VMware ESXi v4.0 Install Guide on VMware Fusion v3 or Physical Server

Written By: Frostedblue On: 09/12/2009Time(00:43:10)

This guide demonstrates a fresh install of VMware ESXi v4.0 on a VMware Fusion v3 platform on an Apple Mac running Snow Leopard. The same principles can be applied for an install on a Physical Hardware Server such as an HP Proliant G5 or a Dell 2900PE III. Both of which are suitable hardware configurations to run ESXi.

Requirements:

(If Installing On VMware Fusion v3)

Most Intel Macs with compatible CPU’s that allow Virtualization:

(If Installing On A Physical Server)

A suitable hardware configuration, see here:

IMPORTANT! When using physical servers, Virtualization Technology must first be enabled in the BIOS. Some hard disk controllers can be difficult to detect by the ESXi installer, but inserting a USB Memory Stick can bypass this. ESXi only has a footprint of approx. 32Mb so is very small and will fit on most Sticks. Once installed, it should detect your original hard drive and use it for your VMs.


Recommended Servers: (Tested)

Dell 2900PE III: Intel Quad core, 4Gb+ RAM, 480Gb RAID 5, Redundant PSU (£2000-2500)

HP Proliant G5 + 1Gb USB Stick + 4Gb EEC DDR2 Upgrade: AMD Quad core, 160Gb SATA, Single PSU (£250-£300)



1.0 Initial Configuration

(If Installing On VMware Fusion v3)

In VMware Fusion, create a new virtual machine.

Click continue without a disk.

Download your free copy of VMware ESXi from VMware’s website and be sure register for your free serial key. This is important as without it, your ESXi server will be limited to 60 days use.

Make sure you download the Installable version that comes as an ISO file for burning to CD. Luckily, no burning is required. Simply select you disk image from here:

Choose you OS, VMware auto selects.

Finish

Now save your Virtual Machine to a safe place on your local machine, because of its potential size, it would be best placed on its own partition if your HD drive has been split this way!

Now run your VM


(If Installing On A Physical Server)

Download your free copy of VMware ESXi from VMware’s website and be sure register for your free serial key. This is important as without it, your ESXi server will be limited to 60 days use.

Make sure you download the Installable version that comes as an ISO file for burning to CD. You WILL need to burn this to CD first in order for your server to install.

Plug in your USB Stick, some servers have an internal USB socket and carefully upgrade your servers internal RAM (if necessary). Be sure to use an ESD Strap.

Place your CD in your drive and boot up your server.

Be sure to select the boot menu and boot from CD.



2.0 Installation

Once your system have booted from the ESXi CD/CD image then your screen should look like this:

Select ESXi Installer and wait.....

This message may pop up on the Mac VMware Fusion install, enter password to continue.

Now, press “Enter” to install.

Press “F11” to accept the terms and continue.

If using VMware Fusion, use “Send Key” located in the menu to send an F11 command.

Now, choose your installation path. PLEASE NOTE, if installing on a Physical Server, you may run into difficulties with this section if you RAID or IDE controllers are not compatible. ESXi seems to be quite picky. This is where using a USB Stick will come in handy.

Choose your install path and hit “Enter”.

If you are unable to continue, if a message displays relating to non compatibility, you may need to do some further research to find a resolution/work around. Remember, GOOGLE is your friend.

“F11” To confirm the install and wait.....

Installation is now complete.

Finally, remove CD/CD image and reboot.

In our next VMware ESXi post, we will be configuring ESXi for use in a network.

Thanks for reading!