Installing the SVP software on a VMware ESXi host

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You can use a virtual SVP with the VSP Gx00 models and VSP Fx00 models. The virtual SVP is a software application that runs on either Windows 7 Professional x64 (64-bit) on a VMware ESXi 6.0.0 host or on Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 (64-bit) on a VMware ESXi 6.0 U2 host.

Observe the following guidelines when installing a virtual SVP:

vSphere Cluster Failover: Due to the numerous vSphere server/cluster configurations and workloads, validate failover prior to placing the virtual SVP in production environments.
Number of SVP virtual machines per vSphere cluster: One server supports up to eight VMs. Each VM can communicate independently with one storage system. Due to the wide variety of vSphere server/cluster configurations and workloads, perform simultaneous multi-system performance monitoring and log collections to verify trouble-free management.

To provide the highest level of trouble-free operations, observe the following rules:

Do not locate a virtual machine on a storage system being managed by the same virtual machine.
Do not start the SVP virtual machine from the storage system it is managing.

Setting up the SVP locale

The SVP and storage management software support the English and Japanese languages.

If you intend to install the SVP software using a language other than English and Japanese, change the SVP's locale setting to reflect the appropriate language using the procedure for the Windows version installed on the SVP. For more information, see the instructions for your Windows operating system.

Network connection for virtual SVP

The SVP and storage system connection ports located at the rear of the components.

The following figure shows the physical network connection for a virtual SVP and Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform G800. Adjust your connections appropriately if using different VSP Gx00 models or VSP Fx00 models.

If the storage system controllers are connected to a physical SVP, remove the Ethernet cables from the LAN3 and LAN4 ports on the SVP, and connect them to the network switch.

Observe the following considerations for network connections between the SVP and the storage system controller:

The ESXi server running the VM instance between the storage system does not have any distance limitations as long as they belong to the same subnet.
If the ESXi server running the VM instance and the storage system belong to different subnets, there are no distance limitations when all IP addresses and ports are on the same network.
The ESXi server running the VM instance cannot be used with the storage system if it belongs to different subnets, and if a router or a firewall is filtering packets according to a defined condition.

Virtual SVP requirements

The virtual SVP must meet the following minimum requirements.

ESX Server (provided by the customer)

VMware ESXi server 6.x
Two quad core processors, Intel Xeon 2.29 GHz
One port network interface card (NIC)
SVP guest OS
32 GB RAM

SVP Guest OS (maximum one DKC per SVP guest OS)

Two virtual CPUs
One virtual network adapter
4 GB RAM
120 GB disk space
One of the following 64-bit operating systems:
- For VMware ESXi 6.0.0: Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
- For VMware ESXi 6.0 U2: Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 (64-bit)

Miscellaneous

WinZip

Hyper-threading

To support a virtual SVP, verify that hyper-threading is active for the ESXi server and VM guest host.

NoteHyper-threading is enabled by default.

Configuring the virtual SVP

After preparing the environment, activating hyper-threading on both the ESXi server and VM guest host, and verifying the configuration layout, use the following procedure to configure the virtual SVP.

Procedure

Create a Windows 7 Professional x64 Service Pack 1 on the ESXi host.
Verify the virtual network connection is properly assigned to the appropriate virtual machine network.
Configure network settings for the VM. The specified IP address must allow communication with the storage system controllers.
Configure a Remote Desktop connection.

NoteAfter completing the configuration task, configure the SVP guest OS.

Configuring the SVP guest OS

The following procedures describe how to configure the SVP guest OS. Before you begin, ensure Hyper-Threading is active for the ESXi server and VM guest host is configured.

Parent Topic

Installing the SVP software on a VMware ESXi host
You can use a virtual SVP with the VSP Gx00 models and VSP Fx00 models. The virtual SVP is a software application that runs on either Windows 7 Professional x64 (64-bit) on a VMware ESXi 6.0.0 host or on Windows 7 Professional Service Pack 1 (64-bit) on a VMware ESXi 6.0 U2 host.

Child Topics

Logging on to the operating system
Configuring the Control Panel display
Configuring the desktop
Configure the Windows screen saver function on the SVP.
Configuring the task bar and the start menu properties
Configure the Taskbar and Start menu properties on the Windows operating system running on the SVP.
Configuring the time settings
Configure the SVP for Universal Coordinated Time, and then configure it to not synchronize with an Internet time server.
Configuring region settings
Configure the region and language the language for your region or preference.
Configuring the power management settings
For optimum performance, the SVP requires specific power management settings.
Configuring Action Center settings
All settings in the Windows Action Center must be disabled.
Configuring the troubleshooting settings
The Windows Computer Maintenance setting must be disabled.
Configuring the Remote Desktop settings
Remote access to the SVP is required and appropriate Windows firewall settings must be configured.
Configuring Internet Explorer settings
Configure Internet Explorer advanced, security, and properties settings.
Disabling the auto-execute feature
The SVP requires the Windows AutoPlay feature be turned off.
Configuring the Registry
Use Regedit to edit the Windows Registry on the SVP.
Enabling ICMP (ping) reply
The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is a supporting protocol in the Internet protocol suite. The protocol is used by network devices, such as routers, to send error messages and operational information indicating, as an example, a requested service is not available or a host or router could not be reached.
Changing the computer name
Changing the computer name allows the SVP to be identified easily.
Changing the account name
The following user names might differ from the user name that was specified during the Windows installation.
Configuring the password setting for Administrator
The Windows Administrator password must be configured for use with the SVP.
Changing the password setting
Change the password for the Windows operating system running on the SVP.

