vCenter Quick Setup Checklist

Immediate Actions (In Order)

1. Access vCenter

• URL: https://vcsa.markalston.net
• Login: administrator@vsphere.local / Cl0udFoundry!

2. Create Datacenter

• Right-click vCenter → New Datacenter
• Name: Homelab-DC

3. Add ESXi Hosts (One by One)

Intel NUCs (ESXi 8.0.3):

• esxi-nuc-01.markalston.net (192.168.10.8)
• esxi-nuc-02.markalston.net (192.168.10.9)
• esxi-nuc-03.markalston.net (192.168.10.10)

Mac Pro (ESXi 7.0.3):

• macpro.markalston.net (192.168.10.7)

For each host:

• Right-click Homelab-DC → Add Host
• Hostname: [host FQDN]
• Username: root
• Password: Cl0udFoundry!
• Accept certificate warnings
• Use evaluation license

4. Create Compute Cluster

• Right-click Homelab-DC → New Cluster
• Name: Compute-Cluster
• Enable DRS (Fully Automated)
• Enable HA
• Add only Intel NUCs to this cluster
• Keep Mac Pro separate

Note: If you created a “Compute-Hosts” folder, the cluster name must be different (e.g., “NUC-Cluster”)

5. Configure Basic Networking

Option A: Use Standard Switches (Simpler)

• Each host keeps its existing “VM Network”
• No immediate changes needed

Option B: Create Distributed Switch (Recommended)

• Networking tab → Right-click Homelab-DC
• New Distributed Switch → Name: Homelab-DvS
• Version: 7.0.0 (compatible with all hosts)
• Add all hosts to the switch

6. Verify Storage

• Check that all datastores are visible
• Intel NUCs: Local SSD datastores
• Mac Pro: MAC_LOCAL datastore

Quick Test

1. Try creating a test VM on one of the Intel NUCs
2. Test vMotion between Intel NUCs
3. Verify all hosts are connected and green

Host Credentials (All Hosts)

• Username: root
• Password: Cl0udFoundry!

Key URLs

• vSphere Client: https://vcsa.markalston.net
• VAMI (Management): https://vcsa.markalston.net:5480

---

Detailed instructions in: vcenter-initial-configuration.md