VMware GSX 3 User Manual

Administration Guide

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The VMware Web site also provides the latest product updates.

Copyright © 1998-2005 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. Protected by one or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,397,242, 6,496,847, 6,704,925, 6,711,672, 6,725,289, 6,735,601, 6,785,886, 6,789,156 and 6,795,966; patents pending. VMware, the VMware “boxes” logo and design, Virtual SMP and VMotion are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Revision 20050707 Version: 3.2 Item: GSX-ENG-Q205-089

Table of Contents

Introduction and System Requirements ____________________________9

VMware GSX Server: Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for x86-Based Servers ____________________________________________10 Welcome to VMware GSX Server ___________________________________12

Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for Intel-Based Servers ___________13

What’s New in Version 3 __________________________________________14

Features in Version 3.2 _________________________________________14 Critical Bugs Fixed in GSX Server 3.2 ______________________________15 Features in Version 3.1 _________________________________________15 Critical Bugs Fixed in GSX Server 3.1 ______________________________16 Features in Version 3 __________________________________________17 Before You Install the Release ___________________________________21 If You Are Upgrading from an Earlier Version of GSX Server _____________ 23 Reinstall VMware Tools _________________________________________23

Host System Requirements ________________________________________24

Server Requirements __________________________________________24

Remote Client Requirements ____________________________________30 Virtual Machine Specifications _____________________________________32 Supported Guest Operating Systems ________________________________35 Technical Support Resources ______________________________________37

Self-Service Support __________________________________________37

Online and Telephone Support __________________________________37

Support Offerings ____________________________________________37

Reporting Problems ___________________________________________37

Log Files ____________________________________________________39

Installing VMware GSX Server ___________________________________ 43

Selecting Your Host System _____________________________________43

About the VMware Virtual Machine Console on the Server _____________ 44 Installing VMware GSX Server on a Windows Host ______________________45

Basic Installation ______________________________________________46

Default Directories ____________________________________________48

Installing the GSX Server Software on a Windows Host ________________48 Installing VMware GSX Server on a Linux Host _________________________55

Basic Installation ______________________________________________56

Default Directories ____________________________________________ 58 Installing the GSX Server Software on a Linux Host ___________________59 Installing the VMware Management Interface on a Linux Host __________63 Installing an X Server __________________________________________ 64 Before You Install on a SuSE Linux 7.1 or Higher or SLES Host ___________64 Before You Install on a SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 Host _____________65 Before You Install the VMware Management Interface on a Linux Host ______________________________________________65

Configuring Web Browsers for Use with GSX Server _____________________67

Launching the VMware Virtual Machine Console from the Management Interface on an Encrypted Server ______________ 67 Connecting to the Management Interface on a Proxy Server ___________68 Launching Help in Netscape on a Linux System _____________________69

Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console ________________________ 70

Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Windows Host ___________________________________________ 70 Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Linux Host _________73

Installing the VMware Scripting APIs ________________________________75

Installing the VmPerl and VmCOM Scripting APIs on a Windows Host ___________________________________________ 75 Installing the VmPerl Scripting API on a Linux Host ___________________78

Uninstalling VMware GSX Server ___________________________________ 80

Uninstalling GSX Server on a Windows Host ________________________80 Uninstalling GSX Server on a Linux Host ___________________________85

Upgrading VMware GSX Server _________________________________ 87

Preparing for the Upgrade ________________________________________ 88

Before You Install VMware GSX Server _____________________________88

When You Remove an Existing Version and Install the New Version ______90 Upgrading on a Windows Host ____________________________________91 Upgrading on a Linux Host ________________________________________ 92 Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 2 under Version 3 ____________93

Creating Everything New from the Start ___________________________93

Using an Existing Virtual Machine without Upgrading

the Virtual Hardware __________________________________________93

Using an Existing Virtual Machine and Upgrading

the Virtual Hardware __________________________________________94

Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System ___________94

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Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 1 under Version 3 ___________103

Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System __________ 103

Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host _______ 107

Remotely Managing Virtual Machines ______________________________ 108

Changing the Port Number for VMware Virtual Machine Console Connections __________________109 Downloading the VMware Virtual Machine Console _________________111

Securing Virtual Machines and the Host _____________________________114

Understanding Permissions and Virtual Machines ___________________114 Authenticating Users and Running Virtual Machines on a GSX Server for Windows Host ______________________________117 Authenticating Users and Running Virtual Machines on a GSX Server for Linux Host __________________________________119 Checking Permissions in the VMware Management Interface __________ 121 Securing Your Remote Sessions _________________________________121

Identifying a Virtual Machine by Its UUID ____________________________123

Specifying a UUID for a Virtual Machine ___________________________124 Logging GSX Server Events on Windows ____________________________ 125 Backing Up Virtual Machines and the GSX Server Host _________________ 127

