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Basic Installation
On a Windows host, you install GSX Server from a master installer. The master installer is a convenient way to install all the components of GSX Server — the server software, the VMware Management Interface and the VMware Scripting APIs — or you can pick and choose which components to install. In addition, the VMware Virtual Machine Console is always installed. All components are installed in their own directories under one master directory.
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.
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 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 included with 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.
  • The installation CDs or disks for your guest operating systems.
  • If you plan to use the VMware Management Interface, you must make sure Internet Information Services (IIS) is installed and configured properly.
    • On the Server
    A complete installation on the GSX Server host includes:
  • The GSX Server package for the server (which includes the tools needed to create and configure virtual machines and the VMware Virtual Machine Console to view and control virtual machines).
  • The VMware Management Interface package (a Web server for managing virtual machines and the host from a browser; for more information, see Managing Virtual Machines and the VMware GSX Server Host).
  • The VmCOM API package, a scripting tool that uses COM to manage virtual machines remotely; for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer.
  • The VmPerl API package, a scripting tool that uses Perl to manage virtual machines remotely; for more information, go to www.vmware.com/support/developer.
    • You can choose a custom installation path where you install only the packages you need.
    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).
    • These packages are available in the VMware Management Interface and the GSX Server Master Installer (on Windows hosts only). If you are installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Linux client, see Installing the VMware Virtual Machine Console on a Linux Host.
    The VMware Virtual Machine Console can run on a remote client and on the server itself. The VMware Virtual Machine Console is available in client packages 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 APIs can connect to Linux and Windows hosts. However, the VmCOM API can run only on a Windows host or client. You can use the APIs to create scripts to automate management of virtual machines and the server host.


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