VMware vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.6.0.1 Release Notes
vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.6.0.1 | 1 July 2014 | Build 1445187
Last Document Update: 1 July 2014
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What's in the Release Notes
The release notes cover the following topics:
What's New in this Release
The vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.6.0.1 release is patch release that provides the OpenSSL fix. This
patch replaces the tcnative1-dll file in Apache Tomcat server thereby updating the OpenSSL library to
version openssl-1.0.1h to address CVE-2014-0224, CVE-2014-0198, CVE-2010-5298, and CVE-2014-
3470. This patch should only be applied on Chargeback Manager 2.6 version or Chargeback Manager
2.6 build with 2.6 express patch version.
Note: After applying this patch, if you apply the Chargeback Manager 2.6 express
patch from the Knowledge Base article 2077263 on Chargeback Manager 2.6,
the OpenSSL fix of this patch is lost and you need to the patch again for the
OpenSSL fix.
For more information on applying this patch, see Readme_CBM_2601 document.
System Requirements
This section provides information about the supported operating
systems, database management systems, and vCenter Server versions. The vCenter Chargeback Manager User's Guide provides detailed information about the system requirements for installing and running the application.
Supported Operating Systems
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 with SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 with Service Pack 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Standard
You can install and run vCenter Chargeback Manager on any supported
localized Windows operating system. However, all the labels and text
messages in the installer and application user interface (including the
plug-in in the vSphere Client) are displayed in English only. The
application supports ASCII, extended ASCII, and non-ASCII characters.
However, the characters are rendered correctly only if the client
machine uses the appropriate fonts and the Web browser supports all the
characters. The installer does not support all characters. Ensure that
the information entered in the installer contains only the supported
characters as specified in the install and upgrade instructions in this
release notes and in the vCenter Chargeback Manager User's Guide.
Supported Database Management Systems
vCenter Chargeback Manager supports the following database management systems:
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (32-bit and 64-bit) (Standard and Enterprise)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 with SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit) (Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2005 with SP4 (32-bit and 64-bit)(Standard, Enterprise, and Datacenter)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2012
vCenter Chargeback Manager supports the Standard and Enterprise edition of the following database management systems:
- Oracle Database 11g Release 2
- Oracle Database 11g Release 1
- Oracle Database 10g Release 2
- Oracle Database 10g Release 1
- Oracle Database 12c
Supported vCenter Server Versions and vCenter Server Databases
- vCenter Server 5.5
- vCenter Server 5.1
- vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1b
- vCenter Server 4.1 and all corresponding Update Releases
- vCenter Server 4.0 and all corresponding Update Releases
Important: We recommend that you do not add a
vCenter Server 5.0 or vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1 server to vCenter
Chargeback Manager because of a known memory leak issue. Also, do not
add a vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1a server because of a known upgrade
issue in vCenter Server. If you have a vCenter Server 5.0, vCenter
Server 5.0 Update 1, or vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1a server, then first
upgrade this to vCenter Server 5.0 Update 1b and then configure it in
vCenter Chargeback Manager.
vCenter Chargeback Manager only supports vCenter Server databases
that are created in Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle Database. vCenter
Chargeback Manager does not support vCenter Server databases created in
DB2.
Supported Web Browsers and Flash Player Plug-in
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.0 and 9.0
- Mozilla Firefox 25.0 and 25.0.1
- Adobe Flash Player for Windows Plug-in version 10.1
- Adobe Flash Player for Linux version 10.1 (Plug-in for Mozilla Firefox running on Linux Platform)
- Adobe PDF Reader plug-in for Internet Explorer
Supported VMware vCloud Director Versions
- VMware vCloud Director 5.5
- VMware vCloud Director 5.1
- VMware vCloud Director 1.5 and later
vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.6 does not support any release of VMware vCloud Director prior to VMware vCloud Director 1.5
Supported VMware vCenter Operations Versions
- VMware vCenter Operations 5.0 and later releases
Supported vCenter Chargeback Manager API Versions
The table below lists the different vCenter Chargeback Manager versions and the corresponding API versions that they support.
Product/API Versions |
API 1.5 |
API 2.0 |
API 2.5 |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.6 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.5.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.0.1 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.0.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 1.6.2 |
Yes |
No |
No |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 1.6.1 |
Yes |
No |
No |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 1.6.0 |
Yes |
No |
No |
vCenter Chargeback Manager 1.5.0 |
Yes |
No |
No |
Preinstallation Tasks
Before you install and use the VMware vCenter Chargeback Manager
application, you must perform the following tasks. For detailed
pre-install and pre-upgrade instructions, refer to the vCenter Chargeback Manager Install and Upgrade Guide.