Using a Backup Agent in the Virtual Machine ______________________127

Using a Backup Agent Running on the Host Operating System ________ 127

Backing Up the GSX Server Host ________________________________128

Considerations for Backing Up Virtual Machines ____________________ 128 Using the VMware Management Interface ___________________________129

Setting the Session Length for the VMware Management Interface _____130

Logging On to the VMware Management Interface _________________131

Using the Status Monitor ______________________________________132

Configuring a Virtual Machine __________________________________137

The Apache Server and the VMware Management Interface __________147

Logging Off of the VMware Management Interface _________________ 147 Deleting Virtual Machines ________________________________________148

Deleting a Virtual Machine Using

the VMware Virtual Machine Console ____________________________148

Deleting a Virtual Machine Using

the VMware Management Interface _____________________________148 Configuring the GSX Server Host __________________________________149

Securing Remote Connections with SSL __________________________149

Configuring Startup and Shutdown Options for Virtual Machines ______150 Setting User Preferences for the VMware GSX Server Host ____________155 Setting Global Preferences for VMware GSX Server __________________ 160 Creating Network Labels ______________________________________ 163 Setting a MIME Type to Launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console ____________________________ 166

Using VirtualCenter to Manage GSX Server Virtual Machines _____________169

Creating Virtual Machines on a GSX Server Host from a VirtualCenter Client _____________________________________169 Connecting to a GSX Server Virtual Machine from a VirtualCenter Client _____________________________________169

Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines ___________________________ 171

Moving a VMware GSX Server 3 Virtual Machine ______________________ 172

Virtual Machines Use Relative Paths ______________________________172 Preparing Your Virtual Machine for the Move ______________________172 Moving a Virtual Machine to a New Host __________________________ 173

Moving a GSX Server 2 Virtual Machine _____________________________ 175

Virtual Machines Use Relative Paths ______________________________175 Preparing Your Virtual Machine for the Move ______________________175 Moving a Virtual Machine to a New Host __________________________ 176

Moving Older Virtual Machines ___________________________________ 178

Virtual Machines May Use Relative or Absolute Paths ________________178 Preparing Your Virtual Machine for the Move ______________________179 Preparing the New Host Machine _______________________________179 Considerations for Moving Disks in Undoable Mode _________________180

Sharing Virtual Machines with Other Users ___________________________ 183

Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host _____________ 185

Configuring and Maintaining the Host Computer _____________________186 Configuring GSX Server _________________________________________187

General GSX Server Options ___________________________________ 187 GSX Server on a Windows Host _________________________________191 GSX Server on a Linux Host ____________________________________193

Understanding Memory Usage ___________________________________ 194

Memory Use on the Host ______________________________________194 Specifying How Much RAM is Used by All Running Virtual Machines ________________________________195 Memory Usage on Older Linux Hosts ____________________________197

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High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server __________ 199

Using SCSI Reservation to Share SCSI Disks with Virtual Machines _________200

SCSI Reservation Support _____________________________________200

Enabling SCSI Reservation _____________________________________201

Issues to Consider When Sharing Disks ___________________________202 Overview of Clustering with GSX Server _____________________________204

Applications That Can Use Clustering ____________________________205

Clustering Software __________________________________________205 Creating a Cluster in a Box _______________________________________206

Configuring Virtual Machines for Cluster in a Box ___________________207

Creating a Two-Node Cluster with Microsoft Clustering Services

on a Single GSX Server Computer _______________________________207 Using Network Load Balancing with GSX Server ______________________214

Overview of Network Load Balancing Clusters _____________________214

Creating a Multinode Network Load Balancing Cluster _______________215 Creating Two-Node Clusters Using Novell Clustering Services ____________ 219

Creating the First Node's Base Virtual Machine _____________________219

Creating the Second Node in the Cluster _________________________220

Installing the Guest Operating System and VMware Tools ____________220

Adding the Shared Disks to Both Virtual Machines __________________220

Installing Novell Clustering Services on the Cluster Nodes ____________ 222 Clustering Using the iSCSI Protocol ________________________________223

Clustering Scenarios Using iSCSI ________________________________223

Creating and Configuring the iSCSI Initiator Virtual Machine ___________224

Configuring the iSCSI Target in the Cluster ________________________ 225

Glossary ____________________________________________________ 227

Index ______________________________________________________ 233

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CHAPTER 1

Introduction and System Requirements

The following sections introduce you to VMware GSX Server.

• VMware GSX Server: Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for x86-Based Servers

on page 10

• Welcome to VMware GSX Server on page 12

• What’s New in Version 3 on page 14

• Host System Requirements on page 24

• Virtual Machine Specifications on page 32

• Supported Guest Operating Systems on page 35

• Technical Support Resources on page 37

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

VMware GSX Server: Enterprise-Class

Virtual Infrastructure for x86-Based

Servers

VMware® GSX Server is virtual infrastructure for enterprise IT administrators who want to consolidate servers and streamline development and testing operations. GSX Server is easily installed and managed, and provides rapid return on investment (ROI). Unlike other virtualization products, GSX Server is enterprise-proven, preserves freedom of choice and offers an upgrade path to datacenter-class virtualization.

