VMware

VMware GSX Server 2.5.2


Features | Documentation | Knowledge Base | Discussion Forums

previous Prev   Contents   Last   Next next

 Basic Installation

Basic Installation

A basic installation of GSX Server uses two computers — a workstation and a server. The workstation communicates with the server over a TCP/IP network link.

In more complex installations, one workstation with multiple remote consoles can manage multiple servers. And remote consoles on multiple workstations can connect to any server.

Before you begin, be sure you have

  • A server and host operating system that meet the system requirements for running GSX Server. See Host System Requirements.

  • A remote management workstation and operating system that meet the system requirements for running the GSX Server remote management software. See Remote Workstation Requirements.

  • The installation CDs or disks for your guest operating systems.

  • The GSX Server installation software. If you bought a GSX Server media kit, the installation software is on the CD in your package. If you bought the electronic distribution, the installation software is in the files you downloaded.

  • Your GSX Server serial number. The serial number is included in the email message you received from VMware or the reseller from whom you purchased GSX Server.

  • (SuSE Linux 7.1 and later hosts): The inetd process configured to start when the host operating system boots. See Before You Install on a SuSE Linux 7.1 or Later Host.

  • (SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 hosts): gcc installed on your host before you install GSX Server. See Before You Install on a SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 Host.

  • (Turbolinux Enterprise Server 8 hosts): The inetd process configured to start when the host operating system boots. See Before You Install on a Turbolinux Enterprise Server 8 Host.

Caution: Some operating systems, such as Red Hat Linux 7.2 and 7.3, include a firewall by default. This firewall prevents access from remote consoles and the VMware Management Interface to the GSX Server host. In order for the VMware Remote Console to connect to the host, you need to open up port 902. To connect to the host with the VMware Management Interface, you need to open up port 8222. If you are using SSL to make these connections, remember to open up port 443.

On the GSX Server Host Machine

On the GSX Server Host Machine

You can install up to four software packages on the Linux server:

  • The GSX Server package for the server (from an RPM or tar archive available on the GSX Server CD-ROM or the VMware Web site). The RPM file is called VMware-gsx-<xxxx>.i386.rpm while the tar archive is called VMware-gsx-<xxxx>.tar.gz, where <xxxx> is a series of numbers representing the version and build numbers.

  • The VMware Management Interface package (from a tar archive available on the GSX Server CD-ROM or the VMware Web site). This tar archive is called VMware-mui-<xxxx>.tar.gz.

  • The VMware Remote Console package (from an RPM or tar archive available on the GSX Server CD-ROM, or it can be downloaded from the VMware Web site or the VMware Management Interface). The RPM file is called
    VMware-console-<xxxx>.i386.rpm while the tar archive is called VMware-console-<xxxx>.tar.gz.

  • The VmPerl Scripting API package, (from a tar archive available on the GSX Server CD-ROM, or it can be downloaded from the VMware Web site or the VMware Management Interface) a scripting tool that uses Perl to manage virtual machines remotely; for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer/.

In most cases, you work directly at the server when you

  • Install the GSX Server software.

  • Create and configure virtual machines.

  • Install the guest operating system and application software in a virtual machine.

On a Workstation

On a Workstation

In addition to a Web browser, you can install the following packages on a workstation:

  • The VMware Remote Console package.

  • The VmPerl and VmCOM Scripting APIs (the VmCOM API can be installed only on a Windows workstation); for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer/.

These packages are available in the VMware Management Interface. If you are installing the remote console on a Windows host, see Installing the VMware Remote Console on a Windows Host.

Remote consoles can run on workstations and on the server itself. Remote console packages are available for Windows (Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003) and Linux.

Typically, you run the remote console and browser on a workstation. The browser allows access to the VMware Management Interface. The management interface and remote console let you

  • Monitor the operation of a virtual machine.

  • Start, stop, reset, suspend and resume a virtual machine.

Essentially, the remote console allows you to remotely manage a single virtual machine, while the management interface allows you to remotely manage the server host and all the virtual machines on the host. Also, you can create and delete virtual machines with the management interface.

The VmPerl and VmCOM APIs can connect to Linux and Windows hosts. However, the VmCOM API can run only on a Windows workstation. You can use the APIs to create scripts to automate management of virtual machines and the server host.

previous Prev   Contents   Last   Next next