TM Administration Guide
Please note that you will always find the most up-to-date technical documentation on our Web site at http://www.vmware.com/support/. VMware, Inc. 3145 Porter Drive Palo Alto, CA 94304 www.vmware.com The VMware Web site also provides the latest product updates. Copyright © 1998-2005 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. Protected by one or more of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,397,242, 6,496,847, 6,704,925, 6,711,672, 6,725,289, 6,735,601, 6,785,886, 6,789,156 and 6,795,966; patents pending.
Table of Contents Introduction and System Requirements ____________________________9 VMware GSX Server: Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for x86-Based Servers ____________________________________________10 Welcome to VMware GSX Server ___________________________________12 Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for Intel-Based Servers ___________13 What’s New in Version 3 __________________________________________14 Features in Version 3.
Default Directories ____________________________________________58 Installing the GSX Server Software on a Linux Host ___________________59 Installing the VMware Management Interface on a Linux Host __________63 Installing an X Server __________________________________________64 Before You Install on a SuSE Linux 7.
Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 1 under Version 3 ___________103 Upgrading Virtual Hardware in the Guest Operating System __________103 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host _______ 107 Remotely Managing Virtual Machines ______________________________108 Changing the Port Number for VMware Virtual Machine Console Connections __________________109 Downloading the VMware Virtual Machine Console _________________111 Securing Virtual Machines and the Host _________________________
Configuring Startup and Shutdown Options for Virtual Machines ______ 150 Setting User Preferences for the VMware GSX Server Host ____________ 155 Setting Global Preferences for VMware GSX Server __________________ 160 Creating Network Labels ______________________________________ 163 Setting a MIME Type to Launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console ____________________________ 166 Using VirtualCenter to Manage GSX Server Virtual Machines _____________ 169 Creating Virtual Machines on a GSX Server Host from a
High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server __________ 199 Using SCSI Reservation to Share SCSI Disks with Virtual Machines _________200 SCSI Reservation Support _____________________________________200 Enabling SCSI Reservation _____________________________________201 Issues to Consider When Sharing Disks ___________________________202 Overview of Clustering with GSX Server _____________________________204 Applications That Can Use Clustering ____________________________205 Clustering Software
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CHAPTER Introduction and System Requirements 1 The following sections introduce you to VMware GSX Server.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide VMware GSX Server: Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for x86-Based Servers VMware® GSX Server is virtual infrastructure for enterprise IT administrators who want to consolidate servers and streamline development and testing operations. GSX Server is easily installed and managed, and provides rapid return on investment (ROI).
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Key GSX Server 3 Benefits GSX Server 3 offers the following key benefits: • Shipping for over four years, with thousands of successful customers, VMware GSX Server is the most flexible and easily deployed server virtualization product on the market. • Offers widest selection of supported host and guest operating systems of any virtualization technology — preserves your freedom to choose the best operating system platform.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Welcome to VMware GSX Server Thank you for choosing VMware GSX Server, the software that provides IT professionals with enterprise-class server consolidation and high availability of server resources by letting them run multiple operating systems in secure, transportable, high-performance virtual computers. If you’re new to GSX Server, this chapter is the place to start.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Enterprise-Class Virtual Infrastructure for Intel-Based Servers VMware products provide a virtualization layer that turns your physical computers into a pool of logical computing resources. You can then dynamically allocate those resources to any operating system or application in the way that best meets your needs.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide What’s New in Version 3 Whether you’re a long-time power user of VMware GSX Server or a new user who is just learning what you can do with virtual machines, the new features in VMware GSX Server 3 extend its capabilities and make it easier to use. Features in Version 3.2 Here are some highlights of key features to explore in VMware GSX Server 3.2: New Operating System Support VMware GSX Server 3.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Dual-Core Processor Licensing Compatibility The two processor version of GSX Server now supports systems with two dual-core processors. Critical Bugs Fixed in GSX Server 3.2 Bugs fixed in this release include: • Fix for panic that occurs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 AS host. • Fix for core dump when powering on virtual machine on Fedora Core 3 host. (Fedora is not a supported GSX Server host operating system.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Server 2003 for 64-Bit Extended Systems (beta), Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 and SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8.0 on hosts with 64-bit processors. Experimental guest operating system support is provided for Solaris 9 and 10 Operating System x86 Platform Edition. VirtualCenter Ready GSX Server 3.1 is enabled for management by VMware VirtualCenter.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements • Fix for issue that caused the VMware Registration Service service to hang when starting the host while virtual machines are configured to power on automatically with the host. • Fix for an application error that occurred in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a (Japanese language version only) guest operating systems when using the search function of Windows Explorer. The error occurred only when VMware Tools is installed in the guest.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Improved Security for Remote Connections SSL is enabled by default for remote connections with the VMware Virtual Machine Console and the VMware Management Interface. VirtualCenter Ready GSX Server 3 is enabled for management by an upcoming release of VMware VirtualCenter.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements in a Windows virtual machine. For information, see Automating the Installation of GSX Server on page 52 and Automating the Installation of VMware Tools in a Windows Guest in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. With the Microsoft Windows Installer runtime engine, you can pick and choose the features you want to install.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Easier Sharing of Virtual Machines with Latest VMware Products Virtual machines created with GSX Server 3 are compatible with VMware Workstation 4 and ESX Server 2 for easier migrating and sharing of virtual machines. New LSI Logic Virtual SCSI Adapter for Guest Operating Systems The LSI Logic virtual SCSI adapter is included when you install Windows Server 2003, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 or NetWare guests.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements New Operating System Support VMware GSX Server 3 provides support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8.0 patch 3, and Turbolinux Server 8.0 and Workstation 8.0 hosts. New supported guest operating systems include Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0; SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 patch 2; NetWare 6.5 Server; FreeBSD 4.6.2, 4.8, 5.0 and 5.1 (prerelease version); and Turbolinux Server 7.0, 8.0 and Workstation 8.0.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide If you plan to use existing virtual machines that have disks in undoable mode, commit or discard any changes to the virtual disks before you remove the release you used to create them. • Resume or power on the virtual machine in the earlier release, shut down the guest operating system, power off the virtual machine and either commit or discard changes to the undoable disk when prompted. • Back up virtual machines.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements If You Are Upgrading from an Earlier Version of GSX Server The installation steps for your host require that you run an uninstaller to remove a previous version of GSX Server from your machine. On a Windows host, the uninstaller asks whether you want to keep licenses in your registry. Do not remove the licenses. On a Linux host, the license remains in place. You do not need to take any special action. Just leave it where it is.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Host System Requirements What do you need to get the most out of VMware GSX Server? Take the following list of requirements as a starting point. Remember that the virtual machines running under GSX Server are like physical computers in many ways — and, like physical computers, they generally perform better if they have faster processors, more memory and sufficient disk space. Be aware that system requirements may change after this manual has been printed.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Memory You need enough memory to run the Windows or Linux host operating system, plus memory required for each guest operating system and applications on the host and each guest; see your guest operating system and application documentation for their memory requirements.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Windows Host Operating Systems You need a Windows server operating system. If you intend to use the VMware Management Interface, Internet Information Server (IIS) 5.0 or 6.0 must be installed. Note: Operating systems and service packs that are not listed are not supported for use as a host operating system for VMware GSX Server.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Linux Host Operating Systems Supported distributions and kernels are listed below. GSX Server may not run on systems that do not meet these requirements. 64-bit host computers can run the following operating systems for 64-bit extended systems (experimental support only): • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 AS • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 ES • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 WS • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 AS • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • Red Hat Linux 8.0 • Red Hat Linux 7.3 • Red Hat Linux 7.2 • Red Hat Linux 7.1 • SUSE LINUX Enterprise Server 9 • SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 • SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 • SUSE LINUX 9.3 • SUSE LINUX 9.2 • SUSE LINUX 9.1 • SUSE LINUX 9.0 • SuSE Linux 8.2 • SuSE Linux 8.1 • SuSE Linux 8.0 • SuSE Linux 7.3 • Turbolinux Server 8.0 • Turbolinux Workstation 8.0 • Turbolinux Server 7.0 Platforms not listed above are not supported.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements • Version 2.1.36 of the SCSI Generic (sg.o) driver is required to use generic SCSI devices in virtual machines • Perl 5.005x or higher is required to use VmPerl API • X server is required to run the VMware Virtual Machine Console In addition, the VMware Management Interface requires one of these browsers: • Firefox 1.x • Mozilla 1.x • Netscape Navigator 7.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Remote Client Requirements The remote client is a Windows or Linux system from which you launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console or use VMware Scripting APIs to remotely manage virtual machines on the GSX Server host. You access the VMware Management Interface to manage virtual machines on the host using a Web browser.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements system requirements, go to the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/support/gsx3/doc/intro_sysreqs_host_gsx.html. Software — Linux Remote Client • Standard Linux installation is required with glibc version 2.1 or higher and one of the following kernels: • For single-processor systems: kernel 2.0.32 or higher in the 2.0.x series, or kernel in the 2.2.x, 2.4.x or 2.6.x series • For SMP systems: kernel in the 2.2.x, 2.4.x or 2.6.x series Note: Linux kernel 2.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Virtual Machine Specifications Each virtual machine created with GSX Server provides a platform that includes the following devices that your guest operating system can see.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements • Mylex® (BusLogic) BT-958 compatible host bus adapter • LSI Logic Ultra160 LSI53C10xx SCSI controller Virtual PCI Slots • Six virtual PCI slots, to be divided among the virtual SCSI controllers, virtual Ethernet cards, virtual display adapter and virtual sound adapter Virtual Floppy Drives • Up to two 1.