Nis about to be r sion of NAKIVO Backup & Repl NAKIVO Blog > VMware Administration and Backup > Building VMware Home Lab: Complete Hew March 7,2019 by Michael Bose Building VMware Home Lab: Complete How- To VMware is one of the best virtualization platforms in the world, popular among IT specialists due to its ability to provide high speed operations, reliability, scalability, security and convenience. The number of VMware users is growing every day - VMware provides virtualization solutions for both home and enterprise-level users which satisfy all of them. VMware type 2 hypervisors can be installed on existing operating systems running on desktops and laptops while the type 1 hypervisor can be installed directly on physical servers (a bare metal hypervisor). Type 2 hypervisors such as VMware Player, Workstation or Fusion are usually more affordable for users and IT enthusiasts than the type 1 hypervisor (ESXi Server). Not every user has a free physical server or servers in the inventory on which to try an ESXi and VMware vSphere enterprise grade virtualization solution. Technically, ESXi can be installed on your physical computer but you may need to integrate a VIB package into the ESXi installation disk image if the ESXi installer cannot detect some devices (VIB packages contain device drivers for ESXi). Today's blog post explains haw to set up a VMware lab at home for trying vSphere with ESXi hosts and vCenter in your existing environment by using a laptop or desktop computer. This blog post also instructs you on how to attach shared storage and use vMotion/Storage vMotion for migrating VMs between ESXi hosts and datastores, The blog post is written in a walkthrough format so as to clearly explain how to build VMware home lab. Hardware Configuration for a VMware Home Lab VMware Workstation is used in today's blog post for deploying ESXi hosts as virtual machines. Moreover, VMware provides a nested virtualization feature. Hence, you can create a VM running inside a VM. In this particular case you can deploy a VM on an ESXi host running on a VM. To be able to work comfortably with the VMware home lab you need to have a computer that meets the the VMware home lab hardware requirements: 32 GB of RAM, a multicore x64 CPU with 1.3 GHz or faster core speed (produced in 2011 or later) that supports Intel VT-x or AMD-V virtualization hardware extensions, a hard disk drive (HDD) with about 200 GB of free space (SSD is preferred due toa higher read/write speed), Ethernet network adapter, Linux or Windows x64 operating system (with GUI) installed on your physical machine. Required software The following software is used for the VMware home lab explained in today’s blog post: \VMware Workstation 15 is used as a desktop hypervisor VMware ESXi Server 6.7 as a VM (2 VMs total) VMware vCenter Server 6.7 (1 VM, deployed as a virtual appliance) FreeNAS 11.2 for creating an iSCSI shared storage (1 VM)Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing In order to learn haw to build VMware home lab, you need to understand how it is structured. Below you can see a principal scheme of a VMware home lab to be deployed. Virtualization layer 2 Lubuntu16 7 MAM8 Virtualization layer 1 ESXi6-7a ESXi6-7b vCenter6-7 FreeNAS Hardware layer A laptop with VMware Workstation Requirements justification Total VMware home lab hardware and software requirements are based on the follawing minimum requirements: ESXi needs at least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB or more are recommended); 2 CPU cores. vCenter Server needs at least 8 GB of RAM; 2 CPU cores. FreeNAS: 8 GB of RAM is recommended. Your host operating system needs at least 4 GB of RAM to work properly VMware Workstation needs at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB or more are recommended) Licensing and price You can set up a VMware lab at home for free for the appropriate period of time if you respect the appropriate installation combination. It is recommended to set up all lab components in a short time period (for example, for a few days) because after installing ESXi, the trial period begins and if you try to install vCenter in a month after installing ESXi, you'll have only one month left for testing vSphere in your lab. VMware Workstation provides a 60-day free trial for new users. When the trial period expires, VMware recommends that you buy a license - otherwise VMs cannot be started. You can use the VMware Player to run your VMs for free after that, but the VMware Player includes fewer featu for example, the Virtual Network Editor is missing. VMware Workstation and VMware Player Ca =—»-»-—A new version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be rele: running Windews, you can use it for installing VMware Workstation. ESXi provides a free 60-day full-featured evaluation period. When the trial period expires, you should apply for a license. You can also use a free license, but most of the most important features are disabled in the free version. You can also create a new VM and install ESXi from scratch in your VMware test lab. Read the blog post about Free ESXi to learn more about ESXi licensing. VMware vCenter Server for vSphere 6.7 can be used for a 60-day evaluation period free of charge. FreeNAS is a completely free software solution based on the FreeBSD operating system. Installing VMware Workstation Now that the hardware is prepared and the operating system is installed, you can download and install the VMware Workstation on your physical machine. In order to download VMware Workstation for Linux or Windews, visit this page on VMware's site. Installing VMware Workstation on Linux Go to the directory where you saved the downloaded installer file. In the current example the VMware Workstation installer is located in the Downloads directory: cd /home/user1/Downloads/ Make the installer file executable: sudo chmod +x ./VMware-Workstation-Full-15.0.2-10952284.x86_64,bundle Run the VMware Workstation Linux installer: sudo ./VMware-Workstation-Full-15.0.2-10952284.x86_64.bundle The installation wizard windew now appears. Answer the questions provided by the wizard and click Next for switching to the next step. Accept the license agreement. Would you like to check for product updates on startup? Select Yes or No. Would you like to join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program? Select Yes or No. Enter the user that will initially connect to the Workstation Server. Type the user name of the account you are using in Linux. Choose a directory for your shared virtual machines, for example, /var/lib/VMware/Shared VMs Enter the port to use for HTTPS access to Workstation Server (443 by default). Enter the license key. Keep this field empty for the free trial mode. The product is ready to be installed. GNU C Compiler must be installed before running the VMware Workstation. In order to install this, compiler, execute the command: sudo apt-get -y install gcc make linux-headers-$(uname -r) dkms The interfaces of VMware Workstation for Linux and for Windows are identical. Below you can see the screenshot of the interface of VMware Workstation 15 running on Linux.A n of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Ubrary _® @ tome Qiypeheretoses..