VM
migration using vSphere vMotion, Storage vMotion, or Cross-Host vMotion.
Types of VM Migration
1. vSphere vMotion: Migrates a running VM from one physical host to another without downtime.
2. Storage vMotion: Migrates a VM's disk files from one datastore to another without downtime.
3. Cross-Host vMotion: Migrates VMs across different vCenter Server instances.
Best Practices for Migration
1. Compatibility Check:
o Ensure that the source and destination hosts are compatible, including CPU, memory, and storage
requirements.
o Verify that both hosts are running compatible versions of ESXi.
2. Resource Allocation:
o Check that the VM has the necessary resources allocated (CPU, memory, and storage).
o Ensure that there is sufficient capacity on the destination host to accommodate the VM.
3. Network Configuration:
o Verify that the network settings are properly configured on both the source and destination hosts.
o Ensure that the VM can communicate with other network resources post-migration.
4. Software and Applications:
o Ensure that any software or applications running on the VM are properly configured and will
function correctly after migration.
o Test applications in a similar environment before performing the actual migration.
5. Backup:
o Take a snapshot or backup of the VM before initiating the migration process to ensure data safety.

Creating and Managing Resource Pools in VMware vSphere

Resource pools in VMware vSphere allow you to manage the allocation of resources (CPU and memory) for groups
of virtual machines (VMs) within a cluster. They help in ensuring that resources are distributed based on priority,
workload, and other factors. To create and manage resource pools, you need to enable the Distributed Resource
Scheduler (DRS) on your cluster.
Prerequisites
1. Enable DRS:
o DRS must be enabled on the cluster to allow for automatic balancing of resource utilization across
hosts.
o Log in to vSphere Client, navigate to the cluster, and enable DRS under the "Configure" tab.
Steps to Create a Resource Pool
1. Log in to vSphere Client:
o Open vSphere Client or vSphere Web Client and log in with appropriate credentials.
2. Select the Cluster or Host:
o Navigate to the cluster or host where you want to create the resource pool.
3. Navigate to Resource Pools:
o Go to the "Configure" tab.
o Under "Resource Management," select "Resource Pools."
4. Create a New Resource Pool:
o Click "Add" to create a new resource pool.
o Provide a name and description for the resource pool.
5. Configure Resource Pool Settings:
o CPU Settings:
▪ Reservation: The guaranteed CPU resources for the resource pool.
▪ Limit: The maximum CPU resources that the resource pool can use.
▪ Shares: The relative priority of the resource pool in terms of CPU resources.
o Memory Settings:
▪ Reservation: The guaranteed memory resources for the resource pool.
▪ Limit: The maximum memory resources that the resource pool can use.
▪ Shares: The relative priority of the resource pool in terms of memory resources.
6. Set Priorities:
o Assign high priority to critical workloads and low priority to less important workloads to ensure
appropriate resource allocation.
7. Create the Resource Pool:
o Review the settings and click "OK" to create the resource pool.
Managing Resource Pools
1. Monitoring:
o Regularly monitor resource utilization to ensure that VMs are receiving appropriate resources.
o Use performance charts and alerts to track resource usage and identify potential issues.
2. Adjusting Settings:
o Adjust resource pool settings as needed to avoid resource contention and maintain optimal performance.
o Modify reservations, limits, and shares based on current workload requirements.
3. Allocating VMs to Resource Pools:
o Move VMs into the resource pool by dragging and dropping them into the desired pool.
o Ensure that VMs are grouped appropriately based on their resource needs and priority.
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For testing purposes, I am utilizing a RedHat VM that operates at 1GHZ CPU speed.

I plan to escalate CPU utilization by running the command dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/null and will observe the
changes in CPU performance.

Now,
move
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the RH VM into the new resource pool. Additionally, we can make a sub-pool, and deleting a resource pool won't
affect the included VMs; it will just sever their connection to that pool.

vApp in VMware vSphere

A vApp in VMware is a container that allows you to group multiple virtual machines (VMs) together and manage
them as a single entity. It extends the functionality of resource pools by providing additional management
features and a higher level of abstraction.
Key Features of vApp
1. Resource Allocation:
o Like resource pools, vApps allow you to allocate resources (CPU and memory) to a group of VMs
based on their priority and workload.
2. Start Order:
o You can define the start order for VMs within the vApp, ensuring that dependent applications or
services are started in the correct sequence.
3. Power State Control:
o You can control the power state of all VMs within the vApp simultaneously. This is useful for
managing maintenance windows or other operational tasks.
4. Simplified Management:
o Instead of managing individual VMs, you can manage the vApp as a single entity, simplifying
management and improving efficiency.
Use Cases for vApp
• Multi-Tiered Applications:
o Group related VMs that form a multi-tiered application (e.g., web server, application server,
database server) and manage them together.
• Development Environments:
o Create development or test environments with multiple VMs and manage them as a single unit.
• Maintenance:
o Power on or off all VMs in the vApp at the same time for maintenance purposes.

