Configure Active Directory Authentication in ESX

| Posted in , , | Posted on 11/03/2009

0

1. SSH to the host.
2. “Su –“ to root.
3. Issue the following commands:
a. esxcfg-auth --enablead --addomain=yourdomain.local --addc=domaincontroller.yourdomain.local
b. useradd ad account name
c. esxcfg-firewall -q activeDirectorKerberos
4. Verify by logging in as yourself.

Configure NTP on ESX 4

| Posted in , | Posted on 11/03/2009

0

1. Log in to the Virtual Infrastructure Client (VIC).
2. Highlight an ESX 4 host and select the configuration tab and “Time Configuration”.
3. Check the box to enable the NTP client (disregard any error as this is due to the firewall be reconfigured) and select “Options”.











4. On the NTP Daemon Options screen ensure the service is set to start automatically.








5. Select NTP settings and remove the localhost address (127.127.0.1).








6. Add the following servers to the list and check the box to restart the NTP service.









7. The ntp.conf file will now look like the below:

Configure NTP on ESX 3.5

| Posted in , , | Posted on 11/03/2009

0

Configure ESX 3.5 Hosts to sync with Internet Time Servers

ESX 3.5 Hosts

1. Log in to the host.
2. “Su –“ to root.
3. Type the following command: “esxcfg-firewall --enableService ntpClient”.
4. Type the following command: “service ntpd restart”.
5. Type the following command: “chkconfig --level 345 ntpd on”.
6. Edit the ntp.conf file (vi /etc/ntp.conf).
7. Make the following changes to the file (Insert the pound sign to comment out a line):

# Prohibit general access to this service.
#restrict default ignore

# Permit all access over the loopback interface. This could
# be tightened as well, but to do so would effect some of
# the administrative functions.
restrict 127.0.0.1

# -- CLIENT NETWORK -------
# Permit systems on this network to synchronize with this
# time service. Do not permit those systems to modify the
# configuration of this service. Also, do not use those
# systems as peers for synchronization.
# restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 notrust nomodify notrap

# --- OUR TIMESERVERS -----
# or remove the default restrict line
# Permit time synchronization with our time source, but do not
# permit the source to query or modify the service on this system.
# restrict mytrustedtimeserverip mask 255.255.255.255 nomodify notrap noquery
# server mytrustedtimeserverip
server 0.us.pool.ntp.org
server 1.us.pool.ntp.org
server 2.us.pool.ntp.org
server 3.us.pool.ntp.org


# --- NTP MULTICASTCLIENT ---
#multicastclient # listen on default 224.0.1.1
# restrict 224.0.1.1 mask 255.255.255.255 notrust nomodify notrap
# restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 notrust nomodify notrap

# --- GENERAL CONFIGURATION ---
#
# Undisciplined Local Clock. This is a fake driver intended for backup
# and when no outside source of synchronized time is available. The
# default stratum is usually 3, but in this case we elect to use stratum
# 0. Since the server line does not have the prefer keyword, this driver
# is never used for synchronization, unless no other other
# synchronization source is available. In case the local host is
# controlled by some external source, such as an external oscillator or
# another protocol, the prefer keyword would cause the local host to
# disregard all other synchronization sources, unless the kernel
# modifications are in use and declare an unsynchronized condition.
#
#server 127.127.1.0 # local clock
#fudge 127.127.1.0 stratum 10


#
# Drift file. Put this in a directory which the daemon can write to.
# No symbolic links allowed, either, since the daemon updates the file
# by creating a temporary in the same directory and then rename()'ing
# it to the file.
#
driftfile /var/lib/ntp/drift
broadcastdelay 0.008

#
# Authentication delay. If you use, or plan to use someday, the
# authentication facility you should make the programs in the auth_stuff
# directory and figure out what this number should be on your machine.
#
#authenticate yes

#
# Keys file. If you want to diddle your server at run time, make a
# keys file (mode 600 for sure) and define the key number to be
# used for making requests.
#
# PLEASE DO NOT USE THE DEFAULT VALUES HERE. Pick your own, or remote
# systems might be able to reset your clock at will. Note also that
# ntpd is started with a -A flag, disabling authentication, that
# will have to be removed as well.
#
#keys /etc/ntp/keys

8. Edit the /etc/ntp/step-tickers file by issuing the following command: “vi /etc/ntp/step-tickers”.
9. Add the same servers used in the ntp.conf file.
10. File should like the following:




11. Sync the ESX hosts with its local hardware clock (CMOS) by issuing the following command: “hwclock –systohc”.
12. Monitor the service using the following command: watch “ntpq –p”.