vSphere Plugin User Guide: Uninstalling the vSphere Plugin
The Pure Storage Plugin for the vSphere Client (which will be shortened in this article to the vSphere Plugin) provides the ability to VMware users to have insight into and control of their Pure Storage FlashArray environment while directly logged into the vSphere Client. The Pure Storage plugin extends the vSphere Client interface to include environmental statistics and objects that underpin the VMware objects in use and to provision new resources as needed.
Uninstalling manually with vCenter Managed Object Browser (MOB) (Legacy)
While it is recommended to use either the FlashArray Web Interface or PowerShell module to remove the vSphere Plugin there is a third option available. This is typically used if the other two methods are not successful for some reason and you need to use a more direct approach.
Step 1: Login to the vCenter Managed Object Browswer (MOB) by going to the following address in your browser: https://vCenter_IP_Address/mob
Step 2: Once logged into the MOB select the content option.
Step 3: After the content has been populated select ExtensionManager from the list of available options.
Step 4: While in the ExtensionManager locate the extension you wish to remove under the Properties section.
The above image shows an example of both the Pure Storage HTML and Flash Client plugin extensions as they appear within the vCenter MOB.
Step 5: Once you have found the extension you wish to remove you may now select the UnregisterExtension under the Methods option.
Step 6: A new window is opened where you will put the name of the extension you wish to remove (in our example we will remove the Flash Client). Input the value for the plugin and then select Invoke Method.
If you wanted to remove the HTML vSphere Plugin you would type "com.purestorage.purestoragehtml" for the value.
Step 7: After you have selected Invoke Method you can close the small pop-up window and then refresh the ManagedObjectReference:ExtensionManager page. After you have refreshed the page you will no longer see the vSphere Plugin extension listed under the Properties section.
Step 8: Verify the vSphere Plugin was successfully removed by logging out of the vCenter Server and back in again (the standard UI not the MOB).
Uninstalling with the FlashArray Web Interface (Legacy)
Uninstalling the vSphere Client Plugin can be accomplished directly from the FlashArray Web Interface with a few simple steps.
Step 1: Login to the Pure Storage FlashArray Web Interface (GUI).
Step 2: In the left hand pane of the GUI select the Settings option.
Step 3: After you have selected Settings in the right hand pane you will then select the Software option (shown below).
Step 4: Once in the Software section you will see an option on the top right of the lower pane titled "vSphere Plugin".
Step 5: In the top right hand of that section you will note a radio button resembling pencil and paper icon, select that icon to edit the vSphere Plugin options (shown below).
Step 6: An embedded window is opened allowing you to fill in the vCenter Server details where the vSphere Client Plugin will be installed. Once completed select Save.
Step 7: Once the vCenter details have been saved, and the plugin status verified on the vCenter Server, an option will be displayed to Uninstall.
Step 8: Select Uninstall and wait for the process to complete.
Step 9: Verify the plugin has been is successfully removed by logging out of the vCenter Server and back in again.
Uninstalling with PowerShell (Legacy)
The process to remove the vSphere Plugin from vCenter is made easy with the PowerShell module: "Uninstall-PfavSpherePlugin".
If you have already installed the Pure Storage PowerShell module then simply follow the steps below. If you have not yet installed the required Pure Storage PowerShell module you can refer to Installing the Pure Storage PowerShell Module before proceeding with the steps below.
Step 1: Connect to the vCenter Server that you want to install the plugin on (one example below):
PS C:\> Connect-VIServer Ip.Address.Goes.Here
Step 2: Uninstall the vSphere Client Plugin:
Uninstalling the HTML-5 version:
PS C:\> Uninstall-PfavSpherePlugin -html
Uninstalling the Flash Client version:
PS C:\> Uninstall-PfavSpherePlugin -flash
Step 3: Verify the vSphere Plugin was successfully removed by logging out of the vCenter Server and back in again.