Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources

Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources

Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources This section describes options and resources you can configure for virtual machines. The chapter is divided into the following major topic areas:

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Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing Virtual Machine Options

Changing Virtual Machine Options These topics describe how to change the configuration options of individual virtual machines.

• Changing Virtual Machine Options topics describe how to change options that affect the way a specific virtual machine operates.

• Configuring Virtual Machine Resources topics describe how to change the host resource allocations for this virtual machine.

• Customizing the Guest Operating System guides you through customizing the identity and network settings of a guest operating system.

• Using the Customization Specification Manager describes how to manage guest customization specifications.

• Removing and Returning Virtual Machines from VirtualCenter describes how to remove virtual machines from VirtualCenter and how to return them back to VirtualCenter.

• Changing General Configuration Options

• Editing General Information on the Options Tab

• Changing the Name of a Virtual Machine

• Changing the Guest Operating System Type

• Configuring VMware Tools Options

• Specifying Toolbar Power Options

• Running VMware Tools Scripts

• Automatic VMware Tools Upgrade

• Changing the Power State

• Manually Powering a Virtual Machine On and Off

• Suspending and Resuming a Virtual Machine

• Scheduling a Power State Change for a Virtual Machine

• Managing Power Options for the Guest Operating System

• Setting Advanced Options

• Running a Virtual Machine with Debugging Information

• Disabling Acceleration in a Virtual Machine

• Enabling Logging

• Specifying the CPU Identification Mask

• Modifying Configuration Parameters

• Delaying the Boot Sequence

• Setting N-Port ID Virtualization Options

• Configuring Virtual Machine VMI Paravirtualization

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Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing General Configuration Options

Changing General Configuration Options You can change settings on the Options tab of the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box to alter basic information about the virtual machine.

Under the Options tab, you can change the General, VMware Tools, Power Management, and Advanced settings.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing General Configuration Options : Editing General Information on the Options Tab

Editing General Information on the Options Tab General options that can be changed include the virtual machine name and guest operating system.

The current location of the virtual machine and its current “working location” (often the same as the virtual machine location) appear on this page but can’t be changed here. Moving all or part of a virtual machine, even when it is not powered on, requires reconciling the changes across the system and across the files that compose it. The Advanced option in the Relocate Virtual Machine wizard, which is accessed from the main VI Client window, lets you change the location of individual parts of the virtual machine, including the working location.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing General Configuration Options : Changing the Name of a Virtual Machine

Changing the Name of a Virtual Machine You can change the name of a virtual machine.

Conditions

To change the name of a virtual machine

• Configuring Virtual Machine Swapfile Location

Virtual Machine Properties tab Options

Virtual Machine Properties item General

Allowed while virtual machine is powered on? No

Required privilege: Settings

1. Highlight the name indicated in the Virtual Machine Name entry field.

2. Enter a new name.

3. Click OK.



The name of the virtual machine appears in the inventory panel and on the tab for that machine in the display.

Note: You can also rename a virtual machine by selecting it in the inventory panel, right-clicking and choosing Rename, and typing over the existing name.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing General Configuration Options : Changing the Guest Operating System Type

Changing the Guest Operating System Type Conditions

To change the guest operating system type

When you change the operating system type using the Version list, only the setting for the guest operating system type in the virtual machine’s configuration file is changed. The guest operating system itself is not changed. See the Basic System Administration guide and the Guest Operating System Installation Guide for information about installing the guest operating system. (Choose Help > Manuals.)

When you set the guest operating system type for a new virtual machine, the VI Client chooses configuration defaults based on the guest type. Changing the guest type after the virtual machine is created does not retroactively change those settings. It affects the recommendations and setting ranges offered after the change.

You might change the guest operating system, for example, if you are upgrading the guest operating system installed in the virtual machine.

Note: Changing the guest operating system affects the ranges and recommendations of other settings, such as memory and number of CPUs. After changing the guest operating system type, VMware recommends clicking OK, allowing the reconfiguration task to complete, and reopening the dialog box to view new recommendations and settings.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options


Virtual Machine Properties item General

Allowed while virtual machine is powered on? Yes*


* On some legacy hosts, an operation to change the guest operating system setting while a virtual machine is powered on will fail.

1. Select the appropriate guest operating system type. If you select Other, a text field appears where you can enter a display name for your guest operating system. You also can change the display name of any operating system through the Configuration Parameters dialog box (Virtual Machine Properties dialog box > Options tab > Advanced > General > Configuration Parameters). See Modifying Configuration Parameters.

2. Choose the specific version from the Version list.

3. Click OK.



Configuring VMware Tools Options These settings affect the behavior of VMware Tools when the virtual machine power state is changed. They also affect whether power operations initiated from the VI Client use the tools to effect soft operations or directly affect the power state.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options : Specifying Toolbar Power Options

Specifying Toolbar Power Options You can specify the type of power operation that occurs when you click the power buttons on the console toolbar.

Conditions

To change power state options


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options : Changing the Power Off Option

Changing the Power Off Option Your selection of one of the following options determines what happens when you use the Power Off (red square) button on the VI Client toolbar:



Virtual Machine Properties item VMware Tools



1. Click the Options tab.

2. Click VMware Tools.

3. Choose an option as described in Changing the Power Off Option, Changing the Suspend Option, or Changing the Reset Option to specify what happens when you use the Power Off, Suspend, or Reset buttons, respectively.

4. Choose an option as described in Running VMware Tools Scripts to specify whether VMware Tools is allowed to run scripts for each power state event.

5. Choose an option as described in Automatic VMware Tools Upgrade to specify whether VMware Tools is upgraded automatically at power on.

• Shut Down uses VMware Tools to initiate an orderly system shutdown of the virtual machine. (This type of powering off is known as a “soft” power operation. Soft power operations are possible only if the tools are installed in the guest operating system.)

• Power Off immediately stops the virtual machine. (This type of powering off is known as a “hard” power operation.)

