Home > Articles

VMware Infrastructure Security and Web Access

This chapter is dedicated to security in VMware Infrastructure. Specifically, it discusses creating and assigning roles, assigning permissions, the differences between VirtualCenter security and ESX Server security, and the limitations of web access.
This chapter is from the book

With great power comes great responsibility. Your responsibility is to make sure that the virtual infrastructure you have deployed is secure and that role-based access has been implemented so that the right users have the necessary security permissions to perform their daily tasks. This chapter is dedicated to security in VMware Infrastructure.

VI Security Model

The VMware Infrastructure security model consists of both VirtualCenter security and ESX Server security. The security model revolves around users and groups that are assigned roles. These roles constitute a collection of rights or privileges to perform certain tasks.

Users, Roles, Privileges, and Permissions

The cornerstones of the VMware Infrastructure (VI) security model are the users, groups, roles, privileges, and permissions that you can assign at different levels and to different objects within your infrastructure. Properly configuring and assigning these rights and permissions enables you to enforce accountability. Taking a closer look at each of these cornerstones helps you better design your security solution:

  • User and group: An account that is allowed to log in to the VMware infrastructure. A group is a collection of accounts with rights to log in and perform other tasks within the VMware Infrastructure.
  • Role: A collection of privileges that a user or group is allowed to perform.
  • Privilege: An allowed action or function within a role. In other words, a privilege allows a user or group to perform a certain task.
  • Permission: A right assigned to an object in the inventory and grants a user or group the right to interact with that object according to selected roles and privileges.

Working with Roles

Familiarizing yourself with roles is an imperative task of building your access control into the Virtual Infrastructure. To help you get started, Table 8.1 shows a set of default roles available to you.

Table 8.1. Default Roles

Default ESX Roles

Default VirtualCenter Roles

Custom Roles

No Access

No Access

User-created roles

Read-Only

Read-Only

Administrator

Administrator

Virtual Machine Administrator

Datacenter Administrator

Virtual Machine Power User

Virtual Machine User

Resource Pool Administrator

VCB User

The easiest way to get to the Roles panel is to log in to ESX Server or VirtualCenter using your VI client. Click the Administration tab and then the Roles tab, as shown in Figure 8.1.

Figure 8.1

Figure 8.1 Roles panel.

On the Roles panel, you can right-click any role and edit it. However, we recommend that you maintain the integrity of the existing roles and create your own custom roles if the need arises. To do so, you can right-click anywhere in the Roles pane and click Add to start the new role creation, as shown in Figure 8.2.

Figure 8.2

Figure 8.2 Add new role.

Assigning Permissions

After you have crafted the appropriate roles for your environment, it is time to apply them to the right inventory object to allow your users and groups access only to the part of the inventory tree that you want them to have access to. To apply permissions, find the object in the tree on which you want to implement security, right-click it, and select Add Permission. This brings you to a screen similar to the one shown in Figure 8.3 that allows you to choose a user or group and assign the corresponding role that you want the user or group to have for this inventory object.

Figure 8.3

Figure 8.3 Assign permissions.

When assigning permissions, you may choose to have these permissions propagate from the object where the permission originated and downward to all the child objects. To do this, simply place a check mark in the check box next to Propagate to Child Objects, as shown in Figure 8.3.

If a conflict arises when assigning permissions, the most restrictive of the permissions takes precedence. For instance, if a user is part of a group in the Administrator role but the user is explicitly assigned a Read-Only role on a particular object, the most restrictive of the permissions takes precedence, thereby allowing the user only Read-Only permissions to the object. Keep in mind though that if permissions do not propagate down to any child objects, the user has Read-Only permission over the object but has full permissions over the child objects. The reason behind this is Propagate permissions is not enabled, which means you are slapping explicit permissions on this object only, but not its child object. The child objects in this case inherit the permissions given to the user's group.

When explicitly assigned, permissions take precedence and the most restrictive permissions are enforced.

VirtualCenter Security

VirtualCenter is a Windows-based application to be installed on a Windows-based operating system. It has two types of directory repositories to select from:

  • Local: If VirtualCenter is installed on a Windows server that is part of a workgroup, the users and groups that are local members of this server can be configured to have access in VirtualCenter.
  • Domain: If VirtualCenter is part of an Active Directory domain, in addition to the ability to configure local users and groups, you can also configure users and groups from Active Directory.

By default, the local Administrators group is assigned the Administrator role at the top of the inventory list in VirtualCenter. If the VC server is member of a domain, the Domain Admins group is also added by default.

ESX Server Security

The ESX Server security revolves around the Service Console, and because the Service Console operating system is based on Red Hat Linux, the users and groups that you find in the ESX Server are Linux users and groups. These users and groups can be configured to grant direct access to an ESX host.

By default, the following users are assigned the Administrator role in ESX Server:

  • root is the equivalent of the administrator in the Windows world and is the highest user account that is created by default.
  • vpxuser is added to the Administrators group in ESX after the ESX Server is joined to VirtualCenter. VirtualCenter uses this user to authenticate itself to the ESX host to send preapproved commands.

While the vpxuser is used to authenticate VirtualCenter to ESX Server and pass preapproved commands, the root account actually executes these commands. So in this case, the vpxuser acts merely as a secure bridge between VirtualCenter and the ESX host, while the root user account is tasked with executing VirtualCenter tasks.

Pearson IT Certification Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Pearson IT Certification and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Pearson IT Certification products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.pearsonitcertification.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020