[e |) Sy computer Your evaluation period ends in 29 days. 1.Get license key (shared VMs WORKSTATION 15 PRO™ ail & wa Create a New Opena Connect toa Virtual Machine Virtual Machine _—-Remote Server vmware VMware Player is also installed by default when you install VMware Workstation. Installing VMware Workstation on Windows Go to the directory where you saved the downloaded installer and run the installer file. The name of the file is VMware-workstation-full-15.0.2-10952284.exe in this case. Similarly to the installation on Linux, a wizard opens. After configuring options click Next for switching to the next step of the wizard. On the Welcome screen click Next, Accept the license agreement. Select the installation destination. Tick the checkboxes if you want to check for updates on startup and join the VMware Customer Experience Improvement Program. Select the shortcuts you wish to place on your system. Hit Install to begin the installation. The final installation screen allows you to enter a license (is not necessary for a free trial mode). Now you have the installed instance of VMware Workstation on your physical computer. Deploying a VM Running ESXi on VMware Workstation For further experiments conducted in VMware home lab used for writing this blog post, a laptop with VMware Workstation 15 installed on Windows 10 should be used (there are C: and D: partitions ‘ona disk). You can reproduce all explained actions on a Linux machine because VMware Workstation is a cross-platform virtualization solution (note that the paths would be different on a Linux machine). The next step is to install ESXi on a VM. Creating a VM Download the ESxi 6.7 installer in the ISO format from this page of VMware’ site. You may need to create a VMware account for downloading the installation image; this process is free. Create a directory to store virtual machines, for example D:\VMware home lab\ Create a subdirectory D:\VMware home lab\ESXi6-7a for storing the files of the first ESXi VM, =“""~Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing 1. On the Welcome screen select Custom (advanced) 2. Choose the Virtual Machine Hardware Compatibility. Select Workstation 15.x. ‘New Virtual Machine Wizard x ID WORKSTATION PRO” 3, Guest Operating System Installation. Select the Installer disk image file (iso) and browse the ESXi installer iso file. Click Next. 4, Select a Guest Operating System. Select VMware ESX, then select VMware ESXi 6.x in the drop-down menu and click Next. ‘New Vittel Machine Wierd x |_| New ¥ituel Machine Wizard x instal Ror: (Oetater dec: ‘instal, de image Me feo) a A aiaara Seana ‘fou nil peed to specify which operating system wil be installed, Or walingzal the operating system eter, feet See rete es Hao) (soa | [nets] | cancel | || He state | [Nets] | cancelA new version of NAKIVO Backup & Repl on is about to be relea PATO NUINE MAU LONITT UN SULLY YOU HAVE LI SELEY WEIUIE G2 G VME ULauUEE 6 Processor Configuration. Specify the following parameters: Number of processors: 2 Number of Cores per processor: 1 If you use 1 CPU with 1 core, the ESXi installer displays an error during installation. New Virtual Machine Wraerd % _Rame the Virtual Machine Whatnore neu youth to use fr his itl machine? ‘New Virtual Machine Wizard x ral machine name: Numb of axocessers ¥) Naber of cores per acer: a Leceton: = Tota acess cres 2 DiWtinore Fane KEENE 70 ‘The cefutlcaton canbe changad at Edt > Preference. (sac) Mets) | Canc Cee Beck | | Nets [Cancel 7. Memory for the Virtual Machine. Specify the amount of memory equal to 4096 MB. & Network Type. Select Use network address translation (NAT). New Virtual Machine Wierd X ]_[ Newitt Machine Wize x ete emer ep me ype of netark do you wat owed? Soca the aroun mr laced to hv ative, Themen see Netnrkcaecten mistoeamutnieof6 = Ousebaid netating ae any fort ro nachna ive the guest omratng syste ect anes a exter tere Sos ‘thor The guest muthove ha aun Fares one enter netirk foo ce OED $0 mw rin cme reno Care he gut soci syst cress tothe ct cones dal or ie 4s Ste Sberrct tno comet cing he ens adens, sone I Reconmanded menor (Qs hoscely ntveing oc 4a nec the storing este to arate vit. turn the has a compu a 1 cutscenes ‘Gort sep | (ee | [ies] | Cancel Bee foe | [Nets] | Caneel 9. Select I/O Controller Types. Select Paravirtualized SCSI (Recommended).Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing ‘New Vi Machine Ward X | | New Vitel Machine Wizard x Wortsle tes etal dik ype Scot Contoler: Ope Creuse ot ava for tous) OES ecormendes Otstiese Oss Olstioae sss Owe Cie) (eed | [tee] [anes | | | Het _stek | [ets] [caret | 11. Select a Disk. Click Create a new virtual disk. 12. Specify Disk Capacity. Set maximum disk size to 5 GB. ESXi doesn't consume much disk space, and a 5GB disk is enough for ESXi installation. Select Store virtual disk as a single file. ‘New Vi Machine Ward X | | New Vitel Machine Wizard x oi , Mesum dca (68) 50 Benepe Te ‘hurts cok corpaces af ne or were les onthe hes fe cyto, heh vleppes es ashi batd dk (othe guest ooeratng syste itl ds Recommended ie for ware ES. 4068 Garena be cope o moved on he come hacer Babncen ost Dialocate a deh saace no, cot fl cunt con erhnes perimeter Clears ae Bapmuucadeccsosesne | ‘cheae ths option to reuse previo configured dk, (One a physical (for acvanced users) © are Witt ink ae 3 are fie pees coten ave Fe viel maine dec sae eho Ospirvreat ate tee ash Requteseinstraiox pages. ‘ult the dskmskesiteask to nove the virtue machine another computer ‘tmay reduce prrorarce mth very are cet. Cie) [spec | [ets] [canes] | [Heb _stek | [ets] [caret | 13, Specify Disk File. Place your virtual disk in the directory specified as the VM location. In this case, the D:\VMware home lab\ESXi6-7a\ESXi6-7a.vmdk is used. 14, Ready to Create Virtual Machine. Check your VM settings and click Finish to create the VM.Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing ca le Tie ekatiecinc el eat Scena (re 1068 df wile ene i fe rome, Desc hore EDS TED Ta dk | uti Harner. | se _ Nets | | Cancel (et) [canes] Installing ESXi on a VM After finishing configuration in the wizard, a VM should be powered on automatically. The VM boots from the ISO image and you can see the ESXi installer interface. On the Welcome screen press Enter, Read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). Press F11 to continue. Select a disk to install or upgrade. Select your 5GB virtual disk created before. CG cUMarR eR ene Cee gta GN nearer Select a keyboard layout. US Default is selected in this particular case. Enter a root password. Confirm the root password. On the Confirm Install screen press F11 to start the installation. Read this blog post to see the explanation of ESXi installation in details with screenshots. Editing VM settings and configuring network Once ESXi have been installed, shut down the VM running ESXi (click VM > Power > Shut Down Guest or press Ctrl+ in the interface of VMware Workstation) and prepare it for further netwo and storage configuration. Let's create a second virtual disk that welll use for VM datastore (lat!Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing storage (we recommend that you use a separate storage network for connecting shared storage to ESXi hosts). In order to add a new virtual disk to a VM, click VM > Settings and in the Virtual Machine Settings window click Add > Hard Disk. Virtual Machine Settings [oe] cancel Hes Choose the virtual disk type: SCSI (Recommended). Create a new virtual disk. Set a disk size equal to 40 GB and select the “Store virtual disk as a single file” option. Don't tick the check bex ‘Allocate all disk space now" if you dor't want to use thick provisioning. You can set the maximum disk size for more than 40 GB if you have enough disk space on your physical computer. Specify virtual disk file location. D:\VMware home Iab\ESXi6-7a\ESXi6-7a-0.vmdk is used in the current example because it is convenient to store all VM files in the one directory. In order to add a second network adapter, similarly click Add > Network Adapter. Let's select different networks for connecting ESXi hosts with each other (NAT Network) and for connecting ESXi hosts with shared storage (Host-Only Network). The NAT network allcws VMs to connect with each other, a host machine, and for a host to connect to VMs. VMs can access an external network that can be accessed by a host. The Host-Only network allows VMs to communicate with each other and with a host. A host can communicate with VMs. VMs don't have access to external networks and Internet. You can find a detailed comparison of VMware virtual networks in this blog post.‘Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing perumee | upoons ee) as oe Mcormectatponer en Network comacton (irdgeds Comected direct to the physical netnork [lenleate hse netnork conection state OWNAT: Used to shere the host's P eddress @ilectonly: A privateer shared with the host custom: speci ntl netvort: ees OL segment —_—— sis.) | Advanced. (9) (Fone [8 J VMware Workstation pravides you with a virtual network editor with which you can configure your virtual networks such as NAT and Host-Only networks. Moreover, you can create more NAT and Host-Only networks and assign the network addresses, virtual gateways and virtual DHCP servers for them. The following connection scheme can be used in the VMware ESXi home lab explained in today's blog post:Nis about to be released! Get ready to start testing nk snes vcenter oem Nery.) NT i vm FreeNas : Physical computer Open a Virtual Network Editor by clicking Edit > Virtual Network Editor. Let’s define the following network configuration: VMnet8 (NAT network) Network Address: 192.168.101.0/24 Gateway IP: 192.168.101.2 DHCP Settings: IP range is 192.168.101.201 - 192.168.101.254; Default lease time settings. VMnet! (Host-only) Network Address 192.168.105.0/24 DHCP Settings: IP range is 192.168.105.201 - 192.168.105.254 In order to edit settings, select the VMnet8 network and hit the NAT Settings button.Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing Name Type External Connection Host Connection DHCP Subnet Address “Addie. | [ Renave ebook | FamaneWUCE | “Wieck nfortion Otzidges (comect vis drecty to the extemal network) Seg to |RERRSEee eony Coneeley ms estes) (@NAT (haved host's IP acres with VME) Obsteny (connect ts intemal ina private network) WA connect a host virtual adopter to this network Tse oca DH serie to debut adress oe ‘subnet ip: [92155] 101) 0 J) summetmask: [255255] 2551 0 | (ee [cnet | arr) re Set the gateway IP address and advanced network settings. Click OK to save the changes. NAT Settings x ‘Subnet IP: 192.168,101.0 “subnet mast: 255.255.255.0 setevay P: (MEH 681011 2 | Port Fomardra HostPort Type Virtual Macrine® Adtress —Descipten’ hivanced Gatow actwe FIP sow any Qrariatonly Lia Weer D>? tineout (secon sl “Son pars a Cltnable rvs, 6 pret: [ts beset 00614 Sonest Hee Similarly, hit DHCP settings button for editing the DHCP configuration.A new version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be rele Subnet: 192.368.3010 subnetmesk: — 255,255.255.0 Starting # acess: ening accress: [1s2 aos uot [254 Froadcastaddress: 152.568.101.255, Similarly, you can edit DHCP settings for VMnet1 and other networks. Note: You can use other IP addresses in your VMware home labs. If you want to recreate the environment explained in the blog post, you can use the same configuration for more convenience. Deploying a Second ESXi Host by Copying the VM You have just created a VM, installed ESXi 6.7, and configured the VM and networks. Let's create one more ESXi VM by copying the existing VM. Open your file manager, for example Windaws Explorer, and go to the directory where your first VM is residing. In this case, this directory is D:\VMware home Jab\. The directory of the first VM is D:\VMware home /ab\ESXi6-7a\. Create a directory named ESXi6- 7b in the D:\VMware home lab\ directory. Shut down your VM running ESXi (ESXi6-7a). Copy all files from the ESXi6-7a directory to the ESXi6-7b directory. Now you can see one of the advantages of hardware virtualization in action - you dor't need to deploy a new VM from scratch; instead, you can copy the existing VM for multiplying your VMs. Rename the virtual disks and VM configuration file in the ESXi6-7b directory if you wish to prevent confusion (this step is not necessary): ESXi6-7a.vmdk — ESXi6-7b.vmdk ESXi6-7a-0.vmdk — ESXi6-7b-0.vmdk ESXi6-7a.vmx — ESXi6-7b.vmx. Open the cloned VM in VMware Workstation. Click File > Open and select the D:\VMware home Iab\ESXi6-7b\ESXi6-7b.vmx file. Go to VM > Settings > Options and rename your VM to ESXi6-7b. Pawer on your second ESXi VM (VM > Power > Power On). VMware Workstation warns you that the virtual disk file is not found. Select Browse and your D:\VMware home lab\ESXi6-7b\ESXi6-7b.vmdk file. Click Open, The warning is displayed once more for the second virtual disk. Similarly select the ESXi6-7b-0.vmdk file. Next, VMware Workstation will warn that this virtual machine might have been removed or copied. Click! Copied It and your second VMs should be loaded. Why is this warning displayed? It is displayed because the copied VM has the same UUID (Universal Unique Identifier that is a 128-bit integer) as the source VM. UUID is generated depending on VM location and is used for generating VM's MAC (Media Access Control) address for a virtual network adapter. If you select | Moved It, then the UUID will be preserved. If you select I Copied It, the new UUID will be generated, Each machine must have a unique UUID that is a machine's digital fingerprint. An example of UUID is 34 Se cb fa fd d4 a1 e1 72 3b 05 62 4d 3a 5285.Qa @Q wn Ths lela required tppone one etl nacre. Ths leiarouted ts power on hi tl actin Phetic wat moved pct heron neato {Fle evar moved, opeaty be new oxaton SSSI] [coal Cone SC6-Ta- Vaanare Woretton x ‘Thc tual machine night have been moved er copie. I erder to configure certain menage and rnetworng features, rere Workstation needs to Inowit the vraca macnn wae moved or coped I you dor'thnow, arses "T Copied I TNovedtt | [Feopedit] [ cence! Now you have two VMs on which ESXi servers are installed. Basic ESXi Configuration Power on the first VM on which you installed ESXi (ESXi6-7a) and press F2 to customize the system. As you can see on the screenshot, a virtual DHCP server for the VMnet8 virtual network works properly, and the IP address is obtained automatically (192.168.101.202). However, we recommend that you set IP addresses for servers manually and you can see how to do this below. Select Configure Management Network in the System Customization menu and press Enter. Susten Custon izat lan es Conf igure Passuard eet Conf une Use de peters Ihe re Textert Renayerent Retire Fear ate Test Renagenent. Network Netuork Restore Dnt tons ee eC eee) Conf igure Keyboard Traub leshaot ing Opt lons View System Logs oe : Seay View Support Infiornat ion Reset Systen Canfiqurat ion Select the Network Adapters option in the Configure Management Network menu. Conf igure Hononenent:Hetwork ed a Stay (options ey ee eet . this frees Coston DNS Saft es You can see the second network adapter you have recently added to the VM. It is better to enable the second adapter later in the web interface. Press Esc to return to the Configure Manageme Network menu.Ethernet! > View Details Toggle Selected Enter) 0k CEse> Cancel Select IPv4 Configuration in the Configure Management Network menu. In this menu Set static IPv4 address and network configuration. IPv4 address: 192.168.101.101 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0 Default Gateway: 192.168.101.2 Press Enter to apply changes. oes canara (©) Disable IPu4 configuration for menegenent netuork (©) Use dynamic [Pd address and netuark conf Igurat fon (0) Set static IPv4 address and netuork conf igurat ion: Er [192.168.101.101 Subnet Mask 1 255.255.255.0 1 Default Gateway (192.168.101.2 1 Select Mark Selected 0k Cancel You can configure the IP settings for the second network adapter later on, when preparing to set up shared storage, Disable IPv6 if you are not going to use this network type. Restart your ESXi VM after configuring the network settings to apply changes. The host name can be changed in System Customization > Configure Management Network > DNS Configuration. In the current example FSXi01 is the name of the first virtual ESXi host for the ESXi home lab (the default host name is localhost). Now go to the System Customization menu, enter Troubleshooting Options, then enable ESXi Shell and SSH. Enabling these options allows you to manage the ESXi Server with a local console or remotely via SSH. Open your web browser and enter https://192.168,101.101 in the address bar. Confirm security exception and you will see the login page of VMware Host Client with which you can manage ye""" ESXi host. Enter the login and password you have specified during ESxi installation.Creating a new datastore After your login, VMware asks you whether you want to help imprave the VMware Host Client. Tick the check box if you want and click OK. Let's create a new datastore that will utilize the second 40GB virtual disk. This type of datastore is referred to as directly attached storage (DAS). In order to create a new datastore, select Storage in the Navigator (which is located in the left pane of the window), then press the New Datastore button. {© ocahostlocaldamain- VM\no. X ee OA otpsifigz.s16at01so1 > OD ve Q Search AYU Vega ibd 2 Navigator + G Host | Datastores | Adspters Devices Porsistont lemony arage a New datasiore | GPReasteravm & Datastowe erowser 5) Virtual Machine « | 2 vraatnasanes @exe = Monitor v|pa..v| ca. | ec. v|eteey tes) thi»| Ac. » \oitems to display 41. Select creation type. On this screen select how you would like to create a datastore. Click Create new VMFS datastore.Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing reatlon {ype Select creation type How would you lke to create a datastore? Create s new VWIFE datastore on local disk evice |Add an exentto enistne YIFS datastore Expand an existing VFS datastore extent Mount NFS datastore (back |[_ net | Finisn [cancer 2. Select device, On this step, select a device on which you would like to create a new VMFS partition. A 40GB virtual disk is selected for this purpose. Enter the name of the datastore, for example, datastore40. Select device ‘Select a cevies on wich to create a new ViIFS partion Name datastoreso ‘The following devices are unclaimed and can be used to creale @ new VFS datasiore — ¥ Toe Capac) v Free space a Local VMware, Disk (mpxvmhba0:COT41:L0) Disk 40GB 40GB se BB Local wivare.DskimoxwnmbaCCOTOLO isk GB ave ‘items (Coece | [wet] Finn [cance 3. Select partitioning options - Use full disk and VMFS6. 4, Ready to complete. Check the datastore configuration summary and select the Finish button to complete the datastore creation. The datastore is now created. Configuring a network used for shared storage As you recall, a second NIC was created for the ESXi VM, but was not configured. Now it's time to. configure the second network interface that will be used by the ESXi host for connecting to sha network attached storage. For establishing this connectivity, you have to create a new virtual siAnew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing learn more. Open VMware Host Client and go to Networking > Virtual switches, then choose Add standard virtual switch. Note, that there is a vSwitch0 that is created automatically when ESXi is installed. AY velco ibd) Cea Pongroups | [umuarswienes] | Prysieainics —vusamsinics 1oPAP saccs Be Asdstanderdviua ston] SS A uplink / Eatsettnos | GE Retesh Nonitor GVirwalachines LD [A coe standard ita | Ga storage 7 es yore vy Porgroups: | upinks: em swiicnd zi 1 The Add standard virtual switch window appears. Enter the vSwitch name, for example, vSwitch1. Select vmnic1 in the dropdewn menu as Uplink 1, Edit other settings if needed and then click the Add button to add a new virtual switch. Done vmaict-Up, 10000 mops 3 ° ~ Linkdiseovery vee Liston a ‘isco discover pretocol (CDP) »| » secuty lcsteexnene After creating a new vSwitch, go to Networking > VMkernel NICs> Add VMkernel NIC to create a new VMkernel network adapter.ready to start Potorours Virwalswitches Physical Cs [WitkemelNiCs] | TOPIP siacks: [Beasaranane] csv setnse | erate | Na...v Porlgreup | TOPAP stack v | Senices © ~ IPV...v IP\Gaddress..v Hal. Q Managem... == Cefoull TC... Management 192... None Define the following parameters in the Add VMkernel NIC window. Port group: New port group New port group: Storage Virtual switch: vSwitch1 IPv4 Configuration: Static Address: 192.168.105.101 Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 Tick the checkboxes near the services you want to allow for this VMkernel NIC. Click the Create button.A new version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be r Pontroup soe . ‘New port group ] a Switcht v vaio wm 5 =a = > IPv4 setiinas Configuration Opxer @ stare Address: [192.160.405.107 | ‘Subnet mask [zeszss 250 | er Default TCPAP stack ee Zwiction Zrovisioning ClFauittelorance logging manacement AReptication LINFC replication [Gest ][ cance] Now you can ping the IP address of VMkernel (192.168.105.101) from your host on which VMware Workstation in installed. The first ESXi host is configured. Power on your second VM on which ESXi host is installed (this VM has been cloned recently) and configure your second ESXi host similarly as you configured your first ESXi host, apart from the host name and IP addresses. The following network parameters are used for the second ESXi in the current example. 15 network adapter (NAT network): IP address 192.168.101.102, mask 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1012. 2"4 network adapter (Host-only network): IP address 192.168.105.102, mask 255.255.255.0. Hostname: ESXi02. Deploying vCenter Server After configuring two VMs as ESXi hosts, you are ready to deploy VMware vCenter Server for managing your ESXi home lab centrally. Download vCenter Server from VMware's site by using this link. The name of the dewnloaded file is VMware-VCSA-all-6.7.0-11726888.iso in this example. Open this ISO file or mount it to a virtual CD/DVD drive and copy the VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance- 6.7.0.21000-11726888_OVF10.ova from the vcsa directory of the ISO image to a custom directory on your physical machine (vCenter Server appliance is a partially configured distribution built on a Linux basis that is called a Photon OS). Deploying the OVA templateA new version of NAKIVO Backup & Repli (Bo ESK6-e- YWinere Workstation “File Eoit View YM Tabs Help | D> + — cin Fen) = |[imcso =| [New Window Xi6-7a Sen for Yoel Macher, Close Tb comow [Santi ual machine slong EL comectt Server co Be Virtualize « Physical Machine. 7 port to OVF.. tos 2 ay ace 4. A pop-up windew with EULA (End User License Agreement) is displayed (the CVA import wizard is opened). Tick the check box "/ accept the terms of the license agreement’. 2. Create the D:\VMware home lab\vCenter6-7 directory and define this directory as a storage path for the new virtual machine. Enter the name of the new VM, such as vCenter6-7. 3. Provide a name and logical storage path for the new virtual machine, The given VM name is vCenter6-7 and the VM location is the same as the location for previously created VMs - D:\VMware home lab\vCenter6-71. Import Vitual Machine x ‘Store the new Virtual Machine ‘Name for there virtual machine: scene S7 Storage oath fr the new virtual nadine: [D:\WMnere home lablyCente6-7 | Cee] (Help [7 4gede | [texts] [Cancel 3. Select deployment options. At this step select the Tiny vCenter Server with Embedded PSC option that will be enough for a small ESXi home lab.Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing DeglyrntOptons ‘The nildelay a Ty WM confgured with 2 vCPLc and 10 8 of memory andrequre 200 G8 of dekepace, “This opten conta vent Server wih en enbedded tia Servees Corto for maraaha up to 10 ‘ost ané 100 Ws, Hee | a 4. Set the additional properties for this virtual machine. This screen contains multiple menu entries that must be configured. After configuring one menu entry, click another string for configuring the remaining parameters. Drag your mouse over the ‘i’ icon on the right side of the window for reading useful tips. Networking Configuration. Host Network IP address Family: IPv4 Host Network Mode: static Host Network Prefix: 24. In the binary format the /24 mask is 11111111.11111111.11111111,00000000 (24 ones) that is the same as 255.255.255.0 ina decimal format. Host Network Default Gateway: 192.168.1012 Host Network DNS Servers: 192.168.101.2 Host Network Identity: veenter6-7.localdomain (enter the FQDN - a fully qualified domain name).‘Additonal properties forts Wtual Machin, Netwerting Confgurtion S80 Conigraton System Confouraton Host Network Actress Family [P04 Upgrade Confeuraton Mecelncous Hest Network Mode ES Newwortng Properties Hest Network IP Accrese 302,168. 