Specifications

Figure 1-1. VMware vSphere Datacenter Physical Topology
server
group 1
server
group 2
server
group 3
fibre channel
storage array
iSCSI
storage array
NAS
storage array
vCenter Server
terminal
vSphere
Web Client
vSphere Client
fibre channel switch fabric / IP network
virtual machines
ESXi
VM VM VM
VM VM VM
vSphere Software Components
VMware vSphere is a suite of software components for virtualization. These include ESXi, vCenter Server, and
other software components that fulfill a number of different functions in the vSphere environment.
vSphere includes the following software components:
ESXi
A virtualization platform that you use to create the virtual machines as a set of
configuration and disk files that together perform all the functions of a physical
machine.
Through ESXi, you run the virtual machines, install operating systems, run
applications, and configure the virtual machines. Configuration includes
identifying the virtual machine’s resources, such as storage devices.
The server provides bootstrapping, management, and other services that
manage your virtual machines.
Each ESXi host has a vSphere Client available for your management use. If your
ESXi host is registered with vCenter Server, a vSphere Client that
accommodates vCenter Server features is available.
vCenter Server
A service that acts as a central administrator for VMware ESXi hosts that are
connected on a network. vCenter Server directs actions on the virtual machines
and the virtual machine hosts (the ESXi hosts).
Chapter 1 vSphere Concepts and Features
VMware, Inc. 13