Knowledge

• Identify available plug-ins
  The number of plug-ins can very with the exact release of vSphere. During the initial release the plug-ins worth mentioning are:
  • vCenter Guided Consolidation
  • vCenter Update Manager
  • vCenter Converter
  • vCenter Storage Monitor (default)
  • vCenter Hardware status (default)
  • vCenter Service Status (default)
• Determine required plug-ins for a given application
  Not really quite sure what is meant here (again ;-) ). I think it is quite obvious that when you install the Update Manager that that Update Manager plug-in is the associated plug-in to install.
• Ensure permissions to install plug-ins
  This was a really pain in the ass. I cannot find any User Access Control method of denying users access to plug-ins, the plug in menu etc. It is not an option in de roles menu. So I think the best way to deny access is not to install the plug-in on the host system. To disable this I think the best way is to use Windows user permissions.
  
  Update 1 dec 2009: I have received a mail from Peter. He point me to 'Table a-6 - extension priveleges' of vsphere basic system administration. This should allow control over registering/unregistering/
  updating and extension (plug-in). Unfortunately after testing this with a user, and leaving this option unchecked, it does not do the trick. I am not sure whether this is a bug and should work (cannot find anything else this setting should do) or that we are on the wrong track here.. if you know more... please help.
  

  If anybody knows a better way, please contact me or leave a message in the commend system!
  

• Enable plug-ins after installation
  When I plug-in is installed you need to enable it. To do so:
  • open the Plug-in Manager
  • Right click a installed plug-in
    
  • Click “Enable” to enable the plug-in.

Tools

• ESX/ESXi and vCenter Server Installation Guides
• Product Documentation
• vSphere Client