How to create a new Cluster and Host in VirtualCenter

Information:

Follow this process to create a new cluster and add a new host to it.  When adding a new host this process assumes you have already added licenses to the VirtualCenter server.

 

1)      Open the VI Client and connect to the VirtualCenter (VC) Server.

2)      Right click the appropriate Datacenter for the new cluster

a.       Select New Cluster to start the wizard

3)      New Cluster Wizard

a.       Cluster Features Page

                                                               i.      Enter a name for the cluster

1.      Keep it short or develop a standard naming convention

                                                             ii.      Check VMWare HA

                                                               i.      Check VMWare DRS

b.      DRS Configuration

                                                               i.      Accept Defaults

                                                             ii.      Click Next

c.       HA Configuration

                                                               i.      Accept Defaults

1.      If you only have  a single node cluster select the following

2.      Allow VMs to be powered on even if they violate availability constraints

                                                             ii.      Click Next

d.      VM Swapfile Location

                                                               i.      Accept defaults

                                                             ii.      Click Next

e.       Ready to Complete

                                                               i.      Click Finish

2)      Add a new Host to the Cluster

a.       Right click the new cluster

b.      Select Add Host

3)      Add Host Wizard

a.       Connection Settings

                                                               i.      Enter fully qualified DNS name of the host

                                                             ii.      Enter the root userid and password.

                                                            iii.      Click Next

b.      Host Summary

                                                               i.      Review information

                                                             ii.      Click Next

c.       Choose Resource Pool

                                                               i.      Accept defaults

                                                             ii.      Click Next

d.      Ready to Complete

                                                               i.      Click Finish