Deploying and Configuring The vCenter Server Appliance

KB ID 0001146 

Problem

The vCenter Appliance used to be a simple to deploy from OVA, but now you need to deploy it from another machine, (and it has to be a Windows machine).

Solution

Before you attempt to deploy the appliance, ‘pre-create’ its host records in your DNS.

Assign vCenter Appliance Licences

Download the vCenter Appliance .ISO file and mount it on your Windows machine, navigate to the vcsa-iu-installer directory, and run the installer.exe file.

Install vCenter 6.5 Appliance

Install > Next > Accept the EULA > Next > Select Embedded Platform Services Controller* > Next.

*Note: For larger environments you can install the PSC on a separate appliance, and it handles things like single sign on, provisioning and certification etc.

http://www.petenetlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/003-Deploy-vCenter-6.5-Appliance.png

Enter the details for the ESX server the appliance is getting deployed on > Next > Enter the name for the VC and its root password > Next > Select the deployment type > Next > Select the storage you want to deploy to, and whether you want to use thin provisioning > Next.

Deploying vCenter 6.5 Appliance

Fill in the IP details for the new appliance, and its DNS settings > Next > Finish.

vCenter 6.5 Appliance IP Settings

The appliance will deploy > When completed, you can further configure the appliance > Next  > Enter your NTP settings > Next.

vCenter 6.5 Appliance NTP

Set the SSO configuration* > username  = administrator@vsphere.local > Password = {something complex}, (you will need it in a minute! (DON’T EVER LOOSE THESE CREDENTIALS!!)) > Next > I usually untick CIEP > Next > Finish

*Note: We will configure domain authentication later.

vCenter 6.5 Appliance SSO Settings

It will take while to reconfigure, when complete click the hyperlink > vSphere Web Client > Log on with the credentials you entered above.

Connect to vCenter Appliance

Join the vCenter Appliance to a Domain

You cannot perform domain authentication unless the appliance is a domain member, so first you need to join a domain.

Administration.

Join vCenter Appliance To Domain

System Configuration.

vCenter Appliance Join a Domain

Nodes > {VC name} > Manage > Active Directory > Join.

vCenter Appliance How To Join a Domain

Provide the domain name and an account, (with rights to add machines to the domain) > OK.

vCenter Appliance Domain

Nothing happens! This is normal don’t worry, you need to reboot the appliance, this can take a while (actually it reboots quite quickly, but it will be a while before you can login to the web console) > OK.

vCenter Appliance Reboot

Over in Active directory you will see a new computer object.

vCenter Appliance Domain Joined

The only indication you will see on the appliance, is now you have a domain name, and the ability to ‘Leave’.

vCenter Appliance Domain Joined Leave

Enable Domain Authentication

Note: If you have a separate Platform Services Controller, use the following article instead;

vSphere: Setup Domain Authentication via PSC

I’m simply going to add my Domain Admins group to the the administrators group on the Virtual Center, there are a number of different roles on ESX you can map to whatever domain groups you want to create.

Administration > Single Sign On > Configuration > Identity Sources > Add.

vCenter Domain Logon

Active Directory (Integrated Windows Authentication) > Next > You domain should be shown > Next > Finish. 

vCenter Add Domain Logons

Select you domain and set is as the default identity source.

vCenter Add Domain Accounts

Users and Groups > Groups > Administrators > Add.

vCenter Add Domain Administrators

Change the domain to yours, and add in the Domain Admins group > OK

Add Domain Administrators ESX

In ‘Hosts and Clusters‘ view > Select the Virtual Center > Permissions > Add.

Add Domain Authentication to vSphere

Select the Administrators ‘role’ > Then add the Domain Admins group in the same way you did above.

Add Domain Authentication to vCenter

Adding Licences to vCenter

Administration > Licensing > Licences > Licences > Add.

vCenter Appliance Add Licences

Add your licence code(s) > Next > Give them a sensible name > Next > Finish.

vCenter Appliance Licences

Assets Tab > Select the Virtual Center > Assign Licences > Select the appropriate licence > OK.

Assign vCenter Appliance Licences

Deployment, > System Configuration  >Nodes  > Manage  > Advanced > Active Directory > Join.

Note: If you have already added hosts you can assign their licences here also, I will assign the host licences when I add the hosts to the cluster.

Create a vSphere DataCenter

In hosts and Clusters view > Right click the vCenter > New DataCenter > Give it a name > OK

vCenter Appliance Create DataCenter

Create a vSphere Cluster

Right click the DataCenter you have just created > New Cluster > Give it a name > OK

Note: You can enable licensed features here, like DRS, HA, EVC etc. Bur I prefer to do this later.

vCenter Appliance Create Cluster

Adding ESX Hosts to your vSphere Cluster

Right click you cluster > Add Host.

vCenter Appliance Add Host to a Cluster

Enter the name or IP > Next > Enter the root account and password > Next (If you get a certificate warning click OK > Next.

VMWARE ESX Add a Host to a Cluster

Select an appropriate licence, (or select the evaluation licence if you have not yet added any licences) > Next > I always disable lockdown mode > Next > Finish.

VMWARE ESX Add a Host to vCenter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Original Article Written 26/01/16

vSphere – Adding Domain Users/Groups to vCenter

Author: PeteLong

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