Do you happen to have instructions on updating/upgrading to 8.0? We're on 6.7, going to upgrade to 8.0. All the other videos I keep coming across are created by people with heavy accents making it hard to understand the details. Your presentation is far better than the rest thus far.
If this is the "first step" (as you mention @7:40): What are the next steps that you recommend? e.g., Adding NAS/SAN? Adding a content library (for ISO storage)? Adding additional hosts? Creating a cluster?
@user-qq6el1yi8i Thank you for the comment! Hop over to the forums and create a topic under the "vSphere help" forum and I can give you personalized help there: www.virtualizationhowto.com/community
Thank you! Went by without a hitch. I did have to go back and leave the FQDN portion blank due to a common error where the installation gets stuck on 0% at Stage 2.
This was great, but could you also do a vido that shows the Upgrading process for a VSCA appliance and also ESXI hosts? I am currently running version 6.7. No one has a good how to video the upgrade process.
The first time is deployed this I had no issues, but the second time, I had to add the IP FQDN and simple name to the Windows /etc/hosts file. It was having issues with resolving the esxi 8 node.
Thanks for your effort in making such content. Does vmware and vcenter needs to be same version? Can you share, what king of hardware youre using or suitable for esxi8. Thanks
Thank you very much, very helpful. I have a question : I bought VSphere Essentials Plus Kit, and have 3 servers and a SAN. Is that a bad practice to install the vCenter on one of the 3 servers it will manage? I don't find information about that and I'm just thinking "If the ESX that hosts the vCenter crash, then I have a problem", but can't manage to find another way to proceed. What's your point about that?
Ilitan004, no that is completely acceptable and supported. Bigger organizations may have a "management cluster" where things like vCenter runs apart from the workload cluster where the everyday workloads run. However, in smaller organizations, it is very common to see a converged management cluster with workloads. Most environments I have administered are configured this way. With the DRS and HA capabilities of a vSphere cluster, it provides great availability to vCenter. If something happens to vCenter, you can connect to the host client directly on the ESXi host and power up VMs, including your vCenter box if something happens. I hope this helps.
From what I could see during my testing, you can't create a cluster (ESXi cluster) if vCenter is running on one of the hosts, since those are put into maintenance mode before the config is done. If you have setup vSAN before (during vCenter install), I am not sure how it would act.
Hello, when trying to access the sphere client I get "no healthy upstream"? Not sure how to fix this. It worked at first but now I get that. This is on my Lab using Vmware workstation Pro. I can also get to the VMware vCenter Server Management with no issues.
I'm planning on upgrading to vSphere 8 and NSX 4 on my homelab. As they both are major releases, do they need a License Upgrade? vSphere 8 most likely. But I don't understand a bit about the new license model on NSX 4, just passed the pre-upgrade check but I'm not sure to upgrade or not because of the license.
Andi, yes I figure things are in flux with licensing. Generally the major versions require a different license so I would imagine your assumption is correct for NSX.
Great video, informative and straight to the point. I'm having issues on the initial deploy, it's stuck on 'Install - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server' with 0% initializing. I've followed your guide up to that point without any issues. I'm installing it on my esxi host (intel nuc) any pointers would be great. Thanks!
So that Windows installer is simply running a deployment of a virtual machine that is to be a guest on an existing ESXI host? Is the vSphere client something else that needs to be installed or is it just the web frontend for VCSA
Hi Thanks for this video. It’s really a quick one after vSphere 8 is GA. Do you have any idea by when the vSphere 8 is available for vMug Advantage members?
This deployed for me okay but after lauching the vSphere client, it says "loading" for a few minutes before saying "Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site." I can log into the Vcenter Server Management but not the vSphere client. I need help.
Do I need vcenter on each one of my hosts? So that if 1 host goes down I can use the other vcenter? Sorry but VMware makes their stuff so confusing to use , part of me wants to just use ESXI and ditch vcenter
HisLoveArmy Thank you for your comment! You only have 1 vCenter Server. vCenter is protected with vSphere HA like any other VM running in a vSphere cluster. So, if the host that is running vCenter goes down, it will be restarted on a healthy host. Hope this helps!
I'm getting a "vcenter upload hcl db failed: failed to replace old HCL DB" during phase I as I'm trying to select one of the my data stores. I'm not using a VSAN. Installation continues and later fails during phase II around 34% regarding failed vspx-srvc. I was hoping this video was give me clues. Any ideas?