- Create a vCenter Chargeback Manager database and database user
You must create a database for vCenter Chargeback Manager to store the
application-specific data. Ensure that this database is not configured
to be case-sensitive. In addition, you must also create a database user
having permissions to create and delete schema, as well as read from and
write to the database.
- Set a static IP address on the machine
You must set a static IP address on the machine on which you plan to
install vCenter Chargeback Manager. You can obtain a static IP address
from your network administrator. Preferably, obtain and set static IP
addresses on all the servers and databases that the application will
communicate with. In the case of a multi-homed machine, you can
configure vCenter Chargeback Manager with only one interface. That is to
say, although you can install vCenter Chargeback Manager on a
multi-homed machine, you can use only the IP address or FQDN that you
provide during the installation to access and use vCenter Chargeback
Manager. Also, if the different components, such as data collectors and
vCenter Servers, in a vCenter Chargeback Manager setup are installed on
multi-homed machines, vCenter Chargeback Manager communicates with these
components by using the URL specified when configuring the components
in vCenter Chargeback Manager.
- Ensure that MSI installation is enabled
You must ensure that MSI installation is enabled on the machine. If it
is not, you must manually install Microsoft Visual C++ 2005
Redistributable Package (x86) before running the vCenter Chargeback
Manager installer.
- Check whether the required ports are free
Ensure that the ports that you specify during the installation are free.
While installing vCenter Chargeback Manager, you must specify the port
numbers for the HTTP port (default 8080), load-balancer port (default
8009), and HTTPS port (default 443).
- Ensure that port exceptions are configured on Windows Firewall
If Windows Firewall is enabled, you must set port exceptions for the
HTTP, load-balancer, and HTTPS ports on the Windows Firewall. If these
exceptions are not set, the application will not be usable.
- Ensure that system time of all the servers and databases are in sync
You must ensure that the system time of the machines on which you
install vCenter Chargeback Manager and vCenter Chargeback Manager
database are in sync. If you plan to install a separate data collector
on a different machine, then the system time of this machine must be in
sync with that of the other machines.
- Ensure that the Windows user has the Log on as a service permission
If you want to use the Windows Authentication option for the vCenter
Chargeback Manager database, you must ensure that the Windows user has
the Log on as a service permission. If this permission is not
set on the user, the installation fails. Also, the installer must be run
in the context of this Windows user.
- Ensure that the SQL Server Browser service is running if you are
using a Microsoft SQL Server database and using the database instance
name and a dynamic database instance port to connect to the vCenter
Chargeback Manager database or vCloud Director database.
- Ensure that the vCenter Chargeback Manager database is case-insensitive.
Quick Install
Download the vCenter-CB-2.6-1445187.zip file, and extract
the contents on to the machine on which you want to install vCenter
Chargeback Manager. Do not run the installer from a remote machine. To
install vCenter Chargeback Manager:
- Run the vCenter-CB.exe file.
The installation wizard is displayed.
- Click Next on the Introduction screen.
- Accept the end-user license agreement, and click Next.
- Provide the path for the installation directory, and click Next.
Ensure that the installation directory path has at least one directory (for example, C:\vCenterChargeback\) and does not point to just a drive (for example, C:\).
If the specified installation directory exists, ensure that it is
empty. If the specified installation directory does not exist, the
installer will create the directory. Also, the directory path must
contain only ASCII characters.
- Configure the following vCenter Chargeback Manager database-related information, and click Next:
- Database Type: The type of database used to create the vCenter Chargeback Manager database. This can be either SQL SERVER or ORACLE.
- Database URL: The IP address of the system on
which the vCenter Chargeback Manager database is installed along with
either the port at which the database listener service is running or the
vCenter Chargeback Manager database instance name. The database
instance name must contain only ASCII characters.
For Oracle Database, the database URL can be in any of the following formats:
For SQL Server, the database URL can be in any of the following formats:
- <IP Address>
- <Host Name>
- <IP Address>\<Database Instance Name>
- <Host Name>\<Database Instance Name>
You can also specify a well formed JDBC URL that starts with 'jdbc' and contains the database name.
- Database Port: (Optional) The port on which the
database service is listening for requests. If the port number is not
specified, the installer uses the default port. For an Oracle database,
you must specify the TNS listener port if you are not using the default
port 1521. For an SQL Server database, specify the database instance
port if you are using a static port.
- Database Name: Name of the database in which
vCenter Chargeback Manager stores the application-specific data. For
Oracle Database, ensure that you provide the service name and not the
SID.
