5.4. Logical Networks and Permissions
5.4.1. Managing System Permissions for a Network
As the SuperUser, the system administrator manages all aspects of the Administration Portal. More specific administrative roles can be assigned to other users. These restricted administrator roles are useful for granting a user administrative privileges that limit them to a specific resource. For example, a DataCenterAdmin role has administrator privileges only for the assigned data center with the exception of the storage for that data center, and a ClusterAdmin has administrator privileges only for the assigned cluster.
A network administrator is a system administration role that can be applied for a specific network, or for all networks on a data center, cluster, host, virtual machine, or template. A network user can perform limited administration roles, such as viewing and attaching networks on a specific virtual machine or template. You can use the Configure button in the header bar to assign a network administrator for all networks in the environment.
The network administrator role permits the following actions:
- Create, edit and remove networks.
- Edit the configuration of the network, including configuring port mirroring.
- Attach and detach networks from resources including clusters and virtual machines.
The user who creates a network is automatically assigned NetworkAdmin permissions on the created network. You can also change the administrator of a network by removing the existing administrator and adding the new administrator.
5.4.2. Network Administrator and User Roles Explained
Network Permission Roles
The table below describes the administrator and user roles and privileges applicable to network administration.
| Role | Privileges | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NetworkAdmin | Network Administrator for data center, cluster, host, virtual machine, or template. The user who creates a network is automatically assigned NetworkAdmin permissions on the created network. | Can configure and manage the network of a particular data center, cluster, host, virtual machine, or template. A network administrator of a data center or cluster inherits network permissions for virtual pools within the cluster. To configure port mirroring on a virtual machine network, apply the NetworkAdmin role on the network and the UserVmManager role on the virtual machine. |
| VnicProfileUser | Logical network and network interface user for virtual machine and template. | Can attach or detach network interfaces from specific logical networks. |
5.4.3. Assigning an Administrator or User Role to a Resource
Assign administrator or user roles to resources to allow users to access or manage that resource.
Procedure 5.17. Assigning a Role to a Resource
- Use the resource tabs, tree mode, or the search function to find and select the resource in the results list.
- Click the tab in the details pane to list the assigned users, the user's role, and the inherited permissions for the selected resource.
- Click .
- Enter the name or user name of an existing user into the Search text box and click . Select a user from the resulting list of possible matches.
- Select a role from the Role to Assign: drop-down list.
- Click .
You have assigned a role to a user; the user now has the inherited permissions of that role enabled for that resource.
5.4.4. Removing an Administrator or User Role from a Resource
Remove an administrator or user role from a resource; the user loses the inherited permissions associated with the role for that resource.
Procedure 5.18. Removing a Role from a Resource
- Use the resource tabs, tree mode, or the search function to find and select the resource in the results list.
- Click the tab in the details pane to list the assigned users, the user's role, and the inherited permissions for the selected resource.
- Select the user to remove from the resource.
- Click . The Remove Permission window opens to confirm permissions removal.
- Click .
You have removed the user's role, and the associated permissions, from the resource.