Because it has over four years of proven success, thousands of customers trust VMware GSX Server as their virtualization solution. Easily installed on Windows or Linux platforms, GSX Server provides advanced capabilities that make it the most flexible server virtualization product on the market. GSX Server is part of the widely deployed VMware virtual infrastructure solution with virtual machines compatible across all VMware products, and with unified management and provisioning provided by VMware VirtualCenter.

VMware GSX Server simplifies computing infrastructure by partitioning and isolating servers in secure and transportable virtual machines, each of which can run standard Windows, Linux or NetWare operating systems and applications. GSX Server allows you to remotely manage, automatically provision and standardize virtual machines on a secure, uniform platform.

Thousands of enterprise customers rely on VMware GSX Server to deliver server scalability, reliability and high availability and to maximize return on IT investments. Use GSX Server across the enterprise to:

• Streamline software development and testing operations with easily provisioned and managed server-based virtual machines.

• Implement server consolidation for new and legacy departmental server applications.

• Provision servers rapidly to local or remote locations.

• Streamline operating system and application patch management.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Key GSX Server 3 Benefits

GSX Server 3 offers the following key benefits:

• Shipping for over four years, with thousands of successful customers, VMware GSX Server is the most flexible and easily deployed server virtualization product on the market.

• Offers widest selection of supported host and guest operating systems of any virtualization technology — preserves your freedom to choose the best operating system platform.

• Integrates easily into any environment for ultimate versatility — installs like an application and runs on any standard x86 hardware.

• Supports large server — up to 64GB of host memory, 32 host processors and 64 powered-on virtual machines — for ultimate scalability, extensibility and robustness.

• Offers virtual machine compatibility across the entire VMware family of virtualization products and is ready to run with VMware VirtualCenter.

• Supports advanced virtual machine clustering for high-availability applications.

• Ensures reliable server consolidation through isolated virtual partitions.

• Allows secure remote management.

• Permits full network connectivity for virtual machines.

• Automates monitoring and control of virtual machines with VmCOM and VmPerl

Scripting APIs.

• Runs virtual disk files on any system with current VMware software installed.

To discover more new features of VMware GSX Server 3, see What’s New in Version 3

on page 14.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Welcome to VMware GSX Server

Thank you for choosing VMware GSX Server, the software that provides IT professionals with enterprise-class server consolidation and high availability of server resources by letting them run multiple operating systems in secure, transportable, high-performance virtual computers.

If you’re new to GSX Server, this chapter is the place to start.

If you’re a veteran user of VMware products, take a few minutes to see what’s new in version 3 and review the notes on upgrading your installation.

The VMware GSX Server Administration Guide introduces you to some of the things you can do with GSX Server and guides you through the key steps for installing the software, configuring your server host and managing your virtual machines.

The VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide provides information on creating virtual machines, as well as in-depth reference material for getting the most out of the sophisticated features of GSX Server.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for Intel-Based Servers

VMware products provide a virtualization layer that turns your physical computers into a pool of logical computing resources. You can then dynamically allocate those resources to any operating system or application in the way that best meets your needs. You’ll be able to spend more time delivering tangible value to your business and less time installing operating systems, rebooting and reconfiguring hardware.

Run the operating systems you need — all at once.

With VMware virtualization technology, you can set up completely independent installations of operating systems on a single machine. Multiple instances of Microsoft® Windows® or Linux® can run side by side in virtual machines that you create with the GSX Server software. Each virtual machine is equivalent to a server with a unique network address and a full complement of hardware devices. You install and run a complete, unmodified operating system and application software, just as you do on a physical server.

Host and Guest

• The physical computer on which you install the GSX Server software is called the host computer, and its operating system is called the host operating system.

• The operating system running inside a virtual machine is called a guest operating system.

• For definitions of these and other special terms, see the glossary at the end of this manual.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

What’s New in Version 3

Whether you’re a long-time power user of VMware GSX Server or a new user who is just learning what you can do with virtual machines, the new features in VMware GSX Server 3 extend its capabilities and make it easier to use.

