ESXi 4.1 and Active Directory

[marius1]

In the  VMware ESXi and ESX Info Center I read that VMware ESXi can integrate with Active Directory. I am a little bit confused: does it mean that the free version of VMware ESXi can integrate to AD even if I install only a single server?

Is there any more detailed documentation about this feature?

If the free version does not allow integrating to AD, what additional component should I purchase?

Regards

marius

[DSTAVERT]

http://technodrone.blogspot.com/2010/07/esxi-41-active-directory-integration.html

[Dave_Mishchenko]

If you're using the free edition you'll have to configure AD integration with the vSphere client as described in the article.  The vCLI for example won't work as the API for the free edition is read-only.  Also note that the Use Windows Session Creditionals options on the vSphere client logon screen won't work when connecting to ESXi.  You'll have to specify your AD account as domain\user and enter your AD password.