Documentation forSecurity Event Manager

Install SEM on VMware vSphere

Access the Customer Portal and download the Security Event Manager VMware Appliance installer. This installer includes a SEM version that you select in the portal.

You can also download a free trial version from the Security Event Manager website. The trial version provides unlimited access to all product features for 30 days.

Prepare for the install

  1. Ensure that your VMware vSphere machine meets all system requirements.

  2. Review the pre-installation checklist.

Install SEM

  1. Download the installer.

    1. Quit all other programs.

    2. Log in to the Customer Portal.

    3. Click Downloads > Download Product.

    4. Click the Products drop-down menu and select:

      Server Event Manager (SEM), formerly Log & Event Manager (LEM)

    5. Click the Licenses drop-down menu and select your license tier.

    6. Under All Release Downloads, locate the Security Event Manager VMware Appliance installer.

    7. Click the product version drop-down menu and select the latest release.

    8. Click Download.

    9. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the download.

      The extracted files and tools are added to a folder on your desktop.

      The How to Install page opens automatically.

  2. Extract the files.

    In the desktop folder, double-click the EXE file. The extracted files and tools are added 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

  3. Deploy SEM.

    1. Start the VMware vSphere client.

    2. Log in with VMware administrator privileges.

    3. Deploy the open virtualization format (OVF) template.

    4. Open the SolarWinds Security Event Manager folder located on your desktop and double-click:

      Deploy First—SEM Virtual Appliance.ova

    5. 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. It also provides increased performance by dedicating physical storage space.

    6. Map the network interface card (NIC) to the appropriate network.

    7. When the OVF deployment is completed, click Finish.

  4. Start SEM.

    1. Select the SolarWinds Security Event Manager virtual appliance and click Play.

    2. Click the Console tab.

      The SEM VM starts.

    3. Record the VM IP Address and keep it in a safe place. You will need this IP address when you run the setup wizard. You will be able to change the IP address later during the configuration phase.

      The default SEM host name is swi-sem. To change the default host name and IP address settings, run the activate command to secure SEM and configure the network settings.

  5. Complete the SEM installation.