VMware 4817V62 - vSphere - PC, Administration Manual

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Host agent
On each managed host, software that collects, communicates, and executes the
actions received through the vSphere Client. It is installed as part of the
ESX/ESXi installation.
LDAP
vCenter Server uses LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) to
synchronize data such as license and role information across vCenter Server
systems joined in Linked Mode.
vSphere Client Interfaces
There are several ways to access vSphere components.
vSphere interface options include:
vSphere Client
A required component and the primary interface for creating, managing, and
monitoring virtual machines, their resources, and their hosts. It also provides
console access to virtual machines.
vSphere Client is installed on a Windows machine with network access to your
ESX/ESXi or vCenter Server system installation. The interface displays slightly
different options depending on which type of server you are connected to.
While all vCenter Server activities are performed by a vCenter Server system,
you must use the vSphere Client to monitor, manage, and control the server.
A single vCenter Server system or ESX/ESXi host can support multiple,
simultaneously connected vSphere Clients.
vSphere Web Access
A Web interface through which you can perform basic virtual machine
management and configuration and get console access to virtual machines. It
is installed with your ESX/ESXi host. Similar to the vSphere Client, vSphere
Web Access works directly with a host or through vCenter Server. See the
vSphere Web Access Administrator’s Guide for additional information.
VMware Service Console
A command-line interface for configuring an ESX host. For an ESXi host, use
the vSphere Command-Line Interface.
vSphere Command-Line
Interface
A command-line interface for configuring an ESXi host. The vSphere
Command-Line Interface can also be used to perform Storage VMotion
operations on both ESX/ESXi hosts.
Functional Components
Functional components are used to monitor and manage your vSphere infrastructure.
The functional components are accessible from the vSphere Client Home page. Functional components are
divided into four categories: Inventory, Administration, Management, and Solutions and Applications.
Inventory
You use the Inventory functional components to view the objects managed by vCenter Server. Managed objects
include datacenters, resource pools, clusters, networks, datastores, templates, hosts, and virtual machines. The
inventory options are:
Search
Allows you to search the vSphere inventory for hosts, virtual machines,
networks, datastores, and folders matching specified criteria.
Hosts and Clusters
Provides a hierarchical view of hosts, clusters, and their child objects.
Chapter 1 vSphere Components
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