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • Virtual networking supports most Ethernet-based protocols, including TCP/IP, NetBEUI, Microsoft Networking, Samba, Novell® NetWare® and Network File System • Built-in NAT supports client software using TCP/IP, FTP, DNS, HTTP and Telnet Virtual Sound Adapter • Sound output and input • Creative Labs Sound Blaster® AudioPCI emulation (MIDI input, game controllers and joysticks are not supported) 34 www.vmware.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Supported Guest Operating Systems The operating systems listed here have been tested in VMware GSX Server virtual machines and are officially supported. For notes on installing guest operating systems, see the VMware Guest Operating System Installation Guide, available from the Help menu or from the VMware Web site at www.vmware.com/support/guestnotes/doc/index.html.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Linux • Mandrake Linux 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 10.0 and 10.1 • Red Hat Linux 6.2, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.0 and 9.0 • Red Hat Enterprise Linux (AS, ES and WS) 2.1, including Update 6; Red Hat Enterprise Linux (AS, ES and WS) 3.0, including Update 4; Red Hat Enterprise Linux (AS, ES and WS) 4.0 • SuSE Linux 7.3, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 9.0, 9.1 and 9.2; experimental support for SUSE LINUX 9.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Technical Support Resources The following sections describe various technical support resources available to you. • Self-Service Support • Online and Telephone Support • Support Offerings • Reporting Problems • Log Files Self-Service Support Use the VMware Technology Network for self help tools and technical information: • Product Information — www.vmware.com/support/resources • Technology Information — www.vmware.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide The steps below describe the information we need from you to diagnose problems. This information largely comes from various log files. Which log file we need depends upon the problem you encounter. The log files are listed after the steps. You can simplify the process of collecting the needed information by running the support script to collect the appropriate log files and system information. Follow the steps below that apply to your host computer.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements Log Files The following log files are generated by GSX Server and are collected by the support script as needed. Since there is no support script on a remote client, you need to submit a support request at www.vmware.com/requestsupport for any issues you encounter on a client and include the console’s log file or its installation log file.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide On a Linux host, the log is called ui-.log and is stored in the user’s TEMP directory; by default, this directory is /tmp/vmware-. The path to this file appears in the terminal when you start the console. VMware Management Interface Log File The VMware Management Interface keeps a log. On a Windows host, the log is called mui.log and is stored by default in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Management Interface.
C H A P T E R 1 Introduction and System Requirements VMware GSX Server and VMware Virtual Machine Console Installation Log Files GSX Server keeps an installation log file on the server host. On a remote client, the VMware Virtual Machine Console keeps an installation log file. If you encounter problems installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console, please submit a support request and this log file. On a Windows host, the file is VMInst.log.
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CHAPTER 2 Installing VMware GSX Server The following sections describe how to install VMware GSX Server on your Linux or Windows host system: • Selecting Your Host System on page 43 • About the VMware Virtual Machine Console on the Server on page 44 • Installing VMware GSX Server on a Windows Host on page 45 • Installing VMware GSX Server on a Linux Host on page 55 • Configuring Web Browsers for Use with GSX Server on page 67 • Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on page 70 • Installing the VMw
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Your serial number allows you to use VMware GSX Server only on the host operating system for which you licensed the software. If you have a serial number for a Windows host, you cannot run the software on a Linux host, and vice versa. To use VMware GSX Server on a different host operating system — for example, to use it on a Linux host if you have licensed the software for a Windows host — purchase a license on the VMware Web site.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Installing VMware GSX Server on a Windows Host The following sections describe how to install GSX Server on your Windows host operating system: • Basic Installation on page 46 • Default Directories on page 48 • Installing the GSX Server Software on a Windows Host on page 48 Getting started with VMware GSX Server is simple. The key steps are 1.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Basic Installation On a Windows host, you install GSX Server from a master installer. The master installer is a convenient way to install all the components of GSX Server — the server software, the VMware Management Interface and the VMware Scripting APIs — or you can pick and choose which components to install. In addition, the VMware Virtual Machine Console is always installed. All components are installed in their own directories under one master directory.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server • The VmCOM API package, a scripting tool that uses COM to manage virtual machines remotely; for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer. • The VmPerl API package, a scripting tool that uses Perl to manage virtual machines remotely; for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer. You can choose a custom installation path where you install only the packages you need.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Default Directories By default, the GSX Server components are installed into the following directories: • The server components and the VMware Virtual Machine Console are installed in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware GSX Server • The VMware Management Interface components are installed in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Management Interface • The VmCOM API components are installed in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VmCOM Scripting API • The VmPerl API components are insta
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Note: A message appears if you are installing GSX Server on a Windows host configured as an Active Directory server. You can safely ignore the message by clicking OK to continue the installation, or choose to cancel the installation. 2. Start the GSX Server master installer. If you are installing from a CD, from the Start menu, choose Run and enter D:\Windows\VMware-gsx-server-installer-.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 4. Choose whether you want to perform a complete or a custom installation. Complete Installation A complete installation installs the server software, the VMware Management Interface, the VMware Virtual Machine Console, the VmCOM API and the VmPerl API on the GSX Server host. To choose the complete installation, select Complete, then click Next.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Custom Installation A custom installation lets you pick and choose which components to install. You can always run the installer again at a later date to install components you did not install the first time. Select Custom and click Next. The Custom Setup screen appears. In the Custom Setup screen, choose the components to install. Click the arrow to the left of the component you do not want to install and select the appropriate option from the menu.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 5. If you want to change any settings or information you provided, now is the time to make those changes. Click Back until you reach the screen containing the information you want to change. Otherwise, click Install. The installer begins copying files to your host. 6. If the installer detects that the CD-ROM autorun feature is enabled, you see a message that gives you the option to disable this feature.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server The server on which you are installing GSX Server must have Microsoft Windows Installer runtime engine version 2.0 installed. This version is included with Windows Server 2003. If you are installing on a Windows 2000 host (or are installing the VMware Scripting APIs on a Windows NT 4.0 client), check the version of this file: %WINDIR%\system32\msiexec.exe If you need to upgrade the engine, run instmsiw.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Property Name Description Default REMOVE_LICENSE Uninstall only: Removes all stored licenses when you uninstall GSX Server. By default, GSX Server keeps the licenses on the server. 0 To remove licenses, add the following in step 2: REMOVE_LICENSE = 1 Caution: VMware strongly recommends you keep your licenses, in case you reinstall or upgrade your software. SERIALNUMBER Automatically enters the serial number.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Installing VMware GSX Server on a Linux Host The following sections describe how to install GSX Server on your Linux host operating system: • Basic Installation on page 56 • Default Directories on page 58 • Installing the GSX Server Software on a Linux Host on page 59 • Installing the VMware Management Interface on a Linux Host on page 63 • Installing an X Server on page 64 • Before You Install on a SuSE Linux 7.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 7. Start using your virtual machine. Use the VMware Virtual Machine Console, VMware Management Interface and VMware Scripting APIs to manage your server host and virtual machines. Basic Installation A basic installation of GSX Server uses two computers — a server, hosting a number of virtual machines, and a client workstation. The client communicates with the virtual machines on the server over a TCP/IP network link.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server • SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 hosts: The gcc package must be installed on your host before you install GSX Server. See Before You Install on a SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 Host on page 65. Caution: Some operating systems, such as Red Hat Linux 7.2 and 7.3, include a firewall by default. This firewall prevents access from the VMware Virtual Machine Console and the VMware Management Interface on client computers to the GSX Server host.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • The VmPerl and VmCOM Scripting APIs (the VmCOM API can be installed only on a Windows client); for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/ developer. These packages are available in the VMware Management Interface. If you are installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Windows client, see Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Windows Host on page 70. VMware Virtual Machine Consoles can run on clients and on the server itself.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server /usr/bin • The VmPerl API library files are installed in /usr/lib/vmware-api If you installed the software from a tar installer, you can change these paths if you wish, but make note of the new paths you intend to use. The instructions in this manual make use of the default paths. Installing the GSX Server Software on a Linux Host The steps below describe an installation on a Red Hat Linux host from a CD-ROM.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide (VMware-gsx-.i386.rpm is the installation file on the CD; where is a series of numbers representing version and build numbers.) Note: If you are upgrading from VMware GSX Server 2, you must take a special step before you install the RPM package. You need to remove the prebuilt modules RPM package included in the version 2 release.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server You can also use vmware-config.pl to reconfigure the networking options for VMware GSX Server — for example, to add or remove host-only networks. 6. Press Enter to read the end user license agreement (EULA). You may page through it by pressing the space bar. If the Do you accept prompt doesn’t appear, press Q to get to the next prompt. 7. Configure networking for your virtual machines.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 9. If you are upgrading from an earlier version of GSX Server, the following prompt appears: Do you want the installer to set up permissions for your registered virtual machines? This will be done by setting new permissions on all files found in /etc/vmware/vm-list. Type y.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Installing the VMware Management Interface on a Linux Host The steps below describe an installation of the VMware Management Interface on a Red Hat Linux host from a CD-ROM. If you downloaded the software, the steps are the same except that you start from the directory where you saved the installer file you downloaded, not from the CD. If you are using a different Linux distribution, some commands may be different. Note: You must install the libdb.so.