User`s guide

If you have questions about the Windows server/workstation or UNIX machine configuration, or about
any requirements not answered in this document, contact your VMware account representative or
VMware Customer Support.
Agent and Collector Host OS Platform Support
All Agent and Collector host OS platform support is specific to versions and editions indicated in the
supported platforms table in "Hardware and Operating System Requirements for Agent Machines" on
page 15. All installations that have been tested use the vendor’s default configuration, except as noted. A
variety of vendor-supplied, third-party, and custom lock downs, endpoint security products, policies, and
restricted system configurations can reduce or block the performance or functionality of VCM
components. Troubleshooting and support of VCM components in such locked-down or reconfigured
environments is not included under the standard product maintenance agreement. Support in such
environments is available through an additional Professional Services engagement.
Understand the VCM Installation Manager
All VCM components and tools are installed with the VCM Installation Manager, which is a single tool that
steps you through the process for installing components and tools.
The Installation Manager installs all VCM components on your machine, even if you have not purchased
licenses for all of the components. Only the VCM components that are included in your VCM license file
are activated during the installation process. This installation method allows you the flexibility to purchase
more licenses and activate additional VCM components as needed. The components are already installed
on the machine and need only be activated with additional licenses.
When preparing your system for a VCM installation, determine your requirements based on which
components you plan to license within your configuration. Use the hardware requirement worksheet and
associated tables in "Hardware Requirements for Collector Machines" on page 11 to assess your
requirements based on your individual licensing plan. In addition, consider whether you will have a single-
server or a multiple-server installation configuration.
Understand VCM Installation Configurations
VCM supports one installation configuration: the single server installation in which the Collector and the
VCM databases (SQL Server databases) are installed on a single machine. See Figure 1-1: Typical VCM
Enterprise-wide, single-server installation.
In addition to the Collector, the supported configuration includes an Operating System Provisioning
Server. The OS Provisioning Server manages the OS provisioning actions as commanded by VCM. See
Figure 1-2: VCM Collector with OS Provisioning Server. For complete hardware and software
requirements for the OS Provisioning Server, see "Hardware and Software Requirements for the
Operating System Provisioning Server" on page 41.
vCenter Configuration Manager Hardware and Software Requirements Guide
8 VMware, Inc.