VMware Announces the "End" of vCenter Server for Windows

    Over the past month, VMware has stopped supporting several products from its arsenal. One of them was vCenter Server for Windows. It will be replaced by the vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA). / Flickr / Alexas_Fotos / CC The VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) module was introduced with the release of vSphere 5.0 in 2011. Initially, it was noticeably inferior in functionality and scalability to vCenter Server for Windows, which appeared in vSphere 3.0. Years passed, and Linux-based vCSA got rid of its shortcomings, expanding its capabilities. As a result, the vCSA module became a single deployment environment, and the Windows platform was in the shadows. Version 6.5 gave






    vCSA benefits include migration features, enhanced device management, built-in backup and recovery, and VMware Update Manager.

    The company has previously said that vCSA will become the foundation of the ecosystem of the future. Therefore, the latter decision is not surprising. This step fits into VMware’s strategy to simplify data center administration and IT lifecycle management. From this perspective, vSphere environments should have one centralized management platform. vCSA supports the entire vCenter Server stack, Photon OS, and databases (vPostgres).

    A centralized platform allows VMware to deploy new solutions at an accelerated pace. For users, this means better adaptability and high availability. The module also offers customers a single update center. Thus, maintenance time and downtime with the departure of the vCSA analog are minimized. Linux expert Stuart Burns calls

    for migration to vCSA . He calls the VMware solution scalable, cost-effective, and initially prepared for deployment. The migration process using the special Migration Tool service is described in detail in the VMware blog.

    Community Opinion


    Opinions regarding the decision of VMware to stop supporting the client for Windows were divided. Reddit users in the discussion of the topic expressed dissatisfaction with the web client, which because of its features does not support some functionality. Several panelists argued that “a large list of vCSA’s theoretical benefits is not backed up by virtually no real benefits,” and “retiring the Windows version only benefits VMware developers, not customers.”

    Some Reddit residents believe that the company is thus striving to increase customer dependence on support. And they explain this by the fact that not all vSphere users have Linux skills.

    However, in the same thread of discussion, there are opinions that the rejection of the Windows platform is an attempt by developers to focus on one solution and improve it to increase user convenience. In addition, at least one year will pass before the next major update to vSphere. This will provide VMware with the ability to tidy up the module and prepare extensive documentation. And for users with no Linux experience, it gives time to acquire the necessary knowledge.

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