Install SolarWinds SEM on VMware vSphere

These instructions provide steps for installing the Security Event Manager VM on VMware vSphere. SolarWinds provides separate installation packages for Hyper-V and VMware vSphere, so check that you downloaded the correct version.

	1. Extract the files.	Double-click the evaluation EXE file that you downloaded previously. This step will extract the required files and tools to a folder on your desktop. The How to Install page opens automatically. To return to this page after it is closed, go to `%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\SolarWinds Security Event Manager\html\install_now.hta`
	2. Complete the following steps to deploy SEM.	Start the VMware vSphere client and log in with VMware administrator privileges. Deploy the open virtualization format (OVF) template. Open the SolarWinds Security Event Manager folder located on your desktop and double-click: `Deploy First—SEM Virtual Appliance.ova` Complete the setup wizard. When prompted, select the Thin Provisioned disk format. Thin provisioning offers more performance flexibility than thick provisioning, but requires more oversight than thick provisioning. Thin provisioning provides increased performance by dedicating physical storage space. Map the network interface card (NIC) to the appropriate network. When the OVF deployment is completed, click Finish.
	3. Start SEM.	Select the SolarWinds Security Event Manager virtual appliance and click Play. Click the Console tab. The SEM VM starts. After SEM starts, write down the IP Address of the VM. You will be able to change the IP address later during the configuration phase.
	4. Set up your new SEM installation.	See Setting up a new SEM installation in the SEM Administrator Guide.

Following installation, the default SEM host name is swi-sem. To change the default host name and IP address settings, see Run the activate command to secure SEM and configure network settings in the SEM Administrator Guide.