VMware ESXi step-by-step Installation Guide with Screenshots

by Ramesh Natarajan on June 23, 2010

As part of the on-going VMware article series, earlier we discussed about VMware virtualization fundamentals, and how to install VMware Server 2.

In this article, let us discuss about how to install VMware ESXi.

VMware ESXi is free. However, the software comes with a 60 days evaluation mode. You should 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.

1. Download ESXi server

Get the software from the VMware ESXi download page.

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 vSphere Client and Host Update Utility

2. 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.

3. VMware ESXi Installer Loading

While the installer is loading all the necessary modules, it will display the server configuration information at the top as shown below. In this example, I was installing VMware ESXi 4.0 on a Dell PowerEdge 2950 server.

4. New ESXi Install

Since this is a new installation of ESXi, select “Install” in the following screen.

5. Accept VMware EULA

Read and accept the EULA by pressing F11.

6. Select a Disk to Install VMware ESXi

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 Disk0.

7. Confirm ESXi Installation

Confirm that you are ready to start the install process.

8. Installation in Progress

The installation process takes few minutes. While the ESXi is getting installed, it will display a progress bar as shown below.

9. ESXi Installation Complete

You will get the following installation completed message that will prompt you to reboot the server.

10. 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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Tags: HowTo VMware ESXi, VMware Tutorial

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 deepak deore June 23, 2010 at 5:38 am: nice article, waiting for the next part, are you going to describe vSphere Client as well ? I heard that managing vmware ESXi is difficult from command line, so we need to use vSphare client which is not free.
2 Suresh October 19, 2010 at 6:44 pm: Hi Ramesh,
Great article! Thanks.
I am just starting to learn abt ESXi and was wondering how you could take those screenshots without a client. I know, it may be silly question for those who are already using.
As I understand vSphere (client) comes with it, will that provide the functionality to take screenshots?

Thanks,
Suresh
3 Paul November 18, 2010 at 5:04 am: Ramesh, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the next article on this topic.
4 Jules April 12, 2011 at 10:59 am: Thank you. Great instructions and very simplified.

I understand there is a way to install using graphical mode so you can increase the block size. However, I don’t see anything on install options for GUI mode. Are you aware of this option and how to access? Many thanks!
5 Anish Sneh May 6, 2011 at 5:22 am: Thanks Ramesh , very helpful…
6 rastechnologies June 16, 2011 at 12:21 am: Hi Guide me how to install Vsphere over windows server 2003 and 2008
7 Noor July 6, 2011 at 9:00 pm: Great article for beginners..
8 Ale Khan August 28, 2011 at 1:43 pm: Dear Ramesh

Thanks a lot for such a valuable help plz do keep continue

BEst of luck how about the further parts?

Regards

Ale
9 Mahi September 12, 2011 at 9:46 pm: Ramesh, do you have any hardning best practices on ESXi4/5.x?

Thanks
Mahi
10 peat November 2, 2011 at 6:28 am: thiis is a good article
11 juan harris November 3, 2011 at 2:28 pm: Ramesh were is the second part of this installation ?
12 Mark November 16, 2011 at 12:20 pm: Ramesh, great article. We all are waiting for the second part and reply of these questions. Will be great help if you can guide us.
13 Salena January 5, 2012 at 11:10 am: Looking for some step by step instructions on building and configuring a ESX server from beginning to end. This is a new technology that I have been tasked with documenting the deployment and configuration of. Any links or info would be greatly appreciated. Also, great material on this site.

I look forward to hearing from you

Salena