101.108 Hest Network Prat 2 Host Network Default Gatenay | 192.168.101.2 Hest Nework ws servers [392.160.101.2 Host Newark entity venter6-Tlocaldorsain A, The virtual machine vil be powered on after cesioyment ‘hese properties may need some tme to take effect after the vCenteriance HHHAAHDBA Hep “feck Cen SSO Configuration. Enter login and password that will be used for Single Sign On System Configuration, Enter the root password and confirm this password. This password will be used for console login. Upgrade Configuration. The parameters of this sub-menu must be configured if you wish to upgrade the existing VMware vCenter Server. Skip configuring this category of parameters if you deplcy a fresh vCenter instance. Miscellaneous. You can skip configuring this category of parameters. Networking Properties, Enter the domain name (the same as used by ESXi host you have deplcyed). In the current example, the default localdomain name is used. Press Import to start deploying the vCenter VM from the OVA template. After deploying is complete, the VM is started automatically. The blue-gray management interface is similar to the yellow-gray ESXi management interface (see the screenshot below). The Static IP Configuration has already been done by you with the OVA deployment wizard. You can check the IP configuration to make sure that network settings are configured correctly inside the VM Configure Hanagenent Network aeons crane Dea Tus Conf tgurat-ion Dee eee DNS Configuration Se eee Custon DNS Suffixes ie tiea reece Rela eee Secs ers cea) includes a DHCP ooo Pete eet eteren nes tears ey Ap/Doun> Select c Foesmoes ts PerecA new version of NAKIVO Backup & Repli ion is about to be rele y to start testing Bridged network that is not used by any of your VMs). Check the network settings. In the interface of VMware Workstation, click VM > Settings. In the Hardware tab choose your network adapter and NAT (much like as you had configured for the first and the second VMs running ESXi). After doing this, open the console on your physical machine and ping your vCenter Server IP address (ping 192.168.101.103) to make sure that the network works properly for your VM running vCenter. Vitual Machine Settings x Hercnere Options ae Deve sane senory ne Ehsorrected SPrrecessors 2 connect atpawer an Brwensecsn 268 Brwenik2 605) 1668 Newark cornecton Bracniks ss) 2508 O braged: Comected dec tothe psc nebvork Brwcnke ss) 208 Repeat hyse network connecbn alte Bawdiks 60s) wes Biacoske eos) 069 @ Wr Used wo sare thease aiese Bracok76s) 1s Otosceniy Anivate newer shares with he host Bawenicce ss) 003 cast: see vita etn Biacoiks 6x) 18 Bracosciogcsn 06s ae Bewenie sees) anc OLN seovent Bhracisk 2 (60st) 100 69 Bracnisk 36cs) 508 Cea Using unknown backend Finishing deploying vCenter Now that you have deployed your vCenter Server, you should do the rest of VCSA (vCenter Server Appliance) configuration for your ESXi home lab. Make sure that your VMs running vCenter and ESXi servers are functioning. Enter the IP address of your vCenter Server in the address bar of the browser (https://192,168,101,103:5480 in this case) to continue configuring vCenter. In the Getting Started screen press the Set up icon to configure this appliance as a new vCenter Server. Then the Stage 2 installation wizard is opened. 4. Introduction. On this screen click Next. 2. Appliance configuration, Set the network configuration (see the screenshot belaw). You can see the network configuration you have set while deploying the CVA template, Edit the settings if necessary.vm_ install - Stage 2: Set Up vCenter Server Appliance with an Emoeddec Introduction Appliance configuration Appliance configuration Network configuration ‘Assign stave I adress $80 configuration Configure CEP ‘system name Ready to complete IP edoress 192168101103 Subnet mask or prefix lent 2552552550 Detaut gotewey sozieato%2. soase01012 92168011 DNS servers Time synchronization mode Synchronize tee withthe ESXi n~ ss access Enabled ~ ca 3. SSO configuration. Click Create a new SSO domain. You can use the default vsphere.local domain name. Set the Single Sign On password for administrator and confirm the password. 4, Configure CEIP. Tick the check box if you want to join the VMware Customer Experience Program. 5, Ready to complete. Review your settings and hit Finish to finalize deploying vCenter. Look at the progress bar and wait until the installation process finishes. Errors that may occur Sometimes errors may occur during installation. This section can help you fix some of the most common errors you can expect to encounter. The supplied System Name is not valid Important: In case you set up a VMware lab at home and there is not a local DNS server in your network, you can get the error message at the stage 2 of deploying vCenter. Error: The supplied System Name is not valid. Resolution: If the supplied system name is a FQDN, then make sure the DNS forward lookup results in at least one valid IP address in the system. If the supplied system name is an IP address, then it should be one of the valid IP address(es) in the system.version of NAKIVO Backup & Repli ion is about to be rele y to start testing not vena. Resolution If the supplied system name is e FADN, then make sure the DNS forward lookup results in at least one valid IP address in the system. If the supplied system name is an IP addrass, then it should be one of the valid |P address(es) in the system, This is because vCenter needs a configured DNS server with A and PTR records for resolving host names to IP addresses and inversely. This is not the same DNS server that is defined for connecting outside your local network (to Internet, for example) in this case. You may need to re-deplcy the OVA template after displaying this error. In the current VMware lab setup for home that is deployed for writing this blog post, the following host names are used for the hosts. The virtual network interface of the host machine used for connecting to a VMnet8 (NAT network) - 192.168.101.1 as localdns.localdomain The virtual network interface of the virtual gateway used for VMs behind the NAT: 192.168.101.2 as localdns2.localdomain (a virtual DHCP server distributes this IP as a primary DNS server for DHCP clients) The network interface of vCenter Server running as a VM: 192.168.101.103 as vCenter6- 7.localdomain If you dor't have a DNS server, you may edit the hosts file on your VM running vCenter and ona physical machine on which VMware Workstation is installed. This solution is helpful for the first time for the VMware lab setup for home when you dont have available resources for running a separate VM as a DNS server or for deploying a DNS server on your physical machine. Of course, it is better to configure a fully-functioning DNS server in the local area network of a production environment for deploying VMware vSphere. Let's edit the hosts file on a physical machine. If you use Windows, edit the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts with a text editor executed as Administrator. If VMware Workstation is installed on Linux, edit the /etc/hosts file. The follcwing strings are added in this case ‘on the host machine: 192.168.101.103 vcenter6-7.localdomain 192.168.101.103 vcenter6-7 192.168.101.1 localdns 192.168.101.1 localdns.localdomain 192.168.101.2 localdns2 192.168.101.2 localdns2.localdomain In order to fix the “Supplied System Name is not valid” issue on the VM running vCenter Server Appliance, try to do the following steps. Open the blue-gray management interface of the vCenter Server Appliance in VMware Workstation. Press CTRL+ALT+F3 to enter console. Log in the console as the root user (use the password you have specified during deplaying vCenter from the OVA template). Enable shell by entering the command: shell.set --enabled trueshell Open the hosts file: vim /etc/hosts ‘enter Server vith an enbedded cet ea eC Te OTe Trg a eer es sce Ca umes ta, Check if the following strings are present in the hosts file of VCSA: 192.168.101.103 vcenter6-7.localdomain veenter6-7 192.168.101.1 localdns localdns.localdomain 192.168.101.2. localdns2 localdns2.localdomain If such strings are missing, add them Try to ping the IP address of the virtual DNS server specified in the network configuration of the VM running VCSA. ping localdns2 503 Service Unavailable This error may occur after rebooting vCenter Server. When you enter the address of your vCenter for accessing VMware vSphere Client in the address bar of your browser (for example, https://192.168.101.103) you should see the following error message 503 Service Unavailable (Failed to connect to endpoint: IN7Vmacore4Http20NamedPipeServiceSpecE:0x000055ea1 0bcc9c0] _serverNamespace = / action = Allow _pipeName =/var/run/vmware/vpxd-webserver-pipe) This error can occur if some vCenter services have not started yet. Check to verify that the appropriate services are running by going to the web page for vCenter appliance management. In this case, the following address should be used: https://192.168.101.103:5480/ui/services VMware vCenter Server and VMware vSphere Web client services must be started. Select the needed service that is not