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baber
Expert
Expert

how can add 2 vcenter in one vcenter

Dear all

i use vcsa 6.5 and esxi 6.5

now i want to know if i want had 2 vcenter that managed byone vcenter how can do i that ?

do i had to install 2 vcsa (PSC+virtual senter server ) and install one virtual center server without PSC ?

such as attached pic

BR

Babak

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MohamadAlhousse
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Enthusiast

Hi baber

Please follow the below steps to accomplish your request:

1. Install an external PSC1 in SSO Site A and link VCSA1 vCenter server to it.

2. Install another external PSC2 in SSO site B and link VCSA2 vcenter to it. You have to join the 2 PSC controller to the same SSO domain.

The configuration you are requesting is called: Enhanced Linked Mode (ELM).

ELM requires external PSC controller sharing the same SSO domain such as vSphere.local.

Please let me know if you find this useful.

Regards,

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
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Expert

So thanks

i understand these are correct?

1- i know vcsa installation has 2 part PSC and vcenter server . On site-A i have to install vcsa complete (psc+vcenter server)

2- on site-B such as site -A install vcsa (psc+vcenter server)

3- i have to install another vcsa on site-A (just install vcenter server without PSC) that with this can manage vcenter in site-A and vcenter in site-B

BR

Babak

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MohamadAlhousse
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Hi baber

You welcome dear,

No, for installation , you will have two separate VMs in each site (one VM for PSC and another VM for vCenter).

We need external PSC controller. If you install VCSA complete as you say, this means you will end up with vCenter with embedded PSC which is not what we need.

So for installation, follow the below:

SiteA:

1. run VCSA setup and install only PSC controller from it. This will install external PSC controller in site A.

pastedImage_3.png

2. run VCSA setup and select the vCenter server option now to install only vCenter component and point it to the PSC controller in site A.

pastedImage_6.png

SiteB:

1. Install external PSC controller the same way as in site B. Select the option to "join an existing SSO domain" which is the same domain created in site A.

pastedImage_8.png

2. Install vCenter and point it to PSC controller in site B.

After that , if you login to whether vCenter, you will have both vCenter inventories in the same web client.

Hope this is more clear,

Regards,

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
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Expert

So thanks dea rmohammad

Would you please say when do i had to install psc and vcenter on seperate vm and when can install on one vm ?

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MohamadAlhousse
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You welcome dear,

Please check the below article for the different "vCenter Server and Platform Services Controller Deployment Types" stating the use case and the pros and cons of each deployment model (embedded vs. external).

https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/6.5/com.vmware.psc.doc/GUID-ACCD2814-0F0A-4786-96C0-8C9BB5...

Don't forget to mark this as helpful if you find it informative.

Thank you,

Regards,

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
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Expert

Dear

i read that document so thanks

from that we need one PSC and 2 vcenter server i understand this is that correct ?

1- install PSC on seprate vm on site A

2- install vcenter server on seprate vm on Site A

3- on SiteB on seprate VM during install vcsa select External platform service controller and just install vcenter server

during installation join that to PSC on siteA

BR

Babak

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MohamadAlhousse
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Hi baber

For site A, this is true.

For site B, you need two VMs as well. First install a PSC controller in site B (select external PSC controller option) and join it to the same SSO domain created when you installed the PSC controller in site A. Then install another VM which is the vCenter in site B and point it to the PSC controller in Site B. The topology would look like the below:

pastedImage_0.png

Regards,

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
Expert
Expert

so thanks

this is my imagine is that correct or not ?

when i install PSC on siteA on seprate machine with ip 10.10.10.1 therby  PSC ip address on siteA is 10.10.10.1

install vCenter server on SiteA seprate machine with ip 10.10.10.2 therby vCenter ip address on SiteA is 10.10.10.2

install PSC on siteB on seprate machine with ip 10.10.10.3 therby PSC ip address on siteB is 10.10.10.3

install vCenter server on seprate machine with ip 10.10.10.4 therby vCenter ip address is 10.10.10.4

1- now when i want connect to vCenter which ip address do i have to use for connect for manage all vCenter servers?