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 9. Allow the configuration program vmware-config-mui.pl to run. 10. Specify the number of minutes before a management interface session times out. The default session length is 60 minutes. 11. When you finish, you can: • Log off of the root account. exit • Install the VMware Virtual Machine Console. Go to page 73. Installing an X Server You need an X server to run the VMware Virtual Machine Console. If an X server is not installed, you must install libxpm.so.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Before You Install on a SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 Host The gcc program is not installed on a SLES 8 host by default. This compiler is required by the VmPerl API. Before you install GSX Server on a SLES 8 host system, you must install gcc. Installing gcc in the Host Operating System 1. Start your X server, if it does not start by default, and log on as the root user. 2. Run YAST2, the default configuration utility for SLES 8. 3.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide your Linux distribution, as long as you install compat-db-3.3.<##>-<#>.i386.rpm or later. If you installed this package after you installed the management interface software, start the management interface’s Apache server with this command: /etc/init.d/httpd.vmware start The VMware Management Interface and 64-Bit Linux Hosts The VMware Management Interface does not work on 64-bit Linux hosts. 66 www.vmware.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Configuring Web Browsers for Use with GSX Server If you intend to run the VMware Management Interface in Internet Explorer 6.0 on a Windows system, you must take certain steps to configure Internet Explorer properly. These steps are needed whether the browser is running on a GSX Server Windows host or you are using a Windows client machine to connect to a GSX Server host.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 1. In the Internet Explorer 6.0 window, open the Internet Options control panel. Choose Tools > Internet Options. 2. Click the Advanced tab. 3. Scroll down to the Security section and uncheck Do not save encrypted pages to disk. 4. Click OK. Connecting to the Management Interface on a Proxy Server If your network is protected behind a proxy server, there are certain steps you must take in order to use the management interface in Internet Explorer 6.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Connecting to the Management Interface When There Is No Proxy Server If you are on a Windows system and your network does not use a proxy server, you must use fully-qualified domain names when connecting to the management interface with Internet Explorer 6.0. Launching Help in Netscape on a Linux System To use VMware GSX Server Help on a Linux system, you must have a Web browser installed on your physical computer.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console The VMware Virtual Machine Console enables you to view and control GSX Server virtual machines from a remote client or on the server host. Multiple users can use the console to connect to a virtual machine from the server host or from remote clients at the same time. Use the instructions below that correspond to the operating system running on your system. Consoles can also be launched from the VMware Management Interface.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server where is a series of numbers representing the version and build numbers. The InstallShield Wizard dialog box appears. Click Next. 2. Accept the end user license agreement (EULA). Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, then click Next. 3. Choose the directory in which to install the console. If you prefer to install it in a directory other than the default, click Change and change to your directory of choice.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 4. If you want to change any settings or information you provided, now is the time to make those changes. Click Back until you reach the dialog box containing the information you want to change. Otherwise, click Install. The installer begins copying files to your host. 5. When the setup completes, click Finish. You do not need to reboot your host operating system after you install the console. 72 www.vmware.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Linux Host The steps below describe an installation of the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Red Hat Linux host from a CD-ROM. If you downloaded the software, the steps are the same except that you start from the directory where you saved the installer file you downloaded, not from the CD. If you are using a different Linux distribution, some commands may be different.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide (where is a series of numbers representing the version and build numbers) The archive unpacks to vmware-console-distrib. b. Run the installer. cd vmware-console-distrib ./vmware-install.pl c. Accept the EULA and answer the questions specifying default directories for the binary files, library files, manual files and documentation files. d. If the Do you accept prompt doesn't appear, press Q to continue. 6. Run the configuration program vmware-config-console.pl.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server Installing the VMware Scripting APIs VMware GSX Server supports the VMware Scripting APIs, which include the VmPerl Scripting API and the VmCOM Scripting API. You can use the VMware Scripting APIs to manage the GSX Server host and virtual machines locally and remotely. For more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer. The following sections describe how to install the scripting APIs on Windows and Linux hosts.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 3. Acknowledge the end user license agreement (EULA). Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, then click Next. 4. Choose the directory in which to install the scripting API. To install it in a directory other than the default, click Change and browse to your directory of choice. If the directory does not exist, the installer creates it for you. Click Next.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server 5. If you want to change any settings or information you provided, now is the time to make those changes. Click Back until you reach the dialog box containing the information you want to change. Otherwise, click Install. The installer begins copying files to your host. 6. Click Finish. The VMware Scripting API is installed. If you install the VmCOM API, two directories named MiniMUI and SampleScripts are created in the VmCOM API directory.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Installing the VmPerl Scripting API on a Linux Host On either a Linux server host or a Linux remote computer, you can use only the VmPerl API. The VmCOM API cannot be installed on a Linux host, although the VmCOM API installed on a Windows remote client can communicate with a Linux host. You can make the VmPerl API tar archive available for download by customizing the download menu on the Login page of the VMware Management Interface.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server 9. Specify the directory where you want to install the VmPerl API documentation files. These files consist of the README, end user license agreement and copyright information. The default is /usr/share/doc/vmware-api. 10. When you finish, log off of the root account.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Uninstalling VMware GSX Server The following sections describe how to remove the GSX Server components from your system. Follow the steps for your host operating system. • Uninstalling GSX Server on a Windows Host on page 80 • Uninstalling GSX Server on a Linux Host on page 85 Uninstalling GSX Server on a Windows Host To uninstall GSX Server, complete the following steps.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server 3. Select Remove, then click Next. 4. When you are ready to begin removing GSX Server, click Remove. 5. During the uninstallation, you are asked whether you want to keep your VMware licenses in the Windows registry. VMware strongly recommends you keep your licenses, in case you reinstall or upgrade your software. To keep the licenses in the registry, click Yes. The uninstallation continues. 6.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 7. After all the components are removed, click Finish. 8. If you see a prompt that suggests you reboot your server, do so now to allow GSX Server to complete the uninstallation correctly. Removing Selected Components on a Windows Host With the master installer, you can choose to remove specific components from your GSX Server installation. For example, if you decide to not use the VmPerl API, you can remove only that component.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server 3. Select Modify, then click Next. The Custom Setup screen appears. 4. Click the arrow to open the menu next to the component you want to remove, select This feature will not be installed, then click Next. 5. When you are ready to begin removing the component, click Install. 6. After the component is removed, click Finish.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Uninstalling the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Windows Host To uninstall the console on a Windows host, use Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel. 1. Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel. 2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs (Add or Remove Programs on a Windows Server 2003 host). 3. Select VMware Virtual Machine Console, then click Change. Note: If the console was installed on Windows NT 4.0, click Add/Remove. 4. A wizard starts. Click Next. 5.
C H A P T E R 2 Installing VMware GSX Server 6. To start removing the console, click Remove. 7. After the wizard finishes removing the console, click Finish. You do not need to reboot the system after you remove the console. Uninstalling GSX Server on a Linux Host To uninstall any GSX Server component, open a terminal and log on as the root user.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 86 www.vmware.
CHAPTER 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server The following sections describe how to upgrade VMware GSX Server on your Linux or Windows host system and how to use virtual machines created under earlier versions of GSX Server with the current version: • Preparing for the Upgrade on page 88 • Upgrading on a Windows Host on page 91 • Upgrading on a Linux Host on page 92 • Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 2 under Version 3 on page 93 • Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 1 under Version 3 on page
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Preparing for the Upgrade The following sections describe how to prepare for your upgrade: • Before You Install VMware GSX Server on page 88 • When You Remove an Existing Version and Install the New Version on page 90 Before You Install VMware GSX Server There are a few steps you should take — before you remove an already installed version of GSX Server and install the new version of GSX Server — to ensure the best possible upgrade experience.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server If the disks are in persistent or nonpersistent mode, be sure the virtual machine is completely shut down. If it is suspended, resume it, shut down the guest operating system and power off the virtual machine. If you have an existing virtual machine that has multiple virtual disks and the disks are in multiple modes, the simplest approach to upgrading is to convert all the disks to persistent mode.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Take Note of Custom Network Configurations If you customized any virtual network settings or created a custom network, you must take note of these settings before you uninstall the previous version of GSX Server. Custom network settings cannot be preserved across product upgrades and must be configured again after you install the new version.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server Upgrading on a Windows Host In most cases, upgrading GSX Server is a four-step process. 1. Uninstall the version now installed on your system. If you are uninstalling an older version of GSX Server 3, see Uninstalling GSX Server on a Windows Host on page 80. If you are uninstalling version 1 or 2, see Removing Version 1 or Removing Version 2, below. Note: The uninstaller may offer to remove licenses from your registry. Do not remove the licenses. 2.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Upgrading on a Linux Host To upgrade from version 1 or 2 to version 3, you must have the full VMware GSX Server 3 product.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 2 under Version 3 The following sections describe how you can set up older virtual machines under VMware GSX Server 3 and how to upgrade the virtual hardware.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide You should expect to see this behavior each time you switch from one version of VMware GSX Server to the other. Using an Existing Virtual Machine and Upgrading the Virtual Hardware If you use an existing virtual machine and upgrade the virtual hardware, you gain access to new features, but the process is one-way — you cannot reverse it. Start by using an existing configuration file (.vmx) and virtual disk (.vmdk or .dsk).
