VM Manager Tool deployment types and flow of data

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There are four types of the VM Manager Tool deployment: local, central, distributed, and disconnected. All types use the same VM Manager Tool. However, they differ in where the VM Manager Tool is installed and whether it is configured from the License Metric Tool user interface or through scripts. Flow of capacity data from VM managers differs depending on the VM Manager Tool deployment type.

Choosing the deployment type

Type of the VM Manager Tool deployment that is used by default depends on the version of License Metric Tool that you are using.

For application update 9.2.21 and earlier, central VM Manager Tool is the default deployment type.
Starting from application update 9.2.22, local VM Manager Tool is the default deployment type that is used by new installations of License Metric Tool.
Starting from application update 9.2.26, if the local VM Manager Tool does not exist, it is installed during the upgrade of the server. You can continue using the VM Manager Tool that you had previously, or switch to using the local one as it ensures faster transport of data to the License Metric Tool server. For more information, see: Switching from central to local VM Manager Tool.

The following table shows differences between various deployment types of the VM Manager Tool and list recommended use of each deployment type. You can also use a combination of various deployment types depending on the specifics of your environment.

Table 1. Characteristics of VM Manager Tool deployment types
	VM Manager Tool deployment type
	Local	Central	Distributed	Disconnected
Recommended use	Starting from application update 9.2.22, it is the default and recommended deployment type	VM managers are not accessible from the License Metric Tool server but are accessible from the BigFix® server	VM managers are not accessible from the License Metric Tool server nor the BigFix server but are accessible from a Linux or Windows computer on which the BigFix client is installed	VM managers are not accessible from the License Metric Tool server nor the BigFix server nor any computer on which the BigFix client is installed
Location of the VM Manager Tool	License Metric Tool server	BigFix server	Any Linux or Windows computer on which the BigFix client is installed	Any Linux or Windows computer on which the disconnected scanner is installed
Installing the VM Manager Tool	Installed automatically with the License Metric Tool server	By running fixlet in the BigFix console	By running fixlet in the BigFix console	Through the command line
Adding, editing, and deleting VM manager connections	VM Managers panel in License Metric Tool	VM Managers panel in License Metric Tool	Configuration file	Configuration file

Local VM Manager Tool

Local VM Manager Tool is automatically installed on the same computer as the License Metric Tool server. VM manager connections are added from the License Metric Tool user interface. Data from VM managers is uploaded from the VM Manager Tool to License Metric Tool during the import. For more information, see: Flow of capacity data - local VM Manager Tool.

Central VM Manager Tool

Central VM Manager Tool is installed on the same computer as the BigFix server. VM manager connections are added from the License Metric Tool user interface. Data collected from VM managers is sent form the VM Manager Tool to the BigFix server, and then uploaded to License Metric Tool during the import. Some of the steps are performed by running fixlets from the BigFix console. For more information, see: Flow of capacity data - central VM Manager Tool.

Distributed VM Manager Tool

Distributed VM Manager Tool can be installed on any computer on which the BigFix client is installed. VM manager connections are added by editing configuration files. Data collected from VM managers is sent form the VM Manager Tool to the BigFix server, and then uploaded to License Metric Tool during the import. Most of the steps are performed by running scripts. For more information, see: Flow of capacity data - distributed VM Manager Tool.

Disconnected VM Manager Tool

Disconnected VM Manager Tool is installed on a computer on which the disconnected scanner is installed. VM manager connections are added by editing configuration files. Data collected from VM managers is manually transferred from the computer where the VM Manager Tool is installed to the folder that is defined as the disconnected data source. Then, it is uploaded to License Metric Tool during the import of data. Some of the steps are achieved by running scripts that are part of the disconnected scanner. Other steps need to be performed manually. For more information, see: Flow of capacity data - disconnected VM Manager Tool.