Creating and Managing a vApp

VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager

VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager is a feature integrated into vCenter Server, providing centralized management
for the lifecycle of ESXi hosts. It simplifies updating, patching, and configuring hardware and software
components, ensuring compliance and optimal performance.
Key Features
1. Centralized Management:
o Provides a single interface for managing the entire lifecycle of ESXi hosts.
o Included with vCenter Server, no additional installation required.
2. Lifecycle Stages:
o Deployment: Deploy new ESXi hosts.
o Maintenance: Apply updates and patches.
o Retirement: Decommission and retire hosts.
3. Baselines and Compliance:
o Create and apply baselines for host configuration and software updates.
o Ensure hosts meet compliance standards for security and regulations.
4. Hardware and Software Management:
o Visibility into firmware, driver versions, and other hardware components.
o Update and manage hardware and software components as needed.
5. HTML5-Based Interface:
o Accessible through the vSphere Client, providing a modern, intuitive interface for managing host
lifecycles.
Steps to Use vSphere Lifecycle Manager
1. Access vSphere Lifecycle Manager:
o Open the vSphere Client and navigate to the Lifecycle Manager interface.
2. Create Baselines:
o Define baselines for host configurations and software updates.
o Baselines can include patches, updates, and configurations needed for compliance.
3. Attach Baselines to Hosts:
o Select individual hosts or groups of hosts to apply baselines.
o Ensure that hosts are evaluated against the baselines to identify non-compliance.
4. Update and Patch Hosts:
o Use the Lifecycle Manager to apply updates and patches to ESXi hosts.
o Schedule updates to minimize disruption to operations.
5. Monitor Compliance:
o Regularly check host compliance with defined baselines.
o Address any compliance issues by applying necessary updates and configurations.
6. Manage Hardware Components:
o View detailed information on host hardware components.
o Update firmware and drivers to maintain compatibility and performance.
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Benefits
• Improved Efficiency: Streamlines the process of managing ESXi host lifecycles from a central location.
• Enhanced Compliance: Helps ensure hosts meet security and regulatory standards.
• Better Visibility: Provides detailed insights into hardware and software components, aiding in proactive
management.
Best Practices
• Regular Updates: Frequently update baselines and apply patches to keep hosts secure and up-to-date.
• Compliance Monitoring: Continuously monitor host compliance to avoid potential security and regulatory
issues.
• Proactive Management: Use the hardware and software management features to proactively address
potential issues before they impact operations.

Upgrading ESXi Hosts Using VMware vSphere Lifecycle Manager

Steps to Upgrade ESXi Hosts

From the ESXi Perspective

Establish and attach a new baseline for updates.

Backup and Restore vCenter Server

Restore using vCenter setup media.

and complete the normal installation process.

