Before deploying the vCenter Server Appliance, what must be verified apart from system requirements and VM clock synchronization?

Before deploying the vCenter Server Appliance, it is essential to verify the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or the static IP of the host machine. This is crucial because the vCenter Server Appliance requires proper network connectivity and a resolvable hostname for successful installation and operation within a vSphere environment. The FQDN ensures that the vCenter can communicate accurately with other nodes in the network and can be reached by clients and other services that will interact with it.

Using a static IP address is equally important, as dynamic IPs can change, potentially leading to connectivity issues. The consistent identification of the vCenter Server through a stable FQDN or IP address allows for reliable management and accessibility, essential for a stable and efficient virtualized environment. Ensuring that this information is correct before deployment can prevent significant issues down the road related to accessibility and communication within your vSphere infrastructure.

Other aspects, such as existing licenses for all VMs, network bandwidth availability, and backup configurations of existing servers, while important in a broader context of virtual infrastructure management, do not directly impact the initial deployment of the vCenter Server Appliance in the same immediate and critical way as ensuring the FQDN or static IP address is confirmed.