running and hit Start or Restart. You may need to wait for a few minutes. Also check other services if necessary, When the necessary services are running, try to reconnect to your VMware vSphere Client Centralized vSsphere management with vCentershould select one of two options: Launch vSphere Client (HTMLS) Launch vSphere Web Client (FLEX) Let's use the HTMLS Client. On the VMware Single Sign-On page enter the user name ([email protected]) and the password you have previously specified. Create a new datacenter Once you have logged in VMware vSphere client, you will see nothing in the vCenter inventory. First of all, you should add a new datacenter that is a logical container (directory) where your hosts and clusters are placed. In order to add a new datacenter, click Actions > New Datacenter. Enter the datacenter name, for example Datacenter1. By pttps//192,168.101.103/ui/#2e. oly| (aan @ vCenter6-7.localdomain ewons}- (Bf Actors veenters-7incakionar So Mo G PB DO Hos vO bp = LE New Datacenter. Virtual Machines: © Hosts: o [New Folder Distributed Switch , Export System Logs. Gp assign License Tags & Custom Attributes , Custom Attributes Ml kden Astribute Vaue ‘avarms 0 Update Manager Add your ESXi host to the datacenter. Right-click your datacenter name and hit Add Host in the context menu. Your VM running ESXi must be powered on. ia S © 1 vCenter6-Zlacaldomain —_ [Bh Actons -Datacenterot ~ Gl vCenter6-7 locaidomain D_ Hos. fH Add Host Fe Datacentero1 les 0 ‘anew custer : New Folder . The Add Host wizard is opened.2. Connection settings, Select the user name and password you have specified during ESXi installation (the root user is used here). Hit Yes if a certificate security alert is displayed. 3. Host summary. Review the summary of the host. 4. Assign the license. In the ESXi home lab explained in this blog post, the evaluation 60- day license is used for all VMware products. Hence, you dor't need to change anything on this screen. 5, Lockdown Mode. Select the Disabled option to keep the ability to manage the ESXi host without vCenter Server. 6 VM location. Select the datacenter where your VMs will be stored after creation. As there is only one datacenter at this moment, you should not change anything on this screen. 7. Ready to complete. Check the configuration summary and hit Finish to add the host Wait for a few seconds until your ESXi host is connected to vCenter Server. ESXi07 is naw added to the vCenter Server inventory. Repeat these steps and add the second ESXi host (ESXi02) to your vCenter. Let's create a new virtual machine on a virtual ESXi host for VMware home lab. This will be a nested VM. Note: There are three methods of creating a new VM available. A new VM can be created with vCenter by using VMware vSphere Client, with VMware Host client (creating a new VM by using standalone ESXi host managing tools) and with VMware Workstation by connecting to vCenter or ESXi host in the interface of VMware Workstation. Deploying a Nested VM on a Virtual ESXi Host Insert an ISO installation image of the operating system you want to install on your virtual ESXi host into the virtual CD/DVD drive of the VM running ESXi, In this example Lubuntu 16 32-bit installer can be used because this Ubuntu-based Linux distribution is light-weight; this is important when your VMware home lab hardware resources are limited. In order to insert the installation ISO image into a virtual optical drive, select your VM running ESXi (ESXi6-7a in this case), and click VM > Settings in the VMware Workstation interface. Fe tt Vien (Wi tH He |W &|@22 Das BiB- tay © Power an i eal eee cee] o m= «Tene OS Pause cues B Send CusAts De Geb input ons Snapshot > Cope screen ‘anwansPasen Manage > In the Virtual Machine Settings window, select CD/DVD, select the Use ISO image file option, and. select the ISO bootable installation image (click Browse to navigate your file system for selectir ISO file).revunete upton | a en When the ISO installation media is inserted into an optical drive of your virtual ESXi host, open VMware vSphere client and select your ESXi host in the vCenter inventory. Right-click the ESXi host and in the Actions menu select New Virtual Machine. [i] Actions -192360,01101 13] Rew vinwal acnine EL BD Ql Berry Ove Tempite lictions ‘® New Resource Pool. ¥ @ vcenter6-7 1ocalcomain Permissio. v Ei patacenterot 3B New vApn. vate E5x1. 07 192168101101 o veintenence Mode rig tees TB 192108101102 (Notre| intetie covect™ ANew Virtual Machine Wizard is open. . Select a creation type. Choose Create a new virtual machine. 2. Select a name and folder. Enter your virtual machine name, for example Lubuntu16, select your datacenter (the Datacenter? is the only datacenter available at this moment in this example). 3. Select a compute resource. Select your first ESXi host (ESXi01 that has the IP address 192.168.101.101 is selected in this example). 4. Select storage. Select the datastore you have created when configuring the ESXi host. In this case, the datastore4C is selected. 5, Select compatibility. If you have ESXi hosts of versions older than 6.7 (6.5, 6.0, 5.5 etc.), you should select the compatibility with the oldest version of ESXi that is present in your virtual environment. Let's select ESXi 6.0 and later compatibility for this example. 6. Select a guest OS. As Lubuntu 16 32-bit is used as a guest OS for the VM that is deployed, the Guest OS family must be Linux and the Guest OS version must be Ubuntu Linux (32- bid. 7. Customize hardware. This step includes many settings. Be attentive and edit the settings as follewing: CPU: 1Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to leased! Get ready to start t New CD/DVD Drive: Host Device, Connect at power on. New Virtual Machine V1 Select a creation type Customize harcware v 2Selectaname and folder Configure tne virtual macnine hardware v3 Select a compute resource v A Select storage v 5 Select compatioiity v 6 select 2 quest 0s 5 nara Sl 1 Ready to complete > Memory > New Hara alsk > New Scs! controller * > New Network * > New CD/DVD Drive * Video card* ‘MCI device New SATA Controller Click Next to continue. Virtual Hardware VM Options ‘ADD NEW DEVICE a ¥ ° 1 oa 16 cee LS! Logic Parallel VM Network connect. Host Device v Beonnect.. @ ‘Specify custom settings Device on the virtual machine PCI bus that provides support for the vitual machine ‘communication intertace New SATA Contralier Additional Hardware Compatibility: ESXi 6.0 and later (VM version 1) & Ready to complete. Check the configuration summary and hit Finish to start VM creation.ou a & 9 Lubuntuié eo ee si miiz Nemes NS Nar @ 2MB B Pac RAGE aareec] mee Wee nenteressconse @ UN Your VM has now been created. In order to install a guest OS, select the VM and start the VM (Actions > Power > Power On), Select Launch Web Console to see the image displayed by a “virtual monitor” connected to a VM. Install Lubuntu Linux on a VM as usual. After installing Linux, install VMware Tools on your guest OS. Open Terminal and check to verify if your Linux has Internet access with the following commands ifconfig ping vmware.com root@lubuntu-vm: ~ a) sonore ope. 4 0) 1336.5 Avirtual network adapter that obtained the IP address via DHCP and Internet connection work properly for this nested VM running in the VMware ESXi lab (see the screenshot above). Install ==An ion is about to be rele sion of NAKIVO Backup & Repli apegee The command must be executed with root privileges. Answer the questions provided by the console wizard of the VMware Tools installer to complete the installation. Sometimes you need to reboot the VM after installing VMware Tools. Refresh the web page of the VMware vSphere client in your browser and you should see the VMware Tools version and running status. ova Upe Note: You can connect to a VM not only with Web Console. You can also connect to a VM with VMware Workstation. The advantage to this method is that you can set a higher resolution to be displayed by a VM running on an ESXi host remotely (the maximum resolution displayed in Web Console of VMware vSphere (Web) Client is 1152 X 864. In order to connect to a remote VM running on an ESXi host, you should connect to the ESXi server or vCenter that manages that particular ESXi server by clicking File > Conect to server in