Features in Version 3.2

Here are some highlights of key features to explore in VMware GSX Server 3.2:

New Operating System Support

VMware GSX Server 3.2 adds full support for the following 64-bit host operating systems on AMD64 and Intel® EM64T processors:

• Microsoft® Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition as a host operating system on AMD64 and Intel EM64T processors

VMware GSX Server 3.2 adds experimental support for the following 64-bit host operating systems on AMD64 and Intel EM64T processors:

• Red Hat™ Enterprise Linux 4

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Update 4

• SUSE™ LINUX Enterprise Server 9 Service Pack 1

• SUSE LINUX 9.3

• SUSE LINUX 9.2

VMware GSX Server 3.2 adds support for the following 32-bit host and guest operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1

• Mandrake Linux 10.0 and 10.1

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Update 4

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Update 6

• SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 Service Pack 1

• SUSE LINUX 9.3 (experimental support)

• SUSE LINUX 9.2

Support for Clustering with the iSCSI Protocol

Using the iSCSI protocol allows you to set up a clustering environment across hosts. For more information, see Clustering Using the iSCSI Protocol on page 223.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Dual-Core Processor Licensing Compatibility

The two processor version of GSX Server now supports systems with two dual-core processors.

Critical Bugs Fixed in GSX Server 3.2

Bugs fixed in this release include:

• Fix for panic that occurs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 AS host.

• Fix for core dump when powering on virtual machine on Fedora Core 3 host.

(Fedora is not a supported GSX Server host operating system.)

• Fix to allow USB devices to work in virtual machines on SUSE LINUX 9.1 host.

• Correction for monitor error that occurred when upgrading Windows Server

2003 guest operating system to Service Pack 1 RC1.

• Fix for inability to power on virtual machine with legacy virtual disk.

• Fix for DirectInput error that occurred when GSX Server automatically powered

on a virtual machine when the Windows host starts. The message read:

Failed to create DirectInput object-

HRESULT(0x80004001:sev 1 fac 0 code 16385]:

Unknown error 16385(0x4001)

• Fix for memory issue on hosts with 32GB RAM.

• Fix for VirtualCenter alarm showing maximum memory usage when virtual

machine is idle or under low usage.

• Fix to prompt user to power off any running virtual machines before running the vmware-config.pl configuration program.

• Fix for security vulnerability described in CAN-2004-0700.

• Fix to improve scalability and performance on NUMA hardware.

Features in Version 3.1

Here are some highlights of key features to explore in VMware GSX Server 3.1:

Manage Virtual Disks with VMware Virtual Disk Manager

Create, manage and modify virtual disk files from the command line or within scripts with the VMware Virtual Disk Manager utility. For more information, see Using VMware

Virtual Disk Manager in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

New Operating System Support

Get the freedom to choose the operating systems and applications that work best for you. VMware GSX Server 3.1 provides experimental support for Microsoft Windows

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Server 2003 for 64-Bit Extended Systems (beta), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 and SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8.0 on hosts with 64-bit processors.

Experimental guest operating system support is provided for Solaris 9 and 10 Operating System x86 Platform Edition.

VirtualCenter Ready

GSX Server 3.1 is enabled for management by VMware VirtualCenter. You can use VirtualCenter to manage and provision virtual machines on multiple GSX Server hosts, then migrate the virtual machines between other GSX Server and ESX Server systems under VirtualCenter management.

GSX Server 3.1 Secured with OpenSSL 0.9.7d

GSX Server 3.1 incorporates the updated version of OpenSSL. OpenSSL 0.9.7d corrects various security vulnerabilities.

Critical Bugs Fixed in GSX Server 3.1

Bugs fixed in this release include:

• Fix for Apache Web server crashes on Linux hosts after VMware Management Interface timed out.

• Fix for problem that prevented the launching of the VMware Virtual Machine Console from the VMware Management Interface on a Linux host.

• Fix for issue where the VMware Management Interface reported incorrect memory and processor usage statistics.

• Fix for VMware Management Interface issue where connections secured with SSL were redirected to insecure port 8222.

• Fix for Windows hosts where the Windows registry keys became read-only after removing GSX Server 2.x. This caused the installation of GSX Server 3 to fail.

• Fix for Linux hosts where users in particular groups could not create virtual machines.

• Fix for Linux hosts where switching to the vmxnet networking driver caused networking to fail in a virtual machine.

• Fix for Windows hosts where a virtual machines froze and the only workaround was to kill the virtual machine process.

• Fixes for SCSI reservation issues including deadlocks, and panics that occurred when powering on clustered virtual machines configured with LSI Logic SCSI adapters.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

• Fix for issue that caused the VMware Registration Service service to hang when starting the host while virtual machines are configured to power on automatically with the host.

• Fix for an application error that occurred in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a (Japanese language version only) guest operating systems when using the search function of Windows Explorer. The error occurred only when VMware Tools is installed in the guest.

• Fix to allow the installation of VMware Tools in Windows NT 4.0 Support Pack 3 guest operating systems. For more information, see knowledge base article 1304 at www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1304.

• Fix for issue where a GSX Server 2.5.x virtual machine on a Windows host configured with a static IP address lost its static IP after it was powered on under GSX Server 3. For more information, see knowledge base article 1307 at

www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1307.