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server disk, you may see the following error message while VMware GSX Server is upgrading the virtual hardware: “Unable to upgrade . One of the supplied parameters is invalid.” You may safely click OK to continue the upgrade process.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 6. A message cautions you that the operation is irreversible and recommends that you back up the virtual disks before proceeding. To continue, click Yes. 7. A message describes what is about to happen. Click OK to continue. 8. Power on the virtual machine. 9. Windows detects the PCI SVGA adapter, then it detects the VMware SVGA II adapter. Click Yes to continue the installation. 10. A message asks you to insert a disk.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server Windows XP Guest The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine. 1. Power on the virtual machine and let it update the CMOS. 2. Install the new version of VMware Tools. For details, see Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. 3.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 4. Restart the guest operating system. 5. Plug and Play detects an Intel 82371 AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE controller. Select Automatic search and click Next. Windows finds and install the driver automatically. 6. Install the new version of VMware Tools. For details, see Installing VMware Tools in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. 7. Shut down the Windows guest and power off the virtual machine. 8. Choose VM > Upgrade Virtual Hardware. 9.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server 2. Windows detects a PCI to ISA bridge. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the necessary driver. 3. Windows detects an Intel 82371EB Power Management Controller. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the necessary file. 4. Windows detects lpt.vxd. Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the necessary file. 5. Windows detects an Intel 82443BX Pentium Processor to PCI bridge.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 20. A message describes what is about to happen. Click OK to continue. 21. Power on the virtual machine. When Windows boots, it detects the PCI SVGA adapter. Later, it detects the VMware SVGA II adapter and installs the driver for it automatically. 22. Windows detects PCI Multimedia Audio and offers to install a driver for it. Click Cancel. 23. Windows detects an AMD PCNET Family Ethernet adapter. Click Next. 24. Select Search for the best driver and click Next. 25.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server Windows 95 Guest The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine. 1. Power on the virtual machine and let it update the CMOS. 2. Windows detects new devices and automatically installs the drivers. Restart the guest operating system after this process is complete. 3.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Mandrake Linux, Red Hat Linux or SuSE Linux Guest The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine. 1. Power on the virtual machine and let it update the CMOS. 2. When Kudzu appears, follow the instructions to detect new hardware and install the proper drivers. 3.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server Using Virtual Machines Created with Version 1 under Version 3 If you use an existing VMware GSX Server 1 virtual machine under VMware GSX Server 3, the virtual hardware is upgraded automatically. The upgrade gives you access to new features, but the process is one-way — you cannot reverse it. Start by using an existing configuration file (.vmx or .cfg) and virtual disk (.dsk or .vmdk).
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Windows Me Guest The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine. 1. Power on the virtual machine. 2. Allow GSX Server to upgrade the virtual hardware. 3. Click OK to dismiss the message “A legacy SVGA driver has been detected.” 4. Several Plug and Play messages appear. You can safely ignore them. 5.
C H A P T E R 3 Upgrading VMware GSX Server 4. Click OK to dismiss the message “A legacy SVGA driver has been detected.” 5. Log on to Windows 98. You see a number of Plug and Play messages. You may need to insert your Windows 98 installation CD. 6. Windows asks for the Pcimp.pci file. Enter C:\Windows\System as the location. 7. Windows detects an Intel 82371EB PCI to ISA bridge (ISA mode). Go to C:\Windows\System and let Windows select the driver or select automatic detection. 8.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Windows 95 Guest The following steps provide examples of what you may see as your guest operating system recognizes the new virtual hardware. The specific steps may vary, depending on the configuration of the virtual machine. 1. Power on the virtual machine. 2. Allow GSX Server to upgrade the virtual hardware. 3. Click OK to dismiss the message “A legacy SVGA driver has been detected.” 4. Log on to Windows 95. You see a number of Plug and Play messages.
CHAPTER 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host The following sections describe how to manage your virtual machines and the GSX Server host: • Remotely Managing Virtual Machines on page 108 • Securing Virtual Machines and the Host on page 114 • Identifying a Virtual Machine by Its UUID on page 123 • Logging GSX Server Events on Windows on page 125 • Backing Up Virtual Machines and the GSX Server Host on page 127 • Using the VMware Management Interface on page 129 • Deleting Virtual Mac
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Remotely Managing Virtual Machines One of the primary strengths of GSX Server is that it allows you to manage your virtual machines remotely — that is, from any machine that can connect to your GSX Server host. You are not restricted to interacting with your virtual machines only on the host on which they are stored. Remote management has many components and levels.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Changing the Port Number for VMware Virtual Machine Console Connections By default, the VMware Virtual Machine Console connects to virtual machines via port 902. If this port assignment poses a conflict for your site — for example, if you use the ideafarm-chat program — you can change the port number the console uses accordingly. Changing the port number involves manually adding a variable to certain preference files.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide To change the port number that is used by the console installed on a Windows host or client, you must create a file called config.ini and place it in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\VMware\VMware Virtual Machine Console. In this file, add the following line: authd.client.port = Where is the port number that all consoles on this machine connecting to virtual machines on the GSX Server host must use.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host must have this port number set to the authd.port variable in its config.ini file (Windows host) or vmware-authd file (Linux host). Note: If the port numbers specified in these files are different, the port number specified in /etc/vmware-console/config takes precedence. To change the port number for a specific user who is using the console installed on a Linux host, add the following line to ~/.vmware/preferences: authd.client.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Caution: Do not install a console from a client installer package onto the GSX Server host. Do not download and install a console from an older version of GSX Server or ESX Server onto any client. To download and install a console package from the Login or Status Monitor page, complete the following steps. 1. Connect to the GSX Server host with the VMware Management Interface.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Note: On a Windows host with the VMware Management Interface installed, you can find the installers for the console and scripting APIs in C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Management Interface\htdocs\vmware\bin. This folder contains: • VMware-console-.exe — the installer for the VMware Virtual Machine Console to run on Windows clients. • VMware-console-.i386.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Securing Virtual Machines and the Host This section describes how you can set permissions and implement security features for your virtual machines and the server host.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Interacting with a Virtual Machine Interacting with a virtual machine lets you change its power state (power it on or off, suspend or resume it) and connect or disconnect removable devices. You cannot change the virtual machine’s configuration. Among other restrictions, this means you cannot add or remove virtual hardware.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Only You Can See Virtual Machines You Create When you create a new virtual machine, the virtual machine by default is private; other users cannot see or use the virtual machine. If you want all users to be able to use the virtual machine, follow the custom path when you create the virtual machine. Otherwise, you can change the private setting in the virtual machine settings editor.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Authenticating Users and Running Virtual Machines on a GSX Server for Windows Host Every time you connect to a GSX Server for Windows host with the VMware Virtual Machine Console or VMware Management Interface, the VMware Authorization Service requests a username and password, then authenticates only valid users. Once you are authenticated, the console starts or the management interface’s Status Monitor page appears.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide An easy way to allow these users to access the virtual machine is to grant Read and Write permissions to all the files in the virtual machine’s directory except for the configuration file. Grant Read & Execute permission to the configuration file and disallow the inheritance of permissions on the file.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host If you want to limit access to the virtual machine, clear the Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object check box. 4. To specify that a user or group that should not have access to the configuration file, either click Remove or check all permissions in the Deny column to deny all permissions to that user or group. 5. To add more users or groups, click Add.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Note: Virtual machines and their resources (such as virtual disks, physical disks, devices and snapshot files) should be located in areas accessible to their users. If a vmware process is not running for this configuration file, vmware-authd checks to see if this virtual machine is in the inventory.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Checking Permissions in the VMware Management Interface The VMware Management Interface lists the permissions you have for each configuration file on the host machine to which you are connected. The permissions appear on the Users and Events page for each virtual machine. For more information, see Viewing a List of Connected Users on page 145.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Using Your Own Security Certificates If you prefer, you can use your own security certificate when you enable SSL. On a Windows host, run the Microsoft Management Console (mmc.exe) and select your certificate. When you upgrade the VMware Management Interface on a GSX Server for Windows host, you need to reassign your certificate to the management interface. On a Linux host, the VMware Management Interface certificate must be placed in /etc/vmware-mui/ssl.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Identifying a Virtual Machine by Its UUID Each virtual machine is automatically assigned a universally unique identifier (UUID), which is stored in the SMBIOS system information descriptor. It can be accessed by standard SMBIOS scanning software — for example SiSoftware Sandra or the IBM utility smbios2 — and used for system management in the same way you use the UUID of a physical computer. The UUID is a 128-bit integer.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide machine is set up to create a new UUID every time it is moved. Power off the virtual machine and begin using it as a template by copying the virtual machine files to other locations. If you intend to move the virtual machine numerous times, and want to keep the same UUID each time the virtual machine moves, then select Always Keep and click OK to continue powering on the virtual machine.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Logging GSX Server Events on Windows GSX Server sends information about events that occur in the application to the Event Viewer on Windows hosts. Each event has a unique identifier to assist you in tracking various events with automation tools. The types of events that are sent to the Event Viewer include: • Any changes to a virtual machine’s power state.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • eventlog.win.register=FALSE — this setting prevents the logging of power state change events and logging of when a virtual machine is added to or removed from the inventory. To modify what gets logged for a virtual machine, add either or both of the options to the virtual machine’s configuration (.vmx) file. To modify what gets logged for all virtual machines on a host, add either or both of the options to the GSX Server config.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Backing Up Virtual Machines and the GSX Server Host This section discusses methods for backing up your virtual machines and the GSX Server host.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide vmware-cmd \.vmx suspend Once the virtual machine is suspended, you can safely back up this virtual machine's directory using the backup agent installed on the GSX Server host. After the backup job completes, you would run a resume batch job to restart the virtual machine. The batch file should contain the following line: vmware-cmd \.vmx start This command resumes the virtual machine into an active, running state.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Using the VMware Management Interface GSX Server provides the VMware Management Interface, a Web-based management tool that allows you to • Monitor the state of virtual machines and the GSX Server host on which they are running. • Control (power on, suspend, resume, reset and power off ) the virtual machines on that host. • Connect the VMware Virtual Machine Console to a given virtual machine, for hands-on management.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide the VMware Virtual Machine Console for Windows and Linux hosts. For more information, see Downloading the VMware Virtual Machine Console on page 111. Once your user name and password are authorized by the management interface, the Status Monitor page appears. The Status Monitor page contains high level details about all the virtual machines on the host server to which you are connected.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host management interface for all users by setting the timeout length to 0 minutes. You can have persistent sessions that never time out by setting the timeout length to -1. Logging On to the VMware Management Interface To use the VMware Management Interface, you should be running a supported browser (Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 — VMware highly recommends using 6.0, Netscape Navigator 7.0 or Mozilla 1.x).
