Before deploying VMware, the requirements in the following checklist must be completed. For ease of use, the checklists are all grouped together in Appendix Appendix E, “Design and Deployment Checklists.”

Table 1. VMware deployment checklist

Complete

Task

Description

Related documentation

o

Check BIOS settings.

Ensure that the following BIOS-specific settings are enabled to ensure compatibility with the VMware ESX Server:

  • Hardware-assisted virtualization is enabled.

  • All processor cores are enabled.

  • Hyperthreading is enabled.

“Hardware configurations” on page 182

o

Check VMware configuration settings.

Check the following VMware settings:

  • vSphere version is current, with all maintenance patches applied.

  • VMware Tools is installed on each VM.

  • Auto notify, not auto upgrade, is enabled for VMware Tools.

  • Latest virtualized network adapter (VMXNET3) is selected for each VM.

  • vSwitches are configured so that VM traffic is separate from ESX management traffic.

  • At least four vCPUs are assigned to IP Availability Manager, and at least two vCPUs are assigned to the Global Manager.

  • Maximum memory is available to the VMs that are running IP Availability Managerand the Global Manager.

VMware configuration guidelines

o

Ensure general software recommendations are met.

Scheduling a software deployment varies, depending on the size and scope of the deployment and the organization’s requirements. Some prerequisites are:

  • Ensure that all VMs are running the same OS version and patch level.

  • Ensure that all VMware Smart Assurance Managers are at the same version and patch level.

“Scenarios” on page 181