the interface of VMware Workstation. Thus, at this moment, most of the components of VMware home lab are configured: Virtual networks ESxXi01 ESXi02 vCenter A guest Linux VM (a nested VM) running on ESXi01. Now let's see haw to migrate a VM from one ESXi host to another by using vCenter. After that, you can learn haw to connect a shared datastore to an ESXi host. Migrating a VM Between Hosts by Using vCenter Server Make sure that both VMs running ESXi hosts and a vCenter VM are operational. Open VMware vSphere Client in your web browser for accessing your vCenter Server. VMware provides the vMotion feature for performing VM migration between hosts and datastores. Storage vMotion is used when VM migrates from one storage to another. vMotion allcws you to migrate VMs even if the VMs are running. You can test this great enterprise-level feature in your ‘own ESXi home lab. Try to ping your nested Linux VM during the migration process to check that there is no dewntime. Right-click the VM running on the first ESXi host (ESXi01 - 192.168.101.101) and click Migrate in the Actions menu. Ep Actions -Lupunturs Power , Guest os . Snapshots . Y Bl vcenter6-7 ocakdomain v Bipsracenteror v Bl i92i6az01101 3 Luountuie 1 re2iearor02 W@ open Remote Console (BH migrate. Gone . The Migrate Wizard is open.connected to multiple ESXi hosts. Change storage only. Select this option if you want to remove the VM from one directly attached datastore to another. Both directly attached datastores are connected to the same ESXi host in this case. Change both compute resource and storage. Select this option if you want to migrate a VM from one host to another. Thus, both hosts may use different datastores. The third option is suitable in the case reproduced in the current VMware home lab. Both ESXi hosts have their own 40GB datastores. The running VM will be migrated from one host to another (ESXi01 > ESXi02) and from one 40GB datastore to another (datastore40 > datastore40-2). 2. Select a compute resource. This option allows you to define an ESXi host, as well as which CPU and memory resources will be used to run a VM. Select vCenter6-7 > Datacenter01 > 192.168.101.102 (the IP address of ESXi02 that is the second host in this VMware test environment). Lubuntu16 - Migrate v1 Select a migration type Select a compute resource ject a compute ret Select 2 cluster, host, vApp or resource poo! to run the virtual machines. Solect storage OO 4 Select networks ¥ veenter6-7.Jocaidomain \ Bpatacenterot > [12168101101 > [ ww2tesi01%02 5 Select vMotion priority 6 Ready to complete ‘Compatibility CANCEL 3 Select storage. At this stage, you should select the destination storage for the virtual machine migration.Select the virtual disk format: The same as the source (Thin provisioning in this case). Select the datastore (datastore40-2 in our example). 4, Select networks, Select destination networks for the virtual machine migration. VM Network is selected for this purpose in the current example. 5, Select vMotion priority. You can set a high priority (recommended) or a normal priority. Set a high priority. 6 Ready to complete. Check your VM migration parameters and hit Finish to start migration. Wait until the VM migration process is finished. You can open the Recent Tasks bar in the bottom of the VMware vSphere Client web interface to check the tasks progress. After the VM migration task is completed successfully, your VM will begin running on the second ESXi host (see the screensh¢ below).sion of NAKIVO Backup & @@ @ 8s \ Gl vcenteré-7.1ocaidomain summary Monitor. Configure Permissions Datastores. Networks & Lubuntut6 @ @ & ® | actionsy i Datacenterot Bi t92168.101:101 v Bi 192168101102 & Lupuntate, Guest OS: Ubuntu Linux (32-bit) Compatibiity: ESX16.0 and later (VM version 11) VMware Tools: Running, version-10304 (Guest Managed) More'into DNS Name: jubuntu-vm IP Addresses: 192168101210 View all2 P addresses Launch Web Console Host 192168 101102 Launch Remote Console @ Recent Tasks Alaims Task Name Target seus Y bitator Y QueuedFer = Ys StanTimej Relocate vitual 02/26/2010, &B tubuneute Y Completed VSPHERELOCAL. Sms machine 2:23:29 PM You can see a preview of the Lubuntu VM desktop where the console was opened in order to check the network and install VMware Tools before migration. The virtual machine running state is preserved. Connecting Shared iSCSI Storage to an ESXi Host Connecting shared iSCSI storage is the final stage of today’s VMware lab setup for home. iSCSI protocol pravides block-level access to the shared storage by carrying SCSI instructions over TCP/IP network. An ESXi host can access data on the block level similarly as it can access the directly attached storage. iSCSI protocol is widely used due to its affordability (many NAS devices support iSCSI) and ease of setup when compared to Fibre Channel SAN systems. You can attach the iSCSI datastore to an ESXi host when directly attached storage is full or when you need to deploy a cluster. Installing FreeNAS FreeNAS installed on a VM will be used to create an iSCSI target in this example. The iSCSI target is then connected as shared datastore to the ESXi host. FreeNAS is a free distribution based on the FreeBSD operating system that provides a web interface for creating and managing network shares. Download the ISO installation image from the official site and place it to the D:\VMware home lab\ directory where VMs and installation images are located for more convenience. In this walkthrough, the latest stable release of FreeNAS is used (FreeNAS-11.2-U2.iso). Open VMware Workstation and create a new VM with the following parameters: Hard disk 1: 10 GB Hard disk 2:20 GB Hard disk 3: 20 GB CD/DVD: Using file D:\VMware home lab\FreeNAS-11.2-U2.iso Network adapter: Host Only network Memory: 8 GB CPU: 1 processor —Power on the VM, boot from the FreeNAS ISO installation image and install FreeNAS on the VM. The installation process is straightforward - answer the questions provided ty the installation wizard Install FreeNAS on the 10GB disk. Remember the root password you specify. When installation is complete, reboot the FreeNAS 11-2 VM and check the network settings. The IP address is obtained via DHCP (192.168.105.134). Press 1 in the main menu and set a static IP address such as 192.168.105.105. The web server interface link is displayed in the FreeNAS console interface. tion to Defaults as Tenner) Pecan eee tg 168.105. 134 CUR ECi erro eseEaet cet Cmca Sra Sei SerrteteCha an pert cen a rans i ara rt ae rates Perret cab a each meen Aa ce eC rse ee ene eerie) Tony Ceeeras cea Lie este sie} Creating an iSCSI Target in FreeNAS Enter the address of the FreeNAS web interface in your browser. In the current example, http://192.168,105.105 is the necessary address. Select the legacy web interface and enter the root username and the password you have specified during the FreeNAS installation. 41. In the web interface of FreeNAS, go to Storage > Volumes > Volume Manager and create anew volume with the parameters: Volume name: volume1 Available disks. Click the + (plus) button to add available two 20-GB disks that you created before during the VM creation. Volume layout: Mirror. Your new volume should resemble the software RAID1 the Add Volume button to create a new volume.ion is about to be release A new version of NAKIVO Backup & Rep! sting ase ‘volume ame [volumes ‘Volume to extend neryption Ayaliabe dicks + 121.5 68 (no more drves) \Volume layaut (Estimated cepacty: 18.09 Sie) vitror Bebx2.5 G8 dat jean Cepacity: 18.00 Gib © “| Droa and crop this to cesize 2. Go to Storage > Volumes > [your_volume_name] > Create zvol and create a new zvol. A zvolis a feature of the Zettabyte File System (ZFS) intended for creating a raw block device over ZFS that allows you to use a zvol as an iSCSI extent. In this example, the configured parameters of a zvol are: zvol name: iSCSI-zvol Size for this zvol: 12G (you should not use more than 80% your available space for your zvol). 