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide The Login page contains fields for your user name and password. It also contains a menu so you can download installation packages for the VMware Virtual Machine Console. To download a package, see Downloading the VMware Virtual Machine Console on page 111. On the Login page, enter your user name and password for the host machine, then click Log In. The Status Monitor page appears. For information about the Status Monitor page, see Using the Status Monitor on page 132.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host • The amount of memory on the GSX Server host, including the average amount of memory used by virtual machines, other processes on the host and the total being used by the whole system for the previous minute. Viewing Summary Information about Virtual Machines on the Host Under Virtual Machines, you can view a list of all virtual machines known to the host that you have sufficient permissions to see.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide information, see Setting a MIME Type to Launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console on page 166. • Properties — opens the Virtual Machine Overview page for this virtual machine in a new browser window. Selecting this option is the same as clicking the virtual machine name link in the Display Name column. • Configure Hardware — opens the Hardware page, where you can edit a virtual machine’s hardware configuration.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host • Suspend — suspends a powered on virtual machine without running a script. • Power On/Resume — powers on a stopped virtual machine or resumes a suspended virtual machine without running a script. • Reset — resets the virtual machine immediately without running a script or stopping the guest operating system. Selecting this option is the same as pressing the reset button on a physical computer.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide heartbeats, even though the system is otherwise operating normally; in general, only when the heartbeat percentage drops to zero should the virtual machine or guest operating system be considered abnormal. Note: If VMware Tools is not installed or is not running, the guest operating system does not send any heartbeats to its virtual machine and this meter is disabled.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Logout — This link logs you off of the management interface. You can log off from the Status Monitor and Options pages only. Click Logout to return to the Login page. See Logging Off of the VMware Management Interface on page 147. Close — This link closes the current management interface window.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • The average percentage of heartbeats received by a virtual machine during the previous minute. See Monitoring the Virtual Machine’s Heartbeat on page 135. • The IP address of the virtual machine. • Links to edit the virtual machine’s hardware and standard configuration options. Click Hardware to edit the virtual machine’s hardware. The Hardware page appears. Click Options to edit the virtual machine’s standard configuration options. The Options page appears.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Configuring a Virtual Machine’s Hardware To configure the virtual hardware inside a virtual machine, click the Hardware tab. The Hardware page appears. The Hardware page lists the virtual hardware in the virtual machine — configured devices like the virtual disk; removable devices like floppy, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drives; virtual network adapters and memory allocated to the virtual machine.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • Configuring a Virtual Machine’s DVD-ROM or CD-ROM Drive from the Management Interface in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide • Configuring a Virtual Machine’s Floppy Drive from the Management Interface in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide • Adding a New Virtual Disk from the Management Interface in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide • Adding an Existing Virtual Disk from the Management Interface in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Gui
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Setting Standard Virtual Machine Configuration Options To review and modify basic information about a virtual machine, or to access the configuration file directly, click the Options tab. The Options page appears. The Options page displays the following virtual machine information: • Display Name — identifies the virtual machine in a descriptive way.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide virtual machine. Settings for starting virtual machines include start when the server starts, do not wait to start, wait for a certain number of minutes to start and start when VMware Tools starts. • At System Shutdown, Attempt to — sets the shutdown action for the virtual machine when the server is shut down. Settings for shutting down virtual machines include power off the virtual machine, shut down the guest operating system and suspend the virtual machine.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host 5. To change whether logging is enabled for the virtual machine, check (to enable) or clear (to disable) the Enable Logging check box. 6. To change whether the virtual machine is running with debugging information, check (to enable) or clear (to disable) the Run with Debugging Information check box. 7. Click OK to save your changes and close the window.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 1. Under Verbose Options, click the click here link. The Options page appears. 2. Click Add. 3. A prompt appears. Enter a name for the option, then click OK. 4. Another prompt appears. Enter a value for option you specified, then click OK. 5. Click OK in the Options page to save the change to the configuration file. To change an option in the configuration file, complete the following steps. 1. Under Verbose Options, click the click here link.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Viewing a List of Connected Users To see a list of users who are connected to a virtual machine with a console or VMware Scripting API, click the Users and Events tab. The list under Remote Console Connections identifies any users connected to the virtual machine with a console or VMware Scripting API. The list includes the time and IP address from which the user connected to the virtual machine and the status of the user’s activity.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Viewing a Log of a Virtual Machine’s Events A log of the 25 most recent virtual machine events is available. Click the Users and Events tab. The Users and Events page appears. The Events list displays a log of the most recent actions or events recorded in the virtual machine, such as the questions GSX Server asks, any errors and the powering on or off the virtual machine.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host — This type of event indicates the virtual machine generated a question or warning. — This type of event indicates an error occurred in the virtual machine. Note: On Windows hosts, the host operating system’s Event Viewer tracks virtual machine power state changes, GSX Server messages and answers to prompts that appear in the virtual machine. For more information, see Logging GSX Server Events on Windows on page 125.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Deleting Virtual Machines You can delete a virtual machine only if you are the Administrator or root user.You may want to delete a virtual machine if it is no longer needed or if you need to free up disk space on your host. When you delete a virtual machine, the files associated with it — that is, all files located in the same directory — and the virtual machine’s directory are deleted. The files include the virtual machine’s configuration file (.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Configuring the GSX Server Host Configuring the GSX Server host involves: • Securing Remote Connections with SSL on page 149 • Configuring Startup and Shutdown Options for Virtual Machines on page 150 • Setting User Preferences for the VMware GSX Server Host on page 155 • Setting Global Preferences for VMware GSX Server on page 160 • Creating Network Labels on page 163 • Setting a MIME Type to Launch the VMware Virtual Machine Console
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 3. Click Security Settings. The Security Settings page appears. 4. To secure your management interface sessions, check the Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt management interface sessions check box. 5. To secure your console connections, check the Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt remote console connections check box. Note: If you change the SSL setting for the management interface, the system automatically logs you off and must log on again. 6.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host significant processor and memory are capacities required to simultaneously start or stop multiple guest operating systems. You can determine the global order in which virtual machines start and stop. The host is configured to start and stop virtual machines automatically by default. You can customize the global settings and virtual machine-specific settings.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 3. Click Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown. The Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown page appears. 4. Under System Configuration, click Edit. The System Startup and Shutdown Defaults page appears. 5. To enable system-wide startup and shutdown policies, check the Start Up and Shut Down Virtual Machines check box. 6. To configure when GSX Server should start the next virtual machine after a virtual machine starts, do one or both of the following: 152 www.vmware.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host • To specify a period of time before the next virtual machine starts, in the Continue Starting Virtual Machines After list, either choose the number of minutes to wait or indicate that GSX Server should not wait before starting the next virtual machine. If you select Other, specify the number of minutes to wait in the prompt that appears.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Editing the Startup Sequence for Virtual Machines To edit the startup sequence for virtual machines, click Edit under Startup Sequence. The Virtual Machine Startup Sequence configuration page appears and displays the virtual machines on your system. To specify the startup order for the virtual machines on the host, select the check box next to one or more machines.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Disabling the System’s Configuration Settings To disable the system-wide configuration settings, complete the following steps. 1. On the Virtual Machine Startup and Shutdown page, under System Configuration, click Edit. The System Startup and Shutdown Defaults page appears. 2. Clear the Start Up and Shut Down Virtual Machines check box, then click OK. 3. Click Close Window to return to the management interface’s Options page.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • The virtual machine was powered on and off, or powered on and suspended. If you select the Remember visited hosts between sessions check box, the name of any GSX Server host to which you connected in a previous console session appears in the console’s Login dialog box. To clear the list of remembered hosts, click Clear Host List.