Introduction

In my How to Deploy a HyTrust KeyControl 2-node Cluster post I walked through the steps for deploying and configuring a 2-node HyTrust KeyControl cluster. Now that you have it deployed, let’s start using it. But before we can do that, we need to add it vCenter as a Key Provider. Let’s go!!

To get started here is what you will need to complete the steps in this post:

• KeyControl OVA v5.2.1
• vCenter and ESX host at least version 6.5 or greater
• 2 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 60GB disk per KeyControl node
• Network address information such as:
  • IP address (one per node)
  • Subnet mask
  • Gateway address
  • DNS server information
  • DNS registered hostname for each node

Deploy the First HyTrust KeyControl Appliance

1. Log in to the Virtual Center Appliance (VCSA). Once logged in, right-click and select Deploy OVF Template…

2. Click on Upload Files and navigate to the directory where you placed the HyTrust KeyControl OVA, select it, then click Open.

3. Now that you have the HyTrust KeyControl OVA selected, click on Next.

4. Provide a name for the HyTrust KeyControl appliance, select a deployment location, then click Next.

5. Select the vSphere Cluster or host, then click Next.

6. Review the details, then click Next.

7. Accept the license agreement, then click Next.

8. Select the proper configuration from the list, then click Next.

9. Select the appropriate storage and disk format for the appliance, then click Next.

10. Select the appropriate network, then click Next.

11. Provide the required information, then click Next.

12. Review the summary screen. If everything is correct, click Finish.

You have successfully deployed the first HyTrust KeyControl node.

Introduction

In this post, I will write about using the file-based backup feature in vCenter v7.0. Surprisingly, this feature has been available since vCenter 6.5. But, until recently, I hadn’t heard much about it.

Before getting started, you should read through the list of considerations and limitations of using file-based backups for vCenter. You can find the entire list on VMware’s documentation site.