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Basic Installation
A basic installation of GSX Server uses two computers — a server, hosting a number of virtual machines, and a client workstation. The client communicates with the virtual machines on the server over a TCP/IP network link.
In more complex installations, one client can run multiple VMware Virtual Machine Consoles, with each console managing multiple virtual machines on a separate server. And consoles on multiple clients can connect to virtual machines on any server.
Before you begin, be sure you have:
  • A server and host operating system that meet the system requirements for running GSX Server. See Host System Requirements.
  • A remote management client and operating system that meet the system requirements for running the GSX Server remote management software. See Remote Client Requirements.
  • The installation CDs or disks for your guest operating systems.
  • The GSX Server installation software. If you bought a GSX Server media kit, the installation software is on the CD in your package. If you bought the electronic distribution, the installation software is in the files you downloaded.
  • Your GSX Server serial number. The serial number is included in the email message you received from VMware or from the reseller from whom you purchased GSX Server.
    • Also, before you install and run VMware GSX Server, check the following notes and make any necessary adjustments to the configuration of your host operating system.
  • The real-time clock function must be compiled into your Linux kernel.
  • GSX Server for Linux systems requires that the parallel port PC-style hardware option (CONFIG_PARPORT_PC) be built and loaded as a kernel module (that is, it must be set to m when the kernel is compiled).
  • SuSE Linux 7.1 and higher and SLES hosts: The inetd process or xinetd process must be configured to start when the host operating system boots. See Before You Install on a SuSE Linux 7.1 or Higher or SLES Host.
  • SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 hosts: The gcc package must be installed on your host before you install GSX Server. See Before You Install on a SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 Host.
    • Caution: Some operating systems, such as Red Hat Linux 7.2 and 7.3, include a firewall by default. This firewall prevents access from the VMware Virtual Machine Console and the VMware Management Interface on client computers to the GSX Server host. In order for the VMware Virtual Machine Console to connect to the host, you need to open up port 902. To connect to the host with the VMware Management Interface, you need to open up port 8333 (and port 8222 if you plan to disable SSL for the management interface).
    On the Server
    You can install up to three software packages on the Linux server:
  • The GSX Server package for the server (from an RPM or tar archive available on the GSX Server CD-ROM or the VMware Web site). The RPM file is called VMware-gsx-<xxxx>.i386.rpm while the tar archive is called VMware-gsx-<xxxx>.tar.gz, where <xxxx> is a series of numbers representing the version and build numbers.
    • Note: The VmPerl API package is installed when you install the server software. The VmPerl API is a scripting tool that uses Perl to manage virtual machines remotely; for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer.
  • The VMware Management Interface package (from a tar archive available on the GSX Server CD-ROM or the VMware Web site). This tar archive is called VMware-mui-<xxxx>.tar.gz.
  • The VMware Virtual Machine Console package (which you download from the VMware Management Interface; the package is also available as an RPM file or tar archive in a client GZip file that also contains the VmPerl API, available on the GSX Server CD-ROM or from the VMware Web site). The RPM file is called VMware-console-<xxxx>.i386.rpm while the tar archive is called VMware-console-<xxxx>.tar.gz.
    • In most cases, you work directly at the server when you install the server software. You can manage and run virtual machines from the server or from any client.
    On a Client Workstation
    In addition to a Web browser, you can install the following packages on a client:
  • The VMware Virtual Machine Console.
  • The VmPerl and VmCOM Scripting APIs (the VmCOM API can be installed only on a Windows client); for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer.
    • These packages are available in the VMware Management Interface. If you are installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Windows client, see Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Windows Host.
    VMware Virtual Machine Consoles can run on clients and on the server itself. Console packages are available for Windows (Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003) and Linux.
    Typically, you run the console and browser on a client. The browser allows access to the VMware Management Interface. The management interface and console let you
  • Monitor the operation of virtual machines.
  • Start, stop, reset, suspend and resume virtual machines.
  • Create and delete virtual machines.
  • Configure host and virtual machine settings.
    • Essentially, the console allows you to manage virtual machines locally and remotely, while the management interface allows you to remotely manage the server host and all the virtual machines on the host.
    The VmPerl and VmCOM Scripting APIs can connect to Linux and Windows hosts. However, the VmCOM API can run only on a Windows client. You can use the APIs to create scripts to automate management of virtual machines and the host.


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