Logging on to the operating system

Using the Remote Desktop Connection, log on as the specified user assigned during the guest OS installation (for example, Administrator).

After logging on successfully, configure the control panel display.

Configuring the Control Panel display

Open the Control Panel.
From the View by list, select Large icons.

NoteAfter configuring the control panel display, configure the desktop.

Configuring the desktop

Configure the Windows screen saver function on the SVP.

Procedure

Click Control Panel Personalization. For Basic and High Contrast Themes (6), click Windows Classic.
Click Screen saver.
In Screen saver, click Blank, and then set Wait to 60 (minutes).
Click OK.

Next steps

Configure the task bar and the start menu properties.

Configuring the task bar and the start menu properties

Configure the Taskbar and Start menu properties on the Windows operating system running on the SVP.

Procedure

Click Control Panel Taskbar and Start Menu Properties (task bar property), and then click the Taskbar tab.
Click Customize.
In the Notification Area Icons window, check Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar.
Click OK.
Click Control Panel Taskbar and Start Menu Properties (task bar property), and then click the Start Menu tab.
Click Customize.
In the Customize Start Menu window, check Run command and click Display on the All Programs menu and the Start menu.
Under Music, check Don’t display this item.
Click OK.
In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window, click OK.

NoteAfter configuring the Task bar and Start Menu properties, configure the time settings.

Configuring the time settings

Configure the SVP for Universal Coordinated Time, and then configure it to not synchronize with an Internet time server.

Click Control Panel Date and Time, and then click the Date and Time tab.
Click Change time zone.
In the Time Zone Settings window, click (UTC) Coordinated Universal Time, and then click OK.
Click Control Panel Date and Time, and then click the Internet Time tab.
Click Change settings. In the Internet Time Settings window, uncheck Synchronize with an Internet time server, and then click OK.
In the Date and Time window, click OK.

NoteAfter configuring the time settings, configure the region settings.

Configuring region settings

Configure the region and language the language for your region or preference.

Procedure

Click Control Panel Region and Language, and then click the Keyboards and Languages tab.
Click Change keyboards.
In the Text Service and Input Languages window, click the Language Bar tab.
Click Hidden, and then click OK.
Click Control Panel Region and Language, and then click the Administrative tab.
Click Change system locale.
In the Region and Language settings window, for Current system locale, select the language for your region or preference.
Click OK.
In the Change System Locale window, click Restart now.
After the restart, click Control Panel Region and Language, and then click the Keyboards and Languages tab.
Click Change Keyboards, and then click the General tab.
In the Text Services and Input Languages window, if Japanese(Japan) appears under Installed services, click the current selection, and then click Remove.
Click OK.
In the Region and Language window, click OK.

NoteAfter configuring the region settings, configure the power management settings.

Configuring the power management settings

For optimum performance, the SVP requires specific power management settings.

Click Control Panel Power Options, and then click the Show additional plans list.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Click High Performance and Change plan settings.
In the Edit Plan Setting window, click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
In Turn off the display, select Never, and then click Change advanced power settings.
In the Advanced settings tab of the Power Options window, click Change settings that are currently unavailable. Then click Hard disk Turn off hard disk after, and select Never.
Click Processor power management Minimum processor state, and then select 5.
Click OK.
In the Edit Plan Setting window, click Save change, and then close the window.

NoteAfter defining the power management settings, configure the Action Center settings.

Configuring Action Center settings

All settings in the Windows Action Center must be disabled.

Click Control Panel Action Center, and then click Change Action Center settings.
In the Change Action Center settings window, clear all the items, click OK, and then close the window.

NoteAfter configuring Action Center settings, configure the troubleshooting settings.

Configuring the troubleshooting settings

The Windows Computer Maintenance setting must be disabled.

Procedure

Click Control Panel Troubleshooting, and then click Change settings.
In the Change settings window, for Computer Maintenance, click Off, and clear all configuration options below Other settings.
Click OK, and then close the window.

NoteAfter configuring the troubleshooting settings, configure the Remote Desktop settings.

Configuring the Remote Desktop settings

Remote access to the SVP is required and appropriate Windows firewall settings must be configured.

Procedure

Click Control Panel System, and then click Remote settings.
In the System Properties window, click the Remote tab.
Under Remote Assistance, clear Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.
Under Remote Desktop, click Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (more secure).
Click OK.
If a message states that the Remote Desktop Firewall will be enabled, click OK.
Click OK to close the System Properties window.
Close the System window.
Click Control Panel Windows Firewall, and then click Allow a program or feature through Windows firewall.
Click Change settings, and then verify Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop - RemoteFX for both Home/Work (Private) and Public are selected.
Click OK.
Close the Windows Firewall window.

