VMware ESXI - 6.0 Administrator’s Guide
vSphere Administration with the
vSphere Client
vCenter Server 6.0
ESXi 6.0
This document supports the version of each product listed and
supports all subsequent versions until the document is
replaced by a new edition. To check for more recent editions
of this document, see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs.
EN-001606-02
vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
You can find the most up-to-date technical documentation on the VMware Web site at:
http://www.vmware.com/support/
The VMware Web site also provides the latest product updates.
If you have comments about this documentation, submit your feedback to:
docfeedback@vmware.com
Copyright © 2016 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright and trademark information.
VMware, Inc.
3401 Hillview Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94304
www.vmware.com
2 VMware, Inc.
Contents
vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client 9
Updated Information 11
Using the vSphere Client 13
1
Start the vSphere Client and Log In 14
Stop the vSphere Client and Log Out 14
Status Bar and Recent Tasks 14
Getting Started Tabs 15
View Virtual Machine Console 15
Using Lists 16
Save vSphere Client Data 17
Panel Sections 17
Searching the vSphere Inventory 17
Custom Attributes 18
Select Objects 20
Manage vCenter Server Plug-Ins 20
Working with Active Sessions 21
Configuring ESXi Hosts and vCenter Server in the vSphere Client 23
2
Configuring ESXi Hosts 23
Configuring vCenter Server in the vSphere Client 26
Configuring Communication Among ESXi , vCenter Server, and the vSphere Client 32
Reboot or Shut Down an ESXi Host 32
Organizing Your Inventory 35
3
Create Datacenters 36
Add Hosts 37
Create Clusters 38
Create Resource Pools 38
Create Datastores 39
Create Host-Wide Networks 40
Create Datacenter-Wide Networks 40
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Managing License Keys in the vSphere Client 45
4
Licensing Limitations in the vSphere Client 45
Managing License Keys on ESXi Hosts 45
Managing License Keys on vCenter Server 47
Managing Tasks 51
5
Viewing Tasks 51
3
vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
Cancel a Task 53
Schedule Tasks 53
Policy Rules for Task Operations 57
Securing the Management Interface 59
6
Securing ESXi Hosts 59
Securing Virtual Machines 63
ESXi Authentication and User Management 69
7
Managing Users with the vSphere Client 69
Assigning Permissions for ESXi 72
Managing ESXi Roles 73
Using Active Directory to Manage ESXi Users 76
Use vSphere Authentication Proxy to Add a Host to a Domain 77
Adjust the Search List in Large Domains 78
Managing Hosts in vCenter Server 79
8
Disconnecting and Reconnecting a Host 79
Remove a Host from a Cluster 80
Remove a Managed Host from vCenter Server 81
Using vCenter Maps 83
9
Set the Maximum Number of Map Objects 84
View vCenter Maps 84
Print vCenter Maps 84
Export vCenter Maps 84
Creating a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 85
10
Start the Virtual Machine Creation Process in the vSphere Client 85
Select a Configuration Option for the New Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 86
Enter a Name and Location for the Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 87
Select a Host or Cluster in the vSphere Client 87
Select a Resource Pool in the vSphere Client 88
Select a Datastore in the vSphere Client 88
Select a Virtual Machine Version in the vSphere Client 89
Select an Operating System in the vSphere Client 89
Select the Number of Virtual CPUs in the vSphere Client 90
Configure Virtual Memory in the vSphere Client 90
Configure Networks in the vSphere Client 91
Select a SCSI Controller in the vSphere Client 92
Selecting a Virtual Disk Type 92
Complete Virtual Machine Creation in the vSphere Client 96
Working with Templates and Clones in the vSphere Client 97
11
Clone a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 97
Create a Scheduled Task to Clone a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 100
Create a Template in the vSphere Client 100
Deploy a Virtual Machine from a Template in the vSphere Client 103
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Change Template Name in the vSphere Client 105
Deleting Templates 106
Convert a Template to a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 107
Contents
Customizing Guest Operating Systems 109
12
Guest Operating System Customization Requirements 109
Configure a Script to Generate Computer Names and IP Addresses During Guest Operating
System Customization in the vSphere Client 110
Customize Windows During Cloning or Deployment in the vSphere Client 111
Customize Linux During Cloning or Deployment in the vSphere Client 113
Managing Customization Specifications in the vSphere Client 115
Migrating Virtual Machines in the vSphere Client 123
13
Migrate a Powered-On Virtual Machine with vMotion in the vSphere Client 124
Migrate a Virtual Machine with Storage vMotion in the vSphere Client 125
Migrate a Powered-Off or Suspended Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 126
CPU Compatibility and EVC 128
Deploying OVF Templates 133
14
Deploy an OVF Template in the vSphere Client 133
Export an OVF Template 134
Configuring Virtual Machines in the vSphere Client 137
15
Virtual Machine Limitations in the vSphere Client 138
Virtual Machine Hardware Versions 139
Locate the Hardware Version of a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 140
Change the Virtual Machine Name in the vSphere Client 141
View the Virtual Machine Configuration File Location in the vSphere Client 141
Edit Configuration File Parameters in the vSphere Client 141
Change the Configured Guest Operating System in the vSphere Client 142
Configure Virtual Machines to Automatically Upgrade VMware Tools 142
Virtual CPU Configuration 143
Virtual Memory Configuration 149
Network Virtual Machine Configuration 153