• System Default follows system settings; the current value of the system settings is shown in parentheses.



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options : Changing the Suspend Option

Changing the Suspend Option Your selection of one of the following options determines what happens when you use the Suspend button on the VI Client toolbar:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options : Changing the Reset Option

Changing the Reset Option Your selection of one of the following options determines what happens when you use the Reset button on the VI Client toolbar:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options : Running VMware Tools Scripts

Running VMware Tools Scripts

Note: VMware Tools can run power-state scripts only after the scripts are enabled in the VMware Tools user interface and in the virtual machine configuration.

For more information about VMware Tools, see the Basic System Administration guide and the online Help for VMware Tools.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring VMware Tools Options : Automatic VMware Tools Upgrade

• Suspend pauses all virtual machine activity.

• System Default follows system settings; the current value of the system setting is shown in parentheses.

• Restart uses VMware Tools to initiate an orderly reboot. (This type of reset is known as a “soft” power operation. Soft power operations are possible only if the tools are installed in the guest operating system.)

• Reset immediately stops the virtual machine and reboots it. (This type of reset is known as a “hard” power operation.)

• System Default follows system settings; the current value of the system setting is shown in parentheses.

1. In the Run VMware Tools Scripts group, use the check boxes to enable whether VMware Tools is allowed to run scripts for each power state event.

2. Click OK to save your changes.



Automatic VMware Tools Upgrade You can configure virtual machines to check with each power on whether a newer version of VMware Tools is available on its host. If a new version of VMware Tools is detected, the virtual machine upgrades to the newest version of the tools, and reboots and powers on.

To enable automatic tools upgrade, select the Check and upgrade Tools before each power on check box.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing the Power State

Changing the Power State The basic power state options are listed in the following table.

Power state tasks include:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing the Power State : Manually Powering a Virtual Machine On and Off

Manually Powering a Virtual Machine On and Off Prior to performing any power state changing activity on a virtual machine, you must add the virtual machine to your VMware Infrastructure environment. See Creating a Virtual Machine.

To manually change the power state of a virtual machine

Note: The power button on the toolbar performs a “hard”power off. To perform a graceful shutdown of a guest operating system, either use the right-click option or shut

Power On Powers up the virtual machine and boots the guest operating system if the guest operating system is installed.

Power Off/Shutdown

Stops the virtual machine until it is powered back on.

Suspend Pauses the virtual machine activity. All transactions are frozen until you issue a Resume command.

Resume Allows virtual machine activity to continue and releases the Suspended state.

Reset/Restart Stops the virtual machine and restarts (reboots) it.

• Manually Powering a Virtual Machine On and Off

• Suspending and Resuming a Virtual Machine

• Scheduling a Power State Change for a Virtual Machine

1. Click the Inventory button in the navigation bar.

2. Expand the inventory as needed, and select the appropriate virtual machine.

3. Choose one of the following options:

• Click the power option from the toolbar.



down the operating system directly from inside the guest. Alternatively, you can change the behavior of the power button on a per-virtual machine basis by clicking the virtual machine, choosing Edit Settings > Options > VMware Tools and selecting the behavior from the Power Controls drop-down list.

Note: The right- click menu on a virtual machine displays two options: Power Off and Shut Down. Power Off, sometimes called “hard” power off, is analogous to pulling the power cable on a physical machine and always works. Shut Down, or “soft” power off, leverages VMwareTools to perform a graceful shutdown of a guest operating system. In certain situations, such as when VMware Tools is not installed or the guest operating system is hung, shut down might not succeed.

After the power option is selected, the VI Client displays messages in the Recent Tasks panel indicating the transition modes.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing the Power State : Suspending and Resuming a Virtual Machine

Suspending and Resuming a Virtual Machine You can use the suspend feature to make resources available on a short-term basis or for other situations in which you want to put a virtual machine on hold without powering it down.

Conditions

After you resume work and do additional work in the virtual machine, you cannot return to the state the virtual machine was in at the time you suspended it. To preserve the state of the virtual machine so you can return to it, take a snapshot. See Understanding Snapshots.

The speed of the suspend and resume operations depends on how much data has changed while the virtual machine has been running. In general, the first suspend operation takes longer than later suspend operations.

When you suspend a virtual machine, a file with a .vmss extension is created. This file contains the entire state of the virtual machine. When you resume the virtual machine, its state is restored from the .vmss file.

To suspend a virtual machine

To resume a virtual machine that you have suspended

Note: Any applications you were running at the time you suspended the virtual machine are running, and the content is the same as it was when you suspended the virtual machine.


• Choose Inventory > Virtual Machine from the drop-down menu and choose a power option.

• Right-click the virtual machine, and select the Power On or Power Off option.

Inventory panel object:

Inventory button > virtual machine object

To reach this panel: Virtual machine object > right-click Suspend or Resume

Minimum required privileges:

Suspend

1. Right-click the virtual machine in the inventory panel and click Suspend.

2. When the VI Client finishes the suspend operation, choose File > Exit to exit the VI Client.

1. Start the VI Client and select a virtual machine that you have suspended.

2. Right-click the virtual machine and select Power On.



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Changing the Power State : Scheduling a Power State Change for a Virtual Machine

Scheduling a Power State Change for a Virtual Machine You can use a scheduled task wizard to specify that a power state change for a virtual machine be carried out at a certain time.

Conditions

To create a scheduled task to change the power state of a virtual machine

Select a Virtual Machine

Select a Power Option

Select a Host

Schedule a Task

Finish Scheduling the Task

Select a Virtual Machine Conditions

To select a virtual machine

Select a Power Option Select a power option on the Change a Virtual Machine’s Power State wizard.