NoteAfter configuring the Remote Desktop settings, configure the Internet Explorer settings.

Configuring Internet Explorer settings

Configure Internet Explorer advanced, security, and properties settings.

Procedure

Click Control Panel Internet Options, and then click the Advanced tab to modify the settings.
Under Security, select Allow active content to run in files on My Computer.
Clear Use SSL 3.0.
If SSL 2.0 is selected, clear it.
Select Use TLS 1.0, Use TLS 1.1, and Use TLS 1.2.
Click OK.
Close the Internet Properties window.
From the Control Panel window, click System and Security Action Center.
If the SmartScreen Filter window appears, click OK.
Click All Programs Internet Explorer.
If the Set Up Windows Internet Explorer 8 window appears, click Next.
In the Turn on Suggested Sites window, click No, don’t turn on, and then click Next.
In the Choose your settings window, click Use express settings, and then click Finish.
When an error indicates that an Internet connection is not established, close Internet Explorer.

NoteAfter configuring Internet Explorer settings, disable the auto-execute feature.

Disabling the auto-execute feature

The SVP requires the Windows AutoPlay feature be turned off.

Click Start Run, and then type gpedit.msc to start the Group Policy Editor.
Click Local Computer Policy Computer Configuration, click Administrative Templates Windows Components, and then click AutoPlay Policies.
From the items on the right, double-click Turn off Autoplay.
In the Property window, click Enabled and select All drives, and then click OK.
Close the Group Policy Editor.
Click Control Panel Autoplay.
Clear Use Autoplay for all media and devices, and then click Save.

NoteAfter disabling the auto-execute feature, configure the Registry.

Configuring the Registry

Use Regedit to edit the Windows Registry on the SVP.

Disable anonymous logon (null connection):
1. Click Start Run, and then type regedit and press Enter.
2. In the User Account Control menu, click Yes to open the Registry Editor window.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa.
4. Double-click restrictanonymous.
5. Set Value data to 1, verify Hexadecimal is selected, and then click OK.
Disable the beep when Remote Desktop Connection is connected:
1. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server.
2. In the Edit menu, click New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
3. Type DisableBeep.
4. Double-click DisableBeep.
5. Set Value data to 1, verify Hexadecimal is selected, and then click OK.
Configure Remote Desktop Connection:
1. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services.
2. In the Edit menu, click New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
3. Type fPromptForPassword.
4. Double-click fPromptForPassword.
5. Set Value data to 1, verify Hexadecimal is selected, and then click OK.
6. In the Edit menu, click New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
7. Type SecurityLayer.
Restart the server.

NoteAfter configuring the Registry, enable ICMP (ping) reply.

Enabling ICMP (ping) reply

The Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) is a supporting protocol in the Internet protocol suite. The protocol is used by network devices, such as routers, to send error messages and operational information indicating, as an example, a requested service is not available or a host or router could not be reached.

Click Control Panel Administrative Tools, and then start Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.
In the left pane, click Inbound Rules.
Click all of the following inbound rules, and then right-click and click Enable Rules.
- File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In) (Profile=Domain)
- File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In) (Profile=Private)
- File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv6-In) (Profile=Domain)
- File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv6-In) (Profile=Private)
NoteAfter enabling ICMP (ping) reply, change the computer name.

Changing the computer name

Changing the computer name allows the SVP to be identified easily.

Click Control Panel System, and then click Change settings under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings.
In the System Properties window, click the Computer Name tab, and then click Change.
In the Computer Name field, type SVP-PC.
When prompted to restart your computer, click OK.
Click Close.
Click Restart Now.
Wait for the server to restart.

NoteAfter changing the computer name, change the account name.

Changing the account name

The following user names might differ from the user name that was specified during the Windows installation.

Click Control Panel User Accounts, and then click Change your account name.
Type SVP for the new account name, and then click Change Name.
Close the User Accounts window.
Click Control Panel Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.
Click Computer Management (Local) System Tools, and then click Local Users and Groups Users.
In the right window, right-click User, and then click Rename.
Rename User to SVP.
Close the Computer Management window, and then close the Administrative Tools window.

NoteAfter changing the account name, configure the password setting for the Administrator.

Configuring the password setting for Administrator

The Windows Administrator password must be configured for use with the SVP.

Click Control Panel Administrative Tools, and then click Computer Management.
Click Computer Management (Local) System Tools, and then click Local Users and Groups Users.
In the right window, right-click Administrator, and then click Set Password.
In the warning message, click Proceed.
In the New password and Confirm password fields, type the administrator password raid-login.
Click OK.
Close the Computer Management window, and then close the Administrative Tools window.
Restart Windows.

NoteAfter configuring the password setting for Administrator, change the password setting.

Changing the password setting

Change the password for the Windows operating system running on the SVP.

Click Control Panel User Accounts.
Click Create a password for your account.
In the top two fields, type the password raid-login. Leave the password hint field empty.
Click Create password.
Close the window.

NoteAfter changing the password setting, install the SVP software.