6.3

QuickStart Guide
10 VMware, Inc.
Node Configuration
vCenter Server Heartbeat can be configured to support multiple configuration modes such as identical nodes
and non-identical nodes with updatable DNS servers but is most commonly configured for non-identical nodes
with non-updatable DNS servers (referred herein as non-identical nodes). In this configuration vCenter Server
Heartbeat provides enhanced management capabilities by providing continuous access to the passive server
simultaneously while the active server continues to vCenter Server. With non-identical nodes, vCenter Server
Heartbeat uses unique server names for each server and enhanced IP address management capabilities to
accommodate non-updatable DNS servers.
The Secondary server uses a different Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) than the Primary server but uses
the same file and data structure, same Principal (Public) network address, and can run the same applications
and services as the Primary server. With vCenter Server Heartbeat software symmetrical in almost all respects,
either the Primary server or the Secondary server can assume the active role providing availability of vCenter
Server to the user.