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Changing Your Input Settings The Input tab lets you adjust the way that the virtual machine captures control of the keyboard and mouse. Note: The Grab when cursor enters window option allows you to move the mouse pointer back into the virtual machine window easily if you have been working in the virtual machine and temporarily moved the mouse pointer outside the virtual machine window.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide think about which of the two identical pointers moves when you move your mouse. • Grab when cursor enters window — the mouse pointer becomes the mouse pointer of your guest operating system when the mouse pointer enters the virtual machine console window. This option does not apply when the virtual machine is in full screen mode.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host You can construct your own custom hot-key combination if, for example, the default Ctrl+Alt combination conflicts with another application on the host that processes the same hot-key combination. For example, you may want to change hot key combinations from Ctrl-Alt- to Ctrl-Shift-Alt- to prevent GSX Server from intercepting Ctrl-Alt-Delete instead of letting the key combination be sent to the guest operating system.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Setting Global Preferences for VMware GSX Server The Host Settings dialog box allows you to change a number of settings that apply to VMware GSX Server itself. To change these settings, choose Host > Settings. You must be either the root or Administrator user to change these settings. Specifying Where Virtual Machines Are Created Use the General tab to specify the default location where all virtual machines on this host are created.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Reserving Host Memory for Virtual Machines Select the Memory tab to adjust the amount of memory reserved for all running virtual machines. The settings on the Memory tab applies no matter what virtual machine is running or who is logged on to the host computer.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide To set priority preferences, in the Host Settings dialog box, click the Priority tab. The priority settings here are used by all virtual machines unless a virtual machine configuration overrides the global setting with a local setting.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host • normal - normal: When input is grabbed, GSX Server contends with all the processes on the host. When input is not grabbed, GSX Server contends with all the processes on the host. • normal - low: When input is grabbed, GSX Server contends with all the processes on the host. When input is not grabbed, GSX Server has lower priority than other processes on the host. GSX Server defaults to process priority normal - normal.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • So you can create virtual machines from the VirtualCenter client. • So you can edit the virtual network configuration of an existing virtual machine from the VirtualCenter client. Note: If you configure virtual machines from the VirtualCenter client, you cannot take advantage of GSX Server features like snapshots. If the adapter has no label, VirtualCenter cannot recognize the adapter.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host 2. Click the Named Networks tab. Note: If the Named Networks tab does not appear in the Host Settings dialog box, then the GSX Server host has not been discovered by VirtualCenter. For information on adding a GSX Server host to VirtualCenter, see your VirtualCenter documentation. 3. To add a label, click Add. The Add Named Network dialog box appears. 4. Select the virtual network adapter from the Adapter list.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 3. Click Network Connections. The Network Connections page appears. Note: If the Network Connections link does not appear on the Options page, then the GSX Server host has not been discovered by VirtualCenter. For information on adding a GSX Server host to VirtualCenter, see your VirtualCenter documentation. 4. For each network adapter, add a label in the corresponding field under Network Label.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Setting the MIME Type for the Console Installed with GSX Server 1. Open a text editor and do one of the following. • On a Windows host, write a short batch file called vmwareGSX-helper.bat. The batch file must contain the following line: "" -o "%1" where the default is C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware GSX Server\vmware.exe • On a Linux host, write a short shell script called vmware-gsx-helper.sh.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Setting the MIME Type for the Console Installed from the Management Interface Download 1. Open a text editor and do one of the following. • On a Windows host, write a short batch file called vmwareConsole-helper.bat. The batch file must contain the following line: "" -o "%1" where the default is C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Virtual Machine Console\vmware.
C H A P T E R 4 Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host Using VirtualCenter to Manage GSX Server Virtual Machines If you are using VMware VirtualCenter to manage your GSX Server virtual machines, there are certain steps you need to take before you can create virtual machines on a GSX Server host from a VirtualCenter client. In addition, you need to be aware of certain differences when you connect to a virtual machine from a VirtualCenter client.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide The differences you experience include: • Snapshots are unavailable on a VirtualCenter client. Snapshots are not available when you connect to a GSX Server virtual machine from a VirtualCenter client. If you take a snapshot of a GSX Server virtual machine when you connect to the virtual machine with a VMware Virtual Machine Console, then later connect to the virtual machine from a VirtualCenter client, the snapshot still exists.
CHAPTER Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines 5 The following sections provide information on how to move your virtual machines from one host to another, or elsewhere on the same host, plus recommendations on how to share virtual machines with other users: • Moving a VMware GSX Server 3 Virtual Machine on page 172 • Moving a GSX Server 2 Virtual Machine on page 175 • Moving Older Virtual Machines on page 178 • Sharing Virtual Machines with Other Users on page 183 Note: When you move a virtual machine to a
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Moving a VMware GSX Server 3 Virtual Machine What do you do if you have created a virtual machine using GSX Server 3 and you want to move it to a different computer? Or even somewhere else on the same computer? The process is not difficult, and in most cases you can even move your virtual machine from a Windows host to a Linux host — or vice versa. If the virtual machine was created under GSX Server 3, follow the directions in this section.
C H A P T E R 5 Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines move them to a shared network directory, for example, or burn them to CDROMs or DVD-ROMs. Once you know how you are going to move the virtual machine, go to Moving a Virtual Machine to a New Host on page 173. • If you are moving this virtual machine to another directory on this host, then you are ready to make the move. Copy all the files in the virtual machine’s original directory to the new location.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 4. The first time you power on the virtual machine, you are asked to keep the existing UUID or create a new one. If you are using the UUID for management purposes, you should select Keep, then click OK to continue powering on the virtual machine. For more information about the UUID, see Identifying a Virtual Machine by Its UUID on page 123. 174 www.vmware.
C H A P T E R 5 Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines Moving a GSX Server 2 Virtual Machine If you want to move a virtual machine created with GSX Server 2, you may prefer to upgrade it for full compatibility with GSX Server 3 before moving it. To do so, run the virtual machine under GSX Server 3 and use VM > Upgrade Virtual Hardware. If you upgrade the virtual hardware, you can then follow the instructions in Moving a VMware GSX Server 3 Virtual Machine on page 172.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 2. Be sure the guest operating system is completely shut down. If the virtual machine is suspended and its virtual disks are in persistent or nonpersistent mode, resume it, then shut down the guest operating system. 3. If your virtual machine is using disks in undoable mode, it is best to commit or discard the changes when the guest operating system shuts down.
C H A P T E R 5 Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines for files you do not move. In the virtual machine settings editor, select each device and be sure that any devices with associated files are pointed to the correct files. Also, check the Options tab to be sure the location for the redo-log file is correct. In addition, check to see you do not have any absolute paths pointing to any files you are moving.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Moving Older Virtual Machines If you have created a virtual machine using GSX Server 1 or another VMware product (not including VMware Workstation 3 and 4), you must upgrade the virtual hardware the first time you run it under GSX Server 3. Once you have done this, you can follow the instructions in Moving a VMware GSX Server 3 Virtual Machine on page 172.
C H A P T E R 5 Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines Preparing Your Virtual Machine for the Move 1. Open the virtual machine using the VMware product with which you created it. If the virtual machine has more than one virtual disk and if the virtual disks use different disk modes, you must use the Configuration Editor (choose Settings > Configuration Editor) to change one or more of the virtual disks so they all use the same mode. 2.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Select all appropriate network, floppy and CD-ROM settings. Do not make any changes with the virtual machine settings editor at this point. Save your settings and close the virtual machine settings editor. 3. In the directory just created for the new virtual machine, delete the brand new .vmdk files that were just created. 4. Locate the virtual disk files you are moving and copy them into the new virtual machine directory.
C H A P T E R 5 Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines set up, you may have to place the disk and its redo log in a directory that has a path name identical to that of the current directory. • You may be able to move the disk in undoable mode between Windows and Linux host systems, or move the disk to a different directory on your current system, if there is no path name information in the virtual machine’s configuration file.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide on the original host computer, you must place them in that same location on the new host computer. • You cannot move the disk to another directory on the current system. If your disk file information does not contain a path, it looks like this: Windows 2000.vmdk If your disk entry resembles the one above (just a filename with a .vmdk extension), you can move the disk and redo log anywhere you wish. 182 www.vmware.
