Earlier today we reported that VMware has released it’s iPad client for vSphere.

But how do you set it up? Below you will find the way how to setup the iPad access to your virtual environment.

It is an easy two step process. First of all you need to download, import and configure the vCenter Mobile Access (vCMA) appliance.

  1. Extract the zip file to a temporary directory, for example c:\temp. The files contained in the zip file include:
    • vCenterMobileAccess-1.x.y.z.ovf;
    • system.vmdk;
  2. Launch the vSphere client and log into your vSphere Host or vCenter Server;
  3. In the inventory view, select the menu File -> Deploy OVF Template…;
  4. Select “Deploy from a file or URL”, browse to the OVF file, and follow the wizard next steps;
  5. In the “End User License Agreement” page, read the license agreement completely and click on the “Accept all license agreements” and continue the steps;
  6. In the “Name and Location” page, provide the name for your Virtual Machine;
  7. Once the wizard completes, a virtual machine will be created. Select the virtual machine and power it on;
  8. You can then add the appliance to your DNS server. This step has to be done manually. You can use only the IP address if you prefer but you can also enter a host name for the appliance.

To make it even easier VMware released a video on how to setup the vCMA.

When that is done, you need to configure the vSphere client on the iPad which is even easier.

  1. Download the vSphere Client for iPad application from the AppStore;
  2. Once the vCMA virtual appliance powers on, on the home screen of the iPad go to “Settings”, scroll down and tap on “vSphere Client”. Now enter the IP Address of the vCMA virtual appliance in the “Web Server” field;
  3. Ensure your iPad has connectivity to the vCMA virtual appliance.  This may entail configuring the iPad’s built-in VPN client.  Consult Apple’s documentation on configuring the built-in VPN client;
  4. Launch the vSphere Client for iPad application and enter the host, username and password for the vCenter Server or vSphere Host you wish to connect to.

Again, this is shown in a video.

Now you have setup all components needed for the vSphere client for the iPad but what does it look like…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, happy virtual touching on your iPad ……