Conditions



To reach this wizard:

Scheduled Tasks button > New icon > Change the power state of a virtual machine


Power Off Power On

1. Click the Scheduled Tasks button in the navigation bar.

2. Click the New icon to display the Select a Task to Schedule dialog box.

3. Select Change the power state of a virtual machine.

4. Click OK to display the Change a Virtual Machine’s Power State Scheduled Task wizard.

5. Proceed through the pages of the wizard:



To reach this panel:

Scheduled Tasks button > New icon > Change a Virtual Machine’s Power State task > Select VM


Virtual Machine > Configuration

1. Select the virtual machine on which you want to perform this task.

2. Click Next.

Inventory panel Inventory button > virtual machine object



To select a power option

Select a Host This panel appears when you are scheduling a “power on” event for the virtual machine.

Conditions

To select a host

Schedule a Task Use the Scheduled Task wizard to schedule a task.

Conditions

To schedule a task

If you select Later, enter a run time and click the drop-down arrow to choose a run date from the displayed calendar.

A red circle indicates today’s date and a dark circle indicates the scheduled date.

Finish Scheduling the Task Conditions

object:


Scheduled Tasks button > New icon > Change a Virtual Machine’s Power State task > Select Power Option



1. Select a power option to perform.

2. Click Next.




Scheduled Tasks button > New icon > Change a Virtual Machine’s Power State task > Select Host



1. Select the host on which the virtual machine is to be powered on.

2. Click Next.




Scheduled Tasks button > New icon > [task name] > Schedule Task



1. Enter a name for the task.

2. Enter a description for the task.

3. Choose the frequency of the task.

4. Click Now to schedule the task to run immediately, or click Later to specify a run time.

5. Click Next.



To finish scheduling the task

Make any needed changes to the appropriate page.

The VI Client adds the new task to the scheduled task list and finishes it at the designated time. When it is time to perform the task, the VI Client first verifies that the user who created the task still has permission to complete the task. If the permission levels do not allow that user to perform this task, a message is generated and the task is not performed.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Managing Power Options for the Guest Operating System

Managing Power Options for the Guest Operating System Power management options are not available on every guest operating system. Wake on LAN support is offered only on Windows guest operating systems and is not available on Vlance NICs or when a Flexible NIC is operating in Vlance mode (that is, the current VMware Tools are not installed on the guest operating system).

The Guest Power Management option on the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box Options tab lets you specify how the virtual machine responds when the guest operating system is placed on standby.

Conditions

To select power options

Wake on LAN is supported only for Windows guest operating systems. Not all virtual NIC types are compatible with Wake on LAN. Incompatible NICs appear in the list, but cannot be selected.



To reach this panel: Scheduled Tasks button > New icon > [task name] > Complete



1. Review the information on the Ready to Complete window.

2. Click Finish.


Virtual Machine Properties item Power Management

Allowed while virtual machine is powered on?

No


1. Under Guest Power Management, select either Suspend the Virtual Machine or Put the guest OS into standby mode and leave the virtual machine powered on.

2. If you leave the virtual machine on, you can also select Wake on LAN for virtual machine traffic and select the check boxes for those virtual NICs that should trigger it.

3. Click OK.




Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options

Setting Advanced Options These configuration options are available from the Advanced item on the Options tab in the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Running a Virtual Machine with Debugging Information

Running a Virtual Machine with Debugging Information You can run a virtual machine so that it collects additional debugging information that is helpful to VMware technical support in resolving issues.

Conditions

To configure debugging mode

The number of debugging and statistics options available depends on the host software type and version. On some hosts, some options are not available.


• Running a Virtual Machine with Debugging Information

• Disabling Acceleration in a Virtual Machine

• Enabling Logging

• Modifying Configuration Parameters

• Specifying the CPU Identification Mask

• Delaying the Boot Sequence

• Configuring Virtual Machine VMI Paravirtualization

• Setting N-Port ID Virtualization Options

• Specifying Virtualized MMU Settings

• Configuring Virtual Machine Swapfile Location


Virtual Machine Properties item Advanced - General


No


1. In the Debugging and Statistics group box, select one of the following options:

• Run normally

• Record Debugging Information

• Record Statistics

• Record Statistics and Debugging Information

2. Click OK to apply the changes.



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Disabling Acceleration in a Virtual Machine

Disabling Acceleration in a Virtual Machine In rare instances, when you install or run software inside a virtual machine, it stops responding. The problem occurs early in the execution of the program. You can temporarily disable acceleration in the virtual machine.

Conditions

To disable acceleration

This setting slows down virtual machine performance. Use it only to resolve the problem of running the program. After you pass the point at which the program was encountering problems, return to the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box Options tab Advanced item and deselect Disable acceleration. You can then run the program with acceleration.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Enabling Logging

Enabling Logging Conditions

To enable logging





No


1. Select the Disable acceleration check box


Virtual Machine Properties tab

Options

Virtual Machine Properties item

Advanced - General


Yes (You can enable and disable virtual machine logging while the virtual machine is powered on. The other operations are not allowed on a powered-on virtual machine.)

Required privilege:

Settings

1. Select the Enable logging check box.

2. Click OK to start logs to collect data.



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Modifying Configuration Parameters

Modifying Configuration Parameters Use the Configuration Parameters dialog box to modify or add configuration parameters for experimental features or as instructed by VMware technical support.

Conditions

Caution: You cannot delete an entry in the Configuration Parameters values list after you enter it. If you try to edit a keyword, you cannot change the existing keyword/value pair; you will add a keyword. You can assign some keywords a blank value, but for other keywords, assigning a blank value results in a virtual machine that cannot be powered on. VMware recommends that you work with VMware technical support to change these values.

To change configuration parameters


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Specifying the CPU Identification Mask

Specifying the CPU Identification Mask The CPU identification mask is used by VirtualCenter to determine whether a destination host is viable for migration with or without VMotion. You can make changes to the CPU identification mask to hide certain CPU features from guest software to increase the migration compatibility. You can make changes to the CPU identification mask only when the virtual machine is powered off. See the VMware Knowledge Base for more information about CPU Identification masks.