Performance Monitoring

Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting VMware vCenter can encompass a broad range of issues, as vCenter is a complex product with
various components and dependencies. Here's a structured approach to troubleshooting vCenter:
1. Identify the Problem:
• Symptoms: Understand the specific issues being faced. Are there errors in the vCenter UI? Is vCenter
unresponsive? Are there issues with specific functionalities like vMotion or provisioning VMs?
2. Check vCenter Server Status:
• Services: Ensure all necessary VMware services are running.
• For Windows-based vCenter, check using the Services console.
• For vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA), check using the VAMI interface or service-control command.
• Logs: Examine the vCenter logs for any errors or warnings. The logs can be found at:
• Windows: C:\ProgramData\VMware\vCenterServer\logs
• VCSA: /var/log/vmware
3. Database Issues:
• Check the health of the database. Ensure there's enough space and that the database service is running.
• Look for database connection errors in the logs.
4. Networking:
• Connectivity: Test the network connectivity to the vCenter server using tools like ping and traceroute.
• Firewall: Ensure required ports for vCenter are open and not blocked by a firewall.
• DNS: Confirm that DNS resolution is working for the vCenter server and ESXi hosts.
5. Authentication:
• SSO (Single Sign-On): If there are authentication issues, check the status of the SSO service.
• AD/LDAP: If vCenter is integrated with Active Directory or another LDAP service, ensure it can connect and
authenticate users.
6. Performance:
• If vCenter is slow or unresponsive, check CPU, memory, and disk utilization.
• Monitor database performance, especially if the database is external.
7. Licensing:
• Confirm that licenses haven't expired.
• Ensure there are no errors related to licensing in the logs.
8. Integration with Other Components:
• If you're using solutions integrated with vCenter (like NSX, vSAN, etc.), check their status and logs.
9. Backup and Recovery:
• If there's a critical failure, consider restoring from a backup.
• Always make backups before making significant changes or upgrades.
10. Reach Out to VMware Support:
• If you can't identify the issue, consider creating a support bundle and contacting VMware support. The
support bundle contains logs and configurations that can help VMware support diagnose the issue.

Services
Component Service Name Alias Description Default
State
vCenter vCenter Server vpxd Core service of vCenter, enabling VM Running
provisioning, vMotion, DRS, etc.
VMware vmdir Manages Single Sign-On (SSO) Running
Directory Service capabilities and security tokens.
VMware Content content-library Manages content libraries: containers Running
Library for VM templates, vApp templates,
etc.
vCenter Profile- vpxd-profile Manages VM storage profiles and Running
Driven Storage associated policies (SPBM).
Service
VMware vCenter vmware-stsd Supports authentication services for Running
Identity Services VMware components.
VMware vSphere vmware- Automates tracking, patching, and Running
Update Manager updatemgr updating VMs, appliances, and ESXi
hosts.
VMware vmcad Manages certificates for vCenter Running
Certificate services ensuring secure
Authority communication.
vSphere Lifecycle vLCM Streamlines ESXi host lifecycle Running
Manager (v7 and management.
later)
ESXi Hostd hostd Manages most operations on the ESXi Running
host, including HA.
Vpxa vpxa Acts as a communication bridge Running
between the ESXi host and vCenter,
assisting in DRS operations.
Fdm fdm VMware High Availability (HA) service. Running (if
Manages VM restarts on other hosts in HA is
case of host failure. enabled)
vLockstep vLockstep Part of VMware Fault Tolerance. Running (if
Provides lockstep replication of VMs FT is
for zero downtime and data loss enabled)
protection.
ESXi Shell Service esx.shell Provides shell access to administer Stopped (can
ESXi hosts. be enabled)
VMware vSAN vsanvpd (vSAN Offers VASA provider services for Running (if
service VASA Provider) vSAN. vSAN is
enabled)
NTP Daemon ntpd Maintains time synchronization on Stopped (can
ESXi hosts. be enabled)

Establish SSH connection to ESXi host and vCenter.

To use SSH for connecting to an ESXi host, first activate SSH on the host, then employ an SSH client for the
connection. Follow these instructions to establish an SSH connection with an ESXi host:

After establishing an SSH connection to an ESXi host, you have the ability to deploy numerous commands for host
management and observation. Below is a list of typical SSH commands that can aid in the administration of ESXi:
ESXi Description Example
Command
esxcli system This command allows you Example: You run the command and get output similar to
version get to see the version and "VMware ESXi 6.7.0 build-8169922".
build number of your ESXi
host.
esxcli This command displays all Example: Running this command shows an output including
network ip network interfaces on interfaces like "vmk0", "vmk1", with their associated IP
interface list your ESXi host, along with addresses.
their respective IP
addresses.

