6.0

Using Host Profiles in the vSphere
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The host profiles feature creates a profile that encapsulates the host configuration and helps to manage the
host configuration, especially in environments where an administrator manages more than one host or
cluster in vCenter Server.
Host profiles eliminates per-host, manual, or UI-based host configuration and maintains configuration
consistency and correctness across the datacenter by using host profile policies. These policies capture the
blueprint of a known, validated reference host configuration and use this to configure networking, storage,
security, and other settings on multiple hosts or clusters. You can then check a host or cluster against a
profile’s configuration for any deviations.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“Host Profiles Usage Model,” on page 211
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“Access Host Profiles View,” on page 212
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“Creating a Host Profile,” on page 212
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“Export a Host Profile,” on page 213
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“Import a Host Profile,” on page 214
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“Clone a Host Profile,” on page 214
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“Edit a Host Profile,” on page 214
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“Manage Profiles,” on page 217
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“Checking Compliance,” on page 220
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“Host Profiles and vSphere Auto Deploy,” on page 222
Host Profiles Usage Model
You perform host profiles tasks in a certain workflow order.
You must have an existing vSphere installation with at least one properly configured host.
1 Set up and configure the host that will be used as the reference host.
A reference host is the host from which the profile is created.
2 Create a profile using the designated reference host.
3 Attach a host or cluster to the profile.
4 Check the host's compliance to the reference host's profile. If all hosts are compliant with the reference
host, they are correctly configured.
5 Apply the host profile of the reference host to other hosts or clusters of hosts.
VMware, Inc.
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