I have 2 hosts and a SAN that I'm wanting to make into a cluster. Do I make the cluster first, then install VCSA? and at what point do I need to be able to add the Datastores? I have ESXi installed on each host, but I'm not sure what the steps are after that.
Andrew, you can load VCSA on a single ESXi host. You need vCenter Server to create an ESXi cluster. Once you have vCenter Server up and running you can log in there and create your datacenter and first cluster. Then you would add your two ESXi hosts to the cluster. Does this help?
@@VirtualizationHowto So we just need to create 1 VM in one of the ESXi Host, let say win server 2019 and install the vcenter there, and then only we could detect all the connected host on the network and create cluster?no need to provide another separate physical server/PC to run vcenter?
I can't seem to get past Step 2 during Phase 2 of the vCenter Server Configuration. After choosing to sync with NTP time servers and activating SSH, I click next and get a "Bad Input" red banner warning. No further details provided, it just refuses to continue. I've tried cancelling the installation and resuming via the web browser, same error. Deleted the VM and re-deployed it with the tool to no avail. Any ideas?
Liam, check out the post here: communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-vCenter-Discussions/quot-Bad-Input-quot-when-entering-FQDN-for-System-Name/td-p/1424109 Are you using FQDN for your hostnames? If so, make sure DNS is resolving correctly both for forward and reverse lookups. See what happens when you use IP addresses instead if using DNS names
@@VirtualizationHowto Hey, thanks a lot for the reply! I actually found that article as part of my troubleshooting process, and switched from using FQDN to IP addresses instead to avoid DNS issues. No change unfortunately. By the way, your videos are fantastic. Very clear, informative and helpful. Keep it up!
Got it sorted out - I went back and changed all domains to ".local" (on ESXi host Default TCP/IP settings, set .local for suffix and search domain) and rebuilt VCSA one more time via the installer, leaving the FQDN name blank in the installation settings. Finally, the installation completed successfully, both stages 1 and 2.
So where is the next video to this one. Want to see it working in real environment. Cause when i load my hosts to VC i no longer can see them on network. can't log in them as before though browser
@kevinharris7452, thank you for the comment! Hey that is weird on the disconnects after adding to vCenter. So pings failing to hosts as well. Are you doing anything like distributed switches and adding hosts to a DS you have configured by chance?
Vcenter applience in the sense.. Now we do not require to install it on windows server platform..? Is it.? Can you explain on that please.. Thanks in advance.
Sam, vCenter is now a Photon OS-based implementation. Windows is no longer supported. The Photon OS appliance is a much better solution and purpose built for vCenter Server.
I am trying to change the VM disks from thick provisioning to thin provisioning after all is set up and installed but can't do so from edit settings after turning off the VM. How can I do that or do i have to remove the VM and install it from scratch? any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Thank you for the super fast response. I am not able to clone it from my vsphere host directly. Do I need to add/register the VM into the current vCenter so I could clone it?
Tadeh, I see....sorry I was assuming another vCenter in the mix. You can use the command line for your disks to clone with a target of thin provisioning. Use the format: vmkfstools --server 10.21.49.14 -i '[Datastore] examplevm/examplevm-000001.vmdk' '[Datastore 2] newexamplevm/newexamplevm.vmdk' -d thin -a buslogic So you would need to create a new folder to house the target vCenter that is thin provisioned, even if on the same datastore.
@gunnargu, I was today years old when I learned that .local was reserved....have used it for labs for years. So far haven't had any issues, but definitely a great tip, makes me think more about my DNS suffixes in the future.
Jason, you can get it from the product evaluation center, or you can purchase a VMUG Advantage subscription which is honestly one of the best values out there. customerconnect.vmware.com/en/evalcenter?p=free-esxi8 www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/
I love your channel and website. It covers most of the stuff. Please share with us the download link for vCenter Server 8 because I am not able to download it from the official website ( I do not have permission to download it)
Ron, check out VMUG Advantage, for $200 (less with easily found coupons) you get the entire VMware catalog of products and licenses for 1 year. To me, this is one of the best values in the realm of home lab.
