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Foglight for VMware 7.1.0 - User Guide

Using Foglight for VMware
Introducing the virtual infrastructure Navigation basics Interacting with Foglight for VMware VMware Performance Agent configuration
Reference
Views
VMware Alarms views VMware Explorer views VMware Modeler views VMware VirtualCenter views VMware Environment views Other views
Rules
Agent Rules Cluster Rules Datacenter Rules Datastore Rules Resource Pool Rules ESX Server Rules VirtualCenter Rules Virtual Machine Rules VMW Stale Data Management Rule Virtual Switch Rules
Appendix: Alarm Messages Appendix: Metrics

Administering monitored ESX hosts and virtual machines

A VMware® environment typically includes one or more Virtual Centers. A Virtual Center includes a collection of datacenters, clusters, ESX® hosts, resource pools, and virtual machines. Data centers are typically used to define physical boundaries within which ESX hosts exist, while resource pools enable an administrator to fine-tune resource allocations within a cluster. A cluster can have one or more ESX hosts associated with it, and one or more virtual machines can run on each ESX hosts. Each virtual machine is allocated a portion of the ESX host’s resources, including disk, CPU, memory, and network resources. A virtual machine has its own machine name and IP address, and it runs a guest OS (for example, MS Windows XP), along with other applications.

Additionally, VMware implements the concepts of virtual machine snapshots and ESX host workflows. A virtual machine snapshot is a virtual machine image that you can return to at any point in time. A workflow, on another hand, is a way to automate ESX host tasks, and re-run them using a different set of parameters. For example, you can use an existing virtual machine creation task, change some of its resource allocation parameters, and run it again.

These actions require that you set up credentials for the virtual center on the Automation Configuration dashboard. To do that, on the navigation panel, under Dashboards, choose VMware > Automation Configuration. On the Automation Configuration dashboard that appears, in the Virtual Infrastructure view, select a virtual center, click Assign Credential, and provide host credentials in the Assign Host Credentials Dialog box. Failing to configure host credentials results prevents the automated tasks from being executed.

Figure 44. Configuring host credentials

The VMware Explorer’s Administration tab provides access to most of these administration tasks. Use it to shut down or reboot physical ESX hosts and virtual machines, or to create virtual machines and edit their resource allocation. This tab also provides quick access to creating and editing virtual machine snapshots and ESX host workflows.

Figure 45. VMware Explorer’s Administration tab

To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance:
1
Log in to the Foglight browser interface.
2
Ensure that the navigation panel is open.
To open the navigation panel, click the right-facing arrow on the left.
3
On the navigation panel, under Dashboards, choose VMware > VMware Explorer.
The VMware Explorer appears in the display area, with the Summary tab open.
4
On the navigation panel, under Virtual Infrastructure, on the Topology tab, select an ESX host or virtual machine object instance in the navigation tree.
5
In the VMware Explorer, open the Administration tab.
This image illustrates the content of the Administration tab when exploring ESX host details.
When you select a virtual machine in the VMware Explorer, a slightly different set of tasks appears.
 
* 
TIP: Use the Topology tab to quickly switch between object instances and display their details in the VMware Explorer. For more information about this view, see Virtual Infrastructure view .
6
Use this tab to perform common administrative tasks, as required.
For complete details, see the following topics:
•
Shutting down and rebooting ESX hosts, and enabling maintenance
•
Creating virtual machines
•
Suspending, rebooting and powering off virtual machines
•
Deleting virtual machines
•
Creating, managing, and reverting to virtual machine snapshots
•
Automating VMware administration with workflows

Shutting down and rebooting ESX hosts, and enabling maintenance

Use the Reboot, Shutdown, and Enable Maintenance buttons on the VMware Explorer Administration tab to perform these operations, as required.

Figure 46. Administration toolbar

To reboot an ESX host:
1
Select an ESX host object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Reboot.
The Confirm reboot dialog box appears.
3
In the Confirm reboot dialog box, click Reboot.
To shut down an ESX host:
1
Select an ESX host object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Shutdown.
The Confirm shutdown dialog box appears.
3
Click Shutdown.
To enable maintenance of an ESX host
1
Select an ESX host object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Enable Maintenance.
The Confirm Maintenance Mode dialog box appears.
3
Click Start.

Creating virtual machines

Use the Create VM, Edit, and Move buttons on the VMware Explorer Administration tab to perform these operations.

Figure 47. Administration toolbars

To create a virtual machine:
1
Select an ESX host object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Create VM.
The Create VMware VM dialog box appears with the Specify VM Name and Host page open.
3
Follow the flow in the wizard by supplying the required information and clicking Next. At any point you can return to a previous step using the Previous button.
a
On the Specify VM Name and Host page, in the VM Name box, specify the name of the virtual machine that you are about to create.
b
On the Specify Data Storage page, specify the datastore that you want to associate with this virtual machine.
c
On the Guest Operating System page, select the guest OS under which you want this virtual machine to run.
d
On the Customize Hardware and Network page, define the number of CPUs and memory size that you want to allocate to the VM. If necessary, add a network adapter and assign a static or dynamic IP address.
e
On the Customize Disk(s) page, allocate disk resources to the virtual machine.
f
On the Summary page, review your settings and click Finish.
To reconfigure a virtual machine:
1
Select a virtual machine object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Edit.
The Edit VMware VM dialog box appears with the VM Name & Location page open.
3
Follow the flow in the wizard by supplying the required information and clicking Next. At any point you can return to a previous step using the Previous button.
a
On the VM Name & Location page, edit the name of the virtual machine, if required.
b
On the Guest OS page, select the guest OS under which you want this virtual machine to run.
c
On the Customize CPU Usage page, edit the CPU allocation properties as required, including the number of CPUs, if the CPUs are to be shared, and the related allocation limits.
d
On the Customize Memory Usage page, edit the memory amounts that are allocated to the virtual machine.
e
On the CD/DVD Drives page, add or remove any CD or DVD drives, as required.
f
On the VM Disk page, add or remove any disks, as required.
g
On the Network page, add or remove any network adapters.
To move a virtual machine to a different server:
1
Select a virtual machine object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Move.
The Move VC VMs dialog box appears with the Specify Target Server page open.
3
Select the monitored ESX host to which you want to move the virtual machine and click Next.
The Move VC VMs dialog box refreshes, showing the Specify Data Storage page.
4
Specify the datastore that you want to associate with this virtual machine, and click Finish.

Suspending, rebooting and powering off virtual machines

Use the Power Off, Reboot, and Suspend buttons on the VMware Administration tab to perform these operations, as required.

Figure 48. Administration toolbar

To power off a virtual machine:
1
Select a virtual machine object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Power Off.
The Power Off Virtual Machine dialog box appears.
To reboot a virtual machine:
1
Select a virtual machine object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Reboot.
The Confirmation Dialog box appears.
3
Click Reboot.
To suspend a virtual machine:
1
Select a virtual machine object instance and open the VMware Explorer Administration tab.
 
* 
TIP: For instructions, see To open the VMware Explorer’s Administration tab for an ESX host or virtual machine object instance: .
2
On the VMware Explorer Administration tab, click Suspend.
The Confirmation Dialog appears.
3
Click Suspend.
4
Click OK.
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