Install VMware vCentre On 64 Bit Windows Server

The vCentre server role is a critical component of a vSphere deployment.   The role requires a database  such as SQL or Oracle.  

To install the vCentre a 32 bit ODBC connection is required.  When installing the role on a 64 bit server OS (ie Windows 2008 R2),  the installer will fail giving the error shown in the screenshot below.

To configure a 32 BIT Odbc connection on a 64 Bit version of windows use the following;

Start > Run
%systemdrive%\Windows\SysWoW64\Odbcad32.exe
Click ok
Select System DSN  and complete the wizard in the normal manner.

Please note that a 32 Bit odbc connection will not be dispayed in the default 64 bit odbc data source administrator manager.  Use odbcad32.exe  to view the settings.