Well , I feel good about your Channel. I have a request , we are poor innocent guy, do not have money to spent for creating a testing lab. Please share what ever possible Software's and License key's to run permanently in a VMware lab. It will be honor to work with you. Looking forward for your valuable reply.
so it looks like the installer hasn't changed at all. unfortunately my test servers are old enough now that the cpu is no longer supported which is a shame - pair of dual socket dell R430s with 384gb works nicely under vSphere 7
I have some M620 blades that said that during installation of ESXi but you can override it It will be unsupported by VMware of course. I wouldnt do it for production of course!
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm new in VMware, this video is helping me a loot.
Hope I don't do a mess in my enviroment :D
Great video Sir. Simple and straight forward.
Excellent video, explains everything I needed to know.
i am new too! i got my VCenter 6.7 up and running. Good video! thanks.
Do you happen to have instructions on updating/upgrading to 8.0? We're on 6.7, going to upgrade to 8.0. All the other videos I keep coming across are created by people with heavy accents making it hard to understand the details. Your presentation is far better than the rest thus far.
Thank you for explaining this thoroughly!
Georg, glad this helped!
Thanks for making these very informative videos, please keep it up!!!
Thanks, will do!
If this is the "first step" (as you mention @7:40): What are the next steps that you recommend? e.g., Adding NAS/SAN? Adding a content library (for ISO storage)? Adding additional hosts? Creating a cluster?
@user-qq6el1yi8i Thank you for the comment! Hop over to the forums and create a topic under the "vSphere help" forum and I can give you personalized help there: www.virtualizationhowto.com/community
Extremely informative, many thanks!
Thank you! Went by without a hitch. I did have to go back and leave the FQDN portion blank due to a common error where the installation gets stuck on 0% at Stage 2.
This was great, but could you also do a vido that shows the Upgrading process for a VSCA appliance and also ESXI hosts? I am currently running version 6.7. No one has a good how to video the upgrade process.
Thank you for this amazing quick tutorial. Can I install VCSA from any Windows machine in the same LAN?
The first time is deployed this I had no issues, but the second time, I had to add the IP FQDN and simple name to the Windows /etc/hosts file. It was having issues with resolving the esxi 8 node.
Great Walkthrough. More vSphere and vCenter videos please! How about how to configure them un HA? Thanks!
if the VCSA is installed on an esxi host, wouldn't that limit it's reach to within a single cluster?
not to sound like a boff but i think its really impressive vmware and on the engineers who design it
subbed an thumbsed up. very nice. does it matter where you install this application?
Thanks for your effort in making such content.
Does vmware and vcenter needs to be same version?
Can you share, what king of hardware youre using or suitable for esxi8. Thanks
How much was the AC unit you have mounted on your wall behind you in the video cost & the manufacturer?
Thank you very much, very helpful. I have a question : I bought VSphere Essentials Plus Kit, and have 3 servers and a SAN. Is that a bad practice to install the vCenter on one of the 3 servers it will manage? I don't find information about that and I'm just thinking "If the ESX that hosts the vCenter crash, then I have a problem", but can't manage to find another way to proceed. What's your point about that?
Ilitan004, no that is completely acceptable and supported. Bigger organizations may have a "management cluster" where things like vCenter runs apart from the workload cluster where the everyday workloads run. However, in smaller organizations, it is very common to see a converged management cluster with workloads. Most environments I have administered are configured this way. With the DRS and HA capabilities of a vSphere cluster, it provides great availability to vCenter. If something happens to vCenter, you can connect to the host client directly on the ESXi host and power up VMs, including your vCenter box if something happens. I hope this helps.
From what I could see during my testing, you can't create a cluster (ESXi cluster) if vCenter is running on one of the hosts, since those are put into maintenance mode before the config is done.
If you have setup vSAN before (during vCenter install), I am not sure how it would act.
Hello, when trying to access the sphere client I get "no healthy upstream"? Not sure how to fix this. It worked at first but now I get that. This is on my Lab using Vmware workstation Pro. I can also get to the VMware vCenter Server Management with no issues.
I'm planning on upgrading to vSphere 8 and NSX 4 on my homelab. As they both are major releases, do they need a License Upgrade? vSphere 8 most likely. But I don't understand a bit about the new license model on NSX 4, just passed the pre-upgrade check but I'm not sure to upgrade or not because of the license.
Andi, yes I figure things are in flux with licensing. Generally the major versions require a different license so I would imagine your assumption is correct for NSX.
@@VirtualizationHowto Just upgraded to NSX 4. The NSX-T 3 license is still valid :)
Great video, informative and straight to the point. I'm having issues on the initial deploy, it's stuck on 'Install - Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server' with 0% initializing. I've followed your guide up to that point without any issues. I'm installing it on my esxi host (intel nuc)
any pointers would be great.