Parallel and Serial Port Configuration 154
Virtual Disk Configuration 160
SCSI and SATA Storage Controller Conditions, Limitations, and Compatibility 163
Other Virtual Machine Device Configuration 167
Configuring vServices 172
USB Configuration from an ESXi Host to a Virtual Machine 173
USB Configuration from a Client Computer to a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 177
Manage Power Management Settings for a Virtual Machine 180
Configure the Virtual Machine Power States 180
Delay the Boot Sequence in the vSphere Client 182
Enable Logging in the vSphere Client 182
Disable Acceleration in the vSphere Client 183
Configure Debugging and Statistics in the vSphere Client 183
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Managing Virtual Machines 185
16
Edit Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown Settings 185
Open a Console to a Virtual Machine 186
Adding and Removing Virtual Machines 186
Using Snapshots To Manage Virtual Machines 187
Managing Multi-Tiered Applications with vSphere vApp in the vSphere
17
Client 195
Create a vApp 196
Power On a vApp in the vSphere Client 197
Clone a vApp 198
Power Off a vApp in the vSphere Client 198
Suspend a vApp in the vSphere Client 198
Resume a vApp in the vSphere Client 199
Populate the vApp 199
Edit vApp Settings in the vSphere Client 200
Configuring IP Pools 204
Edit vApp Annotation in the vSphere Client 206
Monitoring Solutions with the vCenter Solutions Manager 207
18
Viewing Solutions 208
Monitoring Agents 208
Monitoring vServices 209
Using Host Profiles in the vSphere Client 211
19
Host Profiles Usage Model 211
Access Host Profiles View 212
Creating a Host Profile 212
Export a Host Profile 213
Import a Host Profile 214
Clone a Host Profile 214
Edit a Host Profile 214
Manage Profiles 217
Checking Compliance 220
Host Profiles and vSphere Auto Deploy 222
Networking in the vSphere Client 225
20
Networking Limitations in the vSphere Client 225
View Networking Information in the vSphere Client 226
View Network Adapter Information in the vSphere Client 226
Setting Up Networking with vSphere Standard Switches 227
Setting Up Networking with vSphere Distributed Switches 230
Managing Network Resources 247
21
vSphere Network I/O Control 247
TCP Segmentation Offload and Jumbo Frames 250
DirectPath I/O 252
Single Root I/O Virtualization (SR-IOV) 254
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Contents
Networking Policies 257
22
Applying Networking Policies on a vSphere Standard or Distributed Switch 257
Teaming and Failover Policy 259
VLAN Policy 267
Security Policy 269
Traffic Shaping Policy 273
Resource Allocation Policy 277
Monitoring Policy 278
Port Blocking Policies 279
Manage Policies for Multiple Port Groups on a vSphere Distributed Switch 279
Advanced Networking 285
23
Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) Support 285
VLAN Configuration 286
Working With Port Mirroring 286
Configure NetFlow Settings 293
Switch Discovery Protocol 293
Change the DNS and Routing Configuration 295
MAC Address Management 296
Managing Storage in the vSphere Client 299
24
Storage Limitations in the vSphere Client 300
Display Storage Devices for a Host in the vSphere Client 300
Display Storage Devices for an Adapter in the vSphere Client 301
View Storage Adapters Information in the vSphere Client 301
Review Datastore Information in the vSphere Client 301
Assign WWNs to Virtual Machines 301
Modify WWN Assignments 302
Set Up Networking for Software FCoE 303
Add Software FCoE Adapters 304
Disable Automatic Host Registration 304
Setting Up Independent Hardware iSCSI Adapters 305
Configuring Dependent Hardware iSCSI Adapters 306
Configuring Software iSCSI Adapters 308
Setting Up iSCSI Network 310
Using Jumbo Frames with iSCSI 315
Configuring Discovery Addresses for iSCSI Adapters 316
Configuring CHAP Parameters for iSCSI Adapters 317
Configure Advanced Parameters for iSCSI in the vSphere Client 320
Managing Storage Devices 321
Working with Datastores 322
Raw Device Mapping 332
Understanding Multipathing and Failover 333
Storage Hardware Acceleration 335
Storage Thin Provisioning 336
Using Storage Vendor Providers 338
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Resource Management for Single Hosts 341
25
Configuring Resource Allocation Settings 341
Administering CPU Resources 342
Administering Memory Resources 345
Managing Storage I/O Resources 349
Managing Resource Pools 352
Using DRS Clusters to Manage Resources 356
Creating a Datastore Cluster 368
Using Datastore Clusters to Manage Storage Resources 371
Using NUMA Systems with ESXi 379
Advanced Attributes 381
Creating and Using vSphere HA Clusters 383
26
vSphere HA Checklist 383
Creating and Configuring a vSphere HA Cluster 384
Customize an Individual Virtual Machine in the vSphere Client 389
Providing Fault Tolerance for Virtual Machines 391
27
Fault Tolerance Use Cases 391
Fault Tolerance Checklist 392
Preparing Your Cluster and Hosts for Fault Tolerance 393
Using Fault Tolerance 396
Viewing Information About Fault Tolerant Virtual Machines in the vSphere Client 398
Best Practices for Fault Tolerance 400
Monitoring a Single Host with the vSphere Client 403
28
View Charts 403
Working with Advanced and Custom Charts 403
Monitoring Host Health Status 406
Monitoring Events, Alarms, and Automated Actions 408
Viewing Solutions 422
Configure SNMP Settings for vCenter Server 423
System Log Files 424
Index 429
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
The vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client documentation provides information on managing a
single ESXi host or vCenter Server system through a direct connection from the vSphere Client. You can use
these tasks to manage hosts that are not connected to a vCenter Server system, or to troubleshoot or manage
hosts that have become disconnected from the vCenter Server system that managed them.
