VMM 2.1 method of adding VM's

[mdam]

We are running the virtual machine management pack with HP System Insight Manager 5.0 SP5.
Formerly with the ESX 2.x branch and the old version of VMM, VM's were automatically added whenever you would register an ESX host machine.
It seems that this behaviour has changed in the newer version (When I register a host machine, no VM's are added) I read some forum threads stating that you would have to add the machine using Options->Discovery. I have tested this using WBEM and this works.
Downside of this is that I have to add the account we use for WBEM as local admin (!!) on that particular VM. Is it possible to also use SNMP for this? Or better, is it possible to use the old method?
The documentation is very vague on this particular matter, the method of adding virtual machine's is not even described.

[Rob Buxton]

I've found wbem the best bet for managing VM Servers.
I just use a domain account, so there's no need to manage local accounts.

I also maintain a wbem batch file that can replace all of the wbem passwords when the domain password expires, this uses the mxnodesecurity command.

I've not had to add VM servers, discovery typically picks them up but I do need to set the wbem settings once it has done.

[mdam]

Rob,

Thanks for your reply. I know I could use a domain account and add that particular user to the local admins group. But the thing I am concerned about is giving out local admin for this. So I asked if WBEM is the only way to go...

[Darrin Rawls]

WBEM is really "WMI" for windows. That is the only instrumentation in a VM (i.e. there is no agent). Not having to manage agents in a VM is a big plus!

WMI requires an 'admin' level account to get at data in the OS.

So yes, WMI/WBEM is the only way to go.

[Rob Buxton]

SNMP will identify the device. So, if not installed it would need to be added. I've not tried but that should be enough to get VMM to tie in correctly.

But you will not get data regarding storage usage that wbem can give.

Some have used the Desktop agents. I've not tried that.