VMWARE Virtualisation (Building a HOST): -

Building a host from Scratch in VMware............

Steps to follow for building a host in the cluster in VMware:-

1. Download the iso image of the latest version (currently its ESX update version 4)
2. Boot with the above installation cd and you will see booting kernel controller appearing on screen
3. A message shows stating BIOS installed successfully, select graphical mode (to make life little easier).
4. CD -> Skip.
5. It will show the Partitioning Options - Go to Advanced (for swap files etc).
6. In the advanced option delete everything and create as following:-
7. MOUNT SIZE FILE SYSTEM
   /boot - 200MB - ext3 - SET AS PRIMARY
   / - 10240MB - ext3 - SET AS PRIMARY
   /home - 512MB - ext3 - SET AS PRIMARY
   (none) - 1600MB - SWAP
   /opt - 4096MB - ext3
   /var - 4096MB - ext3
   /tmp - 1024MB - ext3
   (none) - 110MB - Vmkore
   
   
   Now in the same window set the rest space to take all the available maximum space (for local storage in addition to the iSCSI storage).
   Set the N/W Configuration - Device - 3:0:0-1000Base-T (or whatever your device is displaying)
8. VLANID - Leave this blank.
9. On the same page make sure the check box for default n/w for VM is UNCHECKED. The reason for this is on checked, it puts the Service Console into the same zone as the VM and keeping the VSwitch separate for Service Console is a best pratice.
10. Now we will see next page asking for the IP, Hostname and username and password (give admin credentials here). For best practice add an extra admin user too.
11. Next process starts installing packages which takes approx 20 mins........grab yourself a cuppa coffee and relax.
12. Take the ESX update CD out and click Finish, the server will complete the installation and reboot itself.....it again takes approx 10 mins.
13. Once rebooted, you will see 3 options select GRUB Version -> ESX Server (default selected in 8 secs).
14. Once it finishes the rest of the installation, and shows a black screen with host name and IP, press ALT+F1. Log in to the server host as root.
15. Check whether the correct NIC has been assigned earlier or not, type "esxcfg-nic -l". Check whether the device "3:0:0" has been assigned as "vmnic0".
16. Press ALT+F11 to exit. That's it ALL DONE from the server side.
17. Now log on to your "VM Infrastructure Client" and add the "new server" as a host in the top "Cluster".
18. Select put all the host VM in the clusters root resource pool [option1]. This add the new server on your cluster.
19. It starts configuring HA [high availability]. Here in some cases you might get an error [Incompatible HA N/w] because of communication between LUNS and Storage. Therefore, to resolve this, go to your iSCSI storage server and select location>Configure>Logical Drive>VMare and select LNXCLVMWARE in manual in the combo box.
20. Another error might occur for some of you [saying cluster has n/w missing on host IP]. To resolve this go to your iSCSI through properties>general>configure [storage adapters]. In the properties of Storage Adapters - select iSCSI initiator - Add - Dynamic - IP:3260 [here the IP will be the IP for controller on iSCSI]. Then rescan.
21. Now we need to give permisson to the VMware to see the storage [iSCSI server name>Configure>Host Access for VM Hostname].
22. Finally go to Time Configuration and change accordingly. We use our own nt for the network.
23. Nevertheless, to make sure everything set-up correctly, choose a live VM on another HOST and migrate it across to this new HOST you just created.
24. Go and treat yourself with a coke and a chocolate bar. ;-)