VMware (OVF) Deployment Instructions

Compatibility

Nodeware VM is compatible with VMware vSphere, ESXi, Fusion, Workstation and Workstation Player. Below are installation instructions for installing the Nodeware VM downloaded from the Nodeware Dashboard. For installation instructions for VMware software, see the VMware Documentation.

Below is the Nodeware VM Splash Screen.

Workstation

1. In Workstation, select File > Open.

2. Browse to the downloaded Nodeware VM OVA package location and click Open.

3. Type a name for the Nodeware VM. If this is a multi-Sensor deployment, it is recommended to use a unique and identifiable name. Once the name for the Sensor is entered, click Import.

    • If the import fails, click Retry to try again.[1]

4. Once the import has finished, select the VM in the list and click Power On Virtual Machine.

5. Verify the VM powers on to the Nodeware VM splash screen shown above.

6. Follow the instructions in the Sensor Activation article to complete the Nodeware setup.

[1] Nodeware OVA supports a wide range of VM deployments and platforms, and for this reason does not always pass the strict OVF specification conformance and virtual hardware compliance checks that VMware runs during first import. Clicking Retry relaxes these checks. We certify that Nodeware is fully compatible with all current releases of Workstation and Workstation Player. 

VMware vSphere

1. Log in to the vSphere Client.

2. Select File > Deploy OVF Template.

3. Use the following settings:
    • Source: The downloaded Nodeware VM OVA package location.
    • Storage:
      o Select the location to store the virtual machine files.
      o Hard Disk capacity 20GB.
    • Network Mapping
      o Select the network for each virtual machine to use.
      o Select the network segments to monitor with Nodeware.
    • Properties
      o Select the correct time zone.
      o Type the static IP address for each virtual appliance.
      o Make a note of the static IP to access configuration in Step 6.

4. Click Power On After Deployment and click Finish.

5. Verify that the Nodeware VM boots to the low-resolution Nodeware splash screen as shown above.

6. Follow the instructions in the Sensor Activation article to complete the Nodeware setup.

VMware ESXi

It is recommended for best performance to use ESXi version 7.0.

1. Log in to ESXi via vSphere Client, Workstation or Fusion.

2. Right-click any inventory object that is a valid parent object of a virtual machine, such as a data center, folder, cluster, resource pool, or host, and select New Virtual Machine.

3. On the Select Template page, specify the location of the downloaded Nodeware VM OVA package.

4. On the Select Name and Location page, enter a unique name for the Nodeware VM.

5. On the Select a Resource page, select a resource where to run the Nodeware VM, and click Next.

6. On the Review Details page, verify the deployment details and click Next.

7. On the Select Storage page, specify the location of the Nodeware software execution.
    • Nodeware VM requires Hard Disk to be set to 20GB capacity.
    • Select the disk format for the virtual machine virtual disks.
    • Nodeware supports both Thick and Thin deployment.

8. On the Select Networks page, select a source network and map it to the network segment that Nodeware will monitor.

9. On the Ready to Complete page, review the page and click Finish.

10. Power on the Nodeware VM and confirm that the Splash Screen shown above displays.

11. Follow the instructions in the Sensor Activation article to complete the Nodeware setup.

Workstation Player

1. In Workstation Player, select Player > File > Open

2. Browse to the downloaded Nodeware VM OVA package location and click Open.

3. Type a name for the Nodeware VM. If this is a multi-Sensor deployment, it is recommended to use a unique and identifiable name. Once the name for the Sensor is entered, click Import.

    • If the import fails, click Retry to try again.[1]

4. Once the import has finished, select the VM in the list and click Play Virtual Machine.

5. Verify the VM powers on to the Nodeware VM splash screen shown above.

6. Follow the instructions in the Sensor Activation article to complete the Nodeware setup.

Troubleshooting

vSphere deployment error message

The OVF package is invalid and cannot be deployed.
The following manifest file entry (line 1) is invalid: SHA256

The current OVA requires the SHA-256 hashing algorithm. This is unsupported in older versions of the vSphere client, as they only have SHA-1 support. To resolve:

1. Use the Web Client to deploy the OVA (recommended)

2. Convert the OVA to support using SHA-1 with the ovftool, see link below

Additional instructions, including converting the OVA, can be found here: https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2151537