A Composer Server is an optional component.

A Composer Server manages traditional clones using linked-clone technology. Each Composer server is paired with a vCenter Server. A block architecture with one vCenter Server per 4,000 linked clone VMs would require one Composer server. High availability is provided by VMware vSphere High Availability (HA), which restarts the Composer VM in the case of a vSphere host outage.

Composer Servers are not required if you plan to use only instant clones.

Procedure

  1. Slide the Deploy Composer Servers toggle option to green.
  2. In the Add Composer Servers section, select Add manually to add Composer Servers manually or Import from JSON template to import Composer Servers from a JSON file.
    • To add Composer Servers manually, follow the steps below.
      1. Provide the following information.
        Field Name Information to be Entered
        VM Name Prefix Enter a prefix for the Composer Server VMs.
        IP Address Enter an IP address for the Composer Server.
        Subnet Mask Enter the subnet mask for the Composer Server.
        Gateway Enter a gateway for the Composer Server.
        Computer Name Enter a computer name for the Composer Server.
        FQDN The FQDN for the Composer Server is auto-generated using the computer name and the Active Directory FQDN.
        VM Name Enter a name the Composer Server VM.
        Composer Service Account Enter the user name for the Composer Service Account. For example, ComposerAdmin.
        Composer Service Password Enter the password for the Composer Service Account.
        SQL Server Alias Select the SQL Server to use with the Composer Server.
        Database Name Enter a name for the Composer Server database. If a database with the specified name exists, it will be overwritten.
        Manage vCenter Select the vCenter Server to pair with the Composer Server.
      2. Click Add.

        The Composer Server is added to the Composer Servers table.

      3. Repeat steps a and b for additional Composer Servers as required.
    • To import Composer Servers from a JSON file, click Browse, select the file, and click Upload.

      Composer Servers from the JSON file are added to the Composer Servers table.

  3. Click Next.