VMware VirtualCenter 1.1 Support Documentation

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Starting or Stopping VMware VirtualCenter

When you install VirtualCenter, it is registered as a single Windows service that appears in the Windows Services list. The VirtualCenter server is an automatically started Windows Service.

The VirtualCenter server continues to function and perform its monitoring and managing activities in the background. This means that even when you are not logged on to the VirtualCenter client, the VirtualCenter server continues its monitoring and scheduled activities.

The VirtualCenter database is configured during installation. Applying changes to the VirtualCenter database after the VirtualCenter server is started might cause a temporary disruption to other users accessing the same VirtualCenter server.

All the VirtualCenter activities are specified through the VirtualCenter client and performed by the VirtualCenter server.

To monitor and manage the VirtualCenter activities:

Start the VirtualCenter client.
Log on to the VirtualCenter server.

The starting and stopping topics are covered in the following sections:

Getting Started with VirtualCenter Users

When VirtualCenter is installed, the Administrator user installing VirtualCenter is assigned VirtualCenter Administrator privileges for the VirtualCenter environment. Permissions for all other VirtualCenter users need to be explicitly set by a VirtualCenter Administrator.

VirtualCenter supports user groups. Users may belong to one or more groups, to allow aggregate security assignments. Users assume the roles assigned to any group of which they are members. Refer to Assigning Access Permissions for additional information on assigning access permission and roles to users and groups.

Verifying the VirtualCenter Server has Started

The VirtualCenter server starts automatically when you start the Windows machine on which it is installed. It also restarts each time the VirtualCenter host is rebooted. When the VirtualCenter client appears, the baseline bar of the VirtualCenter client window indicates the VirtualCenter server you are currently logged on to.

To verify the VirtualCenter server is running, check your Windows Services:

Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > VMware VirtualCenter Server.
The Status column indicates whether or not the service is started.
For additional information, display the Properties dialog box.
Right-click the VMware VirtualCenter Server, select Properties. In the VMware VirtualCenter Services Properties dialog box select the General tab and view the service status.

Restarting the VirtualCenter Server

To restart the VirtualCenter server through your Windows Services:

Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > VMware VirtualCenter Server.
Right-click the VMware VirtualCenter Server, select Restart.
Close the Properties box, click the close symbol, X, at the top of the dialog box.
When Windows completes the powering on process, close the Properties dialog box.

Restarting the VirtualCenter Agent

The VirtualCenter agent is installed on each host automatically. It is also started automatically. If for some reason it stops, it must be restarted.

To restart the VirtualCenter agent:

From the VirtualCenter client, display the inventory panel to display the virtual machine.
Click the Inventory option in the navigation bar. Expand the inventory as needed, and click the appropriate virtual machine.
Display the host properties dialog box.
1. Select the host whose VirtualCenter agent you wish to restart.
2. Select menu Edit > Properties. Or right-click on the selected host, select Properties. Or from the select host Summary page, click Edit Properties.
Select the Advanced tab. Click Restart.
If this option is not available because the host has lost contact with VirtualCenter, then use the Windows Administrative Tools to manually restart the agent.
To restart the VirtualCenter agent on a GSX Server host through your Windows Services:
1. Go to the GSX Server host.
2. Select Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > VMware VirtualCenter agent.
3. Right-click the VMware VirtualCenter agent, select Start.
4. Close the Properties box, click the close symbol, X, at the top of the dialog box.
  When Windows completes the powering on process, close the Properties dialog box.

Stopping the VirtualCenter Server

The VirtualCenter server is a Windows service, so you should go through your Windows interface to select the service and stop it.

Note: You should never have to stop the VirtualCenter server. It is best for the VirtualCenter server to have continuous operation. Continuous operation ensures that all monitoring and task activities are performed as expected.

To stop the VirtualCenter server:

Select Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services > VMware VirtualCenter Service.
Right-click the VMware VirtualCenter Server, select Stop.
Close the Properties box, click the close symbol, X, at the top of the dialog box.
When Windows completes powering off of the process, close the Properties dialog box.

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