---
title: "Step 2. Enter vCenter Server Connection Settings"
description: "At the Connection step of the Connect vCenter Server wizard, specify the server connection settings: Enter the DNS name or IP address of the vCenter Server server that will be connected. Note that the following characters are not supported: * : / \\ ?"
canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/mp/vmware_guide/basic_configuration_enter_vc_connection_settings.html"
breadcrumb: "Veeam MP for VMware User Guides > Operations Guide > Adding VMware Systems > Basic Configuration > Step 2. Enter vCenter Server Connection Settings"
dateModified: "2026-10-29"
---

# Step 2. Enter vCenter Server Connection Settings

At the **Connection** step of the **Connect vCenter Server** wizard, specify the server connection settings:

1. Enter the DNS name or IP address of the vCenter Server server that will be connected. Note that the following characters are not supported: * : / \\ ? @ [ ] ; : = + " < > | .
2. If required, change the port number used for communication with the server.
3. In the **Username** and **Password** fields, enter credentials of the VMware vCenter Server connection account. For more information, see [Required Permissions](accounts_and_privileges.md).
4. Click **Next**. 

::: note

If an untrusted security certificate is installed on the vCenter Server, you will get a security warning. You can view the certificate and click **Accept Certificate** — in this case, Veeam MP for VMware will remember the certificate thumbprint and will further trust the certificate when connecting to the server. Otherwise, you will not be able to add the server.

:::

After you configure a connection to the vCenter Server, Veeam MP for VMware enumerates all registered clusters and hosts, and breaks these clusters and hosts into monitoring jobs.

[![Add VMware Server](images/connect_vc_prod.png "Add VMware Server")](images/connect_vc_prod.png){.toggle scale=65}