This documentation is intended primarily as a reference for tasks that you can perform when you connect
directly to a host or vCenter Server with the vSphere Client. For detailed information about vSphere
networking, storage, security, virtual machine management, and other topics, see the appropriate vSphere
documentation.
Intended Audience
This information is intended for anyone who wants to manage a single ESXi host or vCenter Server system
by connecting directly with the vSphere Client. The information is written for experienced Windows system
administrators who are familiar with virtual machine technology and datacenter operations.
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
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Updated Information
This vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client is updated with each release of the product or when
necessary.
This table provides the update history of the vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client .
Revision Description
EN-001606-02
EN-001606-01
EN-001606-00 Initial release.
Removed information related to vSphere Storage Appliance. This functionality is deprecated in
n
vSphere 6.0.
Added a note to Chapter 1, “Using the vSphere Client,” on page 13 about enabling an Active
n
Directory user.
Removed information related to Storage Views and Storage Reports. This functionality is deprecated
n
inv Sphere 6.0.
Updated the number of LUN IDs in “Change the Number of Scanned Storage Devices,” on page 322
n
Added licensing limitation topic “Licensing Limitations in the vSphere Client,” on page 45.
n
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
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Using the vSphere Client 1
The vSphere Client is an interface for administering vCenter Server and ESXi.
The vSphere Client user interface is configured based on the server to which it is connected:
When the server is a vCenter Server system, the vSphere Client displays all the options available to the
n
vSphere environment, according to the licensing configuration and the user permissions.
When the server is an ESXi host, the vSphere Client displays only the options appropriate to single host
n
management.
NOTE If you want to enable an Active Directory user to log in to a vCenter Server instance by using the
vSphere Client with SSPI, you must join the vCenter Server instance to the Active Directory domain. For
information on how to join a vCenter Server Appliance with an external Platform Services Controller to an
Active Directory domain, see the VMware knowledge base article at http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2118543.
When you first log in to the vSphere Client, it displays a Home page with icons that you select to access
vSphere Client functions. When you log out of the vSphere Client, the client application retains the view
that was displayed when it closed, and returns you to that view when you next log in.
You perform many management tasks from the Inventory view, which consists of a single window
containing a menu bar, a navigation bar, a toolbar, a status bar, a panel section, and pop-up menus.
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This chapter includes the following topics:
“Start the vSphere Client and Log In,” on page 14
n
“Stop the vSphere Client and Log Out,” on page 14
n
“Status Bar and Recent Tasks,” on page 14
n
“Getting Started Tabs,” on page 15
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“View Virtual Machine Console,” on page 15
n
“Using Lists,” on page 16
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“Save vSphere Client Data,” on page 17
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“Panel Sections,” on page 17
n
“Searching the vSphere Inventory,” on page 17
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“Custom Attributes,” on page 18
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“Select Objects,” on page 20
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“Manage vCenter Server Plug-Ins,” on page 20
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“Working with Active Sessions,” on page 21
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13
vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
Start the vSphere Client and Log In
The vSphere Client is a graphical user interface for ESXi host and vCenter Server management.
A login screen appears when you start the vSphere Client. After you log in, the client displays the objects
and functionality appropriate to the server you are accessing and the permissions available to the user you
logged in as.
Procedure
1 Log in to your Windows system.
If this is the first time you are starting the vSphere Client, log in as the administrator.
If the managed host is not a domain controller, log in as either local_host_name\user or user, where
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user is a member of the local Administrators group.
If the managed host is a domain controller, you must log in as domain\user, where domain is the
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domain name for which the managed host is a controller and user is a member of that domain’s
Domain Administrators group. VMware does not recommend running on a domain controller.
2 Double-click a shortcut or select the vSphere Client from Start > Programs > VMware > VMware
vSphere Client.
3 Enter the IP address or server name, your user name, and your password.
4 Click Login to continue.
You are now connected to the host.
NOTE If you connect to an ESXi host that is currently managed by a vCenter Server system, you will receive
a warning message and changes made to the host may not be reflected in the vCenter Server system
Stop the vSphere Client and Log Out
When you no longer need to view or alter the activities that the ESXi host or vCenter Server system is
performing, log out of the vSphere Client.
NOTE Closing a vSphere Client session does not stop the host system.
Procedure
Click the close box (X) , or select File > Exit.
u
The vSphere Client shuts down. The vSphere Client is logged out of the ESXi host or vCenter Server system.
The host continues to run all its normal activities in the background.
Status Bar and Recent Tasks
Use the status bar to view information about recently completed or active tasks.
