VMware 4817V62 - vSphere - PC, Administration Manual

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Using vCenter Server in Linked Mode
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You can join multiple vCenter Server systems using vCenter Linked Mode to allow them to share information.
When a server is connected to other vCenter Server systems using Linked Mode, you can connect to that
vCenter Server system and view and manage the inventories of all the vCenter Server systems that are linked.
Linked Mode uses Microsoft Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) to store and synchronize data across
multiple vCenter Server systems. ADAM is installed automatically as part of vCenter Server installation. Each
ADAM instance stores data from all of the vCenter Server systems in the group, including information about
roles and licenses. This information is regularly replicated across all of the ADAM instances in the connected
group to keep them in sync.
When vCenter Server systems are connected in Linked Mode, you can:
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Log in simultaneously to all vCenter Server systems for which you have valid credentials.
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Search the inventories of all the vCenter Server systems in the group.
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View the inventories off all of the vCenter Server systems in the group in a single inventory view.
You cannot migrate hosts or virtual machines between vCenter Server systems connected in Linked Mode.
For additional information on troubleshooting Linked Mode groups, see ESX and vCenter Server Installation
Guide.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“Linked Mode Prerequisites,” on page 31
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“Linked Mode Considerations,” on page 32
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“Join a Linked Mode Group After Installation,” on page 32
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“Reconciling Roles When Connecting vCenter Server to a Linked Mode Group,” on page 33
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“Isolate a vCenter Server Instance from a Linked Mode Group,” on page 34
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“Change the Domain of a vCenter Server System in a Linked Mode Group,” on page 34
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“Configure the URLs on a Linked Mode vCenter Server System,” on page 34
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“Linked Mode Troubleshooting,” on page 35
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“Monitor vCenter Server Services,” on page 37
Linked Mode Prerequisites
Prepare the system for joining a Linked Mode group.
All the requirements for standalone vCenter Server systems apply to Linked Mode systems. For more
information, see ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide.
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