How to Install and Configure VMware vCenter Server 6.5

This guide will walk you through the steps to install and configure VMware vCenter Server 6.5 and its High Availability (VCHA) cluster. Please go through the vSphere 6.5 installation and configuration guide if you have missed any step prior to installing vCenter Server 6.5.

Related Articles:

1. How to install and configure vSphere 6.5
2. How to configure vCenter Server 6.5 High Availability (VCHA)
3. How to deploy and configure vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 with embedded PSC
4. How to deploy and configure vCenter Server Appliance 6.5 with external PSC

STEP-1: Preparing vCenter Server Database

I'll be using an external SQL Server version 2014 for my vCenter 6.5 installation. You are free to choose whatever database suits your environment. If you are leazy enough, you may consider using the following script to install the database and configure its login, permission etc. This script includes configuration method of database schema to make it easy for you.

This script will automatically create a SQL Server Database for vCenter Server 6.5. You must change the red highlighted contents of the script.

use [master]

go

CREATE DATABASE [VCDB] ON PRIMARY

(NAME = 'vcenter65',

FILENAME = 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\vcenter65.mdf',

SIZE = 10MB,

FILEGROWTH = 10% )

LOG ON

(NAME = 'vcdb_log',

FILENAME = 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log\vcenter65.ldf',

SIZE = 1000KB,

FILEGROWTH = 10%)

COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS

go

use VCDB

go

CREATE LOGIN [username] WITH PASSWORD=N'yourpassword', DEFAULT_DATABASE=VCDB, DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=us_english, CHECK_POLICY=OFF

go

CREATE USER [username] for LOGIN [username]

go

use MSDB

go

CREATE USER [username] for LOGIN [username]

go

The following script will automatically create Database Roles and the VMW Schema and Database Permissions.

CREATE SCHEMA [VMW]

go

ALTER USER [username] WITH DEFAULT_SCHEMA =[VMW]

if not exists (SELECT name FROM sysusers WHERE issqlrole=1 AND name = 'VC_ADMIN_ROLE')

CREATE ROLE VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

GRANT ALTER ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

GRANT REFERENCES ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

GRANT INSERT ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

GRANT CREATE TABLE to VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

GRANT CREATE VIEW to VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

GRANT CREATE Procedure to VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

if not exists (SELECT name FROM sysusers WHERE issqlrole=1 AND name = 'VC_USER_ROLE')

CREATE ROLE VC_USER_ROLE

go

GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_USER_ROLE

go

GRANT INSERT ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_USER_ROLE

go

GRANT DELETE ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_USER_ROLE

go

GRANT UPDATE ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_USER_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON SCHEMA :: [VMW] to VC_USER_ROLE

go

sp_addrolemember VC_USER_ROLE , [username]

go

sp_addrolemember VC_ADMIN_ROLE , [username]

go

use MSDB

go

if not exists (SELECT name FROM sysusers WHERE issqlrole=1 AND name = 'VC_ADMIN_ROLE')

CREATE ROLE VC_ADMIN_ROLE;

go

GRANT SELECT on msdb.dbo.syscategories to VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT SELECT on msdb.dbo.sysjobsteps to VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT SELECT ON msdb.dbo.sysjobs to VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT SELECT ON msdb.dbo.sysjobs_view to VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_add_job TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_delete_job TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_add_jobstep TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_update_job TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_add_jobserver TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_add_jobschedule TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

GRANT EXECUTE ON msdb.dbo.sp_add_category TO VC_ADMIN_ROLE

go

sp_addrolemember VC_ADMIN_ROLE , [username]

go

use master

go

grant VIEW SERVER STATE to [username]

go

GRANT VIEW ANY DEFINITION TO [username]

go

The following script will automatically create a vCenter Server User by using the dbo Schema and db_owner Database Role.

use VCDB

go

sp_addrolemember @rolename = 'db_owner', @membername = 'username'

go

use MSDB

go

sp_addrolemember @rolename = 'db_owner', @membername = 'username'

go

STEP-2: Create 64 bit DSN for ODBC Connection

vCenter 6.5 installation require a 64-bit Data Source Name (DSN) if you are connecting to a remote SQL database. 

Following steps will walk you through to set up 64-bit DSN quickly.

1. Open ‘Control Panel’

2. Select ‘Administrative Tools’

3. Double-click ‘ODBC Data Sources (64-bit)’

4. Select the ‘System DSN’ tab.

5. DO NOT SELECT SQL SERVER FROM THE LIST! if this is the only option that shows up you will have to download and install the SQL Server Native Client from Microsoft

6. Once ‘SQL Server Native Client’ is available, select it and click ‘Finish’.

7. Choose a name for the data source. I keep mine as descriptive as possible. ‘vCenter’ would be easy to remember what the data source will be used for. Add a description (optional), and input the ‘Server’ the database is located on. 

8. Select the authentication used by the database. I used SQL Server Authentication.

9. Tick ‘Change the default database to:’ and select the specific database on the database server that will be used by vCenter 6.5. Leave the rest as defaults. Click ‘Next’.

10. Click ‘Finish’.

Now, we have a 64-bit DSN that can be used to install vCenter Server 6.5 with a remote database.

STEP-3: Install vCenter Server 6.5

To begin with the installation, we need to mount the vSphere  ISO image file or from the CD/USB installation media, Execute the “autorun.exe”

The vCenter 6.5 installation wizard starts. In the left pane of the screen select “vCenter Server for Windows”  and Click Install.

Click Next to continue

Accept the licence agreement, Click Next to proceed

On the Select Deployment type screen, choose “Embedded Platform Services Controller” and Click Next.

Note: The system name can not be changed once installation completed. Verify the “System Name” and it should a valid FQDN then Click Next.

On “vCenter Single Sign-ON Configuration” screen, provide vCenter Single Sign-On domain name, (default is vsphere.local), “Password” for administrator user  and “Site Name” then Click Next.

Note: If you are planning to run your vCenter Server using a dedicated service account then make sure it has been granted “Log on as a service” rights and added to local Administrator group of same machine where you are installing vCenter Server.

On the “vCenter Service Account” screen, select “specify a user service account” and provide the username example Domain\username and the password for service account and Click Next.

On “Database Settings” window, select “Use an external database” and provide the DSN name, DB username and password then Click Next.

On “Configure Ports” screen, verify the default ports then Click “Next”.

On the “Destination Folder” screen, change the destination folder if necessary and Click Next.

On ready to Install screen, review your settings, if all fine then Click Install to start installation process.

Wait while the installer is loading its components.

Once the installation completed, Click Launch vSphere Web-Client, then Click Finish.

Launch vSphere Web Client will take you to the login screen of the vCenter Server 6.5 Web-Client. Here you can Login with administrator@vsphere.local  and the password you have provided earlier

The following screen shows that the login to Web-Client is successful.

Conclusion

We have completed vCenter Server 6.5 installation. In the next part of this article, we'll demonstrate how to deploy vCenter Server 6.5 Appliance with embedded PSC.