
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.
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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.
You have done a great job...everything in one article...saved my time...thanks
ReplyDeleteFinally got ODBC working following steps you have mentioned in this article.
ReplyDeleteVery helpful indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour step by step guide really time saving.
ReplyDeleteI have done everything exactly according to your guideline but unable to launch web-client at the end.........don't know where to resolve?
ReplyDeleteThere must be something wrong with HTTPS Port
DeleteYour article was very helpful and Easy to deploy vCenter 6.5. Almost everything here on your website deploying vSphere 6.5. Thanks bro
ReplyDeleteI was looking for this,comprehensive and step by step guide. Thanks Anwar
ReplyDeleteFinally i have landed on a right place to understand VMware vSphere offering especially vCenter
ReplyDeleteGood writing
ReplyDeleteComprehensive
ReplyDeleteHow do you do that man? You made virtualization easy to set it up and running
ReplyDeleteYou are articles are very practical
ReplyDeleteComprehensive and step by step...good job
ReplyDeleteVery well written, covered almost everything.
ReplyDeleteCan we use existing oracle database instead of builtin SQL?
ReplyDelete