The status bar appears at the bottom of the window. It displays any currently running or recently completed
active tasks. Included is a progress bar indicating the percentage complete of each task.
14 VMware, Inc.
Getting Started Tabs
In the case where ESXi or vCenter Server is newly installed and no inventory objects have been added, the
Getting Started tabs guide you through the steps of adding items to the inventory and setting up the virtual
environment.
Disable Getting Started Tabs on page 15
n
You can disable the Getting Started tabs if you do not want to display them.
Restore Getting Started Tabs on page 15
n
If you turned off the display of the Getting Started tabs, you can restore the settings to display these
tabs for all inventory objects.
Disable Getting Started Tabs
You can disable the Getting Started tabs if you do not want to display them.
You can disable the tabs in the following ways.
Procedure
Click the Close Tab link to disable Getting Started tabs for the type of object selected.
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Chapter 1 Using the vSphere Client
Change the vSphere Client settings to hide all Getting Started tabs.
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a Select Edit > Client Settings.
b Select the General tab.
c Deselect the Show Getting Started Tabs check box and click OK.
Restore Getting Started Tabs
If you turned off the display of the Getting Started tabs, you can restore the settings to display these tabs for
all inventory objects.
Procedure
1 Select Edit > Client Settings.
2 Click the General tab.
3 Select Show Getting Started Tabs and click OK.
View Virtual Machine Console
The console of a powered-on virtual machine is available through a connected server. All console
connections to the virtual machine see the same information. The message line indicates the number of
active connections viewing the virtual machine.
Procedure
1 Select a powered-on virtual machine.
2 In the Information panel, click the Console tab.
3 (Optional) Click the pop-out icon in the navigation bar to show the virtual machine console in a
separate window.
4 (Optional) Press Ctrl+Alt+Enter to enter or exit full screen mode.
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
Using Lists
Many vSphere Client inventory tabs display lists of information.
For example, the Virtual Machines tab displays a list of all the virtual machines associated with a host or a
cluster. Sort any list in the vSphere Client by clicking the column label heading. A triangle in the column
head shows the sort order as ascending or descending.
You can also filter a list, sorting and including only selected items. A filter is sorted by a keyword. Select the
columns to include in the search for the keyword.
Filter a List View
You can filter a list if it is too long, or if you are looking for specific items in the list. For example, you can
filter a list of alarms for alarms that begin with the word "datastore". You can show and hide the filter field
by using the Filtering option in the View menu.
The list view is updated based on whether filtering is on or off. For example, if you are in the Virtual
Machines tab and the filtered text is “powered on", then only virtual machines whose state is set to powered
on will be displayed. If the state of any virtual machine changes, the virtual machine is removed from the
list. Virtual machines that are added to the list are also filtered.
Procedure
1 On any inventory panel that displays a list, click the arrow next to the filter box at the top right of the
pane.
2 Select the attributes on which to filter.
3 Enter search criteria into the filter field.
The search automatically starts after a pause of more than one second. Neither boolean expressions nor
special characters are supported. Filtering is not case-sensitive.
4 (Optional) Click Clear to clear the filter field.
Export a List
You can export a list in the vSphere Client to a file. Multiple file types are available when saving the file
locally.
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client, navigate to a list view. For example, click the Virtual Machines tab when
viewing a host.
2 Select File > Export > Export List.
3 Type a filename and select a file type.
4 Click Save.
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Save vSphere Client Data
The vSphere Client user interface is similar to a browser. Most user actions are persistent in the ESXi host
and vCenter Server data that appears. You typically do not have to save the data.
Procedure
You can save the client data by either printing a copy of the window or exporting the server data.
u
Option Description
Copy the window
Export server data
Panel Sections
The body of the vSphere Client page has a panel section. Most views have a left and a right panel: the
Inventory panel and the Information panel.
You can resize these panels.
Chapter 1 Using the vSphere Client
Use the Microsoft Windows Print Screen option to print a copy of the
vSphere Client window.
Select File > Export and select a format in which to save the data. Open the
data in an appropriate application and print from that application.
Inventory panel
Information panels
Displays a hierarchical list of vSphere objects when an Inventory or Maps
view appears.
Display lists and charts. Depending on the navigation items or Inventory
item selected, the Information panel is divided into tabbed elements.
Searching the vSphere Inventory
When you are connected to a vCenter Server system with the vSphere Client, you can search the vSphere
inventory for virtual machines, hosts, datastores, networks, or folders that match specified criteria.
If the vSphere Client is connected to a vCenter Server system that is part of a connected group in vCenter
Linked Mode, you can search the inventories of all vCenter Server systems in that group. You can view and
search only for inventory objects that you have permission to view. Because the search service queries
Active Directory for information about user permissions, you must be logged in to a domain account to
search all vCenter Server systems in Linked Mode. If you log in using a local account, searches return results
only for the local vCenter Server system, even if it is joined to other servers in Linked Mode.
NOTE If your permissions change while you are logged in, the search service might not immediately
recognize these changes. To ensure that your search is performed with up-to-date permissions, log out of all
your open sessions and log in again before performing the search.
Perform a Simple Search
A simple search searches all the properties of the specified type or types of objects for the entered search
term.
