6.0.2

Table Of Contents
vCenter Server Appliance Database Requirements
The vCenter Server Appliance requires a database to store and organize server data.
Each vCenter Server Appliance instance must have its own database. You can use the bundled PostgreSQL
database that is included in the vCenter Server Appliance, which supports up to 1,000 hosts and 10,000
virtual machines.
For external databases, the vCenter Server Appliance supports only Oracle databases. These Oracle
databases are of the same versions shown in the VMware Product Interoperability Matrix for the version of
the vCenter Server that you are installing. See the VMware Product Interoperability Matrix at
hp://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/sim/interop_matrix.php.
If you want to use an external database, make sure that you create a 64-bit DSN so that vCenter Server can
connect to the Oracle database.
Required Ports for vCenter Server and Platform Services Controller
The vCenter Server system both on Windows and in the appliance, must be able to send data to every
managed host and receive data from the vSphere Web Client and the Platform Services Controller services.
To enable migration and provisioning activities between managed hosts, the source and destination hosts
must be able to receive data from each other.
If a port is in use or is blacklisted, the vCenter Server installer displays an error message. You must use
another port number to proceed with the installation. There are internal ports that are used only for inter-
process communication.
VMware uses designated ports for communication. Additionally, the managed hosts monitor designated
ports for data from vCenter Server. If a rewall exists between any of these elements, the installer opens the
ports during the installation or upgrade process. For custom rewalls, you must manually open the required
ports. If you have a rewall between two managed hosts and you want to perform source or target activities,
such as migration or cloning, you must congure a means for the managed hosts to receive data.
N In Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and later, rewall is enabled by default.
Chapter 2 Upgrade Requirements
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