Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide vCenter Lifecycle Manager 1.2 This document supports the version of each product listed and supports all subsequent versions until the document is replaced by a new edition. To check for more recent editions of this document, see http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide You can find the most up-to-date technical documentation on the VMware Web site at: http://www.vmware.com/support/ The VMware Web site also provides the latest product updates. If you have comments about this documentation, submit your feedback to: docfeedback@vmware.com Copyright © 2010 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws.
Contents About This Book 5 1 Understanding LCM 7 Lifecycle Manager Process 7 Lifecycle Manager Terminology 9 Role-Based User Interface 9 User Roles and Permitted Tasks 10 LCM Administrator 10 Lifecycle Manager Architecture 11 2 Setting Up the Virtual Machine Environment 13 Configuring the Infrastructure for Requested Virtual Machines Configuring the Criteria for Requested Virtual Machines 20 13 3 Using LCM 23 Request a Virtual Machine 23 Display Requested Virtual Machines 25 Modify Request Options 2
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About This Book ® The Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide provides information about managing VMware vCenter Lifecycle Manager (LCM). Intended Audience This book is intended for administrators who are managing LCM. The information in this guide is written for experienced system administrators who are familiar with virtual machine technology. VMware Technical Publications Glossary VMware Technical Publications provides a glossary of terms that might be unfamiliar to you.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Services provides offerings to help you assess, plan, build, and manage your virtual environment. To access information about education classes, certification programs, and consulting services, go to http://www.vmware.com/services. 6 VMware, Inc.
Understanding LCM 1 VMware vCenter Lifecycle Manager (LCM) automates the process of creating virtual machines and removing them from service at the appropriate time. Using LCM, you can perform the following tasks: n Handle and process virtual machine requests in a Web user interface. n Automatically place servers based on their location, organization, environment, service level, or performance levels. When a solution is found for a set of criteria, the machine is automatically deployed.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Figure 1-1.
Chapter 1 Understanding LCM Lifecycle Manager Terminology LCM uses specific terminology to describe lifecycle events and attributes. Commission The creation of a requested virtual machine. The commission time is submitted during the request process. Decommission The requested machine reaches the end of its life. A decommission date is submitted during the request process. The decommissioned machine can be archived or deleted.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide User Roles and Permitted Tasks Every LCM user role can perform a certain set of tasks. The LCM Administrator can perform all tasks. Table 1-1 describes how roles are mapped to tasks. Tasks marked with an O can be performed only by the owner of the request. Table 1-1.
Chapter 1 Understanding LCM Lifecycle Manager Architecture LCM is powered by VMware vCenter Orchestrator 4.1. Orchestrator is a development and process-automation platform that provides a library of extensible workflows for creating and running automated, configurable processes to manage the VMware vCenter infrastructure. You can use Orchestrator to create custom workflows that you can run from LCM.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Orchestrator Plug-Ins After you install LCM, you must configure the following Orchestrator plug-ins: n vCenter Server 4.1 For adding vCenter Server instances. n vCenter Lifecycle Manager For configuring the Lifecycle Manager database. n Networking For configuring the networking database. n Mail For configuring email notifications. 12 VMware, Inc.
Setting Up the Virtual Machine Environment 2 Before users can request virtual machines, the LCM Administrator must configure the infrastructure and criteria. This chapter includes the following topics: n “Configuring the Infrastructure for Requested Virtual Machines,” on page 13 n “Configuring the Criteria for Requested Virtual Machines,” on page 20 Configuring the Infrastructure for Requested Virtual Machines The infrastructure defines the resources for requested virtual machines.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Automatic Placement When a virtual machine request is approved, the system tries to place the virtual machine automatically. If automatic placement is successful, the virtual machine is created and the state of the request changes to Available. If the automatic placement fails, the state of the request changes to Waiting for Placement. During automatic placement, one of the following events might occur. n If one path is found, the virtual machine is placed.
Chapter 2 Setting Up the Virtual Machine Environment Create a Resource Pool You can create a resource pool for requested virtual machines. LCM automatically maps the request to the resource pool. If you map more than one resource pool to the server environment, the LCM IT Staff user can select which one to use. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Infrastructure view. 3 Click the Resource Pool icon ( 4 Click Create. 5 Select the parent resource pool.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Register a Network or a Port Group Using DHCP You can register a port group on a distributed virtual switch or a network that uses DHCP. LCM automatically maps the request to the network. If you map more than one network to the server environment, the LCM IT Staff user can select which one to use. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Infrastructure view. 3 Click the Network icon ( 4 Click Register.
Chapter 2 Setting Up the Virtual Machine Environment 11 Choose whether you want to create a range or a subnet. n If you decide to create a range, type a description, the first IP address in your range, and the final IP address in your range. Each time a virtual machine is provisioned, LCM allocates an IP address from the defined range. You can set up multiple ranges for each network. n If you decide to create a subnet, type a desription, a base IP address, and a netmask.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide 4 Click the name of a network with deactivated DHCP. 5 Click Create Range. 6 Type a description. 7 Type the first and final IP addresses in your range. Each time a virtual machine is provisioned, LCM allocates an IP address from the defined range. You can set up multiple ranges for each network. 8 Click Submit. Create a Subnet You can create subnets that are associated with a static network. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator.