Note: You rarely need to make any change to the CPU identification mask. Almost all changes are made only to the Nx bit, which advertises security-related CPU features to the guest operating system. Most users need only the buttons on the Advanced Options page. Only a few users will ever need to make changes in the CPU ID mask dialog box accessed by clicking the Advanced button.

Conditions




No

Required privilege: Advanced

1. Click the Configuration Parameters button.

2. Change the values as discussed with VMware technical support.

3. To add another row for additional information, click Add Row.

4. Click OK to return to the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box.

5. Click OK.




Hiding the Nx flag increases VMotion compatibility between hosts but might disable certain CPU security features.

To specify the CPU identification mask setting

Note: VMware recommends that you change these mask settings only if you understand CPU features.

Description of CPU Identification Mask Dialog Box Elements The following table does not provide sufficient information for editing the values. It briefly describes the dialog box elements. VMware recommends that you change the settings only if you are confident in your understanding of CPU features.

Virtual Machine Properties item Advanced - CPUID Mask


No


1. Select the Nx flag option:

• Hide the Nx flag from guest for increased VMotion compatibility.

• Expose the Nx flag to guest to keep all CPU security features enabled.

• Keep current Advanced setting values for the Nx flag to use the Nx flag settings specified in the CPU Identification Mask dialog box. Enabled only when current settings specify something other than what is specified in the other Nx flag options—for example, if the Nx flag bit setting varies with processor brand.

2. To edit mask values other than the Nx bit or to set Nx mask values to states other than “0” or “H”, click the Advanced button.

a. Select the relevant tab.

b. Click a row and edit the mask value.

c. Click OK to apply the changes and return to the Virtual Machine Properties dialog box.


Element Description

Virtual Machine Default and AMD Override tabs

The contents of these two tabs are similar, reflecting parallelism between default and AMD override masks. Due to the complexities of mask resolution, a value of all hyphens is functionally identical to no value on the Virtual Machine Default tab but not on the AMD Override tab.

Mask values list

Displays the actual mask values, if any, for each register in each CPUID level. A blank string indicates that the virtual machine should not override the defaults that VMware provides.

Row Details fields

When you select a mask register in the list control, the contents of these fields show how the row value affects the final effective mask value. Guest OS Default VMware supplies the mask value to use if the selected row is cleared to the empty string. Final Mask shows the resultant effective mask after relevant overrides are applied. On the Virtual Machine Default tab, it is the effective mask value that will is with an Intel




Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Delaying the Boot Sequence

Delaying the Boot Sequence You can delay the boot sequence by a specified number of milliseconds, and you can force the boot sequence to enter BIOS setup.

Conditions

To delay the boot sequence

To force the boot sequence to enter BIOS setup when the virtual machine is powered on, select the option in the Force BIOS Setup section.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Setting N-Port ID Virtualization Options

Setting N-Port ID Virtualization Options N-port ID virtualization (NPIV) provides the ability to share a single physical Fibre Channel HBA port among multiple virtual ports, each with unique identifiers. This allows control of virtual machine access to LUNs on a per-virtual machine basis.

Each virtual port is identified by a pair of World Wide Names (WWNs): a World Wide Port

host processor. On the AMD Override tab, it is the mask value that is used with an AMD host processor.

Legend button

Shows or hides a list of the valid mask bit characters and their descriptions

Reset All to Default button

Clears all the mask values on the current tab to the empty string.

Reset Row to Default button

Clears the currently selected row to the empty string.


Virtual Machine Properties item Advanced - Boot Options


Yes

Required privilege: Advanced

1. In the Power-on Boot Delay section, specify the number of milliseconds you want to transpire before the boot sequence begins when the virtual machine is powered on.

2. Click OK.



Name (WWPN) and a World Wide Node Name (WWNN). These WWNs are assigned by the VirtualCenter Server.

NPIV support is subject to the following limitations:

To view or edit a virtual machine’s WWNs

Any currently assigned WWNs appear in the WWN Assignments box.

Note: A virtual machine with WWNs that are already in use on the storage network is prevented from powering on. To solve this issue, generate new WWNs or remove them.

Provide the WWN assignments to your SAN administrator. The administrator needs those assignments to configure virtual machine access to the LUN. For more information on how to configure an virtual machine to use NPIV, see Server Configuration Guide.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Configuring Virtual Machine VMI Paravirtualization

Configuring Virtual Machine VMI Paravirtualization VMI is a paravirtualization standard that enables improved performance for virtual machines capable of utilizing it. This feature is available only for versions of the Linux guest operating system that support VMI paravirtualization.

Note: Enabling paravirtualization utilizes one of the virtual machine’s six PCI slots. Also, enabling paravirtualization can limit how and where the virtual machine can be migrated. Consider the following before enabling this feature:

• NPIV must be enabled on the SAN switch. Contact the switch vendor for information about enabling NPIV on their devices.

• NPIV is supported only for virtual machines with RDM disks. Virtual machines with regular virtual disks continue to use the WWNs of the host’s physical HBAs.

• The physical HBAs on the ESX Server host must have access to a LUN using its WWNs in order for any virtual machines on that host to have access to that LUN using their NPIV WWNs.

• The physical HBAs on the ESX Server host must support NPIV. If the physical HBAs do not support NPIV, the virtual machines running on that host will fall back to using the WWNs of the host’s physical HBAs for LUN access.

• Each virtual machine can have up to 4 virtual ports. NPIV-enabled virtual machines are assigned exactly 4 NPIV-related WWNs, which are used to communicate with physical HBAs through virtual ports. Therefore, virtual machines can utilize up to 4 physical HBAs for NPIV purposes.

1. To edit the virtual machine’s WWNs, power off the virtual machine.

2. Right-click the virtual machine and choose Edit Settings.

3. Select the Options tab.

4. Select Fibre Channel NPIV.

5. Select one of the following check boxes:

• Leave unchanged to leave WWNs unchanged, .