- SQL Authentication Mode: This option is applicable only for SQL Server database. For an SQL Server database, the authentication type can be either SQL Server Authentication or Windows Authentication.
- Database Username: The name of the database user.
The database user must have privileges to create and delete schema, as
well as read from and write to the database. If you select Windows Authentication for SQL Authentication Mode, you must provide the Windows user account name. The
user name must be of the form <Domain_Name>\<User_Name>. The user must have the Log on as a service permission.
- Database Password: Password for the user name that you have provided. If you select Windows Authentication for SQL Authentication Mode,
you must provide the password for the Windows user
account. Ensure that the Windows user account password does not contain
any special characters. The installer might fail if the password
contains special characters.
If the database does not support partitions, a dialog recommending you
upgrade the database to one that supports database partitions is
displayed. If you want to use the specified database details, click Continue, else click Change database, go to previous screen and provide new database details.
If the installer successfully connects to the database and the database user has CREATE, INSERT, and DROP privileges, the next screen is displayed.
- Enter the load balancer-related information, and click Next:
- IP Address: Static IP address or the FQDN of the machine on which you are installing the load balancer. Do not use localhost instead of the IP address or FQDN.
Note: In the case of a multi-homed machine, you can
configure vCenter Chargeback Manager with only one interface. If you are
installing vCenter Chargeback Manager on a multi-homed machine, you can
only use the IP address or FQDN that you provide in this step to access
and use vCenter Chargeback Manager.
- Admin Email Address: Email address of the server administrator. Ensure that the email address contains only ASCII characters.
- HTTPS Port: An unused port through which the Apache Server communicates. The load balancer listens on this port for user requests.
If the specified port is free, the next screen is displayed.
- Select Install vCenter Chargeback Server, enter IP address and port details for the vCenter Chargeback Manager, and click Next:
- IP Address: Static IP address or the FQDN of the machine on which you are installing vCenter Chargeback Manager. Do not use localhost instead of the IP address or FQDN.
- HTTP Port: An unused HTTP port through which vCenter Chargeback Manager communicates.
- Load-Balancer Port: An unused port through which vCenter Chargeback Manager can communicate with the load balancer (Apache Server).
- Server Instance Name: A user-defined name for the
vCenter Chargeback Manager instance. This name is used by the load
balancer to identify the instance. Ensure that the instance name
contains only ASCII characters.
If the specified ports are free, the next screen is displayed.
- Enter a user name and password for the administrative account that
will be used to manage the vCenter Chargeback Manager application, and
click Next.
The password must be less than or equal to 24 characters in length.
Note: If you are using Oracle Database for your vCenter
Chargeback Manager database, ensure that the user name for the
administrative account contains only ASCII and non-ASCII characters.
Extended ASCII characters in the user name is not supported. This
restriction is not applicable if you are using Microsoft SQL Server for
you vCenter Chargeback Manager database.
- Select the Install Data Collector option and click Next.
You must have at least one instance of the data collector that is
running and registered with the application for the database
synchronization jobs to run.
- Review the information displayed on the Pre-Installation Summary screen, and click Install.
The
installer starts installing the various components and creating the
database schema. If the installation is successful, the URL for
accessing the vCenter Chargeback Manager application is displayed.
- Note this URL, and click Done.
The installer displays a dialog stating whether you want to generate a default SSL certificate or a self-signed SSL certificate.
- Click Generate my own SSL Certificate.
A command window is displayed.
- Provide a pass phrase for the default key and press Enter.
You are prompted to enter the pass phrase three more times. Provide the same pass phrase and press Enter each time.
- Provide the required certificate information and press Enter.
You are prompted to enter the following information:
- Country Code: A two letter code for the country.
- State or Province Name: Name of the state or province.
- Locality Name: Name of the city or town.
- Organization Name: Name of the organization.
- Organization Unit Name: Name of the department or organization unit.
- Common Name: Your name.
- Email Address: An email address.
- Provide the requested extra attributes for the certificate and press Enter.
You are prompted to enter the following information:
- A challenge password: A user-defined password.
- An optional company name: Company name. This is optional and can be left blank.
- Provide the pass phrase and press Enter.
You are prompted to enter the pass phrase again. Provide the same pass phrase and press Enter.
- Press any key to complete the process and close the window.
An SSL certificate is successfully installed.
If you click Generate default SSL Certificate, an SSL
certificate with default values is generated. You are not prompted for
any information. Press any key, when prompted, to close the command-line
window.
