In this Article we are going to understand Step-by-Step installation and configuration of the ESXi Server. To start with this lets first start with some very basic requirements, like where do you want to install the Hypervisor.

Hardware Compatibility :

Let’s first understand if the Hardware where you want to install the ESXi is compatible with the ESXi Server which you are going to install. In order to find this you can have the Model Number of the Server ready with you and open the link:

Vmware Combability Guide 

Let’s make this simple. If you have the Model Number Handy with you, you can simply paste it in the Point 1 and it will list you all the related Items. Once selected you can see the version of ESXi OS which is compatible with the version.

Now let’s understand few other Hardware Requirements which you can consider if you have a Custom Server where you want to install.

• ESXi 6.5, 6.7 and 7.0 Requires atleast 2 CPU Cores to be present on the Server.
• ESXi 6.5, 6.7 and 7.0 supports multi-core of 64-bit x86 processors.
• ESXi 6.5, 6.7 and 7.0 requires the NX/XD bit to be enabled for the CPU in the BIOS.
• ESXi 6.5, 6.7 and 7.0 requires 4 GB RAM and atleast 8 GB RAM if you want to run Production Servers.
• Intel VT-x or AMD RVI) must be enabled on x64 CPUs, if you want to support x64 Bit Operating System.
• One or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers. For a list of supported network adapter models, see the VMware Compatibility Guide at http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility.
• SCSI disk or a local, non-network, RAID LUN with unpartitioned space for the virtual machines.
• For Serial ATA (SATA), a disk connected through supported SAS controllers or supported on-board SATA controllers.

Let’s Talk about the Link from where you can download the ESXi Image:

You can burn or download the ESXi Host Image from the My VMware Portal and proceed with the Installation of the Vmware:

ESXi 6.5: https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/downloads/details?downloadGroup=ESXI650&productId=614

ESXi 6.7: https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/downloads/details?productId=742&downloadGroup=ESXI67U3

ESXi 7.0: https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/downloads/info/slug/datacenter_cloud_infrastructure/vmware_vsphere/7_0

Once we have passed this corner we can now talk about the installation Part.

Step 1: Add the ESXi Host media for Installation:

Once downloaded the Image you can burn it into the ISO or Directly attach the .ISO File to the Server and PowerOn the Server.

Once Powered ON you might see the below Installer under the Boot Menu:

Once selected the Installer you can see the ESXi Host will start to Copy its data to the RAM:

Post this you will start seeing the Legendry Gray Yellow Screen where you will do the Next Installation Steps:

Hit Enter to Continue:

Press F11 to Enter the End User License Agreement:

Post this it will scan for all the Storage devices and then list all the Hard disk that are available.

Select the Hard disk which you want to use for the Installation of ESXi Host.

Select the Language in which you want to ESXi Host to be Installed:

Enter the Root Password:

Now you will see the Final Screen post which the Installation will start. Press F11 to start the Installation or Incase if you want to go back you can press f9.

From now you can see the Installation progressing:

Once completed you will see the Message the Installation has completed and will request you to restart the ESXi Host: Press Enter to Reboot. At this point you can remove the installation media.

Once the reboot will Complete you will see the ESXi Host screen below:

1. ESXi Version Running along with the Build.
2. CPU Details
3. RAM Details
4. IP to access the ESXi Host (With New installation this will be set to DHCP)
5. IPv6 Address for the ESXi Host
6. F2: To customize the ESXi OS.
7. F12: Restart of Shut down the ESXi OS

Step 2: Configuration of ESXi Host Image:

Now in order to Customize the OS you need to Press F2 and Enter the Root Credentials which you have entered at the Time of Installation.

Enable SSH for the ESXi Host:

I generally prefer to start with Enabling the SSH to the ESXi Host so that I can access the Host from the Putty. For that you can select the Option:  Troubleshooting Options

Here you can enable SSH, ESXi Shell and Modify the ESXi Timeouts. Press Enter to Enable.

Once done you can Hit ESC and Come back to the Main Menu.

Network Information Change:

Now if you want to use Static IP for your ESXi Host and give it a Name, you can use the Option Below to Make that Change.

Select Configure Management Network and hit Enter.

You will see the below Options:

Let’s start with the Ipv4 Configuration. Here you can use spacebar to select the “Set Static Ipv4 Address” and Enter the Values.

Post this you can hit Enter and Select IPv6 Configuration Incase if you want to enter an IPv6 Address.

In my case I am going to disable it.

Please note that Disable of IPv6 requires a reboot.

Use Spacebar to Select “Disable IPv6“

Now you can select and Enter the DNS Configuration.

Here you can Enter Primary DNS Server and the Hostname.

Once you made all the Configuration, you can hit ESC and it will prompt you to restart the ESXi Host.

Hit Yes to Reboot the ESXi Host.

Now your installation is done and completed:

Incase if you want to watch this happen in Realtime, you can view the video below: