The following article would cover VMware ESXi Step-by-step Installation guide with screenshots. VMware ESXi comes with a 60 days evaluation mode, however there is also a Free version available as well.
You would need to register on VMware website to get your free license key to come out of the evaluation mode. Once the ESXi is installed, you can either user vSphere Client on the Direct Console User Interface to administer the host.
VMware ESXi is based on hypervisor architecture that runs directly on top of a hardware as shown below.
- Download ESXi server
Download vSphere ESXi software from VMware Support and Downloads webpage.
Following are the various download options available. Select “ESXi 4.0 Update 1 Installable (CD ISO) Binary (.iso)” and burn a CD.
” ESXi 4.0 Update 1 Installable (CD ISO)
” Upgrade package from ESXi Server 3.5 to ESXi Server 4.0 Update 1
” Upgrade package from ESXi Server 4.0 to ESXi Server 4.0 Update 1
- VMware VMvisor Boot Menu
Once you insert the ESXi CD and reboot the server, it will display a boot menu with an option to launch “ESXi Installer” as shown below.
- VMware ESXi Installer Loading screen
While the installer is loading all the necessary modules, it will display the server configuration information at the top as shown below.
- New ESXi Install
Since this is a new installation of ESXi, select “Install” in the following screen.
- Accept End User License Agreement for VMware
Read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) by pressing F11.
- Select the ESXi Host install destination.
VMware ESXi 4.0.0 Installer will display all available disk groups. Choose the Disk where you would like to install the ESXi. It is recommended to choose the Disk 0 as per screenshot below.
- Confirm ESXi Installation
Confirm that you are ready to start the installation process by pressing the F11 key on your keyboard as per screenshot below.
- Installation Progress bar
The installation process takes few minutes. While the ESXi is getting installed, it will display a progress bar as shown below.
- ESXi Installation Complete
You will get the following installation completed message that will prompt you to reboot the server.
- ESXi Initial Screen
After the ESXi is installed, you’ll get the following screen where you can configure the system by pressing F2.
In the next article, let us review how to perform the initial ESXi configuration.
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