C H A P T E R 5 Moving and Sharing Virtual Machines Sharing Virtual Machines with Other Users If you intend to have other users access your virtual machines, you should consider the following points: • On Windows hosts, the virtual machine files should be in a location on a system that is accessible to those users. When you configure the virtual machine in the New Virtual Machine Wizard, you can specify a location for the virtual machine elsewhere on your system or on the network.
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CHAPTER Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host 6 The following sections offer suggestions for getting the best performance from VMware GSX Server and your virtual machines: • Configuring and Maintaining the Host Computer on page 186 • Configuring GSX Server on page 187 • Understanding Memory Usage on page 194 185
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Configuring and Maintaining the Host Computer You may see slower virtual machine performance if the physical disk that holds the virtual machine’s working directory or the physical disk that holds the virtual disk files is badly fragmented. By default, the working directory holds the virtual disk files and is on the host computer.
C H A P T E R 6 Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host Configuring GSX Server The following sections offer advice and information about factors that can affect the performance of GSX Server itself. The sections do not address performance of the guest operating system or the host operating system.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide adjusting the settings in the virtual machine settings editor (choose VM > Settings > Memory). If you plan to run one virtual machine at a time most of the time, a good starting point is to give the virtual machine half the memory available on the host. Adjusting the reserved memory settings may also help. Choose Host > Settings > Memory. For additional information, see Understanding Memory Usage on page 194.
C H A P T E R 6 Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host When you want to use a CD-ROM in the virtual machine, go to the VM > Removable Devices menu and connect the CD-ROM drive. Disk Options The various disk options (SCSI versus IDE) and types (virtual or physical) affect performance in a number of ways. Inside a virtual machine, SCSI disks and IDE disks that use direct memory access (DMA) have approximately the same performance.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Remote Disk Access Whenever possible, do not use disks that are on remote machines and accessed over the network unless you have a very fast network. If you must run disks remotely, choose VM > Settings > Options, select General and set the Working directory to a directory on your local hard disk. Then take a snapshot. After you take the snapshot, changes you make are stored locally in the working directory.
C H A P T E R 6 Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host GSX Server on a Windows Host Note: The items in this section describe performance of GSX Server on a Windows host. For tips on configuring GSX Server on a Linux host, see GSX Server on a Linux Host on page 193. Monitoring Virtual Machine Performance GSX Server incorporates a set of counters that work with Microsoft’s Performance console to allow for the collection of performance data from running virtual machines.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 2. Select System Monitor, then click the plus (+) sign on the toolbar, or press Ctrl+I. The Add Counters dialog box appears. 3. In the Performance object list, select VMware. 4. Decide whether you want to add all counters or select one or more counters from the list. 5. To use these counters for all running virtual machines, select All instances.
C H A P T E R 6 Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host Using Full Screen Mode Full screen mode is faster than window mode. If you do not need to have your virtual machine and your host sharing the screen, try switching to full screen mode. Note: You see the most noticeable improvement using full screen mode when the guest is in VGA mode.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Understanding Memory Usage GSX Server allows you to set the memory size of each virtual machine and the amount of the host computer’s memory that can be used for virtual machines. A third control governs the extent to which you want to allow the host operating system’s memory manager to swap virtual machines out of physical RAM. By adjusting these settings, you can affect both virtual machine and overall system performance.
C H A P T E R 6 Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host Specifying How Much RAM is Used by All Running Virtual Machines You can set the amount of host RAM that GSX Server is allowed to reserve for all running virtual machines. To set this parameter, choose Host > Settings > Memory. The reserved memory setting specifies a maximum amount of host RAM that GSX Server is allowed to use. But this memory is not allocated in advance.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide If you set this value too high, the host may thrash when other applications are run on the host. If you set this value too low, virtual machines may perform poorly and you cannot run as many virtual machines at once. Using Additional Memory By default, GSX Server limits the number of virtual machines that can run at once based on the amount of memory specified in the Host Settings dialog box.
C H A P T E R 6 Performance Tuning and the VMware GSX Server Host • Allow most virtual machine memory to be swapped — Allow the host operating system to swap as much virtual machine memory to disk as it wants. This setting allows you to run even more virtual machines with even more memory than the intermediate setting does. In this case, too, performance may be lower if virtual machine memory must be shifted between RAM and disk.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide • Pass the boot-time switch mem=959M at the LILO prompt, or add it to lilo.conf, to disable CONFIG_BIGMEM and thus allow you to run GSX Server. To do this: To pass the switch at the LILO prompt, type linux-2.2.16xxx mem=959M To edit lilo.conf, open the file in a text editor.
CHAPTER 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server The following sections describe using high-availability configurations with GSX Server: • Using SCSI Reservation to Share SCSI Disks with Virtual Machines on page 200 • Overview of Clustering with GSX Server on page 204 • Creating a Cluster in a Box on page 206 • Using Network Load Balancing with GSX Server on page 214 • Creating Two-Node Clusters Using Novell Clustering Services on page 219 • Clustering Using the iSCSI Protocol on page 22
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Using SCSI Reservation to Share SCSI Disks with Virtual Machines GSX Server permits the sharing of a preallocated virtual disk with multiple virtual machines running on the same host, provided the disk in question is a SCSI disk. When the disk is shared, all virtual machines connected to the disk use the SCSI reservation protocol to write to the disk concurrently. Clustering software must be installed in each virtual machine that intends to share a SCSI disk.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server • SCSI disks can be shared via SCSI reservation among virtual machines running on the same host. This means that the configuration files for the virtual machines must all be located on the same GSX Server host. However, the disk or disks the virtual machines are sharing can be located remotely on a different host. • A SCSI virtual disk can be located on a host with any type of hard disk (for example, IDE, SCSI or SATA).
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide In addition to enabling SCSI reservation on the bus, you need to allow virtual machines to access the shared disk concurrently. Add the following line to the virtual machine’s configuration file: disk.locking = "false" This prevents the locking of that disk, which permits multiple virtual machines to access a disk concurrently.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server try to share a disk among virtual machines located on different hosts, data could be corrupted or lost. • Do not share a disk on SCSI bus 0. This bus is usually used for the boot disk. If you share the boot disk, you run the risk of corrupting it, as the boot program is not aware that the disk is being shared and can write to the disk regardless of whether or not it is being shared.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Overview of Clustering with GSX Server GSX Server clustering capabilities are ideally suited for development, testing and training applications. Note: Always rigorously test and review your cluster before deploying it in a production environment. This section includes: • Applications That Can Use Clustering on page 205 • Clustering Software on page 205 Clustering is providing a service via a group of servers to get high availability, scalability or both.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server Applications That Can Use Clustering To take advantage of clustering services, applications need to be clustering-aware. Such applications can be stateless, such as Web servers and VPN servers. Clusteringaware applications often include built-in recovery features, like those in database servers, mail servers, file servers or print servers.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Creating a Cluster in a Box With GSX Server, you can create a simple cluster in a box to help mitigate the effects of software crashes or administrative problems. This type of cluster: • Consists of multiple virtual machines (nodes) on a single physical machine. • Supports shared disks without any shared SCSI hardware. • Supports a heartbeat network without an extra physical network adapter. A two-node cluster on a single physical machine.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server Configuring Virtual Machines for Cluster in a Box To create a set of clustered virtual machines (a cluster in a box), configure each of them with the following: • A primary virtual SCSI host adapter with one SCSI virtual disk. • Two virtual network adapters: • A public network adapter bridged to a physical adapter either using VMnet0, or VMnet2-8 as configured in the virtual machine settings editor of the GSX Server machine.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Creating the First Node’s Base Virtual Machine The following steps describe how to create the base virtual machine that serves as the first node in the cluster (and as a template for the additional node), and how to create the two preallocated virtual disks that are shared among the virtual machines in the cluster.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server 6. Click OK to save your changes and close the virtual machine settings editor. 7. Using a text editor, manually edit the configuration file d:\cluster\SQL1\SQL1.vmx (on a Windows host) or /home/cluster/SQL1/SQL1.vmx (on a Linux host). 8. Add the following lines to the configuration file: scsi1.sharedBus = virtual disk.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 5. Use the VMware Virtual Disk Manager to change the name of the virtual disk to SQL2*.vmdk. At a command prompt, type: vmware-vdiskmanager -n SQL1.vmdk SQL2.vmdk For more information about the virtual disk manager, see Using VMware Virtual Disk Manager in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. You are finished cloning the first node. You are now ready to create the second node in the cluster using the clone.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server 7. Using a text editor, manually edit the configuration file d:\cluster\SQL2\SQL2.vmx (on a Windows host) or /home/cluster/SQL2/SQL2.vmx (on a Linux host). 