# Connector Installation - VMWare ESXi

This document will guide you to create a Cloudbrink Connector (either single or active-standby pair) in VMware ESXi. Steps 9 through 18 must be completed twice in order to create two instances for the active-standby pair. 

**Prerequisites** 

1. VMware vCenter account with privilege to upload disk images and create virtual machines 
2. Create a Connector on the Cloudbrink Admin Portal, create Connector instance(s) and download the installation\_script for each of these instance(s) 
3. Run the installation\_script from the endpoint from where vCenter UI will be managed 
4. By running the installation\_script, you can download the VM files (ex: OVA) and the ISO file needed for the Connector bring-up step. 
5. Please refer to “Connector Configuration Guide” for details on these steps 

**Connector VM Requirements (minimum)**

1. Compute: 4 CPU and 8GB RAM 
2. Storage: 50 GB Disk 
3. Networking: Outbound ports 443 (TCP), 9090 (TCP) and 9993-4 (UDP) to Cloudbrink SaaS and Edges 

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**Connector VM – High Level Instructions**

Deploy 1 (non-HA) or 2 (HA) Connector VMs OVA 

Edit the following settings of the deployed VM(s): 

      Hard disk 1 size: 50 GB 

      Attach CD/DVD drive with provided ISO (*unique* per VM) file 

Set forged transmits to Accept on the attached vSwitch 

**Connector VM – Detailed Instructions** <br>

1. Navigate to the Storage section of the vCenter UI, and select an appropriate datastore and  folder to upload the cloud-init ISO files, per business requirements.&#x20;

NOTE: The OVA and ISO files could be downloaded to the laptop from where vCenter UI is being accessed using the script given from the Cloudbrink admin portal&#x20;

2. Click Upload files, and in your OS file window, select the cloud-init ISO files that were downloaded by running the script from the admin portal.&#x20;
3. Utilizing the dropdown Menu at the vCenter UI, select Content Libraries.&#x20;
4. Select (or create) the Content Library of your choice.&#x20;
5. Click Actions and then Import item.&#x20;

![](/files/D5eHoomA3hF2y1wSVYcq)<br>

6. In the pop-up, select the Local file radio button, and then click Upload File. In your OS file window, select the Cloudbrink Connector OVA file.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/khFveXRzMf8A0KbDO0sx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. Within the Source file details section, click the upload button in the 1 associated file miss- ing row, and in your OS window select the Cloudbrink Connector OVA file.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/Ms94jLcJS57kIytL1t0j" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

8. Click the Import button in the lower right corner of the pop-up, and wait for the upload task to complete.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/cPw9uSjC2FZ1Xj7sAg0Z" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

9. From within your Content Library, click on the recently uploaded OVA file, then the Actions dropdown, and finally New VM from this Template.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/8UarPd5DCU6JJXTh2AOp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

10. Name and select the appropriate location to deploy the Connector VM, per business requirement, and then click Next.&#x20;
11. Continue through the deployment wizard, selecting appropriate resources per business re- querulents. On the last step, click Finish.&#x20;
12. Once the VM is deployed, navigate to VMs and Templates, select the recently deployed VM, click Actions, and then Edit Settings.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/y5SW55lZLZNBLBhtZ84x" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

13. Ensure the CPU is set to 4, and the Memory to 8 GB.&#x20;
14. Change the VM's Hard disk 1 size to 50 GB.&#x20;
15. Click the Add New Device button, then CD/DVD Drive.&#x20;
16. Change the newly added CD/DVD Drive dropdown to Datastore ISO file, navigate to and  select the uploaded ISO selected in steps 1-2, and click Ok.&#x20;
17. Click to enable the Connect at Power On checkbox in the CD/DVD Drive entry.&#x20;
18. Ensure the Hard disk 1 and the CD/DVD Drive entries appear as in the image below, and then click Ok.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/k7gjNOBfyCoROj5Rfcch" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

19. Navigate to Hosts and Clusters from the vCenter menu and select the host (or cluster) chosen in step 10.&#x20;
20. In the host UI, select the Configure tab, then in the left column under the Networking section select Virtual Switches.&#x20;
21. In the Virtual Switches table, select the virtual switch chosen in step 10, and then click Edit.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/A2ScpSKglSe8bOwHohVK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

22. Select Security from the left column and ensure Forged transmits are set to Accept.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/vzD0RCmfpRnzx7PEfFlw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

23. Repeat steps 18 through 21 for all vCenter hosts that can host the Connector VMs.&#x20;
24. Navigate back to VMs and Templates, and power on the Connector VM(s).&#x20;


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