VMware VirtualCenter 1.2 Support Documentation

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This section describes how to upgrade or install your VirtualCenter product. This includes performing a fresh installation, adding a component to an existing installation, and upgrading existing components to the latest VirtualCenter version. The topics are described in the following sections:

• Starting the VirtualCenter Installer for a First Time Installation
• Starting the VirtualCenter Installer for an Upgrade Installation
• Selecting the Components to Install
• Installing the VirtualCenter Server
• Installing the VMware Web Service
• Completing the Installation

VMware VirtualCenter installs the following components:

• VirtualCenter client — A user interface that runs locally on a Windows managed host with network access to the VirtualCenter server.
• VirtualCenter server — A service that acts as a central administrator for VMware servers connected on a network, to direct actions upon the virtual machines and the virtual machine managed hosts. VirtualCenter server is the central working core of VirtualCenter.

  Note: A host can be managed by only one VirtualCenter server. If you try to register an host that it is already managed by a different VirtualCenter server, an error message appears and you are prevented from adding the host to the additional VirtualCenter server.

• VirtualCenter database — A database dedicated to the VirtualCenter processes. It is installed when the VirtualCenter server is installed.
• VirtualCenter agent — An agent installed on each managed host to be under VirtualCenter control. It coordinates the actions received from the VirtualCenter server.
• VMware Web Service — A component of the VMware SDK. It is installed by default with the VirtualCenter server. It cannot be installed without the VirtualCenter server.

Note: Install and use only one VirtualCenter server to control all, or specific groups of, managed hosts. Do not have multiple VirtualCenter servers controlling the same managed host. Instead, install multiple copies of the VirtualCenter client. From each VirtualCenter client, you can access any networked VirtualCenter server.

Note: The VirtualCenter client does not store any persistent information on your local machine.