Page 3 - C o n t e n t s
Contents 3 C o n t e n t s Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 VMware ESX Server 3i Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ease of Deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Integrated Management and Health Monitoring . . . . . ....
Page 5 - Introduction; VMware ESX Server 3i Features; Ease of Deployment
Solution Guide 5 Introduction Dell PowerEdge servers enabled with VMware ESX Server 3i represent the next generation of servers designed specifically for virtualization. Through its close partnership with VMware, Dell is able to offer qualified VMware-based virtualization solutions optimized for tod...
Page 6 - Integrated Management and Health Monitoring; With a service console based on a hardened Linux; Reduced Patch Management
6 Solution Guide Integrated Management and Health Monitoring Tightly integrated with the Dell PowerEdge platforms, VMware ESX Server 3i uses the standards-based Common Interface Model (CIM) to monitor (graphically) the PowerEdge server on which it is running and provide up-to-date system health info...
Page 7 - Improved Reliability; Dell Supported Configurations
Solution Guide 7 Improved Reliability Hard drives represent one of the greatest sources of hardware failures in data center environments. Shared storage arrays (fibre channel or iSCSI) are better suited for virtual machine (VM) and data storage than local hard drives, providing higher levels of perf...
Page 8 - VMware Infrastructure Architecture
8 Solution Guide For full support details, consult VMware’s complete Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) at www.vmware.com/resources/guides.html . To ensure processor compatibility across several servers, consult the Dell VMotion compatibility guide at www.dell.com/vmware . VMware Infrastructure Archi...
Page 10 - Installation Guide
10 Solution Guide Installation Guide and Upgrade Guide for ESX Server 3 under VMware Infrastructure 3 on the VMware documentation website at www.vmware.com/support/pubs . • VMware Infrastructure Client - installs on a system running a supported Windows operating system and is the primary tool to man...
Page 11 - Dell-Supported VMware Infrastructure 3.5 Configurations
Solution Guide 11 • Gather the required network information, such as IP addresses, network masks, and gateway addresses. • If you are using DRS or the HA feature, determine the hosts that will be a part of such a cluster and allocate shared storage accordingly. • Determine the appropriate networking...
Page 12 - Solution Deployment
12 Solution Guide For a cost-effective solution, you can opt for an iSCSI SAN environment (see Figure 3). It is recommended that you use two iSCSI initiators on the ESX Server host connected to two separate Ethernet switches that provide redundant paths to SPs on the storage unit. Figure 3. VMware I...
Page 13 - To set up your server:
Solution Guide 13 If the system is currently set to boot to another operating system, such as Linux or Windows, use the information in "Appendix B: Enabling and Disabling the VMware ESX Server 3i Software" on page 28 to set ESX as the primary boot operating system. To set up your server: 1 P...
Page 15 - Configuring the ESX Server 3i Software; Dell strongly recommends setting the keyboard language
Solution Guide 15 Configuring the ESX Server 3i Software The following section describes how to edit the ESX server host settings via the DCUI. The DCUI can be used to: • Configure keyboard language • Set/modify DCUI Password • Configure/test/reset Management Services • Enable/disable Lock Down Mode...
Page 17 - Dell recommends the following steps:; Management Software Installation
Solution Guide 17 2 Scroll down to “Configure Management Network” in the main DCUI customization screen (see Figure 9), and press Enter to display the main Management network configuration screen (see Figure 10). Additional Setup Steps Dell recommends the following steps: 1 Backup your configuration...
Page 18 - Install Virtual Infrastructure Client (VI Client)
18 Solution Guide Install Virtual Infrastructure Client (VI Client) 1 Download the VI Client directly from your ESX Server 3i host. Point the web browser of your Windows management server to the IP address of your ESX Server 3i host. The IP address of your server is displayed on the main screen of y...
