it’s possible to install vCenter Server on Windows Server 2012. Also a Microsoft SQL 2012 is supported as an external database.
Since the vSphere 5.1, the architecture of vCenter has changed and another database is present – SSO (single sign on database). So there are three databases for vCenter:
- VMware vSphere 5.1 Single Sign-On
- VMware vSphere vCenter server
- VMware Update Manager
All those database can be installed on a separate Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (this post) or on the same VM as vCenter server. SQL 2008R2 Express is still the database which is bundled with the VMware vSphere.
VMware vCenter Server VM requirements:
- 64-bit system DSN to connect to its database
- I recommend getting the latest patches from Microsoft before going further.