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This chapter discusses the installation of vCenter Server Heartbeat and provides an overview of the
prerequisites for successful installation. It contains the following sections:
 “Overview” on page 11
 “Environmental Prerequisites” on page 11
 “Common Requirements” on page 11
 “Server Architecture Options” on page 12
 “Cloning Technology Options” on page 14
 “Application Component Options” on page 14
 “Network Options” on page 15
 “Installation Process” on page 17
 “Installation” on page 18
 “Post Installation Tasks” on page 19
Overview
vCenter Server Heartbeat is a versatile solution that provides you with complete protection of vCenter Server
and SQL Server. It can be deployed in a LAN for high availability or across a WAN to provide disaster recovery.
vCenter Server Heartbeat can protect vCenter Server and SQL Server installed on the same server, or protect
vCenter Server and SQL Server on separate servers. This flexibility enables vCenter Server Heartbeat to protect
vCenter Server when using remote databases other than SQL Server.
Prior to installing vCenter Server Heartbeat, select the deployment options you intend to use. The installation
process prompts you to select options throughout the procedure to create the configuration you want.
Environmental Prerequisites
vCenter Server Heartbeat cannot protect a server configured with the following roles: domain controller,
global catalog, or DNS. Please note, because vCenter Server Heartbeat only protects the vCenter Server and
SQL Server applications, no other critical business applications should be installed on the server.
Common Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to those required for vCenter Server and SQL Server.
 Supported vCenter Server versions
 VirtualCenter Server 2.5
 VirtualCenter Server 2.5 Update 1
vCenter Server Heartbeat Installation
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