1. Creating the SQL Server Database 1a.

Install a supported version of SQL server on a seperate server or on the vCenter server (skip to step if using SQL Server Express).

1b. Create a new SQL Server database: SQL Server -> Databases -> Right Click -> New Database...

1c. Name the new database "VCDB" and set the required location for the database files (this will server as your vCenter Server database).

1d. Create a SQL Server user named "vpxuser": SQL Server -> Security -> Logins -> Right Click -> New Login

1e. Enter the login name "vpxuser", enter a password.

Untick "Enforce password policy" and change the default database to "VCDB".

1f. While still in the user login dialog, goto the "User Mapping" section. Tick the "Map" box next to both the "msdb" and "VCDB" databases. For both databases set the default schema to "dbo" and set the role membership to "db_owner". Click Ok. Note: The role membership of "db_owner" on the "msdb" database can be revoked after installation (It will be required again when upgrading).

2. Creating the Data Source Note: The DSN must be a 64-bit DSN. 2a. Create a system DSN on the vCenter server: Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Data Sources (ODBC). Go to the "System" tab. Click Add.

2b. Select SQL Native Client and click Finish. 2c. Give the ODBC DSN a name "VCDB" and description. Select/type in the server name from the drop-down menu. Configure SQL Server authentication and click Next. Type your SQL Server login name and password. Configure the default database as the vCenter database you created "VCDB" and click Next. Click Finish.

2d. Test Data the Source. Click Ok and Close the ODBC Data Source Administrator.

3. Installing vCenter Server

3a. Insert DVD or unzip "VMware-VIMSetup-all-4.1.0-259021.zip"

If it does not autorun, use "autorun.exe" in the root of the cd or folder. Click "vCenter Server" to start the installation.

3b. Choose your language.

3c. Read the Introduction page and click Next.

3d. Read the license agreement and agree. Click Next.

3e. Enter the username, company name and license key (if you havent got a license key it will

install a full evaluation version for 60 days) Click Next.

3f. Enter the system DSN that your created for the vCenter server database. If using SQL Server 2005 Express select so and continue the installation which will install an instance of SQL Server Express to use as the vCenter database.

3g. Enter the username and password for the system DSN SQL Server user.

3h. If your SQL Server database for vCenter server is set to the full recovery model you will get

the following warning about transaction log backups. Click Ok or read the KB article 1001046 if you do not understand what this means, essentially ensure you are making regular transaction log backups otherwise the transaction logs will fill up your database servers disk!

3i. Enter the service acccount information that the vCenter server service will run under. It can run under the SYSTEM account fine but it is recommended you create a standard active directory user to be used as the service account and add this to the "local administrators group" on the vCenter server.

3j. Change the installation destination as required.

3k. Choose "Create a standard VMware vCenter Server Instance".

3l. Keep the ports unless your are required to specifically change them form their defaults.

3m. Select your deployment inventory size to correctly size the JVM memory for vCenter server web services.

3n. Click install and make a cup of tea!

3o. The installation will complete and click Finish.

4. Check and Login to vCenter Server 4a. Check the services for vCenter server have been installed and are started: Click Start -> Run -> services.msc Ensure the following services are started and are running under the account your specified (SYSTEM or domain\svc_yourvcenteraccount) VMware VirtualCenter Management Webservices VMware VirtualCenter Server VMwareVCMSDS (Note: Runs under Network Service)

4b. Login to vCenter Server: Start -> Programs -> VMware -> VMware vSphere Client Enter the FQDN or IP of your vCenter server, username and password (or use windows session credentials to passthrough). Click Login.

4c. You will receive a security warning due to the vCenter server using self signed certificates. Tick "Install this certificate.." and click Ignore.

4d. And there you have it! Your vCenter Server is installed and ready to configure. See Creating a Datacenter, HA DRS Cluster and Adding a Host for the next steps you need to take...