Installation and User Guide

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vAlarm Installation and User Guide

Table of Contents
About ...................................................................................................................................... 4
Intended Audience .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Document Feedback ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
Technical Support ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 5

System Requirements....................................................................................................... 5

Installing vAlarm ............................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................................................... 5

3.2 Installation........................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Configuring vAlarm ........................................................................................................... 7

vAlarm Installation and User Guide

About
The vAlarm Installation and User Guide describes how to install and configure Xtravirt vAlarm.

Intended Audience

This guide is intended for anyone wishing to install Xtravirt vAlarm. It has been written for administrators who have

familiarity or understanding of VMware vCenter Server.

Document Feedback
Xtravirt welcomes any feedback for documentation improvement. Comments should be submitted to
advantage@xtravirt.com.

Technical Support
Technical support is not provided under the terms of the End User License Agreement.
Product feedback and fault identification is welcomed, and comments should be submitted to advantage@xtravirt.com.

vAlarm Installation and User Guide

Introduction

vAlarm is a Windows based application which monitors alarms generated by VMware vCenter.
The product is designed to be installed on an administrators PC, and provides automated monitoring of vCenter alarms
without needing to be logged into a full VI Client console.
The software automatically communicates with a vCenter server on a user configurable schedule, and notifies any active
alarms via a popup information bubble in the notification area of a users desktop.
The option to show details of all active alarms displays an information dialogue which lists individual alarms with detailed
descriptions.
The software supports VMware vCenter 2.5 & 4.0.

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems

Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4)

Windows 2003

Windows XP

Windows Vista

Windows 7

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.

Installing vAlarm

3.1

Prerequisites

Ensure that the PC which is to have the software installed can access VMware vCenter. For example, log into vCenter prior
to installation with the VI Client or Web Access.

3.2

Installation

Unzip the compressed folder containing the vAlarm software to a folder on the PC or networked attached drive.
Run setup.msi. An installation wizard will appear. Click Next.

vAlarm Installation and User Guide

Select Installation Folder. Accept the default installation path or choose a different installation location. Click Next.

Ready to Install. Click Install. The installation may take several minutes.

Installation complete. Click Finish to exit the Setup Wizard.

vAlarm Installation and User Guide

Configuring vAlarm

The installation will create a start menu folder in Programs\Xtravirt vAlarm as well as place a shortcut on the desktop.
Once the program is run, a login dialogue will appear.
Server / Port:
Username:
Password:

Enter the name or IP address of your VMware vCenter server. The default port is 443, but can be
modified depending upon your own installation.
Enter the username of an account which has rights to view vCenter alarms
Enter the matching password for the username

Click Login to connect.

Upon successful connection, a vAlarm icon will appear in the notification area and an information bubble will display any
active alarms.

vAlarm Installation and User Guide

To display details about current alarms, right-click the notification icon, and from the context menu select Show Alarm
Details.

A dialogue will list any current alarms and available details. Information provided contains:

Name of ESX host, VM or Datastore

Alarm Status either orange or red

Alarm Message any additional details describing the issue

Click Ok to close the Current Alarms dialogue.

vAlarm Installation and User Guide

To configure refresh interval and display duration, right-click the notification icon, and from the context menu
select Configuration.
A dialogue box will appear. Select the interval pointer and drag it along the timeline to configure intervals and duration. Click
Ok to confirm changes. The default refresh interval is 5 minutes with the notification bubble displaying for 5 seconds.

vAlarm Installation and User Guide