Comparing the VMware vSphere Web Client and VMware vSphere Client (Desktop) capabilities

Products

VMware vCenter Server VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides a brief overview of the features, benefits and limitations of the vSphere Web Client as compared to the vSphere Client (Desktop).

Resolution

Introduction

In vCenter Server 5.1 and later, the vSphere Web Client is the recommended client to administer your environment. The vSphere Web Client allows you to access your vCenter Server environment from any supported web browser.

For more information, see the vSphere Web Client Software Requirements section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.

While the vSphere Web Client is given feature parity with that of the vSphere Client (Desktop), new features released in vSphere 5.1 and later are only managed through the vSphere Web Client. To help understand the functionality and differences between each client, see this list of features that are only available within the vSphere Web Client and the features that are only available within the vSphere Client (Desktop).

Features only available within the vSphere Web Client

Managing vCenter Single Sign-On.
- Authentication
- Administration

For more information, see Configuring vCenter Single Sign-On section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.

Using Inventory Lists to Navigate.
For more information, see Use the vSphere Web Client Navigator section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
Inventory Tagging.
For more information, see Apply a Tag to an Object section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
Pause supported vCenter Server tasks within the Work In Progress pane.
Pre-emptive searching.
For more information, see Perform a Quick Search in the vSphere Web Client section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
The ability to save searches.
For more information, see Save a Search in the vSphere Web Client section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
Enhanced performance using the Inventory Service.
Integration with vSphere Replication.
For more information, see vSphere Replication FAQ (2005776).
Note: This does not include vCenter Site Recovery Manager
The ability to vMotion a virtual machine without the need of shared storage.
For more information, see Migration with vMotion in Environments Without Shared Storage section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
Integration with vRealize Orchestrator (formerly known as vCenter Orchestrator) workflows and extended menus.
Extend options while configuring a Virtual Distributed Switch (vDS).
- Health Check.
  For more information, see View vSphere Distributed Switch Health Check Information section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
- Export/Restore Configuration.
  For more information, see Export, Import, and Restore Distributed Switch Configurations section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
Integration with vCenter Log Browser.
For more information, see Using the Log Browser to view, search, and export Logs for troubleshooting (2032888).
Integration with vSphere Data Protection (VDP).
Integration with vSphere Site Recover Manager 5.8 and later.
Integration with vSphere Update Manager.

Notes:

vSphere 5.1 Update 1 and later supports a limited set of vSphere Update Manager features. For more information, see Update Manager Web Client Overview section in the VMware vSphere 5.5 Documentation guide.
vSphere 6.0 Update 1 and later support a full set of vSphere Update Manager features. For more information, see Overview of the Update Manager Interfaces section in the VMware vSphere 6.0 Documentation guide.

Features only available within the vSphere Client (Desktop)

Access to plugins only available for the vSphere Client (Desktop)

Examples:
- vSphere Update Manager
- vSphere Site Recovery Manager 5.5 and below
- vCloud Networking and Security Manager. For more information see VMware vCloud Networking and Security Manager section in the VMware VXLAN Deployment Guide.
The ability to change a guest operating system on an existing virtual machine.
Visual maps of the vCenter Server environment.
Connect directly to an ESX/ESXi host.
Inflate a thin-disk within Datastore browser.

Additional Information

vSphere Replication FAQ
Using the Log Browser to view, search, and export Logs for troubleshooting
VMware vSphere Web Client 和 VMware vSphere Client（桌面版）之间的功能比较