esxcli With this command, you Example: The command output shows "DNS servers:
network ip can see the DNS servers 192.0.2.53, 203.0.113.53", indicating these are the configured
dns server that your ESXi host is DNS servers.
list configured to use.
esxcli storage This command reveals Example: Running this command might display devices like
core device the storage devices that "naa.6006016045502500a7e03a8b8b7ed411" with additional
list your ESXi host can access. information about the device.
esxcli storage Use this command to see Example: The output might include volumes like "datastore1",
vmfs extent the VMFS volumes and along with the extent information.
list their extents on your ESXi
host.
esxcli This command provides Example: You might see output like "CPU0, core 0, HT 0,
hardware detailed information Socket 0" which gives detailed info about each CPU.
cpu list about the CPUs on your
ESXi host.
esxcli You can use this Example: The command might output something like
hardware command to get the "Physical Memory: 32 GB", showing the total physical
memory get memory information memory.
from your ESXi host.
esxcli This command will show Example: Output may include VIBs like "esx-base", "vsan",
software vib you the installed VIBs each with version and installation dates.
list (vSphere Installation
Bundles) on your ESXi
host.
esxcli vm This command provides a Example: You might see an output including VM names like
process list list of the running virtual "vm1, vm2", with additional information such as World ID,
machines on your ESXi UUID, and display name.
host.
Keep in mind that the examples provided are for illustration purposes only and the real results will vary based on
your ESXi host's particular setup and condition.

vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA):

Action Command

List all services service-control --list

Start a service service-control --start [servicename]

Stop a service service-control --stop [servicename]

Restart a service service-control --restart [servicename]

List service dependencies service-control --list-dependencies [servicename]

List required services service-control --required-by [servicename]

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VMware VSphere Install Configure Manage V8 Lab 1734890594

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VMware VSphere Install Configure Manage V8 Lab 1734890594

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VMware vSphere Install, Configure, Manage | Lab Guide

VMware vSphere Install, Configure, Manage | Lab Guide

VM Cloning, Templating, and Snapshot in vSphere .................................................................................................... 73

vApp in VMware vSphere.......................................................................................................................................... 167

VMware vSphere Introduction:

ESXi Installation and Configuration:

1. Check hardware compatibility:

2. Download ESXi ISO image and burn to CD/DVD or USB drive:

3. Boot the server from the CD/DVD or USB drive:

6. Create a virtual machine:

7. Power on and access the virtual machine:

DNS Configuration for all ESXi Hosts and vCenter Servers

Press F11 to agree to the license.

Press F2 to sign in as the root user.

Set up the hostname and network configurations.

o vCenter includes performance monitoring features, such as vSphere Distributed Resource

vCenter Server 8.0 Installer interface, which provides

Configuring and managing using ESXi host.

• Based on the license you assign, additional features will be added.

Lockdown Mode and Auto Restart Option

Adding Local Users to ESXi Host

Steps to Add Local Users to ESXi Host

Add and Manage Datastore

Create new local datastore (VMFS) using ESXi

Extend Existing Datastore

Upload the ISO file to the datastore.

Begin by navigating to that store.

Next, transfer the ISO file to the OS Source directory.

Create and configure VM through ESXi02 host

3. Click the Create/Register VM button to create a new virtual machine.

8. Power on the VM to begin using it.

Creating a Virtual Machine in ESXi

Choose CPU Settings

Choose memory configurations.

Options for Hard Disk

Disk Provisioning: Options

VM files saved inside selected datastore.

Download and Install VMRC

Go to the VMware VMRC Download Page:

Visit the following URL: VMware VMRC Download Page.

Download VMRC Installer:

Once the download is complete, run the installer.

Follow the installation wizard to install VMRC on your system.

You can add that VM to the abdelwahed.me domain.

Set up VMware Tools.

Now VM tools looks installed.

Key Configuration Changes

Configuring and Managing ESXi Servers Using vCenter

vCenter Server: **vCenter01**

Adding ESXi hosts is now possible.

Remember to review the new folder option.

Both hosts have now been added.

Integrate vSphere with Active Directory

sign in using domain accounts and privileges

Now grant it01@abdelwahed.me permissions using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).

IT01 now has a full access.

Create VM using vCenter

Server Core 2022 is now installed.

Edit VM Settings from vCenter.

Hard drive now expanded to 22GB

Configuring NFS Server on Windows Server - NFS Datastore

Add ISCSI disk to both ESXi servers using vCenter.

Link the ISCSI software you installed to the network adapter.

Please proceed to upload files to the ISCSI storage.

Migrate VM to Another iSCSI Datastore

Cold Migration (Without vMotion)

Hot Migration (With vMotion)

Key Points About vSphere vMotion

o High-Speed Network Connection: A high-speed network connection between the hosts is

o License: vSphere Enterprise Plus license is required to use vMotion.

Best Practices for Using vMotion

Cold Migration Without the Need for vMotion

VM Migration (Power off required)

Live Migrate (vMotion needed)

VM Cloning, Templating, and Snapshot in vSphere

Steps to Create a Template:

vCenter Server: vCenter01