C H A P T E R  6

Installing VMware ESX Server

This chapter explains the procedure to install VMware ESX Server on the Sun Fire X4150, X4250, and X4450 servers and includes the following sections:


About VMware ESX Server

You can install the VMware ESX Server software from a local CD/DVD drive, a remote CD/DVD drive, or the network. The most common methods to install VMware on your server are:

You can find detailed information and procedures for VMware virtualization software at:

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

VMware ESX Server Installation and Administration Documentation

Before you begin installing VMware ESX Server software on your server, consult the following documents for VMware ESX Server install, at:

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

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.

VMware ESX Server Installation and Administration Documentation.

Download ISO image and burn to CD.

Installing VMware ESX Server From a CD/DVD.

Begin installing the VMware ESX software using a local or network-attached CD or virtual CD drive.

Installing VMware ESX Server From Local Media.

Identify a specific network interface.

Planning Network Interfaces.

Complete the VMware ESX Server 3 software installation.

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

Update the ESX Server 3 software if necessary.

VMware ESX Server Updates and Patches.



Planning Network Interfaces

The Virtual Infrastructure 3 service console and management interface is dependent on a network interface. The service console does not automatically use the first interface with a live connection. If you do not physically connect all network interfaces, a live interface must be associated with the service console for host management.

See your server service manual for detailed information concerning network interface cabling and the BIOS considerations of these interfaces.

By default, vmnic0 is assigned for service console communications.


Installing VMware ESX Server From a CD/DVD

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 Begin

1. Read the required documents for VMware ESX Server.

2. If no internal CD/DVD drive is available, use the network-attached virtual CD/DVD drive (or a USB CD-ROM).


procedure icon  To Install VMware ESX Server From a CD/DVD

1. From a network-connected system with CD-burning capabilities, download the ISO image from:

http://www.vmware.com/

2. Burn the image to a CD.



Note - If Java Remote Console is used to redirect a CD drive or image, you can select "Host Device" as the device type.


3. Install the ESX Server software on your server.

4. Update the ESX Server software if necessary.

Download available updates from:

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

The process is detailed in the following sections.


Installing VMware ESX Server From Local Media

Installing VMware ESX Server 3.0.2 and later on your server, requires:

-or-


procedure icon  To Install VMware ESX Server From Local Media

1. Turn on the server.

2. Insert the media into CD-ROM drive.

The server boots from the CD and the boot prompt appears:

boot:

3. Choose the interface that you would like to work with:

-or-

esx text

4. From your network-connected system go to:

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

5. Locate the Installation and Upgrade Guide for VMware Infrastructure.

Use the document to guide you through the installation process.

6. Identify the Sun Fire-specific network interface.

In the service console window on your server, identify the available network configuration alternatives.

7. Screen Snapshot Showing Selection of Available Ethernet Controllers A screenshot showing the Network Configuration Text Mode Dialog Box.Complete the VMware installation.

This is described in the Installation and Upgrade Guide for VMware Infrastructure available at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pubs.html.

VMware ESX Server Updates and Patches

When updated VMware ESX Server images are available you can download from:

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