Page 20 - Solution Licensing; Licensing Methods
20 Solution Guide Solution Licensing Licensing Methods VMware ESX Server 3i offers four methods for licensing your host. These methods provide the flexibility needed to serve large and small organizations, as well as the capability to test drive the enterprise-level features of ESX Server 3i for a l...
Page 23 - Serial Number Registration and Exchange; Image Recovery
Solution Guide 23 Serial Number Registration and Exchange To access your software subscription services and/or advanced VMware software features, you must register the serial number of your ESX Server 3i server with VMware. Registration must be completed within 30 days of purchase using VMware regis...
Page 26 - With the server powered off...
26 Solution Guide Appendix A: Deployment Best Practices Check List Use the following Dell deployment best practices checklist to aid the deployment of the VMware ESX Server ESX 3i software. • Rack (if applicable) and connect your PowerEdge server according to the server deployment guide. With the se...
Page 27 - Set host name and DNS server settings (Page 26)
Solution Guide 27 • Set host name and DNS server settings (Page 26) • (Optional) Set DNS Suffix(s) (Page 26) • Install Virtual Infrastructure Client to manage your server (Page 15) • Review licensing options (Page 17) • Record host-based licensing code, store in safe place (Page 18) ________-_______...
Page 28 - Enable Recurring Boot to ESX Server 3i, v3.5
28 Solution Guide Appendix B: Enabling and Disabling the VMware ESX Server 3i Software Selected systems come preinstalled with VMware ESX Server 3i on internal flash storage. If this software was ordered as the primary OS, the system will automatically boot to it. If the software was ordered as the ...
Page 29 - Disable Recurring Boot to ESX Server 3i, v3.5
Solution Guide 29 5 Press <Enter>, then <Esc>, and then <Enter> again to save these changes. NOTICE: Dell recommends not to modify other settings unless you are familiar with the settings. Modifying settings could cause your system to fail to boot/function properly. 6 Restart your ...
Page 30 - Configure Redundant Management NICs
30 Solution Guide Appendix C: Sample Step-by-Step Management Network Configuration This appendix guides you through a sample management network setup with the following parameters. • Redundant management NICs (on-board NICs) • Static address of 172.17.13.211/24 (255.255.255.0) gateway: 172.17.13.1 •...
Page 35 - Virtual Media: Attached
Solution Guide 35 NOTE: To re-enable the virtual floppy and CD device, use the following settings (defaults): • Virtual Media: Attached • Virtual Flash: Disabled
Page 36 - Backing up the Configuration of your ESX 3i Host; To back up a host’s configuration data:
36 Solution Guide Appendix E: Configuration Backup and Restore Procedures Dell recommends backing up your VMware ESX Server 3i configuration once your complete initial setup and on routinely on a schedule that fits your datacenter environment. Backing up your configuration will capture the license c...
Page 37 - If you are running the RCLI, the backup file will be placed locally.; Restoring the Configuration of your ESX 3i Host; To restore a host’s configuration data:
Solution Guide 37 If you do not specify a password in the command line, you will be prompted for one when the command executes. EX: vicfg-cfgbackup --server 172.17.13.211 --username root –s backupdate.dat If you are running the RCLI, the backup file will be placed locally. Restoring the Configuratio...
Page 38 - Appendix F: Troubleshooting; The VMware ESX 3i software will not boot.
38 Solution Guide Appendix F: Troubleshooting This section will provide troubleshooting steps for typical issues. Symptoms: • The VMware ESX 3i software will not boot. • You receive a “No OS found” message on power on. Resolution: • Check the boot order – The internal storage device may no longer be...
Page 39 - Appendix G: Related Documents; VMware Software Compatibility Matrix for Dell Servers
Solution Guide 39 Appendix G: Related Documents • Documents related to this and other Dell/VMware products are located at www.dell.com/vmware . Support Documents: • VMware Software Compatibility Matrix for Dell Servers • VMotion and 64-bit Virtual Machine Compatibility Guide for Dell Servers • Dell ...