12G is less than 80% of 20G. ‘Sync Inherit (standard) Compression level: Inherit (Iz4) ZFS deduplication: Inherit (off) Click the Add zvol button to create a new zvol.Anew jon of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Create 2vol on volume zvol name: liscst-aval Comments: [ Sizeforthiszvo: fae Ssst=~dSC‘ Force size: o® Sync: Compression level: [Tabet (ie) adup can eal race parfermarce and ZFS Deduplication: on to access data. es 3. Go toServices > Control Services and enable the iSCSI service - click the Start now button and tick the ‘Start on boot” check box. © fa Storage = —— 3B Directory Service FP ee Seton | [7] starcon boot ol @ Sharing F oe ae. isest ning [StepNow | |Z) Start on boot (@ Control Services Loe oa Start on boot aa a a netdata oO, 8 aR] EL sett ‘8 Comain Controller e | Start on sea Dynamic DNS ;™ ssopnee Somerton 4, Go to Services > iSCSI > Target Global Configuration to see the automatically generated Base name (IQN) and hit Save. Naw you can add a portal. Go to Services > iSCSI > Portals and hit Add Portal. The following parameters are used for creating a new portal: Comment: iSCS|_Portal Discovery Auth Method: None Discovery Auth Group: None IP address: 0.0.0.0 (can be associated from any IP address of any interface) Port: 3260 (a default TCP 3260 port is used) Click the OK button to add the portal.Anew jon of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! ready to start ro comment: [SC8IPoral Discovery Auth Method: [Nove]=] Discovery Auth Group: _[isse| =| Portal 18 IP Address: |0.00] Port: 3260 Add extre Portal IP = 5. Go to Services > iSCSI > Initiators and hit Add Initiator. Use the following parameters to enable all initiators from authorized networks to access this iSCSI share: Initiators: ALL Authorized network: ALL Click OK to continue. Gobo pan po Initiators: Authorized network: r ‘Comment: 6 In order to create a iSCSI Target that is a combination of configured portals, valid initiators and authentication methods, go to Services > iSCSI > Targets and click Add Target. The follawing parameters are used in this example of configuring the iSCSI Target forVMware lab setup for home:Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Portal Group 1D: 1 (iSCS|_Portal) Initiator Group ID: 1 Auth Method: None Authentication Group number: None ready to start reed Target Name: Target Alias: iSCSI Group Portal Group 1D: Initiator Group 1D: Auth Method: Authentication Grovp number: io=e[=] Add axtea iSCSI Group a= 7. Go to Services > iSCSI > Extents and select Add Extent to define resources that must be shared with clients. The following parameters are used in this case: Extent Name: iscsi-extent Extent Type: Device Device: volume1/iSCSI-zvol (12G) Logical Block Size: 512Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing Extent Name: Extent Type: Device: volumes isesr-avel (226)| =|] =— oovezs2037P000 ] Lote mock ste: malE]@ Disable Physical Block Size Reporting: Available Space Threshold (9%): Comment: Enable TPC: Xen initiator compat mode: LUN RPM: 8 Go toServices > iSCSI > Associated Targets > Add Target/Extent. The parameters used in the above example are the follwing: Target iscsitarget’ LUN ID; 1 (the value must be between 1 and 1023) Extent iscsi-extent Target [isestorosttA new version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be r wroprayce fo SHENG - WIGER WoLor - Henge Grower CUrgurauun wou. iqn.2005-10.01g,freenas.ct: is the Base Name that would be used in the explained VMware home lab for connecting the iSCSI Target to an ESXi server as a shared datastore. ‘sharing ‘Apple (AFP) UNIX (NFS) WebNAV Windows (SMB) [Block (SCSD)| [Target Global Configuration Portals Initiators Authorized Aecass Targets Extents Associated Targets base Name: fen mos 1orateeasct] OD ISWS Servers: ® Pool Available Space Threshold (%): @ = Adding a new iSCSI datastore to an ESXi host Open VMware Host client and log in to one of your ESXi hosts running on VMs (for example, ESXi02 — httpsi//192.168,101,102). Enter the IP address of your ESXi host in the address bar of your web browser for doing this. In the Navigator pane, go to Storage, then click the Adapters tab in the main part of the window, You should see the existing storage adapters (disk controllers). First you need to add a software iSCSI adapter. 2 e¢@ OB hiipssngzr68101.102//eMoRNtoNagehace oe KYO Search yma We = Datactoes | Adopters | Oeaces Porectet tema 2 Thamvaaieoa) st Restan | Ci Retesn oS FYGGEI Cai corer Pet fr A0TAAAOBXAK IDE Cone . Click Software iSCSI in the Adapters tab. In the configure iSCSI window set the following parameters as in the example belcw: iSCSI enabled: Enabled Static targets. Target: iqn.2005-10.org.freenas.cti (the name you memorized after configuring the iSCSI Target in FreeNAS). Address: 792.168.105.105 (the IP address of your FreeNAS machine). Port 3266 (a default TCP port number used for iSCSI connection). Dynamic targets. Address 192.168.105.105. Port 3260. Click Save configuration for creating a new iSCSI adapter. Note: As you recall, in the section about configuring ESXi hosts (in the beginning of this blog post) the-* only network 192.168. 105.0/24 was configured for each ESXi especially for connecting to shared stor‘Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing Manaae_ L iss > CHAP autnantcaton » tual HAP aumanteston » Aavances sennas Newark pr tinainos O pisanea [Eran gn 1293.01 comummare-esno2-serso100 Doncuse Ce ¥ onotuse CHAP Parse portinang 9 m0" » Wisma SYR esas met Storage s92.se.t05102 Addstabctret Remove statctaast / Eatsstings DD Tae 00133 Pot Waaddmamictaget WRemovedmamictaret 7 Estsstines @aa_) nasiess Pot 2. In the Adapters tab, click Rescan and Refresh. After that you will see the new iSCSI Software Adapter you have created before. [Ezanees] | [teepers Dewees BE cofwaroiscsi Wal Rescan Pinon «| Wes 2225 == isco! ect contoter Unioom | pac ctor 2OTUOEKIE Contoler | Urinowm ita Poser datastore-iscsi) with Storage vMotion. Deploy the High availability (HA) and Distributed Resource Scheduller (DRS) cluster. The et about VMware clustering can help you to do this.ion is about to be rele: A new version of NAKIVO Backup & Repli ready to start testing Configure VMware vSAN Create VM templates, deplay VMs from templates. Before deploying VMware vSphere in the production environment, you should pay special attention to your VMs in the framework of data protection. Deploy NAKIVO Backup & Replication on a VM running in your ESXi home lab and test how the product performs backup, replication and recovery of VMware VMs running on your ESXi hosts. Conclusion Today's blog post has covered the full process of VMware lab setup for home and explained haw to build VMware home lab at home in detail. The lab can be deployed on a mid-level desktop or even laptop - you can test VMware vSphere for free in your own VMware lab by using 60-day trial versions of VMware software (VMware Workstation, ESXi, vCenter Server Appliance) and free Linux and FreeNAS systems. Deploying and configuring VMware Workstation VMs running ESXi, vCenter, FreeNAS in addition to deploying a nested VM running Lubuntu are also explained in detail. Hopefully, this blog post will help you learn more about the VMware vSphere, one of the best hardware virtualization solutions in the world. Using this complete guide, learn how to build VMware home lab and test the capabilities of vSphere in your VMware home lab and join the community of people who are optimizing their IT infrastructure with modern virtualization technologies. Dor't forget to test how your virtual machines can be backed up. NAKIVO Backup & Replication can help you to protect your VMs in the best way possible. 5 (100%) 10 votes Share: People also read Interactive ESXi Installation | VMware vSphere: Active How to Configure a vSAN VMware Administration Directory integration ‘luster Essentials,Anew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing Categories Top Posts Request Pricing Request Demo Request a live demo ty one Request Derno our engineers, Download Free Trial Download a full-featured Download ee trialAnew version of NAKIVO Backup & Replication is about to be released! Get ready to start testing Sales Support Email [email protected] Email: [email protected] Fax: +1 408 516 9464 Americas: +1 408 335 7367 (worldwide) Americas: +1 702 605 4495 EMEA: +4420 7193 4160 Europe: +44 207 193 1230 Taiwan: +886 2656 5928, Asia: #886 2 2656 5927 NAKIVO on social media: f in y a Get special offers and updates: vormer “YQ TrustRadius @ FOI tot tk ©2019 NAKINO, Inc. AIIRights Reserved Privacy Policy | EULA