Thanks!
needs to resolve forward and back - on your windows computer edit the host file to add the vcenter and IP entry
@@x13years thanks! will give this a go
So that Windows installer is simply running a deployment of a virtual machine that is to be a guest on an existing ESXI host? Is the vSphere client something else that needs to be installed or is it just the web frontend for VCSA
Hi Thanks for this video. It’s really a quick one after vSphere 8 is GA. Do you have any idea by when the vSphere 8 is available for vMug Advantage members?
Tamil, I am hoping soon. VMUG seems to be fairly quick to get the major releases posted, so let's hope so.
That will be really great. Checking on daily basis. Thanks for replying
Finally the vSphere 8 is available in VMUG couple of days back. I am able to download now.
i love the movie the crow...and i gotta learn this
What if I just deployed this and somehow forgot the SSO domain I just created because it won't let me log in.....
Thank you 🙏
Sorry, maybe I'm missing something here, but why would I install VCSA on VCenter Server? Isn't VCSA replacing VCenter?
This deployed for me okay but after lauching the vSphere client, it says "loading" for a few minutes before saying "Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site." I can log into the Vcenter Server Management but not the vSphere client. I need help.
Do I need vcenter on each one of my hosts? So that if 1 host goes down I can use the other vcenter? Sorry but VMware makes their stuff so confusing to use , part of me wants to just use ESXI and ditch vcenter
HisLoveArmy Thank you for your comment! You only have 1 vCenter Server. vCenter is protected with vSphere HA like any other VM running in a vSphere cluster. So, if the host that is running vCenter goes down, it will be restarted on a healthy host. Hope this helps!
I'm getting a "vcenter upload hcl db failed: failed to replace old HCL DB" during phase I as I'm trying to select one of the my data stores. I'm not using a VSAN. Installation continues and later fails during phase II around 34% regarding failed vspx-srvc. I was hoping this video was give me clues. Any ideas?
Where is the best place to store vcenter? I have been screwed many times by having it in the vsan.
I have 2 hosts and a SAN that I'm wanting to make into a cluster. Do I make the cluster first, then install VCSA? and at what point do I need to be able to add the Datastores? I have ESXi installed on each host, but I'm not sure what the steps are after that.
Andrew, you can load VCSA on a single ESXi host. You need vCenter Server to create an ESXi cluster. Once you have vCenter Server up and running you can log in there and create your datacenter and first cluster. Then you would add your two ESXi hosts to the cluster. Does this help?
@@VirtualizationHowto Super helpful!! Thank you for replying so quickly. Your videos have been incredibly valuable!
@@VirtualizationHowto So we just need to create 1 VM in one of the ESXi Host, let say win server 2019 and install the vcenter there, and then only we could detect all the connected host on the network and create cluster?no need to provide another separate physical server/PC to run vcenter?
I can't seem to get past Step 2 during Phase 2 of the vCenter Server Configuration. After choosing to sync with NTP time servers and activating SSH, I click next and get a "Bad Input" red banner warning. No further details provided, it just refuses to continue. I've tried cancelling the installation and resuming via the web browser, same error. Deleted the VM and re-deployed it with the tool to no avail. Any ideas?
Liam, check out the post here: communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-vCenter-Discussions/quot-Bad-Input-quot-when-entering-FQDN-for-System-Name/td-p/1424109
Are you using FQDN for your hostnames? If so, make sure DNS is resolving correctly both for forward and reverse lookups. See what happens when you use IP addresses instead if using DNS names
@@VirtualizationHowto Hey, thanks a lot for the reply! I actually found that article as part of my troubleshooting process, and switched from using FQDN to IP addresses instead to avoid DNS issues. No change unfortunately.
By the way, your videos are fantastic. Very clear, informative and helpful. Keep it up!
Got it sorted out - I went back and changed all domains to ".local" (on ESXi host Default TCP/IP settings, set .local for suffix and search domain) and rebuilt VCSA one more time via the installer, leaving the FQDN name blank in the installation settings. Finally, the installation completed successfully, both stages 1 and 2.
On my system, at marker 5:38, I enter a strong password that complies to the requirements. The "Next" button is disabled.
