How to Add ESXi Host to vCenter Server

Greetings Dev! In this journal article, we will guide you on how to add ESXi host to vCenter Server. This process can be a bit technical, but we will break it down into simple steps for you to follow. By the end of this article, you will be able to successfully add your ESXi host to vCenter Server and manage it seamlessly. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Connect to ESXi Host

The first step is to connect to your ESXi host. You can do this via the ESXi host console or using SSH. If you are using SSH, you will need to have SSH enabled on your ESXi host. Once you are connected to your ESXi host, you will need to verify that the host is in maintenance mode. This can be done by running the following command:

Command	Description
esxcli system maintenanceMode get	Verifies if the Host is in Maintenance Mode

If the output of the command shows that the host is not in maintenance mode, you can enter maintenance mode by running the following command:

Command	Description
esxcli system maintenanceMode set –enable true	Enables Maintenance Mode

Once maintenance mode is enabled, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Log in to vSphere Web Client

The next step is to log in to vSphere Web Client. Open your preferred web browser and enter the URL for the vSphere Web Client. Once the login page appears, enter your vCenter Server credentials to log in.

FAQ:

• What is vSphere Web Client?

vSphere Web Client is the user interface for vCenter Server. It enables you to manage virtual machines, ESXi hosts, and other components of your vSphere environment.

• What are the vCenter Server credentials?

The vCenter Server credentials are the username and password that you use to log in to vCenter Server.

Step 3: Add ESXi Host

After logging in to vSphere Web Client, you can proceed to add your ESXi host. To do this, follow the following steps:

1. Select the “Hosts and Clusters” option from the “Navigator” pane.
2. Right-click on the datacenter or folder where you want to add your ESXi host and select “Add Host”.
3. Enter the IP address or hostname of your ESXi host and click “Next”.
4. Enter your ESXi host credentials and click “Next”.
5. Review the summary information and click “Finish”.

Step 4: Verify the ESXi Host Connection

After adding your ESXi host to vCenter Server, you will need to verify that the connection was successful. To do this, follow the following steps:

1. Select the ESXi host from the “Hosts and Clusters” view.
2. Click on the “Summary” tab.
3. Verify that the connection status is “Connected”.

Step 5: Exit Maintenance Mode

Once you have confirmed that the ESXi host is connected to vCenter Server, you can exit maintenance mode. This can be done by running the following command:

Command	Description
esxcli system maintenanceMode set –enable false	Disables Maintenance Mode

Congratulations! You have successfully added your ESXi host to vCenter Server.

Conclusion

Adding ESXi host to vCenter Server can be overwhelming for beginners. However, by following these simple steps, you can easily add and manage your ESXi host on vCenter Server. Remember to always verify your connections and exit maintenance mode before proceeding. Happy virtualizing!