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Deploy a Linux access node for VMware vSphere

To deploy a Linux access node for VMware VM operations, review the requirements and placement guidelines, deploy the access node, verify registration and connectivity, and then run a small test operation.

You can deploy a Linux access node by using either:

  • The Deploy New Linux access node workflow in Commvault (recommended)

  • A manual OVA deployment in vCenter (use when automated deployment isn't available)

Requirements

  • VMware vCenter access with permissions to deploy VMs

  • Network connectivity between:

    • The access node

    • vCenter and ESXi hosts

    • Storage targets

  • Commvault environment configured and reachable

  • Required credentials for VMware and Commvault

Placement guidelines

  • Deploy the access node in the same site or network zone as the VMware workloads

  • Avoid routing backup traffic across high-latency or restricted networks

  • Use at least one access node per site or network zone

Guardrails

  • Use separate access nodes for on-premises and cloud hypervisor workloads. If you use multiple access nodes:

    • Allow communication between nodes.

    • Verify that each node can reach vCenter, ESXi hosts, and storage targets.

  • Do not use the same VM template for the access node and protected VMs.

  • Use the latest OVA image to ensure security updates and compatibility.

Deploy a Linux access node in Commvault

This method is the most common and recommended deployment for Linux access nodes.

  1. From the Command Center navigation pane, go to Protect > Virtual machines.

  2. On the Hypervisor tab, click the hypervisor.

  3. On the Configuration tab, in the Access nodes tile, click Actions > Deploy new Linux access node.

  4. Enter a name for the VM, and then click Next.

  5. Select the destination compute resource, and then click Next.

  6. Select a deployment size, and then click Next.

  7. Configure the following:

    • Destination network

    • Virtual disk format

    • Datastore

  8. Click Next.

  9. On the Customize template page, configure the access node:

    • Client name

    • Host name

    • Root password

    • Server group

    • Linux timezone

  10. Enable the Automatic OS updates toggle key if required.

  11. Configure network settings:

    • Enable Use DHCP, or specify:

      • Static IP address

      • Netmask

      • Gateway

    • DNS search suffix

    • Nameserver 1

    • Nameserver 2

  12. Configure additional network settings:

    • Network gateway hostname

    • NTP server hostname

  13. Click Next.

  14. On the Summary page, review the configuration, and then click Finish.

Deploy a Linux access node by using a VMware OVA

Use this method when automated deployment from Commvault isn't possible, or when internet access or vCenter permissions are restricted.

  1. Download the Linux access node and MediaAgent OVA file.

  2. In VMware vCenter, deploy the OVA by using Deploy OVF Template.

  3. During deployment, configure:

    • Compute resource

    • Datastore

    • Network

    • Template customization values for:

      • Host name and root password

      • Timezone and NTP

      • DHCP or static IP settings, including DNS

      • Registration with Commvault

  4. After deployment, power on the VM.

Verify the access node in Commvault

Verify that the access node registers with the Commvault environment.

  1. Confirm that the access node appears in the infrastructure list at Manage > Infrastructure.

  2. In the hypervisor configuration, confirm that the access node appears under Configuration > Access nodes.

  3. Verify connectivity to:

    • vCenter

    • ESXi hosts

    • Storage

  4. Run a small test operation (for example, a test backup or a browse action) to confirm end-to-end access.

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