Installing VMware ESX Server

C H A P T E R 5

This chapter details the procedures for installing VMware ESX Server on a Sun Blade X6250.

Note - VMware ESX 3.0.X supports only SAS HDD configurations. To install VMware on a SATA HDD configuration, you must use VMware ESX 3.5. Also, your server module must have a RAID Expansion Module (REM).

This chapter contains the following sections:

Before You Begin

VMware Installation and Administration Documentation

VMware ESX Server Installation Requirements

Downloading the VMware ESX Server ISO Image

Installing VMware ESX Server From CD-ROM

Updating VMware ESX Server

The Sun Blade X6250 server module currently supports the following versions of VMware ESX Server:

ESX Server 3.0.2 u1 or later

ESX 3.5 or later

This chapter describes how to install VMware ESX Server using an image downloaded from the VMware website. You can complete the installation using a .iso file, or you can burn it to a CD. To install VMware ESX Server using PXE, see the VMware documentation.

Before You Begin

Review the following Task Map to prepare for the installation process.

Task Map for VMware ESX Server Installation

Consult the following table to determine which sections in this document are relevant to the installation tasks that you want to perform.

Installation Task	Relevant Section
Collect information about your system and the installation process.	VMware Installation and Administration Documentation
Review the VMware ESX Server Installation Requirements.	VMware ESX Server Installation Requirements
Download the ISO image and burn it to a CD.	To Download the VMware ESX Server ISO Image
Begin installing the VMware ESX software using a local or network-attached CD or virtual CD drive.	To Install VMware ESX Server From Local CD-ROM
Update the VMware ESX Server software.	Updating VMware ESX Server

VMware Installation and Administration Documentation

Before you begin installing VMware ESX Server software on a Sun Blade X6250 server module, consult the following required documents for the VMware ESX Server install, at: http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html.

Introduction to Virtual Infrastructure

Quick Start Guide

Installation and Upgrade Guide

Basic System Administration

Virtual Infrastructure Web Access Administrator’s Guide

Server Configuration Guide

To prepare for PXE install, see the VMware Installation and Upgrade Guide for Virtual Infrastructure 3.

VMware ESX Server Installation Requirements

Before you begin installing VMware ESX Server on your Sun Blade X6250 server module server, you will require:

Because there is no built-in CD-ROM, choose either one of the following:

External USB DVD/CD-ROM drive connected to the server module.

Virtual CD drive redirected through Java remote console (only if no physical drive is present).

CD-ROM or .iso image of VMware ESX Server.

If you are doing a local installation (not a KVMS session), you need:

External DVD-ROM drive

USB keyboard and mouse

Monitor

Dongle connector to plug into the front slot of the server module

Downloading the VMware ESX Server ISO Image

To install VMware ESX Server ISO Image, you must first download an ISO image of the software installation CD.

To Download the VMware ESX Server ISO Image

1. Download the ISO image using a network-connected system with CD-burning capabilities from:

http://www.vmware.com/download/vi/eval.html

2. If required, burn the image to a CD.

If you are going to use Java Remote Console to directly mount the .iso image, you do not need to burn a CD.

Installing VMware ESX Server From CD-ROM

The following procedure applies to installing VMware ESX Server from a local CD-ROM, or a virtual CD-ROM redirected from Java Console. Before you continue with this procedure, review the Task Map for VMware ESX Server Installation.

Installation from distribution media requires the following items:

Sun Blade X6250 server module.

VMware ESX CD set.

If you are doing a local installation (not a KVMS session), you need:

USB keyboard and mouse

USB CD/DVD

Monitor

Dongle connector to plug into the front slot of the server module

To Install VMware ESX Server From Local CD-ROM

1. Connect your CD/DVD device.

If you are using a CD/DVD connected to the USB:

a. Connect the USB CD/DVD drive into the USB port of the dongle.

b. Insert the CD into the DVD/CD drive connected to the server module.

If you are using a KVMS, mount the CD/DVD or an equivalent ISO image using KVMS, as described in Using a Remote Control Application (KVMS).

2. Power on the server module.

a. Press F8 during POST to enter the BBS Pop-up.

A boot device list appears.

b. Select the CD/DVD device from the boot list.

If you are connecting over USB, select USB CD/DVD.

If you are connecting over a KVMS, select Virtual CD/DVD.

The server boots from the selected media and displays a boot: menu.

3. Choose which mode to work in:

To access graphical mode, press ENTER.

To work in text mode, type the following:

esx text

4. Refer to the Installation and Upgrade Guide for VMware Infrastructure to guide you through the installation process.

From your network-connected system go to:

http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html

Updating VMware ESX Server

When VMware ESX Server patches are available for updates you can download them from:

http://www.vmware.com/support/