PernixData Architect Beta - Small Hurdles

PernixData Architect is currently in beta.
There are already good articles on the internet which decscribe the details and what it is all about.

PernixData Architect Software
PernixData Architect - decoupled datacenter management

If you are also interested in the private beta bits then -> Get Architect Beta

In this article i would like to help over small hurdles when getting started with PernixData Architect Beta.

The install guide of PernixData Architect is very good. If you follow the steps percisely you should not have much issues during setup.

If have two tips here:

1. Error: Could not find a trusted signer.

When you are trying to install the PernixData Host Extension Module on your ESX host using esxcli, you will get an error message.

  [InstallationError]  
  ('PernixData_bootbank_pernixcore-vSphere5.5.0_3.1.0.0-38307', 'Could not find a trusted signer.')  
     vibs = PernixData_bootbank_pernixcore-vSphere5.5.0_3.1.0.0-38307  
  Please refer to the log file for more details.  

It seems that the beta bits currently have not a valid signature.
To work arround this issue you need to add the --no-sig-check parameter to your esxcli command line to suppress signature checking.

 esxcli software vib install -d /tmp/PernixData-host-extension-vSphere5.5.0_3.1.0.0-38307.zip --no-sig-check  

2. Activate PernixData Architect Trial

After you have successfully installed the PernixData Host Extension and also the PernixData Management Server the install guide directs you to https://[PernixData Management Server]:60002 or http://[PernixData Management Server]:60001 in case you have not adjusted the default ports.

That looks good but where to find the PernixData Architect?
In my case PernixData Architect was not activated in the licensing tab.
Make sure to goto PernixData Hub > Licensing > Architect, select your vCenter Server and hit Start Trial.

Immidiately and magically you get the menu item you are looking for :-)

Have fun!