Installing Citrix NetScaler nCore VPX 9.3 and Access Gateway Enterprise Edition in VMware Workstation for Evaluation Purposes

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Several months ago I blogged about installing Access Gateway VPX Express in VMware Workstation. I recently realized that while this post has received numerous hits and comments, a more valuable blog post would focus on installing NetScaler nCore VPX and Access Gateway Enterprise Edition in VMware Workstation! VMware Workstation, or any lab environment for that matter, is the best place for an individual learning or evaluating NetScalers as it is most often isolated or detached from the corporate environment.  The approach will be similar to my post on CAG VPX Express, but in the end we will be ready to get started with further discussions around NetScalers and their potential in the enterprise.

Prerequisites:
VMware workstation
VMware OVFTool Converter Installed (Obtained from http://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn/vsphere/automationtools/ovf)
NetScaler VPX (nCore) for ESX 9.3 Build 50.3 (Requires MyCitrix.com login). Navigate to: Downloads -> NetScaler -> NetScaler VPX Release 9.3 (You might as well grab both the Download and the Documentation, we’ll use both)

Step 1: Using the OVF Tool, convert the downloaded OVF format Virtual Appliance to VMX format:
–          Once installed, ovftool.exe can be located in C:Program FilesVMwareVMware OVF Tool.  The following command can be used (where Source.ovf and Destination.vmx are replaced with the actual paths):
“C:Program FilesVMwareVMware OVF Toolovftool.exe” C:Source.ovf C:Destination.vmx

Step 2: Once converted, open VMware Workstation and navigate to File -> Open and browse to the .vmx file created in the procedure above.  At this point, you can add the VM to favorites by selecting File -> Add to Favorites.  Additionally, you can rename the VM if needed.  For most evaluation configurations a single network interface will suffice. If desired, remove the second network adapter:

Important: This next step is critical as it increases the total memory capacity for the NetScaler VPX above 3.6GB so you can allocate up to 32GBs of RAM if desired. Before you power on the virtual machine for the first time, right click it and select Upgrade or Change Version. Click Next and select Workstation 6.5-7.x from the drop down:

Click Next and select Alter this virtual machine:

Click Next and Click Finish.

Note: The first time you boot the virtual machine you may be prompted about running a 64-bit Operating System in a 32-bit virtual machine. This notification can safely be ignored, the NetScaler VPX will function without a problem. Optionally, to avoid this notification, you can use the Options tab to change the virtual machine type to Solaris 10 64-bit.

Step 3: Once the NetScaler VPX has booted, the first time setup wizard will kick off and ask you for an IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway.  These are all settings for the NetScaler IP (NSIP):



Step 4: After answering the initial three questions and select option 4 (followed by a return) to save the configuration. Launch a web browser to http://ipaddress to finalize the initial configuration. Ignore the notification regarding Https as an SSL certificate has not yet been installed. Login with username: nsroot and password: nsroot (all lowercase):

Step 5: The Java Web Applet will load immediately followed by the Setup Wizard to configure the Subnet IP (SNIP) or Mapped IP (MIP). You’re welcome to read up on the differences between the two, but for now simply configure a Subnet IP and set the NetScaler’s DNS Hostname:

Skip the step regarding AppExpert Templates and click Next and Finish for the initial Setup Wizard. To finalize the configuration, be sure to change the nsroot password by navigating to System -> Users. Select nsroot and choose the Change Password option at the bottom.

You now have completed the basic installation of NetScaler VPX and are ready to start navigating and exploring all the features and functionality available!  Be sure to check back for further blog posts on configuring Web Interface on NetScaler and much more.  Thanks for reading

–youngtech

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  1. Charles RileyCharles Riley01-17-2012

    This thing is erroring out with “BTX halted”. Help!

  2. ylzjyuylzjyu12-14-2011

    I also want to make a few.
    1, OVFTOOL command, if the directory has a space character, need to add quotes.
    2, available from the ESX / ESXI NS in NS VPX switch to Workstation.
    3, the operating system type to modify other 64 bits.
    4, Workstation environment under the NS VPX at least 2G of memory to boot to complete.

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