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7 Replies Last post: May 31, 2009 6:18 PM by Scissor  

ESXi Managment posted: May 31, 2009 7:33 AM

Click to view aquinlan01's profile Novice
aquinlan01
8 posts since
May 31, 2009

I've been given the go-ahead to install ESXi on a couple of new DL 360 G5's. Initially the servers will be used to create a test environment. The test environment will host three virtual hosts per DL360. I don't need any plug-in's or anything fancy like V-motion. Just the ability to install and run virtual hosts.

Although ESXi can be downloaded and installed for free I don't understand how I'm supposed to manage them. The documentation recommends using the VSphere Client which I downloaded however it's asking for a license.

Surely I'm missing something here or have VMWare created a free platform but charging people to use the management software?

Can anyone recommend any other management software? If I have to pay for licenses I'll go back to using VMWare server as It's only a test environment.

Thanks for any advise,

Andy


Tags: esxi, management, install, manage

Re: ESXi Managment

1. May 31, 2009 7:39 AM in response to: aquinlan01
Click to view Troy Clavell's profile Guru
Troy Clavell
6,228 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
after the installation of your ESXi Host, you can point your favorite web browser to the IP of the ESXi Host, there you will be able to download and install the vSphere Client.

Re: ESXi Managment

2. May 31, 2009 7:47 AM in response to: Troy Clavell
Click to view aquinlan01's profile Novice
aquinlan01
8 posts since
May 31, 2009

Hi,

That's what did and installed the vSphere Client however when I fire it up I get the message: "Your evaluation license will expire within 60 days" When the evaluation license expires, ESX host may stop managing all virtual machines in its inventory. In order to manage these machines you must upgrade your ESX host license"

Thanks for the help

Andy

Re: ESXi Managment

3. May 31, 2009 7:50 AM in response to: aquinlan01
Click to view Troy Clavell's profile Guru
Troy Clavell
6,228 posts since
Oct 12, 2007
you should have received a key when you downloaded your copy of ESXi, you just need to plug in the key into your license source under the configuration tab---licensed features.

Re: ESXi Managment

4. May 31, 2009 7:54 AM in response to: Troy Clavell
Click to view aquinlan01's profile Novice
aquinlan01
8 posts since
May 31, 2009

Ah, I see.

Thanks very much for your help. That makes sense now. So i take it i have full access to all the features available to me from the Vsphere client?

Thanks

Andy

Re: ESXi Managment

5. May 31, 2009 7:54 AM in response to: Troy Clavell
Click to view aquinlan01's profile Novice
aquinlan01
8 posts since
May 31, 2009
Hi,

That's what did and installed the vSphere Client however when I fire it
up I get the message: "Your evaluation license will expire within 60
days" When the evaluation license expires, ESX host may stop managing
all virtual machines in its inventory. In order to manage these machines
you must upgrade your ESX host license"

Thanks for the help
Andy

Re: ESXi Managment

6. May 31, 2009 9:50 AM in response to: aquinlan01
Click to view DSTAVERT's profile Virtuoso
DSTAVERT
2,385 posts since
Nov 30, 2003

I would like to suggest you have a look at Veeam Monitor. A very slick tool for managing your ESXi environment and it too is free.

http://www.veeam.com/esxi-monitoring-free.html


Re: ESXi Managment

7. May 31, 2009 6:18 PM in response to: aquinlan01
Click to view Scissor's profile Master
Scissor
1,242 posts since
Oct 8, 2007
aquinlan01 wrote:
Hi,

That's what did and installed the vSphere Client however when I fire it
up I get the message: "Your evaluation license will expire within 60
days" When the evaluation license expires, ESX host may stop managing
all virtual machines in its inventory. In order to manage these machines
you must upgrade your ESX host license"

Thanks for the help
Andy


I think you might still need to install your license key. Using your vSphere Client, connect to your ESXi installation -> visit Inventory -> select your ESxi server from the left hand side -> Configuration -> Licensed Features -> click "Edit..." in the upper right -> Select "Assign a new license key to this host" -> Click "Enter Key" -> type in the license key that you got from VMware.

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