Summary

A virtual machine can be created using both vSphere Client and vSphere Web Client. However, vSphere Client is less featured than vSphere Web Client in vSphere 5.5. The added functionality makes vSphere Web Client the preferred client for accessing and administering vCenter server. A typical creation of a virtual machine will result in the default selection for the virtual hardware, whereas a custom creation will allow for the specification of virtual hardware by the administrator. Each virtual machine is equipped with virtual hardware and devices that allow the same functionality as physical hardware. These include one or more virtual CPUs, memory, video card, IDE devices, SCSI devices, DVD/CD-ROM, parallel and serial ports, and network adapters. The selected virtual hardware version dictates compatibility with an ESXi host. Virtual hardware versions 9 and 10 are only available for selection using vSphere Web Client. Once a virtual machine is upgraded to hardware version 10, the...