Procedure
1 Click the icon in the search field at the top right of the vSphere Client window and select the type of
inventory item to search for.
Virtual Machines
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Hosts
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
Folders
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Datastores
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Networks
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Inventory, which finds matches to the search criteria in any of the available managed object types.
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2 Type one or more search terms into the search field and press Enter.
3 (Optional) If more items are found than can be displayed in the results pane, click Show all.
What to do next
If you are not satisfied with the results of the simple search, perform an advanced search.
Perform an Advanced Search
Using advanced search allows you to search for managed objects that meet multiple criteria. For example,
you can search for virtual machines matching a particular search string which reside on hosts whose names
match a second search string.
Prerequisites
Open a vSphere Client session to a vCenter Server system
n
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client, select View > Inventory > Search to display the advanced search page.
2 Click the icon in the search text box and select the type of object you want to search for.
3 Type one or more search terms into the search text box.
4 (Optional) Refine the search based on additional properties.
a Click Show options.
b From the drop-down menu, select the additional property that you want to use to restrict the
search results. The available properties depend on the type of object you are searching for.
c Select or type the appropriate options for the property you have selected.
d To add more properties, click Add and repeat steps a through c.
An advanced search always finds objects that match all the properties in the list.
5 Click Search.
The search results are displayed below the search specification.
Custom Attributes
You can use custom attributes to associate user-specific meta-information with virtual machines and
managed hosts.
Attributes are the resources that are monitored and managed for all the managed hosts and virtual
machines in your vSphere environment. Attributes’ status and states appear on the inventory panels.
After you create the attributes, set the value for the attribute on each virtual machine or managed host, as
appropriate. This value is stored with vCenter Server and not with the virtual machine or managed host.
Use the new attribute to filter information about your virtual machines and managed hosts. If you no longer
need the custom attribute, remove it. A custom attribute is always a string.
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Chapter 1 Using the vSphere Client
For example, suppose you have a set of products and you want to sort them by sales representative. Create a
custom attribute for sales person name, Name. Add the custom attribute, Name, column to one of the list
views. Add the appropriate name to each product entry. Click the column title Name to sort alphabetically.
The custom attributes feature is available only when you are connected to a vCenter Server system.
Add Custom Attributes on page 19
n
You can create custom attributes to associate with virtual machines or managed hosts.
Edit a Custom Attribute on page 19
n
You can edit custom attributes and add annotations for a virtual machine or host from the Summary
tab for the object. Annotations can be used to provide additional descriptive text or comments for an
object.
Add Custom Attributes
You can create custom attributes to associate with virtual machines or managed hosts.
Procedure
1 Select Administration > Custom Attributes.
This option is not available when connected only to an ESXi host.
2 Click Add.
3 Enter the values for the custom attribute.
a Type the name of the attribute in the Name text box.
b Select the attribute type from the Type drop-down menu: Virtual Machine, Host, or Global.
c In the Value text box, type the value you want to give to the attribute for the currently selected
object.
d Click OK.
After you have defined an attribute on a single virtual machine or host, it is available to all objects
of that type in the inventory. However, the value you specify is applied only to the currently
selected object.
4 (Optional) To change the attribute name, click in the Name field and type the name you want to assign
to the attribute.
5 Click OK.
Edit a Custom Attribute
You can edit custom attributes and add annotations for a virtual machine or host from the Summary tab for
the object. Annotations can be used to provide additional descriptive text or comments for an object.
Procedure
1 Select the virtual machine or host in the inventory.
2 Click the Summary tab for the virtual machine or host.
3 In the Annotations box, click the Edit link.
The Edit Custom Attributes dialog box appears.
4 To edit the value of an attribute that has already been defined, double-click the Value field for that
attribute and enter the new value.
5 Click OK to save your changes.
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
Select Objects
vCenter Server objects are datacenters, networks, datastores, resource pools, clusters, hosts, and virtual
machines. Selecting an object allows you to view the status of the object and enables the menus so you can
select actions to take on the object.
Procedure
Locate the object by browsing or search.
u
From the vSphere Client Home page, click the icon for the appropriate inventory view, and browse
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through the inventory hierarchy to select the object.
Perform a search for the object, and double-click it in the search results.
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Manage vCenter Server Plug-Ins
After the server component of a plug-in is installed and registered with vCenter Server, its client component
is available to vSphere clients. Client component installation and enablement are managed through the
Plug-in Manager dialog box.
The Plug-in Manager lets you perform the following actions:
View available plug-ins that are not currently installed on the client.
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View installed plug-ins.
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Download and install available plug-ins.
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Enable and disable installed plug-ins.
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Install Plug-Ins
You can install plug-ins using the Plug-in Manager.
Procedure
1 Launch the vSphere Client and log in to a vCenter Server system.
2 Select Plug-ins > Manage Plug-ins.
3 Select the Available Plug-ins tab in the Plug-in Manager dialog box.
4 Click Download and Install for the plug-in you want.
5 Follow the prompts in the installation wizard.
6 After installation is complete, verify that the plug-in is listed under the Installed Plug-ins tab and that
it is enabled.
There might be short delay between the completion of the installation and the plug-in appearing in the
list of installed plug-ins.
Disable and Enable Plug-Ins
You can disable or enable plug-ins using the Plug-in Manager.