• Generate New WWNs to have VirtualCenter or the ESX Server host generate new WWNs, .

• Remove WWN assignment to remove the current WWN assignments.

6. Click OK.

• These hosts support VMI paravirtualization: ESX Server 3.5 and greater, ESX Server 3i version 3.5 and greater, Workstation 6.x and greater. You can migrate Hardware version 4 virtual machines with paravirtualization enabled from ESX Server hosts to Workstation hosts without loss of functionality.

• You can manually move a powered-off virtual machine with paravirtualization enabled to a host that does not support paravirtualization. However, this can result in reduced performance.



To enable VMI Paravirtualizaton, select Support VMI Paravirtualization to enable.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Specifying Virtualized MMU Settings

Specifying Virtualized MMU Settings Recent CPUs are capable of virtualizing the Memory Management Unit (MMU). The use of this capability almost always improves virtual machine performance. However, there might be cases where it is perferable not to virtualize the MMU. You can select one of the following choices:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Setting Advanced Options : Configuring Virtual Machine Swapfile Location

Configuring Virtual Machine Swapfile Location By default, each virtual machine uses the virtual machine swapfile location set for the host or cluster on which it resides. See Configuring Virtual Machine Swapfile Properties for the Host and Configuring a Virtual Machine Swapfile Location for a Cluster. You can use the Virtual Machine Swapfile Location option to override the host or cluster settings and set the location for an individual virtual machine.

Note: Setting an alternative swapfile location might cause migrations with VMotion to complete more slowly. For best VMotion performance, store virtual machine swapfiles in the same directory as the virtual machine.

Conditions

To set the swapfile location for the virtual machine

• You cannot migrate a powered-on or suspended virtual machine with paravirtualization enabled to a host that does not support paravirtualization.

• Automated VirtualCenter DRS migrations of virtual machines with paravirtualization enabled to hosts that do not support paravirutualization are not allowed.

• Force the use of this capability

• Forbid the use of this capability

• Allow the host system determine when to use this capability.


Virtual Machine Properties item Advanced - Swapfile Location


Yes


1. Select one of the following options:

• Default – Store the virtual machine swapfile at the default location defined by the host or cluster swapfile settings.

• Always store with the virtual machine – Store the virtual machine swapfile in the same folder as the virtual machine configuration file.




Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources

Configuring Virtual Machine Resources The Virtual Machine Properties dialog box lets you adjust the host resource allocation for the selected virtual machine. You can change CPU, memory, and disk resources from this tab.

Note: If you were directed to this topic from a Help button on a Network Resources page, click this link: Network Resources.

The following topics describe how to configure virtual machine resources:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources : CPU Resources

CPU Resources The CPU Resources page lets you allocate processor resources for a virtual machine, specifying reservations, limits, and shares. You can edit the same information on the Resource Pools tab of the main VI Client window.

Conditions

To change CPU settings

Shares – CPU shares for this virtual machine with respect to the parent’s total. Sibling virtual machines share resources according to their relative share values bounded by the reservation and limit. Choose Low, Normal, or High, which specify share values respectively in a 1:2:4 ratio. Choose Custom to give each virtual machine a specific number of shares, which express a proportional weight.

Reservation – Guaranteed CPU allocation for this virtual machine.

Limit – Upper limit for this virtual machine’s CPU allocation. Select Unlimited to specify no upper limit.

• Store in the host’s swapfile datastore – Store the virtual machine swapfile in the swapfile datastore defined by the host or cluster swapfile settings.

2. Click OK.

• CPU Resources

• Memory Resources

• Disk Resources

• Network Resources (virtual machines created for pre-ESX Server 3.0 hosts only)

• Advanced CPU Resources

• Advanced Memory Resources

Virtual Machine Properties tab Resources

Virtual Machine Properties item CPU


Required privilege: Resources

1. Select a Shares value, which represents a relative metric for allocating CPU capacity.




Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources : Memory Resources

Memory Resources The Memory Resources page lets you allocate memory resources for a virtual machine, specifying reservations, limits, and shares. You can edit the same information on the Resource Allocation tab of the main VI Client window.

Memory resource configuration is distinct from the virtual hardware memory size, which is configured on the Hardware tab. The memory resource setting determines how much of the host’s memory is allocated to a virtual machine. The virtual hardware memory size determines how much memory applications that are running inside the virtual machine have available to them. A virtual machine cannot benefit from more memory resources than its configured virtual hardware memory size. The ESX Server host caps memory resource use to the maximum useful for the virtual machine, so you can accept the default of Unlimited memory resources.

Assigning a virtual machine a reservation larger than its configured memory is wasteful. The VI Client does not allow you to make such an assignment on the Resources tab. If you give a virtual machine a large reservation and then reduce its configured memory size on the Hardware tab, the reservation is reduced to match the new configured memory size.

Conditions

To change memory settings

Shares – Memory shares for this virtual machine with respect to the parent’s total. Sibling virtual machines share resources according to their relative share values bounded by the reservation and limit. Choose Low, Normal, or High, which specify share values respectively in a 1:2:4 ratio. Choose Custom to give each virtual machine a specific number of shares, which expresses a proportional weight.

Reservation – Guaranteed memory allocation for this virtual machine.

Limit – Upper limit for this virtual machine’s memory allocation. Select Unlimited to specify that there be no upper limit.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources : Disk Resources

Disk Resources The Disk Resources page lets you allocate host disk I/O bandwidth to the virtual hard disks of

2. Click OK.


Virtual Machine Properties item Memory



1. From the drop-down menu in the Resource Allocation group, select a relative metric for allocating memory to all virtual machines.

2. Click OK.



this virtual machine. Disk I/O is a host-centric resource and cannot be pooled across a cluster. In general, CPU and memory resources are more likely to constrain virtual machine performance than disk resources.

You can adjust the host disk allocation for this virtual machine.

