Mutiple vSphere servers

[jeffoutwest]

Hello,

Not sure if this is the correct group, but if so can someone point me to resources that explain the capabilities of running multiple vSphere servers in the same environment?. Is there a compatibility matrix for managing ESX 3.5 and ESX 4.0 hosts with multiple vSphere servers. What are the database requirements? Regards, -Jeff

[AntonVZhbankov]

vCenter 4.0 can manage ESX 3.5 and 4.0 in any combination. They even can work in the same cluster and VMotion between them can be performed.

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VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

[jeffoutwest]

Thank you for the reply. What is the name of this feature? What I am looking are the technical requirements, capabilities and compatibility of this feature, can you point me to the proper documentation? Regards, -Jeff

[AntonVZhbankov]

That's not a feature, that's the way vCenter server works. All documents are here: http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vs_pages/vsp_pubs_esx40_vc40.html

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VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

[jeffoutwest]

I found documentation for what I am looking for in the vCenter Server Admin Guide.

The ability (feature ?) is called Linked Mode.

According to the documentation:

When vCenter Server systems are connected in Linked Mode, you can:

• Log in simultaneously to all vCenter Server systems for which you have valid credentials.

• Search the inventories of all the vCenter Server systems in the group.

• View the inventories off all of the vCenter Server systems in the group in a single inventory view.

You cannot migrate hosts or virtual machines between vCenter Server systems connected in Linked Mode.

According to the Admin Guide, it seems you have the ability to monitor inventory, but not manage the different environments.

Can you clarify what capabilites you have to manage the guests and ESX hosts?

How are the shared clustering and VMotion abilities supported between shared vCenter servers?

[AntonVZhbankov]

>How are the shared clustering and VMotion abilities supported between shared vCenter servers?

"You cannot migrate hosts or virtual machines between vCenter Server systems connected in Linked Mode."

This is a feature to manage multiple installation with their own vCenters from one client, nothing more.

---

VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

[jeffoutwest]

Yes, this is exactly where our confusion stems.

In the reply you provided:

"They even can work in the same cluster and VMotion between them can be performed."

Yet, the doucmtnation states:

You cannot migrate hosts or virtual machines between vCenter Server systems connected in Linked Mode.

Can you help clarify the cluster and vMotion capabilites? Regards, -Jeff

[AntonVZhbankov]

>"They even can work in the same cluster and VMotion between them can be performed."

3.5 and 4.0 work together when connected to the same vCenter. But you cannot migrate VMs if ESX hosts are connected to different vCenters.

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VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru