how to log-in to a fresh install of vCenter Server 5.5 using domain credentials (updated)

Updated: January 24, 2014.

I have read a few posts within the community lately [1][2] about an issue being encountered after a fresh install of vCenter 5.5. Basically, what happens is the only user that can log-in to the vCenter server is the SSO administrator (Administrator@vsphere.local). This may seem like unexpected behaviour, especially considering that even the account (perhaps an AD service account) that was used to perform the install is also unable to log-in and see the vCenter Server.

In contrast to the long title for this post, the solution that I would like to share is short and straight forward. I hope that this solution will save you from some post-install headaches.

the DIY home VPN experiment (part two - PKI)

Part Two: Generating a PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) for my OpenVPN Deployment

In part one of the DIY home VPN experiment, I introduced the project that I am working on - a client-server VPN utilizing OpenVPN. I will be deploying a VPN server using three different methods: 1) a VM running on VMware Fusion, 2) using CentOS on a Raspberry Pi, and 3) using DD-WRT on a consumer router; however, I would like to begin by building the common foundation - the PKI.

What is a PKI, or public key infrastructure?

the DIY home VPN experiment (part one - intro)

Part One: Introduction

It’s been a while since my last blog entry, and I’ve decided to catch you up on some of the projects that I’ve been working on in my home lab. This next series of posts is going to revolve around the do-it-yourself home VPN.

What is a VPN, or virtual private network?