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rfellmann asked a question.

November 23, 2018 at 8:00 AM
VMWare vCenter server appliance (VCSA) - Install Snow Agent?

We have several VCSAs (VMware vCenter Server Appliance) running - they are the new standard for vCenter deployments compared to a traditional VMware vCenter installation on a Windows Server. 

VMWare vCenter installed on Windows Server (old)

Install Snow Agent on Windows Server -> vCenter application reported into Inventory and License Manager. 

VMware vCenter Server Appliance (new)

Can't install the Snow Agent  as it's a 'closed' linux/unix appliance, no admin/root permissions.

Question: What is the proper way to have the vCenter application reported into Inventory and License Manager so I can assign my licenses to it? The Snow Virtual Management Option (VMO) doesn't discover the vCenter application itself, only the ESX hosts and the virtual machines managed by the vCenter. 

  • 8 answers
  • 122 views

  • Detlev Eufinger (Flexera Software)

    Hi Robin there is no Need to install an Snow Agenz on the VCenter Appliance You can do the inventory for guest to host relationships through our Snow Integration Manager (SIM).   Only on the guest machines do you must install an agent. Please read also our UserGuide User Guide: VMware vSphere Connector   User Guide: Snow Integration Manager  

    • rfellmann

      Thanks Detlef. I know that the host to guest relationships can be inventoried through SIM - but what I'm looking for is the actual vCenter installation to be inventoried. As far as I know SIM only gives be an inventory of the ESX servers, the VMs running on the ESX servers and the relationships between. But I need the vCenter Server application to be inventoried to I can assign our vCenter licenses to it. Here's a screenshot of a Windows Server with vCenter installed - I need the same result if vCenter is running as an appliance:
      Expand Post

      • Detlev Eufinger (Flexera Software)

        Hi Robin we cannot install any agent on closed manufacturer appliances! However, you can manually create a computer for the appliance using our SIM xml interface with the appropriate applications.

        • rfellmann

          Thanks for the tip Detlev. I have implemented a solution using the SIM XML interface and a PowerShell script which creates XML files on a daily basis. Quite happy with it! 

          • SamuelBaughan

            Hi ,‌ I am also very interested in seeing those vCenter appliances and the application in SLM. I have worked recently on implementing this use of XML but it seems like the use of Pre-Recognized applications is not working in SLM9. So I manage to get the computer in SLM but not the aplication on it. Are you using SLM9? Is vCenter still detected as expected? If yes, would you mind sharing the typical XML file that could be imported by the SIM? Thanks
            Expand Post

            • rfellmann

              Hi Samuel,  I'm still on SLM 8.x. Did you manage to get your XML working with SLM 8.x and it's just not working anymore with v9? Might be something I need to consider before the upgrade!
              Expand Post

              • SamuelBaughan

                Hi Robin, Yes, the investigation made by Snow Support points to a bug in the new SLM9 DUJ that prevents pre-recognized applications to be detected by Snow. I'm not saying it is all broken though! This has a very limited impact. There are so far no problems on our side with all applications that are detected through the detection rules, so it is like 1/1000 of our applications that have an issue. Unfortunately, those are important application to us, this is why we had been implementing an XML file-based detection. The ticket following this issue is CS0024966 stating that the DUJ deletes the content of a table that is used for pre-recognized applications.  I hope we get a solution soon.
                Expand Post

  • Landon Owens (Flexera Software)

    Hello ? also take a look at this Idea on the idea storm:   

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VMWare vCenter server appliance (VCSA) - Install Snow Agent?