2- but in your scenario PSC on siteB can just manage siteB and PSC on siteA can just manage siteA means each of my PSC failed can not connect to that site how can create  a scenario such as this ? if my PSC on siteA failed PSC on siteB can manage that and vice versa

please see attach pic

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MohamadAlhousse
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Hi baber

You are correct for the VM machines and IP addressing.

Please find below comments to your thoughts:

1. You can use either site A vCenter IP address or site B vCenter IP address to manage both environments. No matter which vCenter you login to, you will see both vCenter inventories in the web client and you are able to manage all your resources in both sites.

2. The two PSCs are sharing the same SSO domain and are replicating to each other. If you want to design for resiliency about PSC failure at each site, you can add 2 PSC controllers in HA mode with a load balancer in each site, then point the vCenter to the load balanced PSC VIP address. This way you will survive the failure of one PSC controller per site. The topology will be as below:

pastedImage_0.png

Hope this is clear now,

Regards

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
Expert
Expert

Dear

thanks

1- my imagine from your first scenario according follow pic is : each of my PSC on each site(siteA or siteB) failed i can not connect to vCenter on that site is for example if PSC on siteB failed can not connect to vCenter on siteB and PSC on siteA failed can not connect to vCenter on siteA is that correct ?

209728_209728.png

2- Is the task of enhance linked mode connect PSC on siteA to PSC on siteB or connection between two PSC in one will be handle by enhanced linke mode ?

BR

Babak

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MohamadAlhousse
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Dear,

1- yes that is correct. If the PSC controller where the vCenter is pointing fails, then the vCenter services will not come up.

    That is why i proposed the second scenario for you if you want resiliency on PSC failure. In this case you can use 2 PSC controller in HA mode.

2- when you connect 2 PSC controllers via same SSO domain and in different sites, there will be replication between the PSC controllers. It is a naming only about this confguration as ELM.

Regards

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baber
Expert
Expert

so thanks

now if oi want implement your scenario Do i have to do these steps ?

on SITE-A

1- install an external PSC on seprate vm as first PSC on site A and during installation select create new SSO domain

2- install an external PSC on seprate vm as second PSC on site A and during installation select "join an existing SSO domain and in platform service controller field" insert IP address of  first PSC that has been installed in prevoius step

3- install external vcenter server on Site A and join that to one of PSC that has been installed in step1 or 2

on SITE-B

1- install an external PSC on seprate vm as first PSC on site B and during installation select create new SSO domain

2- install an external PSC on seprate vm as second PSC on site B and during installation select "join an existing SSO domain and in platform service controller field" insert IP address of  first PSC that has been installed in prevoius step on SITE-B

3- install external vcenter server on Site B and join that to one of PSC that has been installed in step1 or 2 (on SITE-B)

now

4- how do i had to connect PSC on SITE-A to PSC on SITE-B via ELM ?

5- how can i run and install load balancer ?

BR

Babak

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MohamadAlhousse
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You welcome dear,

Below are the correct steps:

SiteA:

1. Install external PSC controller (PSC1) and select create SSO domain.

2. Install another external PSC controller (PSC2) and select "join an existin SSO domain" which is the same SSO domain created before. Insert IP address of PSC1.

3. Configure load balancer for PSC1 and PSC2.

4. Intall vCenter in SiteA and point it the virtual IP or FQDN load balancing the two PSC controllers.

SiteB:

1. Install external PSC controller (PSC3) and and select "join an existin SSO domain" which is the same SSO domain created before. Insert IP address of PSC2 in site A.

2. Install another external PSC controller (PSC4) and select "join an existin SSO domain" which is the same SSO domain created before. Insert IP address of PSC3.

3. Configure load balancer for PSC3 and PSC4.

4. Intall vCenter in SiteB and point it the virtual IP or FQDN load balancing the two PSC controllers.

The following load balancers are supported: Netscaler, F5 Big IP, and NSX Edge. For the detailed configuration, below are the articles:

Regards,

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baber
Expert
Expert

so thanks

but now i run first scenario in my lab

1- install external psc on site-A

2- install external vcenter on site-A and join that psc on site-A

3-install external psc on site-B and join to psc on site-A

4-install external vcenter on site-B and join that to psc on site-B

now when i connect to vcenter on site A just see one vcenter but when connect to vcenter on site-B see both vcenter

please see attached pic

why ?

