DocsKnowledge BaseAPI Explorer
Documentation›ZVF›ZStack ZCenter›User Guide
ZVF

Environment Connection

ZCenter centrally manages ZSphere environments. Each connected environment corresponds to a management node in ZCenter. A management node represents an entire managed virtualization environment, including its hosts, VMs, storage, and network resources. When multiple environments are connected, you can use management nodes to distinguish and view the resources in each environment.

When connecting an environment, ZCenter uses an AccessKey from the target ZSphere environment for API access and synchronizes its resource information. The connection status indicates whether ZCenter is connected to the environment, while the sync status indicates the progress of resource synchronization. Once the environment is connected and resource synchronization is complete, you can view and manage its resources in Inventory.

Connect a ZSphere Environment

Add a ZSphere environment to ZCenter and synchronize its resources for centralized management.

  • You are logged in to the ZCenter management interface, and your account has permission to add management nodes.
  • You have obtained the management interface address and API address of the target ZSphere environment and ensured that they are reachable over the network.
  • You have obtained a valid AccessKey ID and AccessKey Secret from the target ZSphere environment. The account that owns the AccessKey has the required resource management permissions. For instructions on generating an AccessKey, see Generate an AccessKey.

In ZCenter, a connected ZSphere environment is called a management node.

  1. In the navigation pane of the ZCenter management interface, choose System Configuration > Management Nodes.
  2. Click Add Management Node.
  3. Enter a name and description, and select ZStack ZSphere for Type.
  4. Configure the management node addresses and connection credentials.
    Configuration Item Description
    Access URL The address of the target ZSphere management interface. Select http or https, and enter the address and port in their respective fields. The default port is 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS. If the environment uses a custom port, enter that port.
    Management Node IP The IP address for API access to the target ZSphere management node. The protocol is http, and the default port is 8080. Enter the values according to the actual API access configuration.
    AccessKey ID An AccessKey ID generated in the target ZSphere environment.
    AccessKey Secret The AccessKey Secret paired with the AccessKey ID above.
  5. Click Test Connection next to Access URL and Management Node IP to check whether each address is reachable.
    If a test fails, check the corresponding address, protocol, port, and network connectivity. Correct the configuration and test again.
  6. Click Create.

After creation succeeds, the newly connected environment appears in the management node list, and ZCenter starts synchronizing its resources.

  1. Click the management node name. On the Overview tab of the details page, check Account Information. Confirm that Status is Connected, and wait until Sync Status changes to Synced.
  2. Select the environment in Inventory to view its synchronized resources.

Manage Connected Environments

View the connection and sync status of connected ZSphere environments, maintain connection configurations, and reconnect, synchronize, or delete management nodes as needed.

In the navigation pane of the ZCenter management interface, choose System Configuration > Management Nodes and locate the target environment whose type is ZStack ZSphere. All operations below are performed in the ZCenter management interface and require the corresponding management permissions.

View Environment Information and Status

The management node list displays information such as the name, type, version, connection status, and access URL. Click a management node name to open its details page.

Location Description
Overview > Basic Information View the management interface access URL, management node IP address, and creation time.
Overview > Account Information View the AccessKey ID, version, license status, connection status, and sync status. Connected indicates a normal connection to the environment. Synced indicates that the current resource synchronization is complete. Check both statuses before viewing resources.
License tab View the license information for the environment.

Modify Environment Information and Connection Configuration

Operation Instructions
Edit Name and Description From the Actions menu of the target management node, select Edit Name and Description, modify the name or description, and click OK.
Edit

If the management interface address, API address, or connection credentials change, select Edit from the Actions menu of the target management node. Update the configuration, test the connections, and click Confirm Update.

The environment type cannot be changed. For descriptions of the connection parameters, see Connection Parameters.

If the management node is synchronizing or waiting for synchronization, wait until synchronization finishes before editing.

Reconnect and Synchronize

Open the details page of the target management node and select an operation from the Actions menu.

Operation When and How to Use
Reconnect If the environment connection is abnormal, check the access URL, API address, connection credentials, and network connectivity. Use Edit to update the configuration if needed, and then select Reconnect. After the operation, check the connection status on the Overview tab.
Sync To manually update the environment resource information in ZCenter, select Sync. Ensure that the environment is connected and the previous synchronization has completed. After the operation, wait until the sync status changes to Synced, and then view the resources in Inventory.

Refreshing the page only updates the information displayed on that page. To synchronize the environment resource information again, use Sync.

Generate IdP Configuration

To generate the identity provider integration configuration for the target ZSphere environment, select Generate IdP Configuration from the Actions menu of the management node.

Delete a Management Node

When you no longer need to manage an environment through ZCenter, you can delete its management node. A management node cannot be deleted while it is synchronizing or waiting for synchronization. If the environment has joined a license pool, remove it from the pool first.

Warning: The deletion confirmation dialog warns of the risk of deleting resource pools and cloud resources created through the associated account. Account and resource information cannot be recovered after deletion. Before deleting the management node, identify the affected resources and users and ensure that the resources have been handled appropriately.
  1. Select Delete from the Actions menu of the target management node.
  2. In the Delete Management Node confirmation dialog, verify the management node name and review the impact of deletion.
  3. Select I understand the risks. and click OK.
PreviousLicenses and License PoolsNextResource Management