About Assigning Ports in VMM
System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) uses various communication protocols to pass data and commands between VMM components. These communication protocols are described as follows:
- The VMM server communicates with VMM agents running on managed computers, which are hosts and library servers, by using Windows Remote Management (WinRM), and transfers data to and from the managed computers by using Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS).
- The VMM Administrator Console communicates with the VMM server by using Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Services.
- The VMM Self-Service Portal communicates with the VMM server by using WCF Services, and self-service users connect to the portal by using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
- The Self-Service user connects and interacts with the virtual machines by using Virtual Machine Remote Control (VMRC).
Assigning Ports on the Virtual Machine Manager Server
The VMM server is the hub of Virtual Machine Manager. When you install the VMM server, you assign all the ports that it will use for communications and file transfers between the VMM components. The default settings for the ports used by the VMM server are listed in the following table.
Important
It is a best practice to not use default ports.
| Connection type | Protocol | Default port |
|---|---|---|
VMM server to managed computers (used for performing actions) |
WinRM |
80 |
VMM server to managed computers (used for data transfers) |
BITS |
443 |
VMM Administrator Console to the VMM server |
WCF |
8100 |
VMM Self-Service Portal to the VMM server |
WCF |
8100 |
Self-Service users to the VMM Self-Service Portal |
HTTP |
80 |
It is a best practice not to use the default port settings. Ensure that the port settings you use do not conflict with other applications in your environment.
Important
For communications and data transfers to function correctly, the port settings that you assign for the VMM server must identically match the port settings that you assign for the related VMM components that the VMM server communicates with.
Assigning Ports on the VMM Agent
When you add virtual machine hosts or library servers by using the VMM Administrator Console, the VMM server automatically installs a VMM agent on that managed computer. The VMM server assigns the ports for these agents automatically so that they match the ports assigned on the VMM server.
When you install an agent locally on a host, you must ensure that the ports you assign for the agent match the ports assigned on the VMM server. You assign the ports for the agent on the Configuration settings page of the Agent Setup Wizard.
See Also
Concepts
Security Considerations
Required User Privileges
General Security Considerations