**Language / Язык:** [English](faq.md) | [Русский](ru/faq.md)

# FAQ

## Is this a real vCenter / ESXi?

No. It is an API and state simulator. Hosts, VMs, datastores, and networks
are durable PostgreSQL models, not ESXi hosts or KVM/vmkernel processes.

## Do you really cover the vSphere Automation API?

The **runtime** always serves the full registered route table (1077 routes:
104 deep handlers + a DB-backed stub surface for the rest) — see
[API surface](api-surface.md). The **catalog** majors 6–8 are intentionally
low-coverage historical floors (2.9%–9.6%); only major 9 (8.0 U2 / Automation
9.1 surface) is declared 100% in the catalog. See
[API versions](api-versions.md) and [Compatibility](compatibility.md).

## Can I use this in CI for Terraform / Ansible / pyvmomi / custom clients?

Yes. That is a primary use case. Seed a profile and point clients at the
HTTPS gateway `:443` (REST `/api`/`/rest` or SOAP `/sdk`). See
[Clients](clients.md).

## Why do some NSX / Supervisor / vSAN / SAML calls "succeed" without remotes?

Those areas persist **local, seeded** simulator state (see the "Platform
surfaces" table in [API coverage](api-coverage.md)). They intentionally do
not call a real NSX Manager, Tanzu Supervisor, or IdP.

## Does registry coverage mean perfect vSphere parity?

It means every registered route has a durable handler or DB-backed stub and
is subject to the project's verification suites. Exact edge-case parity with
a physical ESXi cluster can still differ; use `/ui/api/compatibility` and
your own client tests for certification claims.

## Where is the Web UI?

[https://localhost/](https://localhost/) after `make up` (gateway).

## Can I deploy on Kubernetes?

Yes. Use the Helm chart under `helm/vmware-api-simulator` with the published
Hub image. Ingress + cert-manager Let's Encrypt is supported — see
[Kubernetes / Helm](kubernetes.md).

## What is `ENABLE_PVE_STUB`?

An optional, off-by-default legacy Proxmox VE `/api2/*` stub plane inherited
from a shared platform lineage. Native vSphere REST/SOAP is always on and is
the primary surface of this project regardless of this flag.

## Which VMs does the `small` seed use?

`web-01`, `web-02`, `db-01`, `app-01`, `jumpbox` — see
[Seed profiles](seed-profiles.md).