Does vSphere 5.1 still need a DNS server ?

[CKF1028]

Hello,

As we know, it must to build a DNS server within vSphere 4.1 environment for HA function and so on.

If we wanna build a new vSphere 5.1 environment without AD integration and View solution, does vSphere 5.1 still need a DNS server ???

Thanks for your attention and kindly reply.

[vmroyale]

DNS is still listed as a requirement in Installing vCenter Server 5.1 best practices (2021202)

[TomHowarth]

Even thought the requirement for DNS has been removed from HA,  there are plenty of other functions that work better with it.

SSO for a start, AD integration,

As VMRoyal says, it is in the Best Practice document as a requirement

[CKF1028]

Thanks for VMRoyal and Tom's kindly reply.

In fact, we've a production environment which is running vSphere 5.1 without DNS service.

There're VM x20 living in ESXi x3 controlled by vCenter x1, and everything is working fine.(NFS/iSCSI and vMotion/HA/DRS/FT)

Would you please tell me which functions or features of vSphere 5.1 can't work without DNS service ? (exclude AD integration)

or which functions will work better with DNS service, not only for easy recognize than IP address by human beings.

Appreciate for your kindly reply.

[TomHowarth]

I am slightly confused here, do you mean a ESXi DNS Service or a DNS server that ESXi host are registered against and too for naming services?

[admin]

> Would you please tell me which functions or features of vSphere 5.1 can't work without DNS service ? (exclude AD integration)
> or which functions will work better with DNS service, not only for easy recognize than IP address by human beings.

For once your support contract, SSO needs DNS to be in a supported environment. I wouldn't risk to lose precious time just to set up proper DNS resolution in a critical production down case to get in a supported environment first.

In an extremely simple setup everything might work as you expect it to work just on IP basis. Some advanced solutions like VDP and vSphere Replication will not install correctly when you use an IP only network without DNS resolution.

Custom SSL certificates are also a point where name resolution is preferred.

[CKF1028]

Appreciate for Frank's instruction.

In brief, when we need "VDP/vSphere Replication/AD integration" features of vSphere 5.1, it must build a DNS server for working properly.

Besides, if we only need "vMotion/HA/DRS/FT" features of vSphere 5.1, it doesn't need to build a DNS server, right ?!