There are a few ways to install Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) on your ESXi hosts. The easiest way is to add the appropriate download source to VMware Update Manager (VUM) in your vCenter, then create and attach a baseline for Nimble Connection Manager to each of your ESXi hosts attached to the HPE Nimble array. Doing so will ensure that Nimble Connection Manager is installed or updated during your normal VMware Update Manager update cycle which will keep Nimble Connection Manager updated across your infrastructure. For those that need them, here are the source URLs:
| Nimble Connection Manager Download Sources for VMware Update Manager | |
|---|---|
| ESX Version | Download Source |
| ESXi 5.x | https://update.nimblestorage.com/esx5/ncm/index.xml |
| ESXi 6.0 | https://update.nimblestorage.com/esx6/ncm/index.xml |
| ESXi 6.5 | https://update.nimblestorage.com/esx6.5/ncm/index.xml |
Now that you have the download sources, what do you do with them? For starters, add them to VMware Update Manager (VUM). For detailed instructions on how to do that, check out my blog post on the subject, or VMware Docs.
Another option is to install Nimble Connection Manager directly to the host. There are a few prerequisites for this method:
- Enable SSH on the host.
- Select the host, click Manage, and keep Settings selected.
- Click Security Profile.
- In the Services section, click Edit.
- Select SSH.
- To temporarily start or stop the service, click the Start or Stop button.
- To change the Startup policy across reboots, select Start and stop with host and reboot the host.
- Click OK.
- Put the host into Maintenance Mode.
- Launch an SSH client (I typically use PuTTY), and log into the ESXi host as root.
Now that you’re logged into the ESXi host as root, execute one of the following commands to install the version of Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) appropriate for the version of ESXi installed on the host, verify that the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) is installed, or remove the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) packages:
To install the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) on an ESXi 5.5 host, execute the following command:
vib install -d https://update.nimblestorage.com/esx5/ncm
To install the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) on an ESXi 6 host, execute the following command:
vib install -d https://update.nimblestorage.com/esx6/ncm
To install the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) on an ESXi 6.5 host, execute the following command:
vib install -d https://update.nimblestorage.com/esx6.5/ncm
To verify that Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) is installed, execute the following command:
esxcli software vib list grep nimble
To remove the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM):
/etc/init.d/sfcbd-watchdog stop esxcli software vib remove -n nimble-ncs --maintenance-mode esxcli software vib remove -n nimble-psp --maintenance-mode
After the Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) has been either installed or removed, the ESXi host must be rebooted.
- Accolades
Scott is an experienced professional and recognized leader specializing in the design and implementation of enterprise virtualization, enterprise storage, server infrastructures and operations. A self-starter able to work both independently and in a team-oriented environment, Scott has a proven ability to create and automate solutions to improve productivity, reliability and performance.
Throughout his professional career, Scott has proven successes implementing technology and service improvement initiatives and has a demonstrated ability to think strategically about business, create technical definition around objectives in complex situations, develop solution strategies, motivate and mobilize resources, and deliver end-to-end technology solutions.
Scott has achieved multiple industry recognized certifications in virtualization, networking, cloud, storage, converged infrastructure, hyperconverged infrastructure and other technologies, and is honored to be a VMware vExpert in 2018-2022, and vExpert EUC 2020-2022.
Achievements
VMware vExpert EUC 2020-2022
VMware vExpert 2022
VMware vExpert 2021
VMware vExpert 2020
VMware vExpert 2019
VMware vExpert 2018
Double VCP – Data Center Virtualization & Desktop Mobility
Double VCP – Data Center Virtualization & Cloud Management
Double VCP – Data Center Virtualization & Network Virtualization
Double VCP – Network Virtualization & Desktop Mobility
Double VCP – Network Virtualization & Cloud Management
Double VCP – Cloud Management & Desktop Mobility
Dell Technologies Proven Professional Exam Developer – 2021
Certifications
VMware Certified Associate – Digital Business Transformation 2020
VMware Certified Professional – Desktop and Mobility 2020
VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization 2020
VMware Certified Professional 6 – Desktop and Mobility
VMware Certified Professional 6 – Cloud Management and Automation
VMware Certified Professional 6 – Network Virtualization
VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization
VMware vSphere 6 Foundations
Dell Technologies Cloud Platform Administrator 2020
Dell Technologies Virtual Desktop Infrastructure 2019
Dell Technologies Specialist – Infrastructure Security Version 1.0
Dell Technologies Specialist – Systems Administrator, VxRail Appliance Version 2.0
Dell Technologies Specialist – Systems Administrator, VxRail Appliance Version 1.0
Dell Technologies Associate – Converged Systems and Hybrid Cloud Version 2.0
Dell Technologies and VMware Co-Skilled Associate – Converged Systems and Hybrid Cloud
IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner
IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Co-Creator
SolarWinds Certified Professional
