How to deploy vCenter 8.0 using VMware Workstations.

The new vSphere 8 IA is out there and ready to install on your development environments. Please read this article on the differences between IA and GA releases. Today I will show you how to deploy a fresh vCenter server 8.0. You can build your own home lab using your PC or laptop. If you do not know how, please read this section of my blog: https://angrysysops.com/home-lab/

The first thing we need to do is to download VMware vCenter Server 8.0.0 from the Customer Connect portal.

Once we have the ISO downloaded we are ready for installation:

Mount ISO.
Go to vcsa-ui-installer.
Accordingly to the system, you are on please select the folder and start the installation.
From the wizard page click on Install.

Click NEXT on the Introduction page.
Accept the terms of the license agreement and click NEXT.

Stage 1: Deploy vCenter Server

vCenter Server deployment target

At this stage please provide ESXi hosts or vCenter on which NEW vCenter 8.0.0 will be deployed.

NOTE: it has to be FQDN

Provide a username for ESXi or vCenter and a password. In my case, I will be hosting a new vCenter on my new ESXi host.

Set up vCenter Server VM

At this stage, we need to specify the name of our NEW vCenter VM and set up the root password.

Select deployment size

Please choose the required deployment size. I am going to install Tiny one as this is only a “showcase” vCenter.

Select datastore

Please select datastore. I am going to use Thin mode for my deployment. If you want to know the difference between Thick and Thin provisioning, please read this article: https://angrysysops.com/2022/05/18/how-to-change-the-thick-or-thin-provisioning-of-a-virtual-disk/

Configure network settings

Please configure your network settings. Obviously, this section is very individual and I cannot tell you what are the right settings for you. You need to know:

Your home lab IP range
Your default gateway
Your DNS IP
Your network mask

Ready to complete stage 1

Read carefully summarization page and if you are happy with the setting you put in, please go ahead and click Finish.

Congratulation! Stage 1 is in progress. It will take a few minutes to complete it.

Once Stage 1 is completed, the message will pop up on the screen. We can continue the installation from the wizard or we can go to VAMI (ip_of_the_vCenter:5480)

However you want to continue, we are now on Stage 2 of the installation of the vCenter Server, click NEXT to go vCenter Server Configuration.

Stage 2: Set Up vCenter Server

vCenter Server Configuration

Here you can set up NTP server(s) and decide if you want to activate SSH access. I heard that installation may fail if SSH is deactivated, so to avoid any unpleasant surprises, I decided to activate it for the time being. I will switch SSH off after installation via VAMI.

If you have any specific NTP server you can provide an IP address in the Tine synchronization mode. I just synchronized NTP with my ESXi host.

SSO Configuration

At that stage, you can decide if you want to create a new SSO domain or join an existing one. I went to create a new SSO domain.

NOTE: one actually needs to type in vsphere.local

Configure CEIP

Make a decision if you want to participate in VMware Customer Improvement Program and click NEXT.

Ready to complete

Same as in stage 1 now you are presented with a summarization page. Have a look if you are happy with the configuration and if yes, click FINISH.

A warning will pop up telling that one will not be able to pause or stop the installation from completing once it’s started. Click OK to continue or Cancel to stop installation.

If you clicked OK, Stage 2 installation has begun. Again it will take some time to finish the installation.