8. Add the following lines to the bottom of the configuration file: scsi1.sharedBus = virtual disk.locking = "false" This enables SCSI reservation, which is described in more detail in the section Using SCSI Reservation to Share SCSI Disks with Virtual Machines on page 200. 9.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide is your DNS domain and is your Active Directory domain. You can set up this node as a new domain tree or a new domain forest, or join it to an existing domain tree or forest. 9. Make sure the DNS server is installed. 10. Set the domain permissions as mixed mode unless you plan otherwise. 11. To add a cluster services account in the domain, go to Programs > Administrative Tools > Active Directory Users and Computers. 12.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server 1. Start the node 2 virtual machine. 2. Repeat step 2 and step 3 in the procedure for the first node. 3. Start the Disk Management tool and assign the first shared disk to Q: (quorum) and the second disk to R: (data). 4. Start dcpromo.exe and add this virtual machine as a domain controller in the same domain created in step 8 for the first node, or add it to an existing domain.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Using Network Load Balancing with GSX Server This section covers procedures for creating a multinode Network Load Balancing cluster using nodes running in virtual machines. These virtual machines can be located on one or more GSX Server computers.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server Creating a Multinode Network Load Balancing Cluster The following sections describe how to create a multinode Network Load Balancing cluster. Creating the First Node’s Base Virtual Machine Follow these steps to create a base virtual machine that is the first node in your Network Load Balancing cluster: 1. Log on to your GSX Server host as the user who will own the virtual machine. 2.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide After you finish installing the guest operating system and VMware Tools, clone the virtual machine. (Later, you create the second cluster node using the clone.) You are finished creating the first cluster node. You may now clone that node for use in creating other nodes.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server Machine in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide). Choose the settings you want (for example, the size of the virtual disk or the amount of memory), except you should specify • Windows 2000 Advanced Server or Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition as the guest operating system. • nlb2 as the virtual machine name. Note: For each additional node, use the name of that node instead of nlb2.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide 7. Right-click the local area connection on which you want to install Network Load Balancing and choose Properties. The Local Area Connection Properties dialog box appears. 8. Under Components checked are used by this connection, select the Network Load Balancing check box. 9. Click Properties. 10. On the Cluster Parameters tab, configure cluster operations using these parameters: • Primary IP Address: This is the address for the cluster as a whole.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server Creating Two-Node Clusters Using Novell Clustering Services The following sections describe how to create a two-node cluster using Novell Clustering Services on a single VMware GSX Server system: • Creating the First Node's Base Virtual Machine on page 219 • Creating the Second Node in the Cluster on page 220 • Installing the Guest Operating System and VMware Tools on page 220 • Adding the Shared Disks to Both Virtual Machines on page
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide You are finished creating the virtual machine for the first node in your cluster. The next step is to create the second node in your cluster. Then, for each node, install the guest operating system and VMware Tools. Creating the Second Node in the Cluster Next, create the second node of the cluster by following the same procedure for creating the first node listed above with the following changes: • Use Cluster2 as the virtual machine name.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server 1. Open the virtual machine settings editor for the node 2 virtual machine (called Cluster2). Choose VM > Settings. 2. Add the two virtual disks that are to be shared. Instead of creating new virtual disks, use the existing virtual disks created for node 1 (called Cluster1). 3. Click OK to save your changes and close the virtual machine settings editor. 4.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Installing Novell Clustering Services on the Cluster Nodes Complete the following steps to install Novell Clustering Services in each virtual machine. 1. Power on the first node virtual machine (Cluster1). 2. Boot into DOS by pressing the F5 key to bypass running the startup files. 3. Insert the driver floppy disk in the host's floppy drive. 4. Copy the drivers to the c:\nwserver directory. 5. Remove the driver floppy disk from the host's floppy drive. 6.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server Clustering Using the iSCSI Protocol You can use the iSCSI protocol with virtual machines and physical machines in a clustered environment to provide highly available network storage and failover. Clustering with iSCSI is the only way you can use GSX Server to configure clustering across multiple hosts.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Using a Virtual Machine as the iSCSI Target You can use a virtual machine as the iSCSI target. The setup involves at least three virtual machines. Two virtual machines are the cluster nodes that act as iSCSI initiators, so you must install the iSCSI initiator software in these virtual machines. The third virtual machine acts as the iSCSI target. The iSCSI target virtual machine must be running for clustering to work successfully.
C H A P T E R 7 High-Availability Configurations with VMware GSX Server 4. Add a second virtual network adapter. For more information, see Adding and Modifying Virtual Network Adapters in the VMware GSX Server Virtual Machine Guide. Again, make sure you specify bridged networking for the adapter. If you choose, you can add a third virtual network adapter to the virtual machine. 5. Select the virtual network adapter you intend to use to communicate with the iSCSI target. Under Adapter type, select vmxnet.
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CHAPTER Glossary 8 Add Hardware Wizard — A point-and-click interface for adding virtual hardware to a virtual machine. To launch the wizard, power off the virtual machine, open the virtual machine settings editor, then click Add. It prompts you for information for configuring the hardware, suggesting default values in most cases. See also Virtual machine settings editor. Bridged networking — A type of network connection between a virtual machine and the rest of the world.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide translation (NAT) networking configurations. For instance, different virtual machines can be connected to the host by separate networks or connected to each other and not to the host. Any network topology is possible. EULA — The end user license agreement. Existing partition — A partition on a physical disk in the host machine. See also Physical disk. Full screen mode — A display mode in which the virtual machine’s display fills the entire screen.
C H A P T E R 8 Glossary Legacy virtual machine — A virtual machine created under an earlier version of GSX Server, ESX Server or Workstation. See also Current virtual machine. Network address translation (NAT) — A type of network connection that allows you to connect your virtual machines to an external network when you have only one IP network address, and that address is used by the host computer. If you use NAT, your virtual machine does not have its own IP address on the external network.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide Preallocated disk — A type of virtual disk where all disk space for the virtual machine is allocated at the time the disk is created. This is the default type of virtual disk created by GSX Server. Quick switch mode — A display mode in which the virtual machine’s display fills most of the screen. In this mode, tabs at the top of the screen allow you to switch quickly from one running virtual machine to another. See also Full screen mode. Raw disk — See physical disk.
C H A P T E R 8 Glossary drives or CD-ROM drives. See also Shrink. Virtual disk — A virtual disk is a file or set of files that appears as a physical disk drive to a guest operating system. These files can be on the host machine or on a remote file system. When you configure a virtual machine with a virtual disk, you can install a new operating system into the disk file without needing to repartition a physical disk or reboot the host. Virtual disks can be preallocated or growable.
VMware GSX Server Administration Guide VMware Registration Service — The service VMware GSX Server employs for managing connections to virtual machines and the management interface. This process is known as vmware-serverd on Linux hosts. VMware Tools — A suite of utilities and drivers that enhances the performance and functionality of your guest operating system.
Index Symbols Configuration, virtual machine 231 .
FreeBSD supported guest operating systems 36 Image file floppy 33 ISO 32 FreeBSD, supported guest operating systems 36 Input preferences 157 Full screen mode, defined 228 G Generic SCSI and SCSI reservation 200 virtual machine backup 127 Graphics Linux host and performance 193 Graphics support in virtual machine 32 GSX Server global preferences 160 software updates 156 user preferences 155 GSX Server host backing up 127 configuring 149 default virtual machine directory 160 securing connections with SSL
Linux supported guest operating systems 36 supported host operating systems 27 Linux host authentication 119 default permissions 120 installing GSX Server 55 performance 193 permissions 119 real-time clock 56 uninstalling GSX Server 85 upgrading GSX Server 92 vmware-authd 119 Linux host authentication daemon 119 Localization 24 Log files console installation 41 GSX Server installation 41 virtual machine 39 virtual machine event log 39 VMware Authorization Service 40 VMware Management Interface 40 VMware Reg
P Private virtual machines 116 Parallel port and the Linux kernel 56 in a virtual machine 33 Process scheduler on a Windows host 161 Partition, existing 228 PCI slots in virtual machine 33 limits 33 Performance CD-ROM drive polling 188 debugging mode 188 disk options 189 guest operating system selection 187 installing applications in a guest 190 memory settings 187 memory usage 194 remote disk access 190 swap space on a Linux host 193 temp directory on a Linux host 193 using full screen mode on a Linux
on Windows host 91 virtual hardware 95 virtual machine 93, 103 VMware GSX Server 87 Silent install 52 SMBIOS in a virtual machine 32 modifying UUID 123 Snapshot defined 230 permissions 120 USB, virtual machine ports 33 Sound in a virtual machine 34 UUID 123 automatic generation 123 modifying 174 moving virtual machines 124 virtual machine configuration file 124 Specifications for virtual machine platform 32 SSL console connections 121 custom security certificates 122 enabling 149 for consoles 122, 149,
Virtual machine (continued) running on Linux host 119 running on Windows host 117 upgrading 93, 103 user 117 UUID 123 VMID 137 Virtual machine settings editor, defined 231 Virtual Network Editor 231 VmCOM Scripting API 75 VmPerl Scripting API 75 VMware Authorization Service 117 defined 231 log 40 VMware community forums 37 VMware guest operating system service defined 232 virtual machine heartbeat 135 VMware Management Interface 129 advanced configuration options 143 Apache commands 147 changing port number
vmware-authd 119 See VMware Authorization Service vmware-cmd 108 vmware-config.
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