So where is the next video to this one. Want to see it working in real environment. Cause when i load my hosts to VC i no longer can see them on network. can't log in them as before though browser
@kevinharris7452, thank you for the comment! Hey that is weird on the disconnects after adding to vCenter. So pings failing to hosts as well. Are you doing anything like distributed switches and adding hosts to a DS you have configured by chance?
Vcenter applience in the sense.. Now we do not require to install it on windows server platform..? Is it.? Can you explain on that please.. Thanks in advance.
Sam, vCenter is now a Photon OS-based implementation. Windows is no longer supported. The Photon OS appliance is a much better solution and purpose built for vCenter Server.
@@VirtualizationHowto oh really.. Thankyou very much.. For the information.. 👌👌👌
I am trying to change the VM disks from thick provisioning to thin provisioning after all is set up and installed but can't do so from edit settings after turning off the VM. How can I do that or do i have to remove the VM and install it from scratch? any help is appreciated. Thanks!
Tadeh, thank you for the comment! You can "clone" the VM and when you clone it will give you the option to use thin disks.
Thank you for the super fast response. I am not able to clone it from my vsphere host directly. Do I need to add/register the VM into the current vCenter so I could clone it?
Tadeh, I see....sorry I was assuming another vCenter in the mix. You can use the command line for your disks to clone with a target of thin provisioning. Use the format:
vmkfstools --server 10.21.49.14 -i '[Datastore] examplevm/examplevm-000001.vmdk' '[Datastore 2] newexamplevm/newexamplevm.vmdk' -d thin -a buslogic
So you would need to create a new folder to house the target vCenter that is thin provisioned, even if on the same datastore.
FYI .local is reserved for multicast dns and should not be used for local dns hostnames
@gunnargu, I was today years old when I learned that .local was reserved....have used it for labs for years. So far haven't had any issues, but definitely a great tip, makes me think more about my DNS suffixes in the future.
Where or how can I get a copy of the vSphere 8 or the VMware ESXI 8.
I have been searching the longest while now and so far I've been unsuccessful.
Jason, you can get it from the product evaluation center, or you can purchase a VMUG Advantage subscription which is honestly one of the best values out there. customerconnect.vmware.com/en/evalcenter?p=free-esxi8
www.vmug.com/membership/vmug-advantage-membership/
I get stuck on 81% during 'Setting up storage', with no signs of anything.
I love your channel and website. It covers most of the stuff. Please share with us the download link for vCenter Server 8 because I am not able to download it from the official website ( I do not have permission to download it)
Hi Sam!, you have resgistrer for downlaod trail. Regards
Thanks Sam! Hopefully you got the download. Take care.
Will vSphere format my entire drive? Can I install on a partition?
Hello dkad, if you are referring to the ESXi install, it will ask you to choose the installation partition.
Thank you
It looks like I need a license, where can I get that and how much does it cost for a home lab?
Ron, check out VMUG Advantage, for $200 (less with easily found coupons) you get the entire VMware catalog of products and licenses for 1 year. To me, this is one of the best values in the realm of home lab.
@@VirtualizationHowto Nice, but this is only for 1 year? I suppose that's why the regular license is so expensive.
👍👍👍👍
Well , I feel good about your Channel. I have a request , we are poor innocent guy, do not have money to spent for creating a testing lab. Please share what ever possible Software's and License key's to run permanently in a VMware lab. It will be honor to work with you. Looking forward for your valuable reply.
Doesn't this cost a lot of money per month to have with a vCenter license? Maybe not the best to use for a homelab
I love VMware and use it at work, but it becomes too expensive to run it in a homelab :("
Matty, with VMUG Advantage, it is only $200 a year :)
so it looks like the installer hasn't changed at all. unfortunately my test servers are old enough now that the cpu is no longer supported which is a shame - pair of dual socket dell R430s with 384gb works nicely under vSphere 7
I have some M620 blades that said that during installation of ESXi but you can override it It will be unsupported by VMware of course. I wouldnt do it for production of course!
i miss the Vcenter client :')
Tiny configuration requires 14GB RAM now????! 😅
Yes it does seem to keep growing :-/
@@VirtualizationHowtoThe Space required is allocated as the whole thing or is growing up by time/Use?
It is this easy until it's an offline installation then seems to have issues. Without DNS and stuff it just hates everything.
The desktop screen at the beginning is come from where ? from heaven ? That is the problem of your video
I hate that they do not support older hardware. No thank you.
13226 Jaden Landing
Eww, windows