Which do you prefer? The vSphere Client or the vSphere Web Client?

Asif Dasl

Just gauging an opinion here, I looove the vSphere Client. It's fast, easy to navigate, it's fast again!

The web client is uuugh, it's sooo slow, it's clunky, it's not easy to navigate. Am I wrong here?

So a simple question, not that we have much of a choice coming up with the vSphere Client being deprecated...

Which do you prefer? The vSphere Client or the Web Client?

kj0

I like the web client ... now. I didn't like the web client when I first started using 5.5, as you said, it's not easy to navigate. I agree, but at the same time, once I started to play around with it more, then I found where things were and now I really like it. There's a bit of a list I wouldn't mind seeing them redesign, but otherwise it's good.


I had 5 weeks off from work over Christmas and when I came back to work, I was confused for a few minutes on using the C# client again. (vSphere 4.0 - The servers with 5.5 are still sitting in their box) as I had quite some time over holidays working through 5.5.

Just make it that the web client is what you use (for at least a week) and then go back to the C# and see what you think.

Essendon

Yeah I didnt like the Web Client initially either, but now with increased use I'm getting the hang of it. Like kj0 said, some things arent where you'd think they would be - but like with anything else, it should get better with practice. I agree with the slight lag in the Web Client, it was annoying at first - now it's not too bad.

The C# client is still used for solutions like SRM, vSphere Replication (to some extent), VUM and vShield. I'd like to see these included in future releases of the product.

jibbajabba

I actually start to like the Web Client too but I usually have both open .. I prefer the overview of the C# client but hate the sluggishness of the Web Client .. If you have to VPN to a Terminal Server and use the client there, Flash is just an enemy I'd rather see dead ...

Asif Dasl

Thanks guys, I think kj0 is spot on. I think I'm going to have to go cold turkey with the vSphere Client. Delete the desktop shortcut but leave it in the start menu just in case I need it. It just feels like I'm using one arm behind my back everytime I use the Web Client though. I would jump for joy if they announced that they weren't deprecating the vSphere Client. Probably wishful thinking on my part, but I will try to force myself to learn the new interface. And *maybe* even like it!

blargoe

I use both, but forcing myself to use the Web Client more.

kj0

Although, I must say, I only ever use the C# for those features that are still not part of web client. e.g. VUM, etc.

The only other thing which I'm not sure how you can get passed is connecting directly to the host. I've had the situation a few times on my home lab (Due to resources mainly, and a blue screen here and there) where the vCenter server won't be running, so of course Web Client isn't running and I can't see what's going on. I suppose you should potentially use CLI for it, but it's just a quick GUI overview to get your vcenter up and running. In a production sense, you should have something in place to combat this issue and shouldn't really need to log in Directly to the host.

msteinhilber

I haven't played with the web client much and intended to check it out after I upgraded our environment the other day to 5.5 since my office notebook is a Macbook Pro and it would be nice to get away from my Windows VM to manage vSphere. Unfortunately during the upgrade from 5.1 to 5.5, the web client broke. I suppose it could have been broken beforehand since I never used it too, couldn't say. I'll have to deal with that in the next couple of days, I'll be sure to report back afterwards

Asif Dasl

Sorry to bump a necro thread..

But I just wanted to say I am digging the vSphere Web Client these days. VUM could do with some work in 5.5 U1 - it's not as easy as the C# client but as for the rest of it I've gotten used to it. I know the Web Client gets a lot of bad rep but now I have gotten used to it, the C# client is starting to do my head in!

Every time you click on a host in the C# client it doesn't remember where you are, but the Web Client just changes the host and stays on the same configuration page - time saver or what! I really think I could live in a Web Client only world now, that I couldn't 6 months ago!

That is all. over and out

dave330i

How to improve web client performance:

Quick Tip - Useful Flash Player optimization for the vSphere Web Client & other Flash WebApps | virtuallyGhetto

If you're using Chrome, just right click on the login screen.

There's also the java heap size increase trick, but it didn't really work for me.

Asif Dasl

Thanks Dave - I bumped it up to 10MB but it forgot the setting, so I tried it again and clicked the "Never ask again" tickbox - hopefully that'll do it.

I dunno 5.5 U1 - whatever they did in Update 1 it seems to be snappy these days, either that or I've got used to the delay!