Public Service Console

[ablej]

Currently we have a public service console in ESX which is used so we can use VMware converter. All are servers are on a public network due to how the University does networking. So my question is can we use VMware converter on a machine that is part of are public and private network to do conversions so then there wouldn't be a need for the Public Service console?

[vmPUNK]

the physical box talks directly to target esx so if im understandign your question right - no

[ablej]

So with this kind of setup is there any way to get around using a Public Service console?

[Texiwill]

Hello,

If it was me. I would shutdown that ESX server and wait until there is at least a firewall between the SC and the students. Check out my discussion on ESX within a DMZ which is exactly what you have, well worse, you do not even have a DMZ.

Your VMs can be on the public network but SC, Storage, vMotion should not be on a public network.....

Okay that is my soapbox, but you should firewall all but the VM networks.... As for moving a VM into ESX using converter all you need is either access to the SC or the VC server. Ideally you would have at least one maybe two hosts behind that firewall as well. Actually, I have solved this problem for one customer by them building a simple physical network (1 pSwitch, an administrative desktop) and tieing that into a VM based Firewall using a Smoothwall appliance.. IPcop or any linux distro will also work. This way your SC is protected, you have an admin desktop for using VMware Converter safely behind the firewall. The firewall distro like Smoothwall has built in DHCP, etc. VC is also a VM in this customers case but also part of the firewalled virtual and physical network.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

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Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354, As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization