about AD and DNS requirement in vCenter server installation

[BraveSiThu]

hello, I am facing some installation stuffs now. It's about installing vCenter server 5.5 in windows.

I'm just in my lab. It went well when I installed vCenter server appliance and I can do the remaing vSphere stuffs.

But this time I have to try using vCenter in windows. I got stuck in the "Lookup Server URL" in vCenter installation.

Is it ok to install that vCenter without AD and DNS server as I am doing now. If not, pls guide me.

[rcporto · Accepted solution]

You need at least that FDQN of your vCenter server is resolvable and if you don't have DNS server in your lab, try setting up host files... and about AD, if you don't have Active Directory domain or the vCenter Server belongs to a workgroup, not all functionality is available.

To see list of software requirements and best practices to install vCenter Server, check this KB: article: Installing vCenter Server 5.5 best practices (2052334)

[BraveSiThu]

Thank u bro, I am already heading DNS and AD in windows. But I am not a windows guy, I do not even use windows in my clients. So I used to avoid them. I can use BIND for DNS and LDAP instead of AD in linux. I can make BIND well but LDAP is strange to me. Besides linux takes a lot of troubleshooting to implement. So I was messing around with Directory service and FQDN long ago. Now you gave me more knowledge with AD Domain and FQDN. I have to submit the windows for a while.

Thank you so much, you swept my doubts away. I'm just a newbie.

[scott28tt]

Moderator note: In future please post product related questions/issues to the appropriate product forum area - there is a forum area for vCenter Server.