• You can now restrict which users can create virtual machines and virtual disks. For more information, see knowledge base article 1042 at www.vmware.com/

support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1042.

• Virtual machines configured for NAT networking can now use Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP).

Features in Version 3

Here are some highlights of key features to explore in VMware GSX Server 3:

GSX Server 3 Security Update: OpenSSL 0.9.7d Patches

Patches are available for GSX Server 3 that update the version of OpenSSL used in the product. The newer version of OpenSSL corrects security vulnerabilities and is posted on the GSX Server Security Updates Web page at www.vmware.com/download/

gsx_security.html.

GSX Server 3 users are strongly urged to download and install these patches.

Enhanced Virtual Machine User Access Control

On Windows hosts, a virtual machine runs as a user. You can specify the particular user or let the virtual machine run as the user who powers it on. For more information, see

Authenticating Users and Running Virtual Machines on a GSX Server for Windows Host on page 117.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Improved Security for Remote Connections

SSL is enabled by default for remote connections with the VMware Virtual Machine Console and the VMware Management Interface.

VirtualCenter Ready

GSX Server 3 is enabled for management by an upcoming release of VMware VirtualCenter. You will be able to use VirtualCenter to manage and provision virtual machines on multiple GSX Server hosts, then migrate the virtual machines between other GSX Server and ESX Server systems under VirtualCenter management.

New VMware Virtual Machine Console

Connect to and manage virtual machines with the VMware Virtual Machine Console, which combines the best abilities of the local and remote consoles in one application. Create and configure virtual machines locally and remotely. Connect to virtual machines from the local server or remote client at the same time, while other consoles are already connected. Run virtual machines in full screen mode locally and remotely.

The console interface is completely updated. You can run multiple virtual machines in the same window and switch from one to another using the new quick switch mode. The console menus have been streamlined. The console requires less network bandwidth over remote connections than the older console did.

For details, see Running Virtual Machines in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

Take Snapshots of Your Virtual Machines

You can take a snapshot of your virtual machine’s state, a point-in-time copy of the running system state, that is saved to disk. You can revert to that snapshot at any time — making it easier to do challenging tasks like upgrading guest operating systems. Take a snapshot, upgrade the operating system, and if something goes wrong, revert back to the snapshot. Or use the snapshot as a starting point for a sales demonstration.

See Tak ing S naps hots in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide for details.

Automatically Install GSX Server on Windows Hosts and VMware Tools in Windows Guests

We’ve improved the installers for Windows hosts and for VMware Tools in Windows guest operating systems. GSX Server for Windows hosts and VMware Tools for Windows guests use the Microsoft Windows Installer runtime engine, which allows you to automate the installation of GSX Server on a Windows host and VMware Tools

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

in a Windows virtual machine. For information, see Automating the Installation of GSX

Server on page 52 and Automating the Installation of VMware Tools in a Windows Guest in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

With the Microsoft Windows Installer runtime engine, you can pick and choose the features you want to install.

Automatically Start and Stop Virtual Machines When the Host Starts and Stops

You can configure virtual machines to automatically power on when the GSX Server host starts or automatically power off when the GSX Server host shuts down. For more information, see Powering Virtual Machines On and Off When the Host Starts and

Shuts Down in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

Connect to Older Virtual Machines and Older GSX Server Hosts

You can connect to older GSX Server hosts with consoles and run virtual machines from older versions of VMware products. For information, see Connecting to Older

GSX Server and ESX Server Systems and Older Virtual Machines in the VMware GSX

Server Virtual Machine Guide.

Improved VMware Management Interface

Managing virtual machines and the GSX Server host from a Web browser just got better. You can configure more host and virtual machine features, including virtual machine hardware, configuration options and SSL connections. For more information, see Using the VMware Management Interface on page 129.

Log GSX Server Events on Windows Hosts

GSX Server sends information about certain events that occur in the application on Windows hosts to the Windows Event Viewer. For details, see Logging GSX Server

Events on Windows on page 125.

Improved Virtual Disk and Networking Performance

Experience 10 to 20% improvement in virtual disk and networking performance.

Monitor Virtual Machine Performance on Windows Hosts

Use GSX Server specific counters with the Windows Performance console (PerfMon) to monitor the performance of running virtual machines on Windows hosts. For details, see Monitoring Virtual Machine Performance on page 191.

More Memory for Your Virtual Machines

Allocate up to 3600MB of memory to each virtual machine to run large server applications. For more information, see Allocating Memory to a Virtual Machine in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Easier Sharing of Virtual Machines with Latest VMware Products

Virtual machines created with GSX Server 3 are compatible with VMware Workstation 4 and ESX Server 2 for easier migrating and sharing of virtual machines.

New LSI Logic Virtual SCSI Adapter for Guest Operating Systems

The LSI Logic virtual SCSI adapter is included when you install Windows Server 2003, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 or NetWare guests.

