How to Create NFS in ESX

As we know, ESX Server supports NFS. Here, we show how to create NFS. The details are showed below.

A computer is SFU-TOP, this is a VM, IP address is 10.0.1.211; Host Server is ESX2, its IP address is 192.168.0.232. In addition, ESX Server must have a network adapter to support NFS.

Firstly, deploy a VM, named: SFU-TOP, from Windows 2003 STD SRV SP1 template. SFU means ‘Windows service for Unix’. This is a free software can be downloaded from Microsoft official website.

Secondly, fully install ‘Windows service of Unix’ in VM (SFU-TOP). Besides, we need WinSCP to help copying /etc/passwd and /ect/group files from ESX2 Server to VM's local disk (c:\etc).

Thirdly, action in SFU-TOP, a VM. Clicking ‘start’, and then ‘service for Unix administrator’. As,

In configuration tab, choose ‘Use Password and Group files’, and Brower the destination to get the ‘passwd’ and ‘group’ files.

Next step is in ‘Maps’ tab. In ‘Advanced maps’ option, make sure mapping between ‘administrator’ and ‘root’. Like picture shows here:

Mapping is done.

Fifty steps, in VM (SFU-TOP) make a folder as ‘NFS-sharing’, right click it and choose ‘NFS sharing’ tab. In order to access network, please add valid IP address.

From here, configure ESX Server is necessary. Thus, please follow configurationstorageAdd storageNetwork File System.

In ‘Server’ blank, please enter VM (SFU-TOP) IP address 10.0.1.211 and that folder.

Then, wait a moment. You will see NFS is ready in storage.

Job is done.

During this experiment, we also need pay attention on ESX server policy.

Also, NFS service have to start in NFS Server machine (SFU-TOP, a VM).

CPU Compatibility error when Migration (VMotion)

When a powered-on Virtual Machine is being migrated between hosts, the error message shows below: 
    

For VMotion, CPU compatibility is a key issue. We should edit virtual machine setting, Edit Settings | Options: Advanced: CPU Identification Mask : Expose the Nx flag to guest|.

This dialog is displayed:

According to this official legend, we need  change source machine's  CPU Identification Mask. From the list, we know  '0 (zero)' means 'Hide feature from guest software'. So, changing Guest OS default Value to '0'. Finally, save this setting. Do migration again, VMotion is successful done.  

Upgrade ESX3/VC2

Download and Extraction Instructions

升级ESX3到ESX3.0.1/VC2.0.1包括三个步骤：

• 首先升级VC2到2.0.1。
• 这个步骤直接在VirtualCenter Server完成就可以了。并且VC2.0.1可以管理ESX3.0。

 

• 其次升级ESX3到ESX3.0.1。(Make sure Bundle is ready)
1. Log into the ESX Server service console as root via PuTTy.
2. Create a local directory. 
• #   mkdir /var/updates
3. Change current directory to /var/updates.
•  #   cd /var/updates
4. Copy/Move the tar file into the /var/updates directory.   
5. Verify the integrity of the download tar file:
• #   md5sum ESX-xxxxxxx.tgz
6. The md5 checksum output should match the number from official.
7. Extract the compressed tar archive:
• #   tar -xvzf ESX-xxxxxxx.tgz
8. Change to the newly created directory, /var/updates/<xxxxxxx>:
• cd ESX-xxxxxxx
9. We can now intall the update using the following command:
• esxupdate update

 

• 当ESX Server/VC成功升级后，虚拟机中的VMware Tools显示为out of date。需要升级VMware Tools。方法有二种：
• 第一种：在虚拟机上重新安装VMware Tools，即可。但是这种方法需要知道每台虚拟机的用户名与密码。
• 第二种：通过在VirtualCenter Server上执行命令行vmware-vmupgrade.exe进行升级。步骤如下：
• C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware VirtualCenter 2.0>vmware-vmupgrade -u vcadmin -n

/"TEST Datacenter"/"Production VMs"/Prod-LotteryWeb

Enter password for vcadmin:

Connecting to VirtualCenter server on local port 902

Looking for VMs...

Found /TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: host is VMware ESX Server version 3.0.1

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: VM is powered off, checking virtual hardware

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: virtual hardware upgrade was not required

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: setting up tools upgrade...

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: tools upgrade setup complete

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: power on requested

/TEST Datacenter/Production VMs/Prod-LotteryWeb: power on task is running

• 从步骤中可以看出，vmware-vmupgrade.exe这个命令首先启动虚拟机，然后进行安装VMware Tools，最后关掉虚拟机。
• The vmware-vmupgrade.exe tool acts on powered-off VMs.
• The tools only works for Windows XP, 2000 and 2003 VMs.