Supported Topologies

Note: It is recommended that the Platform Services Controller and vCenter Server should be deployed, upgraded, or migrated to Windows or Appliances for all components. During the migration or upgrade process a mixed environment is supported.

Note: With vCenter Server 6.5 Update 2, you can deploy by using the GUI or CLI installer up to 15 vCenter Server Appliance instances in Embedded Linked Mode, and manage these instances with the vSphere Web Client or vSphere Client from any of the instances. "

Composition
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 Single Sign-On site 1 vCenter Server with Platform Services Controller on same machine 2 or more vCenter Server with embedded Platform Services Controller Limitations Does not support Platform Service Controller replication
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 Single Sign-On site 1 or more vCenter Server with Platform Services Controllers(PSC) on different machine
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 Single Sign-On site 2 or more external Platform Services Controllers 1 or more vCenter Servers connected to Platform Services Controllers using 1 third-party load balancer
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 Single Sign-On site 2 or more external Platform Services Controllers Limitations In the event of a Platform Servcices Controller failover the vCenter Servers will need to be manually repointed to the functioning Platform Services Controller. vCenter Servers attached to higher latency Platform Services Controller may experience performance issues
1 vSphere Single Sign-On domain 2 vSphere Single Sign-On sites 2 or more external Platform Services Controllers per Single Sign-On Site 1 or more vCenter Server with external Platform Services Controllers 1 third-party load balancer per site
1 Single Sign-On domain 2 Single Sign-On sites 2 or more external Platform Services Controllers per Single Sign-On Site 1 or more vCenter Server with external Platform Services Controllers Limitations In the event of a Platform Servcices Controller failover the vCenter Servers will need to be manually repointed to the functioning Platform Services Controller. vCenter Servers attached to higher latency Platform Services Controller may experience performance issues
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 Single Sign-On site vCenter Server with Platform Services Controller on same vCenter Server Appliance 3 vCenter Server Appliances are used (1 Active, 1 Passive, and 1 Witness connected to the vCenter HA network) Limitations Does not support Enhanced Linked Mode Does not support Platform Service Controller replication
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 Single Sign-On site 2 or more external Platform Services Controllers vCenter Server connected to Platform Services Controllers using 1 third-party load balancer. 3 vCenter Server Appliances are used (1 Active, 1 Passive, and 1 Witness connected to the vCenter HA network).

Deprecated Topologies

Composition
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 or more Single Sign-On site
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 or more Single Sign-On sites 0 external Platform Services Controllers 1 or more vCenter Server with external Platform Services Controllers 1 or more vCenter Server with embedded Platform Services Controller
1 Single Sign-On domain 1 or more Single Sign-On sites 1 or more external Platform Services Controllers 1 or more vCenter Server with external Platform Services Controllers 1 or more vCenter Server with embedded Platform Services Controllers