white paper

ESX 4 Quick Install Guide

Title: Author(s): Target Audience: Current Revision: First Published: Product(s): UID: ESX 4 Quick Install Guide Xtravirt (Robert J Wilson, Jason Miles) Technical - Novice 1.0 (Mar 2009) Mar 2009 VMware ESX 4 XD10021

Content Overview: ESX 4 Pre-Requisites Install Process for ESX 4 together with supporting information

1.0 Introduction
This Xtravirt white paper provides a step by step guide to installing VMware ESX 4 with screenshots of each section of a standard installation.

2.0 Pre-Requisites
It is important to check the VMware HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) to ensure the hardware that ESX is to be installed on is supported. Although ESX can be installed on most systems it is only supported by VMware if its on the HCL. 2. More information can be found within the ESX and vCenter Server Installation Guide released by VMware which can be found at http://www.vmware.com/ support/pubs/vs_pubs.html The initial stage of installation will begin

3.0 Installation Process

Presuming that the ESX installation software is on DVD and has been placed into the servers optical drive or if using an ISO and remote management tools that the ISO has been connected, the following shows the install process of ESX 4.
Note: This guide will be based on using the graphical installation mode.

3.

Installation will load the inital processes required

1.

When presented with the ESX installation options screen, choose Install ESX in graphical mode and press Enter

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6.

Select the correct keyboard for your environment and click Next.
Note: United Kingdom has been chosen for this installation.

4.

Click Next at the welcome screen

7.

If custom drivers are required then Yes should be selected and the drivers added but for this guide it is presumed that custom drivers are not required. Click Next to continue

5.

The End User License must be accepted to continue installation. Tick the I accept the terms of the license agreement box and click Next

8.

Upon clicking Next an information box appears stating that the wizard will load any drivers required for ESX and that Additional custom drivers cannot be loaded. Choose Yes at this point unless custom drivers are required

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9.

Drivers are loaded...

12. If more than one network adapter has been found by the ESX installation wizard, then the correct one should be selected for ESX to use for system tasks. Click Next once this has been chosen

10. When the drivers have finished loading click Next

13. Enter the appropriate TCP/IP settings including the FQDN for the ESX server. If a network connection was made available and is connected then click Test these settings to ensure the network connection is working correctly. If a network connection is not available or once the Network Test is completed then click Next

11. If a license serial number is already available then it can be entered here or selecting Enter a serial number later and clicking Next will allow ESX to be installed on a trial basis and the serial number can be added later

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14. If a network test is performed, click OK at the Network Test information dialog box

18. Select the correct Time Zone for the environment and click Next. London, England has been selected for this guide 15. Choose which type of setup is required. For this guide the Standard setup has been used. Click Next once completed

19. Either set the NTP Server or manually correct the Date and Time and click Next 16. Select which disk location ESX will be installed to and click Next

20. Enter the Root password required and add any additional user accounts and click Next once completed 17. Confirm that the chosen storage device can be erased and ESX installed by clicking OK on the Delete Device Contents dialog box

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21. Check the Summary of installation settings to ensure that they conform to requirement of the ESX installation and click Next

24. Make a note of the IP address, if a Static IP was not used earlier in the process, and click Finish to reboot the server

22. The ESX installation continues

Note: Normally the installation media will eject automatically. Ensure this is removed before the server restarts if the BIOS boot order is set to boot from CD before the Hard Disk. If remote management tools were used, for example iLO, then ensure the ISO is disconnected.

25. Once the server has restarted it can be controlled using the IP address displayed, either by a supported web browser, opened with VMware vSphere Client, added to a VMware vSphere Server or directly via the service console

23. Once installation is completed click Next to continue

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This concludes the white paper.

About Xtravirt
Xtravirt is a knowledge-based company that delivers its expertise in virtualization online and in person. We have developed a reputation for astute leadership and expertise through our work with an impressive array of organisations. It is this real-world experience that drives our ability to provide independent, current and free advice online. We work with organisations whose IT staff are frustrated with how hard it is to find detailed information and skills around virtualisation. We help our clients deliver the true benefits of virtualization, resulting in cost and time savings. For more information contact: Dorset House, Regent Park 297 Kingston Road, Leatherhead Surrey KT22 7PL t +44 (0) 1372 824 296 f +44 (0) 1372 824 576 e information@xtravirt.com w www.xtravirt.com
Copyright 2009 Xtravirt Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Xtravirt Ltd shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Xtravirt and the Xtravirt logo are registered trademarks of Xtravirt Ltd. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. This document remains the property of Xtravirt Ltd. Contents may not be copied, reproduced or modified without written consent from Xtravirt Ltd.

References
1. VMware Guides, http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/ vs_pubs.html

Tags
VMware, VMware Infrastrucutre, ESX, ESXi, ESX 4, ESXi 4, vSphere

Useful Links
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