# VMware vCenter

### Introduction

When deploying the vCenter [Extractor template](https://github.com/exivity/templates/tree/master/Azure%20Stack) for Exivity, it is required to configure a user with approperiate permissions. Additionally, the following process must be completed in order to report on vCenter consumption:

1. Create Exivity vCenter user
2. Configure an Extractor
3. Configure a Transformer
4. Create your Report

Exivity supports Out of the Box integration with vCenter version 6.5 and higher. For version before 6.5, please contact <support@exivity.com>.

### Create Exivity vCenter user

Exivity needs a user with a reader role in order to retrieve consumption data. Please follow this procedure:

* In your vCenter Configuration Manager go to **Configuration > Local Users and Groups > Users.**
* **Create a new User**, insert *username* and *password*.
* Take note of the *username* and *password*, they will be used later on to configure Exivity
* Click on **Create.**
* Under **Users and Groups**, click *Add*, select the previously created user.
* On the **Select Users and Groups** dialog, click **Add**, and then click **OK.**
* Add a **Reader** role in the dropdown.
* Finally click on *OK*.

### Configure an Extractor

To create the Extractor, browse to **Data Sources > Extractors** in the Exivity GUI and click the **Create Extractor** button. This will try to connect to the Exivity Github account to obtain a list of available templates. To create a new Extractor based off the vCenter template follow these steps:

* Provide a name for the Extractor in the **Name** field above
* Pick *vCenter 6.5 (VM Inventory REST API)* template from the list
* Click the **Create** button.

![vCenter Extractor](https://3420689551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LHEKskLK6aXinV75Knl%2F-Lt9fUXMQMPv3mUJHG_o%2F-Lt9huB_omw03JzKKuDj%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=57962cd3-6ea0-4f5d-a4af-764cc6f7fdca)

Once you've created the Extractor, go to the*Variables* tab:

![](https://3420689551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LHEKskLK6aXinV75Knl%2F-Lt9fUXMQMPv3mUJHG_o%2F-Lt9iC51lJ8zR265iWO7%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=2d56bb69-f493-4377-a6ca-6cae63357d97)

Fill in all required variables with the values that you gathered in the previous step. You have the option to encrypt a variable in case it contains sensitive information (i.e. password) by clicking the lock icon on the right of each variable field. When finished, click **Update**.

Once you've filled in all details, go to the **Run** tab to execute the Extractor clicking on **Run Now**:

![](https://3420689551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LHEKskLK6aXinV75Knl%2F-Lt9fUXMQMPv3mUJHG_o%2F-Lt9itxQOj5wsqST4L8G%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=261f5e4a-af23-4ba4-a6ba-3ed1964ffe8c)

If the variables are correct and your vCenter is reachable for Exivity, you should get a successful result.

### Configure a Transformer

Once you have successfully run your vCenter Extractor, you can create a Transformer template via **Data Sources > Transformers** in the Exivity GUI. Browse to this location and click the **Create Transformer** button. Make any changes that you feel necessary and then select the **run** tab to execute it for a single day (today) as a test.

![](https://3420689551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LHEKskLK6aXinV75Knl%2F-Lt9fUXMQMPv3mUJHG_o%2F-Lt9jgXih2md9E-nEekB%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=519aff2d-f4cc-4202-9523-44565656a901)

### Create a Report

Once you have run both your Extractor and Transformer successfully create a *Report Definition* via the menu option **Reports > Definitions***:*

![](https://3420689551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LHEKskLK6aXinV75Knl%2F-Lt9fUXMQMPv3mUJHG_o%2F-Lt9k8RfBiEr0Aer3hxn%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f950eef1-1977-40e4-b6f9-6620482c639f)

Select your *vCenter* dataset, and your preferred *Reporting Columns to break down the report* (we recommend only cluster\_name for the default report). When you are ready, click on **Create**.

Once you have created the report, you should then click the **Prepare Report** button after first making sure you have selected a valid date range from the date selector shown when preparing the report.

![Prepare your Report](https://3420689551-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LHEKskLK6aXinV75Knl%2F-LKvvTQII_LM3fkQhXOt%2F-LKvzU8fWwJLa9Gs1DUw%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=4eaa51c9-e558-42df-ae92-55807eab3807)

Once this is done you should be able to run any of **Accounts**, **Instances**, **Services** or **Invoices** report types located under the **Report** menu for the date range you prepared the report for.