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VMware GSX Server 2.5.2


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 Basic Installation

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, the VMware Remote Console and the VMware Scripting APIs — or you can pick and choose which components to install. When you use the master installer, all components are installed in their own directories under one master directory.

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

In more complex installations, one workstation with multiple remote consoles can manage multiple virtual machines on one or more servers. And remote consoles on multiple workstations can connect to any virtual machine on 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 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 included with 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.

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

  • (Windows Server 2003 hosts only): If you plan to use the VMware Management Interface, you must make sure Internet Information Services (IIS) is installed and configured properly. See Before You Install on a Windows Server 2003 Host.

On the Server

On the Server

A complete installation on the GSX Server host includes:

  • The GSX Server package for the server (which includes the tools needed to create and configure virtual machines and the local console to view and control the virtual machine).

  • The VMware Management Interface package (a Web server for managing virtual machines from a browser; for more information, see Managing Virtual Machines).

  • The VMware Remote Console package (to view the virtual machine and allow others to access it at the same time with other remote consoles)

  • The VmCOM Scripting 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 Scripting 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.

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

  • Install the 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).

These packages are available in the VMware Management Interface and the GSX Server Master Installer (on Windows hosts only). If you are installing the remote console on a Linux host, see Installing the VMware Remote Console on a Linux 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 host or workstation. You can use the APIs to create scripts to automate management of virtual machines and the server host.

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