Disabling a plug-in does not remove it from the client. You must uninstall the plug-in to remove it.
Procedure
1 Launch the vSphere Client and log in to a vCenter Server system.
2 Select Plug-ins > Manage Plug-ins.
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Chapter 1 Using the vSphere Client
3 Select the Installed tab in the Plug-in Manager dialog box.
4 Right-click on a plug-in and select Enable to enable a plug-in, or select Disable to disable it.
Remove Plug-Ins
You can remove plug-ins through the operating system’s control panel.
Procedure
Consult your operating system’s documentation for instructions on how to use the Add/Remove
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Programs control panel.
Troubleshooting vCenter Server Plug-Ins
In cases where vCenter Server plug-ins are not working, you have several options to correct the problem.
vCenter Server plug-ins that run on the Tomcat server have extension.xml files, which contain the URL
where the corresponding Web application can be accessed. These files are located in C:\Program
Files\VMware\Infrastructure\VirtualCenter Server\extensions. Extension installers populate these XML
files using the DNS name for the machine.
Example from the stats extension.xml file: <url>https://SPULOV-XP-VM12.vmware.com:
8443/statsreport/vicr.do</url>.
vCenter Server, plug-in servers, and the clients that use them must be located on systems under the same
domain. If they are not under the same domain, or if the DNS of the plug-in server is changed, the plug-in
clients will not be able to access the URL, and the plug-in will not work.
You can edit the XML files manually by replacing the DNS name with an IP address. Reregister the plug-in
after you edit its extension.xml file.
Working with Active Sessions
You can view a list of users who are logged in to a vCenter Server system when your vSphere Client is
connected to that server. You can end sessions, and you can send a message to all users logged on to an
active session.
These features are not available when your vSphere Client is connected to an ESXi host.
View Active Sessions
You can view active sessions on the home page of a vSphere Client.
Procedure
From the Home page of a vSphere Client connected to a vCenter Server system, click the Sessions
u
button.
Terminate Active Sessions
Terminating an active session ends the vSphere Client session and any remote console connections started
by the user during the session.
Procedure
1 On the Home page of a vSphere Client connected to a vCenter Server system, click the Sessions button.
2 Right-click a session and select Terminate Session.
3 Click OK to confirm the termination.
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Send a Message to All Active Users
You can send a Message of the Day to all active session users and to new users when they log into the
vSphere Client.
The Message of the day text is sent as a notice message to all active session users and to new users when
they log in.
Procedure
1 On the Home page of a vSphere Client connected to a vCenter Server system, click the Sessions button.
2 Type a message in the Message of the day field.
3 Click Change.
The message is broadcast to all users logged into the vSphere Client.
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Configuring ESXi Hosts and vCenter
Server in the vSphere Client 2
Use the vSphere Client to configure ESXi and vCenter Server settings.
This chapter includes the following topics:
“Configuring ESXi Hosts,” on page 23
n
“Configuring vCenter Server in the vSphere Client,” on page 26
n
“Configuring Communication Among ESXi, vCenter Server, and the vSphere Client,” on page 32
n
“Reboot or Shut Down an ESXi Host,” on page 32
n
Configuring ESXi Hosts
You can perform a variety of host configuration tasks when you connect directly to an ESXi host or
vCenter Server system with the vSphere Client, such as setting the scratch partition, redirecting the direct
console, and configuring syslog.
Host Limitations in the vSphere Client
The host configuration tasks that you can perform when you connect directly to an ESXi host or
vCenter Server system with the vSphere Client are limited.
The following host features are unavailable or read-only in the vSphere Client
Deleted file reclamation
n
Guest authorization
n
Host profiles reference host independence
n
Lockdown mode
n
Use the vSphere Web Client as the primary interface for managing the full range of host functions available
in your vSphere 6.0 environment.
Redirect the Direct Console to a Serial Port by Using the vSphere Client
You can redirect the direct console to either of the serial ports com1 or com2. When you use the vSphere
Client to redirect the direct console to a serial port, the boot option that you set persists after subsequent
reboots.
Prerequisites
Verify that you can access the host from the vSphere Client.
n
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
Verify that the serial port is not already in use for serial logging and debugging, or for ESX Shell
n
(tty1Port).
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory.
2 Click the Configuration tab.
3 Under Software, click Advanced Settings.
4 In the left pane, expand the VMkernel listing and select Boot.
5 Make sure that the VMkernel.Boot.logPort and VMkernel.Boot.gdbPort fields are not set to use the
com port that you want to redirect the direct console to.
6 Set VMkernel.Boot.tty2Port to the serial port to redirect the direct console to: com1 or com2.
7 Click OK.
8 Reboot the host.
You can now manage the ESXi host remotely from a console that is connected to the serial port.
Set the Scratch Partition in the vSphere Client
If a scratch partition is not set up, you might want to configure one, especially if low memory is a concern.
When a scratch partition is not present, vm-support output is stored in a ramdisk.
Prerequisites
The directory to use for the scratch partition must exist on the host.
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory.
2 Click the Configuration tab.
3 Under Software, click Advanced Settings.
4 Select ScratchConfig.
The field ScratchConfig.CurrentScratchLocation shows the current location of the scratch partition.