Chapter 2 Setting Up the Virtual Machine Environment Option Description Ongoing monthly cost (currency) The monthly cost of creating future virtual machines. Initial setup cost (currency) The cost associated with setting up each virtual machine that uses this template. Enforce thin provision Select Yes to use thin provisioning for the template profile. Select No to use the same type of provisioning as the source template for the template profile.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Create a Customization Template A customization template defines the computer resources available to the virtual machine. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Infrastructure view. 3 Click the Customization Template icon ( 4 Click Create. 5 Type a template name and click Next. ). This is the name that the requester sees, so create an easily identifiable name. 6 Provide the memory information and click Next.
Chapter 2 Setting Up the Virtual Machine Environment Rename Criteria Elements You can modify the name and the description of criteria elements. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Criteria view. 3 Click an element and click Edit. 4 Modify the name and description. 5 Click Submit. Reconfigure Mapping Objects You can modify the mapping options for criteria elements. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Criteria view.
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Using LCM 3 After you have configured Lifecycle Manager, you can perform administration tasks, such as approving virtual machine requests, importing virtual machines, decommissioning virtual machines, and so on. Some tasks, such as requesting a virtual machine, can be performed by all LCM user roles. Most tasks, however, can only be performed by the LCM Administrator.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Prerequisites Review the customization template attributes to verify that you understand the default values. For more information, see “Customization Template Attributes,” on page 25. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM and click the Requests view. 2 Click Request. 3 (Optional) To specify a commissioning date, select Yes for Set commissioning date? and select a date.
Chapter 3 Using LCM Customization Template Attributes You can assign custom values for template attributes. Table 3-1. Customization Template Attributes Attribute Values Memory reservation (MB) Minimum is 0 (default is 256) Memory limit/size (MB) Minimum is -1; must be a multiple of 4 (default is 1024); must be greater than the Memory reservation value Selecting -1 maintains the same memory as the vCenter Server template.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Catalog view. 3 Select a filter from the drop-down menu. Option Description All Displays all the requested virtual machines requested by users. Creating Displays the virtual machines that are being created. Available VM Displays the available virtual machines created by users. Rejected Displays all the rejected virtual machines that were requested by users.
Chapter 3 Using LCM Table 3-2. Virtual Machine Request Status Icons (Continued) Icon State The virtual machine is waiting for creation. The virtual machine is waiting to be deployed by an LCM IT Staff user. The virtual machine is being created. The virtual machine is created. An error occured during the virtual machine creation. An error occured during the virtual machine archiving. An error occured during the virtual machine deletion. A request to prolong the request time is submitted.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Option Description Edit Modify provisioning and decommissioning dates. Change State Move virtual machine requests across different processes in the lifecycle. Used by VMware support to help with troubleshooting. CAUTION Changing a state can move the request to an undesirable state. Virtual machine requests might become unusable. Change Rights Change which groups or users can access, control, or view virtual machines.
Chapter 3 Using LCM Connecting to a Virtual Machine You can connect to a virtual machine from your Web browser or using an RDP client application. n Open a Virtual Machine in a Web Browser on page 29 From your Web browser, you can connect to a virtual machine running any guest operating system. n Use Remote Desktop to Connect to a Virtual Machine on page 29 You can open a Windows virtual machine using an RDP client application.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Create a Snapshot You can create a snapshot that captures the state of a virtual machine's hard drives. A snapshot does not capture the virtual machine's memory and power state. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Catalog view. 3 In the catalog list, click a virtual machine name. 4 In the right pane, click Commands. 5 Click Snapshot. Revert to a Snapshot You can use the snapshot to return to the saved state.
Chapter 3 Using LCM n Import Virtual Machines From a Resource Pool on page 31 You can import multiple machines from a resource pool. n Import Virtual Machines From a Virtual Machine Folder on page 32 You can import multiple machines from a virtual machine folder. Register a Virtual Machine Manually You can register a virtual machine manually. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Administration view. 3 Click Import Virtual Machine.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide 9 Specify whether you want to link the virtual machines with criteria. If you select Yes, select entries for Location, Organization, Server Environment, Service Level, and Performance. Also, specify whether you want to link the same criteria for all virtual machines or different criteria for each machine. If you want to select one criteria for all virtual machines, you must manually enter the criteria.
Chapter 3 Using LCM Activate Web View Debug Mode You can switch the Web view debug mode on or off. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Administration view. 3 Click Activate webview debug mode. 4 Select Yes. 5 Click Submit. Relink Tokens to Virtual Machines If a provisioning request is available with a virtual machine but the virtual machine is unregistered in vCenter Server, the token loses its link to the virtual machine.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide 4 Click Export Logs and Application Settings. A log file that you can download is generated. 5 Click Download. Troubleshooting LCM If you encounter problems, you can try certain procedures to troubleshoot the situation. n Changing LDAP Organizational Units on page 34 If users are moved from one LDAP Oganizational Unit (OU) to another, they stop receiving email notifications for the existing virtual machine requests.
Chapter 3 Using LCM Cause The Cache plug-in is missing or not enabled. Solution 1 Log in to the Orchestrator configuration interface. http://orchestrator_server:8282 2 On the Plug-ins tab, check whether the Cache 1.2.0 plug-in is missing or is not enabled. n If the plug-in is not enabled, select the check box to enable it and click Apply changes. n If the plug-in is missing, re-install LCM.
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4 Customizing LCM LCM is highly customizable. You can change the look of the UI, or create custom workflows to modify the functionality of LCM. This chapter includes the following topics: n “Customizing the User Interface,” on page 37 n “Customization Examples,” on page 40 n “Callback Workflows,” on page 43 Customizing the User Interface You can customize certain elements of the user interface. For example, you can add buttons to link to a particular workflow, or you can add your company logo.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Modify a Custom Style Sheet After you have created a custom style sheet, you can modify it. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Configuration view. 3 Click the Custom Element icon ( 4 Click the Custom style sheet ( ). ) that you want to modify to display its contents. n To modify the content of the custom style sheet, click Edit. n To upload a different style sheet, click Upload.
Chapter 4 Customizing LCM 3 Click the Custom Element icon ( 4 Click Application logo ( 5 ). ). n To upload a new logo, click Upload. n To download the existing logo, click Download. n To revert to the default logo, click Reinitialize. Click Reset Cache to apply the changes. Change a Navigation Element You can add a link to the navigation bar in the LCM UI. This link can point to a custom URL. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Configuration view.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Allow All Users Access to Custom Workflows By default LCM Requester and LCM Tech Requester users do not have access to custom workflows. You can allow users with these roles to access workflows stored in custom categories. Members of the LCM Requester and LCM Tech Requester groups have permissions to run workflows only from the Applications\Lifecycle manager\User workflow category.
Chapter 4 Customizing LCM 7 Copy the following CSS code to the Content section. body { background: #D4D4D4; } #title { background: #7AA9DD; } div#contentHeading, .vmo_footer #footer, div#contentHeading h1, .vmo_footer #footer .vmo_statusPane { background: #4876FF; background-image: none; } ul#sectionMenu li.selected a { background-image: none; background: #4876FF; color: #FFFFFF; border-bottom-color: #4876FF; } 8 (Optional) Type a description. 9 Click Submit.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide 7 Copy the following CSS code to the Content section. .vmo_snapshot_command { display: none; } .vmo_snapshot_command-vmo_disabled { display: none; } .vmo_revertsnapshot_command { display: none; } .vmo_revertsnapshot_command-vmo_disabled { display: none; } 8 (Optional) Type a description. 9 Click Submit. 10 Click Reset Cache to apply the changes. The snapshot commands are not shown when you select a virtual machine in the Catalog view.
Chapter 4 Customizing LCM Reset Customization Changes You can remove all customizations to reset the LCM UI to its default state. Procedure 1 Log in to LCM as an administrator. 2 Click the Configuration view. 3 Click the Custom Element icon ( 4 Click Reset To Default. 5 Click Submit. 6 Click Reset Cache to apply the changes. ). Callback Workflows You can use callback workflows to modify or expand the functionality of LCM. NOTE You must not modify standard LCM workflows.
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide Callback workflows that contain an in = out element perform the following tasks: n Clone the properties of the LCM workflow that calls the callback workflow. n Optionally perform processing on the cloned properties in the callback workflow to modify them. n Pass the modified properties as the outCloneProperties output parameter to the next element in the LCM workflow, thus changing the result of the request.
Index A administrator tasks 10 application logo, changing 38 architecture 11 automatic placement 14 C cache plug-in errors 34 callback workflows adding an operation 43 categories 44 cloneProperties 43 finding related workflows 44 input parameters 43 modifying request results 43 token 43 checking power state 28 commands Connect 29 Open console 29 Power on 28 Revert to snapshot 30 Snapshot 30 Suspend 28 connecting to virtual machines 29 CPU usage 25 creating reports 30 creating snapshots 30 criteria 20 crit
Lifecycle Manager Administration Guide creating a subnet 16 registering 16 networking plug-in errors 35 tokens, relinking 33 troubleshooting 34 O UI customization 37 unlinked elements, relinking 20 Orchestrator, plug-ins 11 organizational unit change 34 P power state, checking 28 powering on virtual machines 28 R RDP client, opening virtual machines 29 RDP template, modifying 38 reports, generating 30 request options, modifying 27 requesting virtual machines 23 resource pool creating 15 registering 1
