Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
vSphere Storage DRS, which enables VMware vSphere to dynamically migrate storage
resources to meet demand, much in the same way that DRS balances CPU and memory
utilization
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vCenter Server plays a central role in any sizable VMware vSphere implementation. In
Chapter 3, “Installing and Coni guring vCenter Server,” we discuss planning and installing
vCenter Server as well as look at ways to ensure its availability. Chapter 3 will also examine the
differences between the Windows-based version of vCenter Server and the Linux-based vCenter
Server virtual appliance. Because of vCenter Server's central role in a VMware vSphere deploy-
ment, we'll touch on vCenter Server in almost every chapter throughout the rest of the topic.
Refer to Table 1.1 previously in this chapter for specii c cross-references.
vCenter Server is available in three packages:
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vCenter Server Essentials is integrated into the vSphere Essentials kits for small ofi ce
deployment.
vCenter Server Standard provides all the functionality of vCenter Server, including provi-
sioning, management, monitoring, and automation.
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vCenter Server Foundation is like vCenter Server Standard but is limited to managing
three ESXi hosts and does not include vCenter Orchestrator or support for linked-mode
operation.
You can i nd more information on licensing and product editions for VMware vSphere in the
section “Licensing VMware vSphere.”
vSphere Update Manager
vSphere Update Manager is an add-on package for vCenter Server that helps users keep their
ESXi hosts and select VMs patched with the latest updates. vSphere Update Manager provides
the following functionality:
Scans to identify systems that are not compliant with the latest updates
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User-dei ned rules for identifying out-of-date systems
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Automated installation of patches for ESXi hosts
Full integration with other vSphere features like Distributed Resource Scheduler
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vSphere Update Manager works with the Windows-based installation of vCenter Server as
well as the prepackaged vCenter Server virtual appliance. Refer to Table 1.1 for more informa-
tion on where vSphere Update Manager is described in this topic.
VMware vSphere Web Client and vSphere Client
vCenter Server provides a centralized management framework for VMware ESXi hosts, but it's
the vSphere Web Client (and its predecessor, the Windows-based vSphere Client) where vSphere
administrators will spend most of their time.
With the release of vSphere 5, VMware shifted its primary administrative interface to a
robust new vSphere Web Client. The vSphere Web Client provides a dynamic, web-based user
