VMware vSphere

VMware vSphere is one of the virtualization technologies supported by License Metric Tool.

Purpose

This solution consists of two products: a VMware ESX (or ESXi) hypervisor and a VMware vCenter server. Both of these components provide an API that can be used to extract information about virtual machines in your infrastructure.

ESX or ESXi

ESX or ESXi is an operating system that hosts virtual machines. If you do not use any software that is deployed in a clustered environment, you can define a connection to the specific ESX. However, if an ESX is controlled by a vCenter, it is recommended to define a connection to the vCenter. Such approach is preferred because License Metric Tool needs data from every ESX box that hosts a virtual machine where the scanner is installed.

If you choose to connect via ESX, you have to define a connection to each ESX box separately. If you have a vCenter deployed, you can manage all ESX boxes via vCenter which saves time and decreases the network load.

Note: Changing the universally unique identifier (UUID) on ESX virtual machines might lead to overcharging because when the identifier is changed, License Metric Tool recognizes it as a new virtual machine.

Diagram showing the communication between the server and the ESX box.

vCenter

vCenter is used to manage computer systems on which virtual machines are installed. You have to use it if your software is installed in a clustered environment. Instead of connecting to each ESX box separately, you connect to all ESX boxes via a vCenter whose main role is to retrieve data from the ESX boxes. It is beneficial to connect to ESX boxes through a vCenter even if you do not have a clustered environment. This way, you can reduce the network traffic.

The default URL for ESX or ESXi, and vCenter

By default, the following URL is used to connect to ESX or ESXi, and vCenter.

For ESX or ESXi: https://{manager-address}/sdk/vimService.wsdl
For vCenter: https://{manager-address}/sdk/vimService.wsdl

The URL can vary in your environment if the administrator of the ESX box or vCenter changed the configuration of the API. For example, if the HTTP protocol is used instead of the HTTPS one.

Ensure that the vSphere Web Services SDK is set up and verify if the given URL is valid. To check if the URL can be accessed, paste it to the Web browser. If the URL cannot be accessed, check the setup of the URL in the vCenter settings. To do this, go to vCenter Server Settings > Advanced Settings and see the setting of the VirtualCenter.VimApiUrl parameter. If the URL cannot be reached, consult your VMware administrator.

Supported topologies

License Metric Tool supports configuration with one single sign-on domain, one single sign-on site, and vCenter Server with Platform Services Controller on the same machine (Embedded Deployment Model). To set up other topologies, including external Platform Services or multiple single sign-on sites, you must connect to each ESX box separately.

Supported versions

For information about supported versions, go to IBM® License Metric Tool 9.2 - Supported Operating Systems and click Supported Hypervisor.