PXE Boot

Boot virtual machines over your network and install guest operating systems from a PXE server. For more information, see Using PXE with Virtual Machines in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

Easier Virtual Networking Configuration

On Windows hosts, use the Virtual Network Editor to configure virtual networking easily. For more information, see Networking in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

Network Adapter Teaming Support

On Windows hosts, virtual machines can bridge to teamed or bonded host network adapters. For more information, see Configuring Bridged Networking When Using

Teamed Network Interface Cards on Your Host in the VMware GSX Server Virtual

Machine Guide.

Generic SCSI Tape Backup Support

Back up virtual machines using popular backup software and SCSI tape devices. For more information, see Backing Up Virtual Machines and the GSX Server Host on

page 127.

Using DVD-ROM and CD-ROM Drives on Remote Clients

If you’re connected to a virtual machine remotely from a client, you can use the local DVD-ROM or CD-ROM drive to install software or copy data without needing to use the drive on the GSX Server host. For more information, see Using the DVD-ROM or

CD-ROM Drive on a Client in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

Improved Virtual DVD-ROM and CD-ROM Drive Support

Read multisession DVD-ROM and CD-ROM media. Burn CD-ROMs in your guest operating systems.

Debugging Support in Virtual Machines

GSX Server supports user- and kernel-level debuggers in virtual machines.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

New Operating System Support

VMware GSX Server 3 provides support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8.0 patch 3, and Turbolinux Server 8.0 and Workstation 8.0 hosts. New supported guest operating systems include Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0; SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 patch 2; NetWare 6.5 Server; FreeBSD 4.6.2, 4.8, 5.0 and 5.1 (prerelease version); and Turbolinux Server 7.0, 8.0 and Workstation 8.0. Experimental support for Microsoft Windows code-named Longhorn is provided.

New Linux Kernel Support

Run your Linux guest operating systems with the new 2.6 kernel.

New Support Scripts

When you file support requests, please use the new support scripts to collect data that help us diagnose your problems. For details, see Reporting Problems on page 37.

Automatically Check for Product Updates

VMware GSX Server now checks automatically to see if updates for the product are available. You can specify what interval to use for the automatic check or switch to manual checks only. For more information, see Updating GSX Server Software

Automatically on page 156.

Before You Install the Release

There are a few steps you should take — before you install this release — to ensure the best possible experience with the new version.

Virtual machines created with GSX Server 1.x or higher, or Workstation 2.0.x or higher can be run under GSX Server 3. You must upgrade the virtual hardware for any virtual machine created under GSX Server 1 or Workstation 2. You should test the older virtual machines thoroughly under GSX Server 3 before committing to production use in the new environment. Be sure to back up the virtual machines before you begin your tests.

• Resume and shut down suspended virtual machines.

If you plan to use virtual machines created under earlier VMware products, be sure they have been shut down completely before you remove the release you used to create them.

If the virtual machine is suspended, resume it in the VMware product you used to create it (GSX Server 1 or 2, Workstation 2 or 3), shut down the guest operating system, then power off the virtual machine.

• For virtual disks created under earlier versions of GSX Server or Workstation, commit or discard changes to virtual disks in undoable mode.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

If you plan to use existing virtual machines that have disks in undoable mode, commit or discard any changes to the virtual disks before you remove the release you used to create them.

• Resume or power on the virtual machine in the earlier release, shut down the guest operating system, power off the virtual machine and either commit or discard changes to the undoable disk when prompted.

• Back up virtual machines.

Back up all the files in your virtual machine directories — including the .vmdk or .dsk, .cfg or .vmx and nvram files — for any virtual machines you plan to use under this release.

Virtual machines updated for full compatibility with GSX Server 3 can be used only with other VMware products beginning with GSX Server 3, Workstation 4 and ESX Server 2, but not under earlier versions of VMware software.

• Back up the GSX Server software.

If you intend to use your older GSX Server software, keep the CD-ROM or ESD installation package handy, or else back up the drive on which GSX Server is currently installed.

If you need to install the software on the same computer where you now have an earlier version installed, make sure you back up the current installation and the virtual machine files so that you can restore them later.

• Uninstall any existing version of GSX Server.

If you have GSX Server installed, you must uninstall the previous build before installing the new version:

• To uninstall a previous version of GSX Server 3 or GSX Server 2.x for Windows

hosts, see Uninstalling GSX Server on a Windows Host on page 80 (be sure to reboot your host operating system before installing the software).

• To uninstall a previous version of GSX Server 3 or GSX Server 2.x for Linux

hosts, see Uninstalling GSX Server on a Linux Host on page 85.

• To uninstall GSX Server 1.0 for Windows hosts, see www.vmware.com/support/

gsx/doc/uninstall_gsx_win.html.