For detailed install instruction, refer to the vCenter Chargeback Manager User's Guide.
Upgrading vCenter Chargeback Manager
You can upgrade an existing vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.0 or later setup to vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.6. Refer to the vCenter Chargeback Manager Installation and Upgrade Guide for detailed instructions.
If you have a vCenter Chargeback 1.5.x or 1.6.x setup, you must first
upgrade to vCenter Chargeback Manager 2.0 before upgrading to vCenter
Chargeback Manager 2.6.
Known Issues
The known issues in this release are listed in this section. Workarounds, if any, are provided in the issue description.
Report Management Issues
The on-demand report generation fails with an error Decryption of the password failed.
If you add vCenter Server Appliance, which is configured in embedded
Postgres database to Chargeback Manager in on-demand mode and that has
Enable Stats Replication flag set to false, then on-demand reports
generation fails with an error Decryption of the password failed.
Dashboard reports for hierarchy cancelled in previous run affect the execution of the same in the next report cycle
When you cancel a Dashboard report which is in running state and you
attempt to reconfigure the same in the next Dashboard report schedule,
the report fails with the following error Requested report information cannot be found!.
VMware vCloud Director Data Collector and vShield Manager Data Collector Issues
Some of the following listed issues are common for both the VMware
vCloud Director Data Collector and the vShield Manager Data Collector.
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Additional vCloud data collector and vShield Manager data
collector appears in ths system health page. This happens when new Chargeback Manager
2.6 installation is pointed to existing Chargeback Manager database. You can see additional
vCloud data collector and vShield Manager data
collector on the system health page as PASSIVE. Database
also has to display two vCloud data collector and vShield Manager data
collectors.
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If the VMware vCloud Director database has a large history of
chargeback events, the processing of the events might take a long time
to complete. This issue happen if you integrate a vCloud Director 1.5 or
vCloud Director 1.5.1 setup. For vCloud Director 5.1, the inventory
synchronization time depends on the size of the inventory.
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The vShield Manager data collector does not account for one hour of
external network utilization data in the case of daylight savings time.
If daylight savings is configured, then the vShield Manager data
collector does not account for the external network utilization data in
the 25th hour.
Hierarchy Management Issues
Changes to a chargeback hierarchy are not reflected in the concurrent user sessions
Hierarchy creation, deletion, and renaming operations performed by a
user are not automatically reflected in concurrent user sessions. The
concurrent users must log out and then log in again to see these
changes. Any other change to the chargeback hierarchy, such as adding or
deleting an entity, might not reflect immediately in the concurrent
user sessions. After a change is made to the chargeback hierarchy, the
hierarchy must be manually refreshed in the concurrent user sessions.
Users can refresh the chargeback hierarchy by clicking the refresh
button next to the chargeback hierarchy or by loading another chargeback
hierarchy and then reloading the chargeback hierarchy. The refresh
button appears only if vCenter Chargeback Manager detects changes to the
chargeback hierarchy.
While getting active moids for large vCenter server hierarchies the VI inventory faces timeout issues
When fetching active moids for large vCenter server hierarchies the VI inventory timesout with impl.Inventory: java.net.SocketTimeoutException.
SQL Server Issues
Other Issues
vCenter Chargeback Manager shows duplicate datastore entries
If a datastore is shared by more than one ESXi host and each ESXi host
is added to different vCenter Servers, after adding these vCenter
Servers to vCenter Chargeback Manager you can see the datastore listed
multiple times in the vCenter Chargeback Manager UI. Let us consider a
datastore is shared by two ESXi hosts and each of these are added to
different vCenter Servers. You add both these vCenter Servers to vCenter
Chargeback Manager. When you select DataStores on the Edit
Infrastructure Cost page of the Configure Cost tab, this shared
datastore is listed twice.
You must ensure that you perform the same set of action on both these
datastores entries in vCenter Chargeback Manager. That is to say, you
must set the same rate factors on both the datastore entries and keep
them under the same datastore tier always. Else, the corresponding cost
and usage data reported might be erroneous.
Ensure that the Windows User account password does not contain any special characters
The Windows User account password should not contain any special
characters, the installer might fail if the password contains special
characters.
The Chargeback Manager cannot delete or update vCenter Server entry if the vCenter Server is down
When you add a vCenter Server to Chargeback Manager and configure the vCenter Server
with DHCP, vCenter Server is assigned a static IP.
Now you might not be able to contact vCenter Server from Chargeback Manager even if you attempt
to remove the vCenter Server entry from Chargeback Manager and the operation fails.
For more information see Knowledge Base article 2054587
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