Vcenter install - Minimum disk size for a small virtual lab ?

[genkinyc]

Hi,

Reading the documentation, and noted the minimums of 120GB, 8GB RAM and 2 CPUs for the vCenter install.

This is my first time installing, I am trying to build a home lab and to learn and obtain the VCP-DC certification.

I have installed VMware Workstation Pro and 2 instances of ESX, and now am preparing to install vCenter ISO on a Win10 Virtual machine.

Can I get away with less that 120GB ?

Any other pointers on how to setup this home lab - I am a little lost on the setting up Windows 2016 server for Active Directory, DHCP and DNS.

Thanks !

Darren

[GaneshNetworks · Accepted solution]

Yes, You can get away.

Try using THIN disk, instead of THICK.

[cliffcahill]

I would suggest deploying the VCSA appliance and using the embedded PSC configuration - thin provisioned if you are tight on space.

I have a VCSA running and working for a few years and it currently datastore usage in at 22GB. 120GB is to allow for future growth.

Check ut https://davidring.ie/2016/10/12/vsphere-vcsa-6-0-sizing/ for more details on VCSA Sizing.

[RAJ_RAJ]

Hi ,

Are you going to install vcenter 6 / 6.5  ?

You may go with 60 GB single drive and install OS ,configure AD DHCP , DNS .While installing vCenter on that there may be a warning you can ignore that continue . install only required components .

If you need VUM then you may need more space else 60 Gb will be sufficient   .

Alternate  go with one VM for dhcp sd and dns and use VSA with option small infrastructure

[genkinyc]

Thanks for the help.

I have installed the VCSA and when configuring "stage 2"  I am entering Static IP addressing and the IP as a hostname.

When I click "Next" it says "Saving Hostname" and then I am receiving an "Internal Error" but no further information.

I do not have any DHCP, NTP, or AD services. 

All statically allocated IP's to 2 x ESXi servers and the VCSA and I am using them on a LAN Segment option.

I have reachability between the ESXI hosts and the VCSA appliance, they can Ping each other.

Any ideas ?

Thanks

[RAJ_RAJ]

Hi ,

FQDN is mandatory for installation of VCSA 6.5

You may add local entry to  host file of the windows machine it is running and try

IP  HOSTNAME

[cliffcahill]

DNS is a hard requirement for VCSA

NTP can be synced to esxi host to avoid setting up an NTP Server.

vCenter Server Appliance 6.0 fails to deploy with the error: Firstboot script execution Error. The s...

[cym104]

Even if you enter a FQDN you'll still get the internal error as long as you do the 2nd stage from browser. Tested it myself.

If you do the 2nd stage from the installer, then you won't get that error cause the installer don't ask for net config in it's 2nd stage.

[cym104]

Even if you enter a FQDN you'll still get the internal error as long as you do the 2nd stage from browser. Tested it myself.

If you do the 2nd stage from the installer, then you won't get that error cause the installer don't ask for net config in it's 2nd stage.