6.3

Installation Guide
24 VMware, Inc.
Physical to Physical (P2P)
P2P architecture is used in environments where both the Primary and Secondary servers are physical servers.
Use of P2P limits installation options as it requires use of the Install Clone technique. This architecture requires
attention to detail when preparing for installation as both hardware and software must meet specific
prerequisites.
Primary Server
The Primary server must meet the following requirements:
 Hardware as specified in “Common Requirements” on page 22.
 Software as specified in “Common Requirements” on page 22.
Secondary Server
The Secondary server operates as a near clone of the Primary server and must meet the following
requirements.
Hardware
Hardware should be equivalent to the Primary server to ensure adequate performance when the server is in
the active role:
 Similar CPU.
 Similar memory.
 Identical number of NICs to the Primary server.
 Drive letters must match the Primary server.
 Available disk space must be greater than or equal to the Primary server.
 Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) compliance must match the Primary server. The
vCenter Server Heartbeat Standard implementation process assumes identical ACPI compliance on both
machines. If not, contact VMware Support at www.vmware.com/support for further information.
Software
Software on the Secondary server must meet the following requirements.
 OS version and Service Pack version must match the Primary server.
 OS must be installed to the same driver letter and directory as on the Primary server.
 Machine name must be different from the Primary server prior to installing vCenter Server Heartbeat.
 Set up in a workgroup prior to installing vCenter Server Heartbeat.
 System date, time, and time zone settings must be consistent with the Primary server.
Cloning Technology Options
Cloning the Primary server to create a nearly identical Secondary server involves different techniques
depending on the selected server architecture.
Supported Pre-Clone Technologies
The following cloning technologies are supported for creating Pre-Cloned images for use as a Secondary
server:
 VMware vCenter Converter for “Physical to Virtual (P2V)” on page 23.
N
OTE The P2P architecture is not supported when deploying vCenter Server Heartbeat with non-identical
nodes.