Installation
Installing VMware ESX/ESXi nodes is a very straightforward process. You can find information about how to set up a simple VMware ESXi node in the VMware docs.
Network Configuration
After installation, make sure the network interfaces are configured properly.
In the server console, press F2 and enter the root password to go to the System Customization panel.
Select Configure Management Network, and then Network Adapters
Make sure the correct interface is enabled:
You are done.
Firewall
If you are installing ESX instead of ESXi, you should allow VNC traffic to the host so you can view the VM console from the AEE premium client.
Log in to the ESX direct console user interface (DCUI) using SSH protocol and type the command below. You can also launch the command remotely through vCLI Remote Command-Line Interface.
esxcfg-firewall --enableService vncServer
 | Recommended configurations since version 1.8.5-HF2 Abiquo recommends the following configurations of virtual images and remote services configuration properties when working with ESX and ESXi. |
Disk Controllers for Mounting Virtual Image Disks
When Abiquo deploys a VM, the system disk is attached to either an IDE or SCSI controller depending on the hypervisor type and whether the VM is persistent or non-persistent.
Defaults for ESX and ESXi
The default disk controllers for mounting virtual image disks in ESX and ESXi are:
- IDE for non-persistent VM system volumes
- SCSI for persistent VM system volumes
- SCSI for additional data volumes
IDE drivers are used for the default system disk because they are compatible with almost all operating systems and hypervisors. SCSI drivers can then be added after the VM is deployed. SCSI drivers are used by default in persistent virtual machines and data volumes for performance reasons.
Abiquo always attaches SCSI disks to the LSI Logic Parallel SCSI controller. Abiquo highly recommends that you install the drivers for this controller when preparing virtual machine image templates that will be uploaded to the Abiquo platform.
Configuration Properties
The Remote Services disk controller configuration properties are:
- esxi.diskController.primary
- esxi.diskController.secondary
The default value of both properties is null and the effect of the null value is the use of the default disk controllers listed above.
The possible values of these properties are null, ide and scsi.
If the esxi.diskController.secondary is ide, then only one data volume disk can be added to the IDE controller.
vCenter compatibility configuration
Abiquo operates directly on the hypervisors, avoiding bottlenecks and ensuing performance.
If there are changes to the node, Abiquo will realise through its event subscription system. But as there is no passive event subscription from vCenter to its managed nodes, vCenter requires Abiquo to inform it to any change that is made to the Virtual Machines deployed on its hypervisors.
Every time we do an operation on an ESX/i, the VirtualFactory, Abiquo's module responsible for VM management, will check if the hypervisor is managed by vCenter. If positive, the node will deliver the vCenter management ip to Abiquo, which will use to notify it of the current operation.
In such case, Abiquo will require a valid user and password with administration level to replicate the operation in vCenter. This credentials are located in /opt/abiquo/config/abiquo.properties file, in the same server where the VirtualFactory module is located, usually the Remote Services server.
abiquo.dvs.vcenter.user = Administrator abiquo.dvs.vcenter.password = Pa$$w0rd
The settings mention dvs, although it is not required to have it activated. Then, using or not dvs, if a VMWare Hypervisor is managed by vCenter, it is necessary to fill up these two lines.
Recommended Configurations
Abiquo recommends that you always install the LSI Logic Parallel SCSI driver on your virtual machines used for producing image templates. This is the default SCSI controller used by Abiquo and it is required for both of these recommended configurations.
Maximum Virtual Machine Operating System Compatibility
Requires LSI Logic Parallel SCSI driver on VM images. The Abiquo Configuration Properties on the Remote Services machine should include:
| esxi.diskController.primary = ide | Use IDE controller for persistent and non-persistent system disks |
| esxi.diskController.secondary = scsi | Use SCSI controller for data volumes. If the property is not present, SCSI controller will be used, so this property can be omitted. |
Maximum Performance and Scalability
Requires LSI Logic Parallel SCSI driver on VM images. The Abiquo Configuration Properties on the Remote Services machine should include:
| esxi.diskController.primary = ide | Use SCSI controller for persistent and non-persistent system disks |
| esxi.diskController.secondary = scsi | Use SCSI controller for data volumes. If the property is not present, SCSI controller will be used, so this property can be omitted. |
The following diagram shows the default and maximum VM OS compatibility configurations.
Unable to render embedded object: File (ESXIDiskControllers.png) not found.
See also the HOWTO documentation on working with virtual images.