• To uninstall GSX Server 1.x for Linux hosts, see www.vmware.com/support/gsx/

doc/uninstall_gsx_linux.html.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

If You Are Upgrading from an Earlier Version of GSX Server

The installation steps for your host require that you run an uninstaller to remove a previous version of GSX Server from your machine.

On a Windows host, the uninstaller asks whether you want to keep licenses in your registry. Do not remove the licenses.

On a Linux host, the license remains in place. You do not need to take any special action. Just leave it where it is.

Take Note of Custom Network Configurations

If you customized any virtual network settings or created a custom network, you must take note of these settings before you uninstall the previous version of GSX Server. Custom network settings cannot be preserved across product upgrades and must be configured again after you install the new version.

Reinstall VMware Tools

Installing VMware Tools ensures the best performance for your guest operating system. See Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

For more information about upgrading, see Upgrading VMware GSX Server on

page 87.

Reinstall VMware Tools

The VMware Tools package has been improved and updated. Be sure to reinstall VMware Tools in your guest operating system after you install VMware GSX Server 3. See Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Host System Requirements

What do you need to get the most out of VMware GSX Server? Take the following list of requirements as a starting point. Remember that the virtual machines running under GSX Server are like physical computers in many ways — and, like physical computers, they generally perform better if they have faster processors, more memory and sufficient disk space.

Be aware that system requirements may change after this manual has been printed. For the latest system requirements, go to the VMware Web site at

www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/intro_sysreqs_host_gsx.html.

Note: VMware GSX Server (for Windows and Linux hosts) is not localized and does not support internationalization. However, virtual machines created with the localized version of VMware Workstation for Windows still work with GSX Server, even though certain elements do not display properly in GSX Server.

Server Requirements

The server is a Windows or Linux system where you install the GSX Server software. Virtual machines can be stored on the server host or located on a network share.

Server Host Hardware

VMware GSX Server supports up to 32-way multiprocessor servers. The number of virtual machines you can run concurrently depends on the resources they require, but VMware recommends you run no more than four virtual machines concurrently per processor. You can run a maximum of 64 virtual machines concurrently on one host. The server must include the following.

• Standard x86-based server with up to 32 processors

• Hosts with 32-bit IA-32 processors, and IA-32 processors with 64-bit extensions

supported

• 733MHz or faster compatible x86 processor that supports the Pentium® instruction set

Compatible processors include

• Intel: Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium III Xeon, Pentium 4, Xeon, Xeon EM64T

• AMD™: Athlon™, Athlon XP, AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64

Multiprocessor systems supported

Dual-core processors supported and counted as one processor for licensing purposes

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Memory

You need enough memory to run the Windows or Linux host operating system, plus memory required for each guest operating system and applications on the host and each guest; see your guest operating system and application documentation for their memory requirements.

• Minimum: 512MB

• Maximum: 64GB for Windows hosts and Linux hosts that support large memory

or are PAE-enabled, 4GB for non-PAE-enabled Windows hosts or 2GB for Linux hosts with kernels in the 2.2.x series

Display

• 16-bit display adapter or higher

Host Hard Disk

• 130MB free disk space on Windows hosts required for server, VMware Management Interface, VmPerl API, VmCOM API and VMware Virtual Machine Console installation

• 20MB free disk space on Linux hosts required for server, VMware Management Interface, VmPerl API and VMware Virtual Machine Console installation

• Disk space in /tmp on Linux hosts should be equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of memory on the host. For information on the /tmp directory, read VMware knowledge base article 844 at

www.vmware.com/support/kb/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=844.

• At least 1GB free disk space recommended for each guest operating system and the application software used with it; using a default setup, the actual disk space needs are approximately the same as those for installing and running the guest operating system and applications on a physical computer

• IDE or SCSI hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives supported

• Guest operating systems can reside in virtual disk files or on physical (raw) disk

partitions

Local Area Networking

• Any Ethernet controller that the host operating system supports

• Non-Ethernet networks are supported using built-in network address translation

(NAT) or using a combination of host-only networking plus routing software on the host operating system

• A static IP address for your host machine (recommended)

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Windows Host Operating Systems

You nee d a Windows server operating system. If you intend to use the VMware Management Interface, Internet Information Server (IIS) 5.0 or 6.0 must be installed.

Note: Operating systems and service packs that are not listed are not supported for use as a host operating system for VMware GSX Server.

64-bit host computers can run the following operating systems for 64-bit extended systems:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, including Service Pack 1

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, including Service Pack 1

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, including Service Pack 1

32-bit host computers can run the following operating systems:

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, including Service Pack 1

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, including Service Pack 1

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, including Service Pack 1

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Service Pack 3 and Service Pack 4

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Service Pack 3 and Service Pack 4

The VmPerl API requires Perl 5.005x or higher.

