Installing VMware ESX and ESXi Module 14

Module 2-2

Operations

You Are Here

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

vSphere Environment

Installing VMware ESX and ESXi

Introduction to VMware Virtualization

VMware ESX and ESXi

VMware vCenter Server

Networking

Storage

Virtual Machines

Access Control

Resource Monitoring

Data Protection

Scalability

High Availability

Patch Management

Module 2-3

Importance

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

A VMware® ESX™/ESXi host provides the physical resources used to run virtual machines. A correctly installed ESX/ESXi host can reduce the support costs and impact performance.

Module 2-4

Module Objectives

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

Describe how to install ESX Describe how to install ESXi:

• Interactive• Scripted

Module 2-5

Installing ESX

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

You can install ESX through a graphical or a text-based interface. Or you can install ESX through a script.The ESX installer prompts you for: License key Network adapter for the service console and optional VLAN ID IP settings: IP address, subnet mask, gateway, primary DNS

address, and secondary DNS address Host name Time zone Date and time, and optional NTP server Root password Location of installation ISO image

In the ESX installer, you select the standard or the advanced setup.

Module 2-6

ESX Partitions

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

Module 2-7

ESXi Installable Hardware Prerequisites

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

Processor – 64-bit x86 CPU: Up to 128 logical CPUs (cores or hyperthreads)

Memory – 2GB RAM minimum, 1TB maximumOne or more Ethernet controllers: Gigabit or 10Gb Ethernet controllers are supported. For best performance and security, use separate Ethernet

controllers for the management network and the virtual machine networks.

Disk storage: A SCSI adapter, Fibre Channel adapter, iSCSI adapter, or

internal RAID controller A SCSI disk, Fibre Channel LUN, iSCSI disk, or RAID LUN

with unpartitioned space:• SATA, SCSI, SAS

Module 2-8

Installing ESXi Installable

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

In this example, the local device is Disk9. All other disks are located on the Fibre Channel (fc) SAN.

You must have the ESXi 4.1 Installable ISO file on CD or DVD media.Boot from the CD or DVD to start the ESXi installer.Make sure that you select the correct disk.

Module 2-9

ESXi Partitions

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

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Scripted ESXi Host Installations

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

Scripted installations provide an efficient way to deploy multiple hosts: Noninteractive, fast, error-free Multiple simultaneous installations Repeatable (disaster recovery) Can be integrated with PXE boot server

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Scripted Installation Process

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

To perform a scripted installation:1. Create an installation script:

• Custom script using script commands• Default script: ks.cfg

2. Make the installation media accessible to the host:• CD/DVD• USB flash drive• Media depot, accessible by HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, NFS

3. Start the installer.• Boot from local CD/DVD-ROM drive or from PXE boot server.

4. Enter boot command to run the installation script.• Example: ks=cdrom:/ks.cfg

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Default Installation Script: ks.cfg

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

The default installation script ks.cfg contains the following commands: vmaccepteula

• Accept the ESXi license agreement. rootpw mypassword

• Set the root password to “mypassword.” autopart –firstdisk –overwritevmfs

• Choose the first discovered disk to install on to. install cdrom

• The installation media is in the CD-ROM drive. network –bootproto=dhcp –device=vmnic0

• Set the network to DHCP on the first network adapter.

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Module Summary

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

Describe how to install ESX Describe how to install ESXi:

• Interactive• Scripted

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Key Points

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

ESXi Embedded comes preinstalled on its host. ESXi Installable and ESX require you to install the software. Scripted installations provide an efficient way to deploy multiple

hosts.