In today’s guide we will be doing the installation of VMware vCenter 7 Server Appliance on ESXi Host. vCenter Server is an advanced server management solution designed to provide a centralized platform for controlling your VMware vSphere environments, allowing you to automate and deliver a virtual infrastructure across the hybrid cloud with confidence. In our previous article we talked about installation of vSphere ESXi 7 on physical servers in your data center.
You can go through the vSphere 7 notes document to learn about the new features that come with this wonderful virtualization solution trusted by many small to large enterprise companies. vCenter 7 can be deployed on ESXi host running version 6.5, 6.7 or 7. It can be used to manage ESXi 6.5, ESXi 6.7, and ESXi 7.0,
Before you start
Before starting the installation ensure you have a working DNS server and configure both A record and PTR record of your vCenter hostname to be used. See below example:
192.168.10.20 vcenter.example.com # DNS record settingIn my setup I’m using Active directory domain name server. This is my DNS A record creation. Don’t forget to create PTR record as well.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/vcenter-dns-records-creation-1024×588.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="588" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
vCenter Instance Datastore creation
We’ll need a datastore on ESXi host where vCenter instance will be stored. If you don’t have one already create it.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-02-1024×134.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="134" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
I’ll choose VMFS datastore type.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-03-1024×642.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="642" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Give the datastore a name and choose a disk to be use for datastore creation.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-04-1024×611.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="611" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Select partitioning format for the datastore.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-05-1024×646.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="646" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Confirm settings and hit Finish.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-06-1024×617.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="617" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Agree to data erasing and create datastore.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-07-1024×461.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="461" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Confirm if the datastore created is available in the list of datastores.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-08-1024×246.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="246" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Install vCenter 7 Server Appliance on ESXi Host
With all the basic requirements done it is time to install vCenter 7 Server. But first you need to download the vCenter ISO image from VMware Downloads page.
Once the file is downloaded click on it to mount.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-09-1024×223.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="223" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Navigate to vcsa-ui-installer directory.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-10-1024×503.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="503" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Then win32 directory.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-11-1024×262.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="262" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Click on the installer file to initiate installation of vCenter 7.0 Server Appliance.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-12-1024×625.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="625" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Choose “Install ” option in the next window. If you’re performing an upgrade from an older version of vCenter then choose “Upgrade “
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-13-1024×691.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="691" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
You’ll get to Stage 1 where deployment of vCenter Instance to VMware Infrastructure is done. Click Next to get started with stage 1.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-14-1024×698.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="698" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Accept the License Agreement terms to continue.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-15-1024×706.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="706" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Input the IP address of the ESXi host or vCenter Server name where the instance will be deployed to.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-16-1024×706.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="706" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Accept certificate warning if you’re using self-signed SSL certificates.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-17-1024×665.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="665" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Give your vCenter Instance a name and set root password.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-18-1024×708.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="708" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Select a deployment size depending on your managed Infrastructure needs.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-19-1024×701.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="701" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Select datastore for vCenter Server.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-20-1024×710.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="710" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Choose the network, set IP address, gateway and DNS servers for the vCenter Server. The FQDN provided should be as set in DNS server and should match the IP address that was configured in the DNS Server.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-21-1024×709.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="709" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Click Next when done and Stage 1 actual deployment should be started.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-22-1024×517.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="517" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Ensure you get Successful installation message for Stage 1 before going to the next step.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-23-1024×348.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="348" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
If satisfied with the deployment results click “Continue ” to initiate Stage 2.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-26-1024×708.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="708" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Start the setup of vCenter Server. Validate settings and modify where possible then click “Next “.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-27-1024×633.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="633" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Create a new or join existing SSO domain if you another vCenter Server already deployed.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-28-1024×705.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="705" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
You can choose to join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program(CEIP ).
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-29-1024×628.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="628" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Stage 2 configuration is started.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-30-1024×448.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="448" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Wait for Stage 2 configuration to finish and take note of vCenter Server Administration URL.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-31-1024×643.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="643" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
The instance and all services are started automatically after completion. You should be able to login to vCenter Server Appliance Console and check services status. This is on port 5480.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-32-1024×738.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="738" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
The vCenter Console for vSphere administration is on https port 443.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-33-1024×465.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="465" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
Login with the SSO username and password you provided earlier in stage 2 configurations.
<img alt="" data-ezsrc="https://kirelos.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/echo/install-vcenter-server-34-1024×632.png" data-ez ezimgfmt="rs rscb8 src ng ngcb8 srcset" height="632" loading="lazy" src="data:image/svg xml,” width=”1024″>
In our next tutorials we’ll cover creation of Data Center, Cluster, Distributed Switches and Port groups in vCenter. Stay connected for updates.
More on VMware:
How To Monitor VMware ESXi with Grafana and Telegraf
VMware vSphere and vCenter Central Logs Management with Rsyslog