5 In the field ScratchConfig.ConfiguredScratchLocation, enter a directory path that is unique for this
host.
6 Reboot the host for the changes to take effect.
Configure Syslog on ESXi Hosts
All ESXi hosts run a syslog service (vmsyslogd), which logs messages from the VMkernel and other system
components to log files.
You can use the vSphere Client or the esxcli system syslog vCLI command to configure the syslog service.
For more information about using vCLI commands, see Getting Started with vSphere Command-Line Interfaces.
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client inventory, select the host.
2 Click the Configuration tab.
3 In the Software panel, click Advanced Settings.
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Chapter 2 Configuring ESXi Hosts and vCenter Server in the vSphere Client
4 Select Syslog in the tree control.
5 To set up logging globally, click global and make changes to the fields on the right.
Option Description
Syslog.global.defaultRotate
Syslog.global.defaultSize
Syslog.global.LogDir
Syslog.global.logDirUnique
Syslog.global.LogHost
Sets the maximum number of archives to keep. You can set this number
globally and for individual subloggers.
Sets the default size of the log, in KB, before the system rotates logs. You
can set this number globally and for individual subloggers.
Directory where logs are stored. The directory can be located on mounted
NFS or VMFS volumes. Only the /scratch directory on the local file
system is persistent across reboots. The directory should be specified as
[datastorename] path_to_file where the path is relative to the root of the
volume backing the datastore. For example, the path
[storage1] /systemlogs maps to the
path /vmfs/volumes/storage1/systemlogs.
Selecting this option creates a subdirectory with the name of the ESXi host
under the directory specified by Syslog.global.LogDir. A unique directory
is useful if the same NFS directory is used by multiple ESXi hosts.
Remote host to which syslog messages are forwarded and port on which
the remote host receives syslog messages. You can include the protocol
and the port, for example, ssl://hostName1:514. UDP (default), TCP,
and SSL are supported. The remote host must have syslog installed and
correctly configured to receive the forwarded syslog messages. See the
documentation for the syslog service installed on the remote host for
information on configuration.
6 (Optional) To overwrite the default log size and log rotation for any of the logs.
a Click loggers.
b Click the name of the log you that want to customize and enter the number of rotations and log
size you want.
7 Click OK.
Changes to the syslog options take effect immediately.
Set the Host Image Profile Acceptance Level
The Host Image Profile acceptance level determines which vSphere installation bundles (VIBs) are accepted
for installation.
VIB signatures are checked and accepted for installation based on a combination of the VIB acceptance level
and the host image profile acceptance level. VIBs are tagged with an acceptance level that depends on their
signature status.
Prerequisites
Required privileges: Host.Configuration.SecurityProfile and Host.Configuration.Firewall
Procedure
1 In the vSphere Client, select the host in the inventory.
2 Under Software, click Security Profile.
3 Under Host Image Profile Acceptance Level, click Edit.
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4 Select the acceptance level and click OK.
Table 2‑1. Host Image Profile Acceptance Levels
Host Image Profile Acceptance Level Accepted Levels of VIBs
VMware Certified VMware Certified
VMware Accepted VMware Certified, VMware Accepted
Partner Supported VMware Certified, VMware Accepted, Partner
Supported
Community Supported VMware Certified, VMware Accepted, Partner
Supported, Community Supported
Configuring vCenter Server in the vSphere Client
Use the vCenter Server Settings dialog box to configure licensing, statistics collection, logging and other
settings.
vCenter Server Limitations in the vSphere Client
The vCenter Server tasks that you can perform when you connect directly to vCenter Server with the
vSphere Client are limited.
The following vCenter Server features are unavailable or read-only in the vSphere Client:
Runtime settings
n
Licensing reports
n
Certificate management
n
Creating and managing categories and tags
n
Use the vSphere Web Client as the primary interface for managing the full range of vCenter Server functions
available in your vSphere 6.0 environment.
Configure License Settings for vCenter Server
You must configure a license to use vCenter Server. License keys are required for various vSphere
components and features.
Prerequisites
To configure licenses, the vSphere Client must be connected to a vCenter Server system.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
2 If the vCenter Server system is part of a connected group, select the server you want to configure from
the Current vCenter Server drop-down menu.
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Chapter 2 Configuring ESXi Hosts and vCenter Server in the vSphere Client
3 In the vCenter License section, select the type of license key to assign to this vCenter Server.
Select Assign an existing license key to this vCenter Server and select a license key from the
n
Product list.
Select Assign a new license key to this vCenter Server, click Enter Key, and enter a
n
vCenter Server license key and an optional label for the key.
NOTE To enter ESXi host license keys, select View > Administration > Licensing
.
Configure Statistics Intervals
Statistic intervals determine the frequency at which statistic queries occur, the length of time statistical data
is stored in the database, and the type of statistical data collected.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
NOTE Not all interval attributes are configurable.
Prerequisites
To configure statistics settings, the vSphere Client must be connected to a vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > Settings to open the vCenter Server Settings dialog box
vCenter Server.
2 In the navigation panel, select Statistics.
3 In the Statistics Intervals section, select or deselect a collection interval to enable or disable it.
Enabling a longer interval automatically enables all shorter intervals.
