Sean Crookston

Knowledge

· Identify Linked Mode Prerequisites

· Identify differences between Linked and non-linked vCenter Server Configurations

· Identify when a role requires reconciliation

Skills and Abilities

· Reconcile Roles in a Linked Mode Configuration

· Create and Join a Linked Mode Group

· Determine use cases for vCenter Server Linked Mode

· Troubleshoot Linked Mode Configurations

Tools

· ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide

· vSphere Datacenter Administration Guide

· Product Documentation

· vSphere Client

Notes

· Available with Standard licensing and above.

· Uses ADAM DB

· Supported amount of hosts/VMs is 3000/10,000

Identify Linked Mode Prerequisites

Refer to the weblink below for more information about Linked Mode.

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsp40_e/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#context=admin&file=c_using_vcenter_server_in_linked_mode.html

Linked Mode vCenter Servers must meet all the requirements of a standard build plus:

· Operational DNS for Linked Mode Replication

· Two way trust relationship if in different domain or the same domain for vCenter servers that are linked

· An account with admin privileges on both the existing and to be linked vCenter server system.

· Network time must be synchronized amongst servers

Identify when a role requires reconciliation

Reconciliation will happen automatically when configuring linked mode if any differences exist that you have not yet resolved. If conflicts occur the role on the joining system is renamed.

Reconcile Roles in a Linked Mode Configuration

Again, refer to VMware’s online documentation for reconciling roles in a linked mode config.

Create and Join a Linked Mode Group

Again, refer to VMware’s online documentation for direction on creating and joining a linked mode group.

Note that the first vCenter server will be configured as a standalone while the others can join a Linked Mode group.

Determine use cases for vCenter Server Linked Mode

Linked mode is geared towards larger environments where administration may become more difficult. Linked mode helps with this by providing a scalable architecture that allows visibility across multiple instances of vCenter server. Roles, permissions, and license are replicated.

Troubleshoot Linked Mode Configurations

Again, refer to VMware’s online documentation  for direction on how to troubleshoot Linked Mode config. A lot of the setup is going to rely on your DNS and AD infrastructure so keeping in mind that those two pieces are crucial to this running is your first step in troubleshooting issues.

• How do you protect vCenter?
• vscsiStats
• Another VCAP-DCA Post
• VCAP-DCA Mock Lab Q6
• VCAP-DCA Mock Lab Q4
• VCAP-DCA Mock Lab Q3
• VCAP-DCA Mock Lab Q2
• VCAP-DCA Mock Lab Q1
• Another VCAP-DCA Post
• Objective 9.2 – Plan and Execute Scripted Installations