VMware ESXi v4.0 Configuration Setup
Written By: Frostedblue On: 09/12/2009Time(23:34:45)
Hopefully, if you followed our previous setup guide, you would now have a fresh install of VMware’s ESXi v4.0. Either on a VMware Fusion created VM or on a physical server of your choice depending on hardware compatibility. Now we will run through the next stage of the setup.
1.0 Setup A Root Password
This will be a password that will allow you the user to administer this ESXi box internally or externally via VMware’s Infrastructure Manager / vSphere (vi) Client. This will also secure it from any unauthorized access.
First off, boot up your ESXi box and await the home screen. Once booted, press “F2”.
Select “Configure Password” and press “Enter”.
Enter your chosen new password, and confirm it, then press “Enter”.
Please be sure to create a very strong password using a combination of special characters, capital letters, lower case letters and numbers. This password will rarely get changed so it will need to be strong.
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2.0 Network Configuration
Move down to “Configure Management Network” and press “Enter”.
Select “IP Configuration” and press “Enter.
Cursor down once to highlight “Set static IP add.....” and press the “Space Bar” to select it. This will allow you to manually configure a Static IP, Subnet & Gateway.
Always configure your ESXi box with a static IP so that you can connect to it (remotely) at a later stage. DHCP issued IP configurations often change when the lease is renewed. If you are unaware of these details, contact your system administrator or retrieve these details from your router.
Enter the required details and press “Enter” when finished!
Now configure your DNS settings under “DNS Configuration”.
Enter these details where applicable, if you are running a single DNS server (or router) then only enter a Primary DNS Server.
Having a Hostname entry is not mandatory and it will work fine without one. Only fill this out if you are running a Domain. This address here in the image is a fake one but it will give you an idea.
(ESXi MACHINE NAME . DOMAIN)
Once done, press “Enter”.
Press “Esc” button to Exit.
It will ask you to reset the network settings, press “Y”.
Configuration is complete, you can now press “Esc” and log out.
Leave it in this state as you are now ready to setup your VMware vSphere Client to manage your newly configured ESXi box.
Your box should now run quietly in the corner without any more hassle. Now for an OS!
Look out for our next setup guide where we will take you through further steps including vSphere and creating VM's etc.
