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VMware VirtualCenter 1.4.x Support Documentation


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VMware VirtualCenter 1.4.x Release Notes

Check back frequently for additions and updates to these release notes.

VirtualCenter Version 1.4.1 | 9/28/06 | Build 30780
VirtualCenter Version 1.4 | 7/6/06 | Build 28235

Last update to release notes: October 5, 2006.

These release notes contain the following:

Refer to the VMware Virtual Center 1.x Documentation for additional information.

What's New in This Release

VirtualCenter 1.4.1 is a maintenance bug fix release to improve upon VirtualCenter 1.4.

VirtualCenter 1.4 is a minor release to improve upon VirtualCenter 1.3.x and includes the following features:

  • VMware Server support - A VMware Server can now be managed by VirtualCenter as a host, along with ESX Server 2.x and GSX Server 3.x hosts in a heterogeneous environment.
  • VMware Server 64-bit support - Create and use 64-bit virtual machines and templates on VMware Server.
  • VMware Server SMP support - Create and use SMP virtual machines and templates on VMware Server.
  • VMware Server virtual hardware support - Create or edit virtual machines to use the additional virtual hardware options on VMware Server. This includes the E1000 NIC and new autodetect options. Virtual machines not using the new hardware continue to be supported on ESX Server 2.x and GSX Server 3.1 or later hosts.
  • VMware Server migration support - Virtual machines on ESX Server or GSX Server hosts can be migrated or imported onto VMware Server hosts. Once migrated to a VMware Server, they can be migrated back to an ESX Server or GSX Server, provided their virtual hardware has not been upgraded through the VMware Server Console.
  • Resolution of issues in previous releases. Refer to the Resolved Issues for a partial list of resolved items.

Version Compatibility for This Release

This release version requires or functions with the listed version of the following:


 VirtualCenter version
 ESX Server version
 GSX Server version
 VMware Server version
1.4, 1.4.1 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.1.x, 2.5.1, 2.5.2 3.1, 3.2 1.0, 1.0.1
1.3, 1.3.1 2.0.1, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.5.1, 2.5.2 3.1, 3.2  
1.2 2.0.1, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.5.0, 2.5.1 3.1, 3.2  
1.1 2.0.1, 2.1, 2.1.1 3.1  
1.0.1 2.0.1, 2.1    

Revision History of This Release Note


 Revision
 Date
 Changes
1.4.1 September 28, 2006 Maintenance Release.
1.4 July 6, 2006 Minor Release. Added VMware Server support.

Installing and Upgrading to Version 1.4.x

The process for installing VirtualCenter for the first time and upgrading an existing installation of VirtualCenter is essentially the same. The installer determines whether a VirtualCenter component is installed on the local machine and then displays the appropriate opening screen. The difference is:

  • For an upgrade, the installation wizard opening screen asks if you wish to perform an upgrade.
  • For a first-time install, the installation wizard opening screen asks for your user name and company information.

Refer to VirtualCenter 1.4 Users Guide for complete information on performing an installation or upgrade of your VirtualCenter product.

In VirtualCenter 1.4.x, the installation or upgrade process also includes an option to install the VirtualCenter Web service component. The Web service component is installed on a machine that has the VirtualCenter server. If the VirtualCenter server is not already installed on the local machine, it will be installed when you select to install the Web service. For information on the VirtualCenter Web service refer to:

Notes:

  • Because changes have been made to both the VirtualCenter server and the VirtualCenter client, you must upgrade all machines with either component. For example, VirtualCenter 1.3.x or lower version clients cannot connect to VirtualCenter 1.4.x servers and VirtualCenter 1.4.x clients cannot connect to VirtualCenter 1.3.x or lower version servers.
  • Microsoft Windows 98SE is no longer a supported operating system for installing the VirtualCenter client.
  • If you are unable to connect to the VirtualCenter remote database during the installation, please make sure that the Workstation service (lanmanworkstation) is up and running. Also, verify that the VirtualCenter database server is up and running and that it is connected to the network.

If you are upgrading VirtualCenter, perform the following as needed:


Always backup your database before you proceed with an upgrade process.

  • If you are using an Oracle database: Prior to upgrading, make sure that shared_pool_size parameter is set to no less than 100 MB. This ensures that the upgrade performs reasonably. The shared_pool_size parameter is in the init.ora file. Have your Oracle database administrator check and set this.
  • If you are upgrading a large database: This may take a significant amount of time from several minutes to more than an hour, depending upon the size of your database.