4 To change a collection interval attribute, select its row in the Statistics Interval section and click Edit to
open the Edit Collection Interval dialog box.
a In Keep Samples for, select an archive length.
This option is configurable only for the Day and Year intervals.
b In Statistics Interval, select an interval duration.
This option is configurable only for the Day interval.
c In Statistics Level select a new level interval level.
Level 4 uses the highest number of statistics counters. Use it only for debugging purposes.
The statistics level must be less than or equal to the statistics level set for the preceeding statistics
interval. This is a vCenter Server dependency.
5 (Optional) In the Database Size section, estimate the effect of the statistics settings on the database.
a Enter the number of Physical Hosts.
b Enter the number of Virtual Machines.
The estimated space required and number of database rows required are calculated and displayed.
c If necessary, make changes to your statistics collection settings.
6 Click OK.
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Configure Runtime Settings
You can change the vCenter Server ID and the vCenter Server Managed IP address. Usually, you do not
need to change these settings, but you might need to make changes if you run multiple vCenter Server
systems in the same environment.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Prerequisites
To configure runtime settings, the vSphere Client must be connected to the vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
2 If the vCenter Server system is part of a connected group, select the server you want to configure from
the Current vCenter Server drop-down menu.
3 In the navigation panel, select Runtime Settings.
4 In vCenter Server Unique ID, enter a unique ID.
You can change this value to a number from 0 through 63 to uniquely identify each vCenter Server
system running in a common environment. By default, an ID value is generated randomly.
5 In vCenter Server Managed IP, enter the vCenter Server system IP address.
6 In vCenter Server Name, enter the name of the vCenter Server system.
If you change the DNS name of the vCenter Server, use this option to modify the vCenter Server name
to match.
7 Click OK to save your changes and close the dialog box.
What to do next
If you made changes to the vCenter Server system Unique ID, you must restart the vCenter Server system
for these changes to take effect.
Configure Active Directory Settings
You can configure some of the ways vCenter Server interacts with the Active Directory server.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Prerequisites
To configure active directory settings, the vSphere Client must be connected to the vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
2 In the navigation pane, select Active Directory.
3 In Active Directory Timeout, enter the timeout interval in seconds for connecting to the Active
Directory server.
4 Select Enable Query Limit to limit the number of users and groups displayed in the Add Permissions
dialog box.
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Chapter 2 Configuring ESXi Hosts and vCenter Server in the vSphere Client
5 In Users & Groups, enter the maximum number of users and groups to display.
If you enter 0 (zero), all users and groups appear.
6 Select Enable Validation to have vCenter Server periodically check its known users and groups against
the Active Directory server.
7 In Validation Period, enter the number of minutes between instances of synchronization.
8 Click OK to save your changes and close the dialog box.
Configure Mail Sender Settings
You must configure the email address of the sender account in order to enable vCenter Server operations,
such as sending email notifications as alarm actions.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Prerequisites
To configure SMTP notifications, the vSphere Client must be connected to the vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
2 In the navigation pane, select Mail.
3 Enter the SMTP server information.
The SMTP Server is the DNS name or IP address of the SMTP gateway to use for sending email
messages
4 Enter the sender account information.
The Sender Account is the email message address of the sender.
NOTE The full email address must be entered, including the domain name (the information after the @
sign).
For example, mail_server@datacenter.com.
5 Click OK.
What to do next
To test the mail settings, create an alarm that can be triggered by a user action, such as an alarm triggered by
powering off a virtual machine, and verify that you receive an email when the alarm is triggered.
Configure SNMP Settings
You can configure up to four receivers to receive SNMP traps from vCenter Server. For each receiver,
specify a host name, port, and community.
Prerequisites
To configure SNMP settings, the vSphere Client must be connected to a vCenter Server system.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
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vSphere Administration with the vSphere Client
2 In the settings list, select SNMP.
3 In Receiver URL, enter the host name or IP address of the SNMP receiver.
4 In the field next to the Receiver URL field, enter the port number of the receiver.
The port number must be a value between 1 and 65535.
5 In Community String, enter the community identifier.
6 Click OK.
Configure Timeout Settings
You can configure the timeout intervals for vCenter Server operations. These intervals specify the amount of
time after which the vSphere Client times out.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Prerequisites
To configure timeout settings, the vSphere Client must be connected to the vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
2 In the navigation pane, select Timeout Settings.
3 In Normal Operations, enter the timeout interval in seconds for normal operations.
Do not set the value to zero (0).
4 In Long Operations, enter the timeout interval in minutes for long operations.
Do not set the value to zero (0).
5 Click OK.
6 Restart the vCenter Server system for the changes to take effect.
Configure Logging Options
You can configure the amount of detail that vCenter Server collects in log files.
Required privilege: Global.Settings
Prerequisites
To configure statistics settings, the vSphere Client must be connected to a vCenter Server system.
Procedure
1 If necessary, select Administration > vCenter Server Settings to display the vCenter Server Settings
dialog box.
2 In the navigation pane, select Logging Options.
3 From the vCenter Server Logging list, select logging options.
Option Description
None (Disable logging)
Error (Errors only)
Warning (Errors and warnings)
30 VMware, Inc.
Turn off logging
Display only error log entries
Display warning and error log entries
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