Conditions

To change disk settings

Disk bandwidth shares for this disk on this virtual machine with respect to all disks on all virtual machines on the current host. Disks share resources according to their relative share values. Choose Low, Normal, or High, which specify share values respectively in a 1:2:4 ratio. Choose Custom to give each disk a specific number of shares, which express a proportional weight.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources : Network Resources

Network Resources The Network Resources page lets you apply shaping limitations to network traffic from this virtual machine. This page appears only on ESX Server host releases earlier than ESX Server 3.0. ESX Server 3.0 or later shapes network traffic at the virtual switch level, and you modify that on the Host Configuration tab of the main VI Client window.

Conditions

On this page you limit the amount of the host's network bandwidth that this virtual machine is allowed to use. You can apply a limit on average bandwidth consumption, measured in bytes per second. If you do that, you can also allow for bursts, or spikes, when the network bandwidth exceeds the normal limit for a short time, by setting the maximum bandwidth use during a burst and a duration (in bytes) for the burst.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources : Advanced CPU Resources


Virtual Machine Properties item Disk



1. In the Resource Allocation group, select the virtual hard disk from the list.

2. In the Shares drop-down menu, change the value to allocate a number of shares of its disk bandwidth to the virtual machine.

3. Click OK.


Virtual Machine Properties item Network





Advanced CPU Resources The Advanced CPU Resources page lets you set low-level options that involve scheduling of the virtual machine processing to physical processor cores and hyperthreads.

Note: This page is not displayed for virtual machines in a DRS cluster or when the host has only one processor core and no hyperthreading.

Conditions

Note: Hyperthreading technology allows a single physical processor to behave like two logical processors. While hyperthreading does not double the performance of a system, it can increase performance by better utilizing idle resources. For information about hyperthreading and VMware Infrastructure, see the Resource Management Guide (choose Help > Manuals).

VMware ESX Server generally manages processor scheduling well, whether or not hyperthreading is enabled. The settings on this page are useful only for fine-grained tweaking of critical virtual machines.

Hyperthreading Sharing The Hyperthreading Sharing group provides detailed control over whether a virtual machine should be scheduled to share a physical processor core (assuming hyperthreading is enabled on the host at all). The options are:

Scheduling Affinity The Scheduling Affinity group allows fine-grained control over how virtual machine CPUs are distributed across the host's physical cores (and hyperthreads if hyperthreading is enabled). This option is not allowed when the virtual machine resides on a DRS cluster, and its values are cleared when a virtual machine is migrated to a new host, because the only value of the option is in tuning the performance of a precise set of virtual machines on the same host.

The check boxes for the individual processors represent physical cores if hyperthreading is disabled or logical cores (two per physical core) if hyperthreading is enabled. Checking all the boxes is the same as not applying any affinity. If you specify affinities, you must provide at least as many processor affinities as the number of virtual CPUs in the virtual machine.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Configuring Virtual Machine Resources : Advanced Memory Resources


Virtual Machine Properties item Advanced CPU



• Any – (default) The virtual CPUs of this virtual machine can freely share cores with other virtual CPUs of this or other virtual machines.

• None – The virtual CPUs of this virtual machine have exclusive use of a processor core whenever they are scheduled to it. The other hyperthread of the core is “halted” while this virtual machine is using the core.

• Internal – On a virtual machine with exactly two virtual processors, the two virtual processors are allowed to share one physical core (at the discretion of the ESX Server scheduler), but this virtual machine never shares a core with any other virtual machine. If this virtual machine has any other number of processors than two, this setting is the same as the None setting.



Advanced Memory Resources The Advanced Memory Resources page lets you set low-level options that involve distribution of virtual machine memory to NUMA memory nodes.

Note: This page appears only if the host utilizes the NUMA memory architecture. Because affinity settings are meaningful only when used to tweak the performance of a specific set of virtual machines on one host, this page also is not displayed when the virtual machine resides on a DRS cluster. The option values are cleared when the virtual machine is moved to a new host.

Conditions

NUMA memory node affinity allows fine-grained control over how virtual machine memory is distributed to host physical memory. Checking all the boxes is the same as applying no affinity.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System

Customizing the Guest Operating System You can customize the identity and network settings of a guest operating system so that it is ready to begin work immediately in your target environment.

Conditions



Virtual Machine Properties item Advanced Memory


No


VI Client must be connected to:

VirtualCenter Server




Edit > Customization Specifications > New

Right-click virtual machine object > Clone > proceed through Clone a Virtual Machine Wizard to Guest Customization page > click Customize using the Customization Wizard


Virtual Machine > Provisioning > Read Custom Specifications | Modify Custom Specifications



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : About the Guest Operating System Customization Wizard

About the Guest Operating System Customization Wizard You can save your virtual machine settings in a specification that you can recall and reuse. You do this by using the Guest Operating System Customization wizard. You access the wizard either by choosing Edit > Customization Specifications or by choosing Customize using the Customization Wizard on the Guest Customization page of the Clone Virtual Machine wizard.

Pages of the wizard are:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Properties

Properties On the Properties page, select the target guest operating system to customize.

Conditions

To select the guest operating system for which you want to customize identity and network settings

Note: The Custom Sysprep Answer File option is available only for Windows guest operating systems. For Linux the check box is dimmed and cannot be selected.


• Properties

• Custom Sysprep File (Windows only)

• Registration Information (Windows only)

• Computer Name

• Windows License (Windows only)

• Administrator Password (Windows only)

• Time Zone (Windows only)

• Run Once (Windows only)

• Network

• Network Customization

• Workgroup or Domain (Windows only)

• DNS and Domain (Linux only)

• Operating System Options (Windows only)

• Ready to Complete

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New

1. Select the target virtual machine operating system from the drop-down menu.

2. Type a name for the new customization specification and an optional description.

3. Select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File check box to specify or create a sysprep answer file in the Custom Sysprep File page instead of using other pages to enter each sysprep parameter.

