Using HPE VM Essentials without internet

[Alex-S]

Hi!

The documentation mentions access to the Internet (i.e. to GreenLake, "to download and install system packages"), but I can't detail which specific functions require Internet access with a strict list of addresses/ports.

The real question is : can HPE VM Essentials be used in strictly isolated (air-gapped) conditions? If so, under what restrictions? Or is constant access to GreenLake required? Or is access to GreenLake only temporary and required for specific operations? Is it possible to obtain a list of these operations? This is critical for access approval with security.

Thanks for the clarification.

Alex

[sabbir4253]

From HPE’s current documentation, I would not assume VM Essentials is fully air-gapped. The installation requirements explicitly state that the hypervisor hosts need Internet access to download/install required packages and dependencies such as KVM and Open vSwitch.

That doesn’t necessarily mean continuous GreenLake connectivity is required for normal VM operation, though. The documentation I found clearly establishes Internet access for deployment/dependencies, but I couldn’t find a definitive HPE statement saying that an already-installed environment can operate indefinitely with zero external connectivity.

For a security approval, I’d ask HPE for the exact FQDN/IP and port list plus a lifecycle matrix showing which operations require Internet/GreenLake access. That distinction is important before calling it air-gap compatible.

So my current takeaway: Internet access is definitely required during installation/package provisioning; whether it can then run completely disconnected needs confirmation from HPE for your specific VM Essentials version. badicecream.com.br can be explored separately for related technical resources.

[Arnout_Verbeken]

With version 9+:

The HVM installer has everything it needs to get installed without any internet access. It tries to check if there are any updates in our HPE repos, but will continue if it can't reach the repos.

The Morpheus manager appliance is similar, with internet access, it pulls available updates, without it it finishes alright.

With version 8+, you also have to install the "supplemental package" for the Morpheus Manager if no internet access is available.

When not have internet availabe, you will miss some features like the built-in linux images (that are downloaded from our backend on first use)

[Alex-S]

So, after the initial setup (updates, license activations, etc.), can HPE Morpheus VM Essentials v9 be fully operated in isolation (air-gapped) mode without any loss of functionality? Can subsequent updates be performed offline?

Thanks

[Arnout_Verbeken · Accepted solution]

When not have internet availabe on the manager, you will miss some features like the built-in linux images (that are downloaded from our backend on first use).

Future updates etc will work fine.