6.0.1

Table Of Contents
Providing vCenter Server Availability 5
When you deploy vCenter Server, you must build a highly available architecture that can handle workloads
of all sizes.
Availability is critical for solutions requiring continuous connectivity to vCenter Server. To avoid extended
periods of downtime, users should run vCenter Server in highly available congurations.
Two options can help you achieve continuous connectivity:
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Option 1: Using a vSphere High Availability cluster and Watchdog
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Option 2: Using a Microsoft Cluster Service (MSCS) cluster
Use option 1 when your vCenter Server environment is virtualized. Use option 2 when vCenter Server is
installed on Windows.
N In this document, references to MSCS also apply to WSFC on corresponding Windows Server
versions.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“Using a vSphere High Availability Cluster,” on page 61
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“Establishing Watchdog Support,” on page 62
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“Using MSCS for vCenter Server Availability,” on page 62
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“Set Up MSCS for vCenter Server Availability,” on page 63
Using a vSphere High Availability Cluster
One method of providing vCenter Server availability is to use the Watchdog feature in a vSphere HA cluster.
vSphere HA is congured by using vCenter Server at the cluster level. After it has been enabled, vSphere
HA monitors hosts and virtual machines (VMs) and takes the user-congured action with or without
vCenter Server availability. For more information on vSphere HA and the requirements to set up a cluster,
see the vSphere Availability documentation.
N Starting with vSphere 6.x, vCenter Server Heartbeat is discontinued. The Watchdog and vSphere HA
option replaces this technology and provides vCenter Server availability.
If you are using vCenter Server Appliance, you must use this option instead of an MSCS cluster.
VMware, Inc.
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