vSphere 5 vCenter Server Virtual Appliance - do I need windows server in any case?

[biokovo]

Hi.

We will buy vmware Essential Plus kit and 2 servers to virtualize some servers in windows domain.

If I take vSphere 5 vCenter Server Virtual Appliance do I need windows server 2008 licence in any case?

Thanks

[logiboy123]

No. The vCenter VSA runs on a linux implementation and if you use the inbuilt database this is installed locally and is DB2.

[biokovo]

Thanks.

Is there any limit becouse it is not windows domain server? Something about active directory integration, or anything else?

[rbos3]

I too am very curious about the downsides of not installing vCenter on a Windows machine rather than using the appliance.

[a_p_]

Discussion moved from VMware View™ (with View Manager) to VMware vCenter™ Server

[logiboy123]

The vCSA is essentially version 1.0. This is the standard that VMware is looking to go with for the vSphere suite of products, but for now you will find integration with the other major products is not yet possible. Any major product that requires installing on the vCenter server within Windows will not be possible. Going forward all the major and future products will all start becoming integrated.

The current major limitations are:

• No Update Manager
  
• No Linked-Mode
  
• No support for the VSA (vSphere Storage Appliance)
  
• Only support for Oracle as the external database
  
• Embedded database, DB2, only supports 5 hosts and 50 VMs
  
• No support for vCenter Heartbeat
  

Regards,

Paul

[biokovo]

If there is no server heartbeat, what about HA feature?

I can't find vCSA to download, do you have a link to it?

[f10]

Hi,

To download vCenter Server Linux, visit VMware Download Center > VMware vCenter  Server 5.0 and modules > VMware vCenter Server 5.0 Appliance - OVF  File etc.

If there are license issues, you may try the evaluation version by clicking on "Try Now"

Regards,
Arun

If you found this or other information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Regards, Arun VCP3/4, HPCP, HP UX CSA http://kb.vmware.com/

[royalpet]

I don't know if I'm following your instructions on where to find it correctly, but I don't see it.

Can you post a link to at least the start point of the Download Center that you're referencing?

[f10]

Try this http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/vc50/dHRAYnQldEBiZHAlJQ== Clicking on "This download contains the following components. Show Details" to view the details about the different modules, the one you would need is VMware vCenter Server 5.0 Appliance - OVF File .

[racom]

vCenter Heartbeat is for monitoring and protecting multiple instances of VMware vCenter Server from one location - see http://www.vmware.com/products/vcenter-server-heartbeat/. It have nothing in common with VMware High Availability by my point of view.

[Stokkies]

Is this still the case: Embedded database, DB2, only supports 5 hosts and 50 VMs
If so, when will it if ever, support more than 5 and 50?

[RParker]

Downside to VSA:

No Vcenter Fault tolerance

Some HA features are not working

No self install for the VSA, it's pre-built

It requires ORACLE as the backend database (there is no migration from MS SQL).  Oracle is the ONLY DB supported.

BUT..

Let's talk about advantages..

Performance (more robust, speedier response).

More stable (arguably better than .NET)

Simple design, copy the files, boot it, done!  10 minute configure / setup.

Better universal acceptance, many shops do NOT have Windows servers.. now they don't need one.

So it's not about what it DOESN'T do in comparison to Windows.. but there MANY advantages to using VSA that more than overcomes the downside..

And it's early, VSA WILL be compatible, it just needs more time, then there won't be ANY reason to use Windows vCenter.

[RParker]

Stokkies wrote:

Is this still the case: Embedded database, DB2, only supports 5 hosts and 50 VMs
If so, when will it if ever, support more than 5 and 50?

Well the documentation says 100/1000 in the PDF file.. I know the READ me says otherwise, but there is conflict..

The way to get around it is to use Oracle DB as a remote server.. you don't WANT to use embedded anyway.. due to space issues, permissions..etc.. lots of limitations.  You have more control using your OWN database the embedded is to introduce you to VSA.

[RParker]

Paul Kelly wrote:

The current major limitations are:

• No Update Manager

This one I can VERIFY is NOT true.  We have update manager working with it just fine, it works with ZERO issues..

[biokovo]

How do you update your hosts/vm, through vSphere Client plug-in or with vCLI?

I didn't find a way to install vSphere Client plug-in for Update Manager

[biokovo]

Hi.

Is there any news about update manager in vCSA?

I am looking the easisit way to update esx hosts?

Thanks