eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager Corrals VMware ESX

eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager Corrals VMware ESX
Published: Nov 26, 2008
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
2 minute read
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eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager Corrals VMware ESX

On the Road

eWEEK Labs Walk-Through: Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager Corrals VMware ESXby Cameron Sturdevant


Adding VMware Host Through Microsoft Console

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Here you see a new VMware ESX host being added to the eWEEK Labs VMware Infrastructure environment, as monitored through Microsoft’s cross-platform System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008. This is a first for VMM.


Another ESX Infrastructure

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Adding a VMware VirtualCenter server is the starting point for streamlining heterogeneous VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V systems in the single console provided by Microsoft’s SC VMM 2008.


Host Properties for an ESX Server

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Using Microsoft’s SC VMM 2008 I was able to access details about a VMware ESX host including the virtual machines running on that physical host.


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Creating New VMs

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My Microsoft Windows Server 2008 system is called “Hyper-me” and here we see the first steps in creating a new VM on the system. Since the Hyper-V role was already enabled, VMM 2008 simply walked through the steps to create the system.


EWK018 Running

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Here we see the status of lab machine EWK018. Notice that several systems are running and that several more are not. It’s simple to jump between machines to get status information.


Add VMware VirtualCenter Server

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This is the first step to incorporate a VirtualCenter server into a VMM 2008 environment. You’ll see more on this as we move to actually bring together the lab virtual infrastructure. I’ll be bringing you more slides of our integration process.


Virtual Machine Identity

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Creating a new virtual machine in VMM 2008 is practically identical to the steps taken to create a new VM in Hyper-V.


Configure Hardware

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Adding a hardware configuration to a new VM can be centralized in VMM 2008.


Select Host

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“Hyper-Me” got a rating of 2.5 stars out of 5 because some of the system software needs upgrading.


Summary

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Once the configuration of a new VM is complete, VMM 2008 creates a new system.

Cameron Sturdevant

Cameron Sturdevant is the executive editor of Enterprise Networking Planet. Prior to ENP, Cameron was technical analyst at PCWeek Labs, starting in 1997. Cameron finished up as the eWEEK Labs Technical Director in 2012. Before his extensive labs tenure Cameron paid his IT dues working in technical support and sales engineering at a software publishing firm . Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his analysis is grounded in real-world concern. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at cameron.sturdevant@quinstreet.com.

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