Deploying SSMC appliance using VMware ESXi Server

Prerequisites

  • Ensure that for deploying using VMware vSphere Client, the machine must have VMware vSphere Client 6.0 or later versions installed before importing the OVF file.

    Click here to download VMware vSphere software.

    NOTE:

    For Operating system (OS) version of the guest, the older versions of ESXi and vCenter do not support Debian 9; however, Debian 6 is compatible with hardware version 6. The Guest OS does not impact any functionality. For more information, click https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1010675 to upgrade hardware version of the virtual machine, and click https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1003746 to see the version compatibility matrix.

  • SSMC supports VMware ESXi versions 6.0, 6.5, 6.7, and 7.0. For more specific VMware environment support, see the VMware compatibility matrix on the VMware website.

  • Ensure to check the patch revision version in the SPOCK before proceeding with the installation.

Procedure
  1. Open HPESSMC-<build number>.iso image.
  2. Copy HPESSMC-<build number>-VMware_Appliance.zip file from the ISO image.
  3. Extract the files to a local folder.
  4. Deploy HPE_SSMC_Appliance-<build number>-ESXi.ovf. Open the VMware vSphere Client or Web Client and connect to VMware vCenter Server. Follow these steps to deploy OVF template:
    1. In the VMware vSphere Client, navigate to File > Deploy OVF Template...

      The Deploy OVF Template window appears.

    2. In the Web Client, in the left navigator panel, click Host > Virtual Machines > Create/Register VM > Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file.
  5. On the source page, click Browse to import the OVF from its location, then click Next.
  6. On the OVF Template Details page, verify the OVF template, then click Next.
    NOTE:

    Select both .ovf and .vmdk files while deploying through vSphere Web Client.

  7. On the End User License Agreement page, click Accept > Next.
  8. On the Name and Location page, enter a name for the SSMC appliance, then click Next.
  9. On the Deployment Configuration page, select any one of the supported deployment configurations, then click Next.
    NOTE:

    • Ensure that the chosen VMware ESXi Server supports the selected configuration, otherwise SSMC appliance does not start after the deployment.

    • Read the configuration details available on deployment configuration page when you select the configuration as Small, Medium, or Large. For more information on the deployment options and configuration details, see the note in the section Deploying SSMC appliance OVF template using VMware vCenter Server.

  10. On the Disc Format page, select a disk format then click Next.
    NOTE:

    For a thick provisioned disk, ensure that a free space of 500 GB is available.

  11. On the Network-mapping page, map the virtual machine to networks in the inventory, then click Next.
  12. On the Ready to Complete page, review the deployment settings and select the Power on after Deployment check box, then click Finish.
  13. A Deployment Completed Successfully message displays after a few minutes. Click OK.
  14. Log in to SSMC appliance using VM console.
  15. Enter user name as ssmcadmin.
  16. Enter password as ssmcadmin.
    NOTE:

    • Ensure to change the default password after the deployment on ESXi server.

    • Use only US English keyboard layout to enter password.

    • The password must contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one digit, and one special character. The length of the password must be a minimum of eight characters. The special characters are the nonalphanumeric characters. For example, ~, `, !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, (, ), _, +, -, =, [, {, ], }, \, |, ;, :, ', ", ,, <, ., >, /, and ?.

  17. Retype new password.
  18. Configure SSMC appliance by using Text-based User Interface (TUI).