This article provides vCenter Server 6.0 requirements for installation.

Note: This article assumes that you have read the vSphere 6.0 Installation and Setup documentation. The documentation contains definitive information. If there is a discrepancy between the documentation and this article, assume that the documentation is correct. Ensure that you have read the known issues in the VMware vSphere 6.0 Release Notes.

VMware vCenter Server 6.0.x
VMware vCenter Server Appliance 6.0.x

Deployment models and Platform Services Controllers

In vSphere 6.0, VMware have introduced deployment models and Platform Services Controllers. There are two deployment models:

• Embedded Deployment Model:
  • vCenter Server with an embedded Platform Services Controller
• External Deployment Models:
  • External Platform Services Controller.
  • vCenter Server with external Platform Services controller.

For more information about when to use the external or embedded deployment models, see vCenter Server Deployment Models section in the vSphere Upgrade Guide .

• Although the installation can complete successfully, some resulting topologies may not be recommended by VMware. For a list of recommended topologies and mitigation steps, see List of recommended topologies for vSphere 6.0.x (2108548).
• If you decide on an external model, the installation must be done sequentially starting with the platform services controllers, not concurrently.
  
  If you have used vSphere 5.x, you may be familiar with some services that were previously deployed independently of vCenter Server. For more information about how the vSphere 5.x services map to the new vSphere 6.0 servers, see Migration of Distributed vCenter Server for Windows Services During Upgrade to vCenter Server 6.0 in our documentation.

vCenter Server for Windows Requirements

To install vCenter Server on a Windows virtual machine or physical server, your system must meet specific hardware and software requirements. For more information, see these prerequisites:

• vCenter Server for Windows Hardware Requirements
• vCenter Server for Windows Storage Requirements
• Required free space for system logging
• vCenter Server for Windows Software Requirements
  • Supported host operating systems for VMware vCenter Server installation (including vCenter Update Manager and vRealize Orchestrator) (2091273)
  • Note: .NET Framework needs to installed. Some versions of Windows may already have this component installed. However, it may be necessary to add the Application Server role in Server Manager or simply enable .NET Framework. To verify that the .NET Framework is enabled, go to Server Manager > Add Features > .NET Framework 3.5.x Features or later versions. For more information about server roles and features, please consult Microsoft.
• Verify that the FQDN is resolvable
• Synchronizing Clocks on the vSphere network
• vCenter Server for Windows Database Requirements
  • VMware Product Interoperability Matrix

vCenter Server Appliance Requirements

The appliance upgrade process has changed significantly from the previous release. You can now download an ISO file that contains the appliance. The ISO contains an installer that deploys the appliance to a host running ESXi 5.1.x or later. The tool runs in a browser on a Microsoft Windows Platform. The tool requires the client integration plugin to function and therefore must meet the requirements. For more information about installing the Client Integration Plug-in Software on your windows platform, see Install the Client Integration Plug-In section in the vSphere Upgrade guide. For information about the appliance upgrade tool, see Upgrade the vCenter Server Appliance section in the vSphere Upgrade guide.

Prior to installing vSphere 6.0, ensure you have these requirements:

• vCenter Server Appliance Requirements section in the vSphere Installation and Setup Guide.
• Synchronizing Clocks on the vSphere Network section in the vSphere Installation and Setup guide.
• vCenter Server Appliance Software Requirements section in the vSphere Installation and Setup guide.

vSphere Web Client Software Requirements
 

Client Integration Plug-In Software Requirements

vSphere Client Requirements

You can install the vSphere Client to manage single ESXi host. The Windows system on which you install the vSphere Client must meet specific hardware and software requirements.

• vSphere Client Hardware Requirements
• vSphere Client Software Requirements
  • Supported host operating systems for vSphere Client (Windows) installation (2100436)
• TCP and UDP Ports for the vSphere Client

Walkthroughs:

If you want to see step-by-step upgrade instructions with annotations, see the Product Walkthroughs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Oracle databases supported as an external database for vCenter Server Appliance?
A: Oracle 11g and 12c are supported as external databases in vCenter Server Appliance 6.0

Q: Will Oracle databases continue to be supported beyond vSphere 6.0 for vCenter Server Appliance?
A: Oracle 11g and 12c as an external database for vCenter Server Appliance is deprecated in the 6.0 release. VMware will provide general support as per lifecycle support policy.

Q: What is the plan to support Microsoft SQL databases with vCenter Server Appliance 6.0?
A: There is no plan to support Mircosoft SQL database as an external database. Embedded vPostgres database supports scale limits of 1,000 hosts and 10,000 virtual machines.

Q: Can I deploy vCenter Server Appliance using OVFTOOL?
A: Starting with vSphere 6.0, the user interface based installer is the only supported method to install and upgrade vCenter Server Appliance.

Q: What is considered too large for an embedded deployment model?
A: An embedded deployment model can only include a single instance of vCenter Server. If your requirements exceed the limits of a single instance of vCenter Server, you should consider using an external model.

Q: What is considered too small for an external deployment model?
A: If you only require a single instance of vCenter Server and you do not expect the environment to grow, you should consider an embedded model.

See more here: List of recommended topologies for VMware vSphere 6.0

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vCenter Server 6.0 安装要求
vCenter Server 6.0 のインストール要件
Práticas recomendadas de instalação do vCenter Server 6.0
Requisitos de vCenter Server 6.0 para la instalación