4. Click Next.



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Custom Sysprep File

Custom Sysprep File The Custom Sysprep File page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you selected the Use Custom Sysprep Answer File check box on the Properties page.

See the Basic System Administration guide for more information about sysprep files (choose Help > Manuals).

Conditions

To specify or create a custom sysprep answer file


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Registration Information

Registration Information The Registration Information page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you did not select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page.

Conditions

To specify registration information for the selected guest operating system


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Computer Name

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > proceed through button on the Properties page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard if you selected Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on that page

1. Click Import a File to import an existing sysprep (.inf) file and click Browse to navigate to and select the file.

2. Click sysprep.inf Text if you want to create a custom sysprep file, and type text for the file into the box.

3. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Properties page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Type the owner’s name and organization to register this copy of the guest operating system.

2. Click Next.



Computer Name In this page, specify a computer name to identify this virtual machine on a network. This page does not appear if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you selected Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page. It always appears for a Linux system.

Conditions

To specify a name for the computer

Enter a name in the text field, and select the check box to append a numeric value to the specific computer name to ensure uniqueness of name.

With this selection, supply an argument.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Windows License

Windows License The Windows License page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you did not select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page.

Conditions

To specify Windows license information

Some virtual machines might not require licensing information. In that case, leave these fields blank.

If you select per server, enter the maximum connections for server license mode.


To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Registration Information page (Windows) or Properties page (Linux) of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Select one of the following options:

• Use a specific name.

• Use the virtual machine name.

• Prompt for a name in the Deploy wizard.

• Use a custom application configured with the VirtualCenter Server to generate a name argument.

2. For a Linux system, type a domain name in the Domain Name box.

3. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Computer Name page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Enter the product ID if the virtual machine requires licensing information.

2. Select the check box Include Server License Information if you are customizing a server guest operating system.

3. Select either per seat or per server.

4. Click Next.



Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Administrator Password

Administrator Password The Administrator Password page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you did not select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page.

Conditions

To set an administrator password

If you do not enter a password, a warning dialog box appears.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Time Zone

Time Zone The Time Zone page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you did not select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page.

Conditions

To select a time zone


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Run Once

Run Once The Run Once page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you did not select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page. See Microsoft Windows Sysprep documentation for more information on the Run Once commands.

Conditions

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Windows License page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Type a password and confirm it for the administrator account.

2. To automatically log in as the administrator, select the check box and use the scroll bar to choose the number of times to log in.

3. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Administrator Password page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Choose a time zone from the drop-down menu.

2. Click Next.

To reach Edit > Customization Specifications > New >



To specify that commands run the first time a user logs on


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Network

Network Conditions

To customize the software settings for each network interface


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Network Customization

Network Customization Select custom settings for the network interface for this guest operating system. This page appears only if you selected Custom on the Network page.

Conditions

To customize the network interface settings

If you choose Use the following IP address on the General tab, click the browse button to the right of IP Address to open the Static IP Address Selection dialog box. Choose a method for selecting the address and click OK.

For a Linux system, in the Network Properties dialog box, select or enter settings for IP

this page:

Next button on the Time Zone page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Use the navigation buttons to add, delete, and move commands up or down.

2. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Computer Name page (Linux) or either Run Once or Custom Sysprep File page (Windows) of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Select one of:

• Typical settings to enable DHCP for all network interfaces

• Custom settings to manually configure each network interface

2. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Network page (only if you selected Custom settings) of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Click New if you want to create a new network interface and customize it.

2. Select the network interface you want to customize and click Customize.

3. For a Windows system, on the tabs of the Network Properties dialog box, select or enter settings for IP address, DNS server, DNS suffixes, and WINS addresses.



address and DNS server.

If you choose Use the following IP address, click the browse button to the right of IP Address to open the Static IP Address Selection dialog box. Choose a method for selecting the address and click OK.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Workgroup or Domain

Workgroup or Domain The Workgroup or Domain page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system and you did not select Use Custom Sysprep Answer File on the Properties page.

Conditions

To select the way in which the virtual machine participates in the network


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : DNS and Domain

DNS and Domain The DNS and Domain page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Linux system.

Conditions

To specify DNS and domain information for this virtual machine

These entries are optional. You can type one, two, or three addresses or no addresses at all.

4. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on either the Network or Network Customization page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Do one of the following:

• Select Workgroup and type a workgroup name

• Select Windows server domain and type the domain. Enter a user name and password for a user account that has permission to add a computer to the specified domain.

2. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on either the Network or Network Customization page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Type Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary DNS addresses.

2. Type a search path for at least one DNS and click Add to add it to the Domain Name list.




Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Operating System Options

Operating System Options The Operating Systems Options page appears only if the selected guest operating system is a Windows system.

Conditions

To select operating system options


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Save Specification

Save Specification You can choose to save the customization settings you have selected in a specification. You can then reuse these settings in future guest operating system customizations.

Conditions

To save the specification


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Customizing the Guest Operating System : Ready to Complete

3. To rearrange the search order in the Domain Name list, click the entry you want to move and click the Up or Down button to move it.

4. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on either the Network, Network Customization, or Workgroup or Domain page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Select Generate New Security ID (SID) to generate a new security identity.

2. Click Next.

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on either the Operating System Options page (Windows) or DNS and Domain Settings page (Linux) of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Select the Save this customization specification for later use check box.

2. Type a name for the specification in the Name box.

3. (Optional) Type a description of the specification in the Description box.

4. Click Next.



Ready to Complete Conditions

To finish the customization

Make any needed changes to the appropriate page.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Upgrading VMware Tools

Upgrading VMware Tools VMware Tools is packaged with ESX Server. With each ESX Server upgrade, a new VMware Tools upgrade is available. You can configure virtual machines to examine their hosts for newer versions of VMware Tools with each power on and upgrade when newer versions are available, or you can initiate upgrades manually.