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MohamadAlhousse
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You welcome dear,

Do you have any firewall restrictions between the VMs ?

If no, can you try to restart the vCenter VM in site A and they let me know if you see both sites inventories ?

Regards,

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
Expert
Expert

so thanks

1-Is that necessary to run load balancer if i want implement second scenario ?

2- can i run 2 PSC on each sites and then connect them to each other without run load balancer ?

3- can run second scenario with just 2PSC (PSC-A in siteA ans PSC-B in siteB) and put one physical load balancer in LAB

4-what happen will be do if i run second scenario without load balancer in each site :

if psc1 on siteA become fail can not connect automatically to psc2 on sietA without load balancer

5- can i run your second scenario with just one physical loadbalancer in my lab and add 4 psc to one load balancer and use one vip ?  thus during installation :

SiteA:

1. Install external PSC controller (PSC1) and select create SSO domain.

2. Install another external PSC controller (PSC2) and select "join an existin SSO domain" which is the same SSO domain created before. Insert IP address of PSC1.

3. Configure load balancer for PSC1 and PSC2. , PSC3(siteB) and PSC4(siteB)

4. Intall vCenter in SiteA and point it the virtual IP or FQDN load balancing the two PSC controllers.

SiteB:

1. Install external PSC controller (PSC3) and and select "join an existin SSO domain" which is the same SSO domain created before. Insert IP address of PSC2 in site A.

2. Install another external PSC controller (PSC4) and select "join an existin SSO domain" which is the same SSO domain created before. Insert IP address of PSC3.

4. Intall vCenter in SiteB and point it the virtual IP or FQDN load balancing the 4 PSC controllers.

BR

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baber
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can anyone help me ?

BR

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MohamadAlhousse
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Hi dear,

Please find below answers to your questions:

1-Is that necessary to run load balancer if i want implement second scenario ?  If you use only one PSC per site, then no need for load balancer. The load balancer is used to provide high availability for PSC controllers at each site.

2- can i run 2 PSC on each sites and then connect them to each other without run load balancer ? Yes you can. The load balancer is only used to point the vCenter the the load balanced VIP of the PSC controllers.

3- can run second scenario with just 2PSC (PSC-A in siteA ans PSC-B in siteB) and put one physical load balancer in LAB. If you have only one PSC at each site, then there is no need for load balancer.

4-what happen will be do if i run second scenario without load balancer in each site : then you will not have automatic failover from the active PSC to the standby one if the active PSC fails. You can make a workaround here and point the vCenter to the other PSC controller through command line VMware Knowledge Base

if psc1 on siteA become fail can not connect automatically to psc2 on sietA without load balancer

5- can i run your second scenario with just one physical loadbalancer in my lab and add 4 psc to one load balancer and use one vip ?  you need a load balancer for each pair of PSC under each site.

By the way, you can now use enhanced linked mode in vSphere 6.7 with embedded PSC. So you can have only one VM at site A (vCenter + PSC) and another VM at site B (vCenter + PSC) with the need for any load balancer. The two PSC controllers will be joined to the same SSO domain.

Hope this is clear now,

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your question have been answered correctly. Cheers, @vExpertConsult www.vexpertconsultancy.com VCIX-DCV 2018 | VCIX-NV 2019 | VCAP7-CMA Design | vSAN Specialist | vExpert ** | vExpert NSX | vExpert vSAN
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baber
Expert
Expert

so thanks

Is that a new feature just on vphere 6.7 (you can now use enhanced linked mode in vSphere 6.7 with embedded PSC. So you can have only one VM at site A (vCenter + PSC) and another VM at site B (vCenter + PSC) with the need for any load balancer. The two PSC controllers will be joined to the same SSO domain.) ?

now i have a questions :

1- what is the difference between above method (vCenter + PSC) on one VM on siteA ,  (vCenter + PSC) on one VM on siteB with below method ?    

SiteA: install PSC on a separate vm on siteA and then install vCenter on another VM on siteA

SiteB : First install a PSC controller in site B (select external PSC controller option) and join it to the same SSO domain created when i installed the PSC controller in site A. Then install another VM which is the vCenter in site B and point it to the PSC controller in Site B.

BR

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