The VMware Management Interface requires one of these browsers:

• Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 (6.0 highly recommended)

• Firefox 1.x

• Mozilla 1.x

• Netscape® Navigator 7.0

Note: As new browser versions are released, VMware tests the management interface for stability and reliability with these versions. We make every effort to add support for new browser versions in a timely manner, but until a browser is added to the above list, its use with our product is not supported. For the latest system requirements, go to the VMware Web site at

www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/intro_sysreqs_host_gsx.html.

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

Linux Host Operating Systems

Supported distributions and kernels are listed below. GSX Server may not run on systems that do not meet these requirements.

64-bit host computers can run the following operating systems for 64-bit extended systems (experimental support only):

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 AS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 ES

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 WS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 AS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 ES

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 WS

• SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9

• SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8

• SUSE LINUX 9.3

• SUSE LINUX 9.2

32-bit host computers can run the following operating systems:

• Mandrake Linux 10.1

• Mandrake Linux 10.0

• Mandrake Linux 9.2

• Mandrake Linux 9.0

• Mandrake Linux 8.2

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 AS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 ES

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 WS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 AS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 ES

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 WS

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS 2.1

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux ES 2.1

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 2.1

• Red Hat Linux 9.0

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

• Red Hat Linux 8.0

• Red Hat Linux 7.3

• Red Hat Linux 7.2

• Red Hat Linux 7.1

• SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9

• SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8

• SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7

• SUSE LINUX 9.3

• SUSE LINUX 9.2

• SUSE LINUX 9.1

• SUSE LINUX 9.0

• SuSE Linux 8.2

• SuSE Linux 8.1

• SuSE Linux 8.0

• SuSE Linux 7.3

• Turbolinux Server 8.0

• Turbolinux Workstation 8.0

• Turbolinux Server 7.0

Platforms not listed above are not supported.

Note: As new Linux kernels and distributions are released, VMware modifies and tests its products for stability and reliability on those host platforms. We make every effort to add support for new kernels and distributions in a timely manner, but until a kernel or distribution is added to the list below, its use with our product is not supported. Look for newer prebuilt modules in the Download area of our Web site. Go to www.vmware.com/download. For the list of supported kernels, go to the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/intro_sysreqs_host_gsx.html.

Other Linux host operating system requirements include:

• Linux kernel 2.2.14-5.0 is not supported

• Standard Linux server installation is required with glibc version 2.1 or higher

and libXpm.so

• The inetd process, which must be configured and active for VMware Virtual Machine Console and VMware Management Interface connections

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CHAPTER 1 Introduction and System Requirements

• Version 2.1.36 of the SCSI Generic (sg.o) driver is required to use generic SCSI devices in virtual machines

• Perl 5.005x or higher is required to use VmPerl API

• X server is required to run the VMware Virtual Machine Console

In addition, the VMware Management Interface requires one of these browsers:

• Firefox 1.x

• Mozilla 1.x

• Netscape Navigator 7.0

www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/intro_sysreqs_host_gsx.html.

Information about Running GSX Server on Some SuSE Linux Hosts

Keep in mind the following when you run GSX Server on these SuSE Linux hosts.

• SLES 8 — Install gcc on your SLES 8 host before installing GSX Server.

• SLES 7 — If you intend to upgrade the kernel, make sure you deselect any

Samba components when you apply the update patch, as the patch incorrectly updates Samba on your host. Running the update with the Samba packages selected can result in serious issues on your host like system hangs or segmentation faults.

VmPerl and VmCOM Scripting APIs

The VmPerl API includes the vmware-cmd utility. The VmCOM API works on Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000 hosts only. For more information, go to the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/support/developer.

VMware GSX Server Administration Guide

Remote Client Requirements

The remote client is a Windows or Linux system from which you launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console or use VMware Scripting APIs to remotely manage virtual machines on the GSX Server host. You access the VMware Management Interface to manage virtual machines on the host using a Web browser.

Hardware Requirements

• Standard x86-based computer

• 266MHz or faster processor

• 64MB RAM minimum

• 20MB (for Windows hosts) or 10MB (for Linux hosts) free disk space is required for

installation of the VMware Virtual Machine Console

• 17MB free disk space is required for VMware Scripting APIs ( VmCOM and VmPerl Scripting APIs) installation on Windows remote clients; 14MB is required for VmPerl API on Linux remote clients

Software — Windows Remote Client

• Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition and Windows Server 2003 Web Edition

• Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 1 and Service Pack 2

• Windows 2000 Professional, Server and Advanced Server, Service Pack 1, Service Pack 2, Service Pack 3 and Service Pack 4

• Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and Server, Service Pack 6a, with Internet Explorer

6.0 installed

• The VMware Management Interface requires one of these browsers:

• Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 (6.0 highly recommended)

• Firefox 1.x

• Mozilla 1.x

• Netscape Navigator 7.0

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