To configure virtual machines to check for and install newer versions of VMware Tools, see Configuring VMware Tools Options.

To upgrade virtual machines manually, use one of the following methods:


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Upgrading VMware Tools : Upgrading VMware Tools from VirtualCenter

Upgrading VMware Tools from VirtualCenter To upgrade VMware Tools on one or more Virtual Machines

See Entering Advanced Options for Upgrading VMware Tools.

You can view the progress of each upgrade task in the Recent Tasks area or in the Tasks and Events tab.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Upgrading VMware Tools : Upgrading VMware Tools

To reach this page:

Edit > Customization Specifications > New > Next button on the Save Specification page of the Guest Operating System Customization wizard

1. Review the information on the Ready to Complete window.

2. Click Finish.

• Upgrading VMware Tools from VirtualCenter

• Upgrading VMware Tools from within a Virtual Machine

1. Select the Virtual Machines tab for a datacenter, cluster, resource pool, or host.

2. Select the Virtual Machines you want.

3. Select Install/Upgrade Tools from the right-click menu.

4. (Optional) Enter advanced options.

5. Click OK to close the dialog box and begin the upgrade process.



from within a Virtual Machine

Upgrading VMware Tools from within a Virtual Machine To upgrade VMware Tools from with a virtual machine’s operating system

The VMware Tools control panel appears.

See Entering Advanced Options for Upgrading VMware Tools.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Upgrading VMware Tools : Entering Advanced Options for Upgrading VMware Tools

Entering Advanced Options for Upgrading VMware Tools You can enter command-line options into the Advanced Options field to modify the behavior of the upgrade process. For details about these command-line options, see the Basic System Administration guide (Help > Manuals).


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Using the Customization Specification Manager

Using the Customization Specification Manager The Customization Specification Manager allows you to view, edit, import, and export customization specifications created using the Guest Operating System Customization Wizard.

Conditions

To create a new customization specification

From the Customization Specification Manager, click the New icon to start the Guest Operating System Customization Wizard. See Customizing the Guest Operating System for more information.

1. Power on and open a console for the virtual machine you want.

2. Double-click the VMware Tools icon in the system tray.

3. In the Options tab, click Upgrade.

4. (Optional) Enter advanced options.

5. Click OK to close the dialog box and begin the upgrade process.

VI Client must be connected to:

VirtualCenter Server




Edit > Customization Specifications


Virtual Machine > Provisioning > Read Custom Specifications | Modify Custom Specifications



To import a customization specification

The imported specification appears in the Customization Specification Manager.

To export a customization specification

A Save As dialog box appears.

To edit an existing customization specification

The Guest Operating System Customization Wizard appears with all the pages available except the Properties page.

Using the Edit command allows you to change all settings for your customization specification except those specified on the Properties page of the Guest Operating System Customization Wizard, such as the Target OS, Name, and Description. The Name and Description can be edited using the Properties command, described below.

To view or change the properties of a customization specification

The Customization Specification Properties dialog box appears.


Configuring Virtual Machine Options and Resources : Removing and Returning Virtual Machines from VirtualCenter

Removing and Returning Virtual Machines from VirtualCenter If a virtual machine is removed from VI Client control, the link between the managed host and the virtual machine is severed. The managed host and VI Client no longer recognize the virtual machine. However, the virtual machine remains on the datastore connected to the managed host.

If you have removed a virtual machine from a VirtualCenter Server but did not remove it from the managed host's datastore, you can return it to the VirtualCenter Server by using the New Virtual Machine wizard.

Conditions

1. From the Customization Specification Manager, click the Import icon.

2. Select the file containing the customization specification that you want to import and click Open.

1. Right-click on the specification you want to export, and choose Export.

2. Browse to the location to which you want to save the file, and click Save.

1. From the Customization Specification Manager, right-click on the customization specification you want to edit, and choose Edit from the drop-down menu.

2. Proceed as described in Customizing the Guest Operating System.

1. From the Customization Specification Manager, right-click on the customization specification you want to edit, and choose Properties from the drop-down menu.

2. Edit the Name or Description field, and click OK.

Inventory panel object: Inventory button > virtual machine object

Virtual machine must be powered:

OFF

To reach this panel: Inventory > Virtual Machine > Remove from Inventory





To remove a virtual machine from VirtualCenter but not the datastore

VI Client removes references to the virtual machine and no longer tracks its condition.

Note: The Remove from Inventory option removes the virtual machine only from the VirtualCenter inventory. It does not remove the virtual machine from the datastore.

Conditions

To return a virtual machine to VirtualCenter

Conditions

To remove a virtual machine from the VirtualCenter inventory and the datastore

Caution: The following step removes all the files for the selected virtual machine, including the configuration file and the virtual disk files.

The VI Client removes the virtual machine from the datastore entirely.


1. Click the Inventory button in the navigation bar, expand the inventory as needed, and click the appropriate virtual machine.

2. Make sure that the virtual machine is powered down.

3. Choose Inventory > Virtual Machine > Remove from Inventory.

4. Click OK to confirm that you want to remove the virtual machine from the VirtualCenter inventory.


Inventory button > host object

To reach this panel: Host object > right-click > New Virtual Machine > Custom



1. From the datastore browser, navigate into the location that contains the virtual machine configuration (.vmx) file you want.

2. Right-click on the .vmx file and select Add to Inventory.

3. Complete the Add to Inventory wizard and click Finish.

Inventory panel object: Inventory button > virtual machine object

Virtual machine must be powered:

OFF

To reach this panel: Virtual machine object > right-click > Delete from Disk



1. Click the Inventory button in the navigation bar, expand the inventory as needed, and click the appropriate virtual machine.

2. Make sure that the virtual machine is powered down.

3. Right-click the virtual machine, and choose Delete From Disk.

4. Click OK to confirm the removal of the virtual machine from the VirtualCenter inventory and the datastore.

