How to Install Vmware ESX 4.0

Use this task in conjunction with the VMware installation documentation to boot and install ESX 4.0.

Before You Begin

• This task requires that the installation media boots from one of the following sources:

  • CD or DVD (internal or external CD/DVD)

  • ISO software image (network repository)

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    Note - If you want to use a CD/DVD for installation, you must create it. The OS software is only available as a download.

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• This task requires that you know the MAC addresses of the network ports (NET 0 and NET 1). To determine the MAC addresses, see How to Determine the NIC MAC Address Using the ILOM CLI.

1. Ensure that your console setup is ready.
2. Ensure that the installation media is available to boot.

   • For CD/DVD distribution media. Insert the VMware ESX media boot disk into the local or remote USB CD/DVD-ROM drive.

   • For ISO images. Ensure that the ISO images are available and that the boot disk image has been selected in the ILOM Remote Console application's Device menu (Device > CD-ROM Image).

3. To boot the server from the OS installation media, use one of the following methods.

   • Locally using a physical CD/DVD, see How to Boot From OS Media Locally.

   • Remotely using an ISO image or a CD/DVD, see How to Boot From OS Distribution Media or ISO File Remotely.

4. Refer to the ESX 4.0 installation documentation to assist you through the installation process.

   During the installation process, a Network Configuration dialog appears.

   
   
5. In the Network Adapter field, click the drop-down menu and select the network adapter, and click Next.

   A live network adapter (an adapter connected to the network) must be specified for the VMware service console (vmnic0). Each network adapter that is live has a green check mark next to it as shown in the above dialog. Also, notice that the MAC address that is associated with the server’s physical network port (NET0 or NET1) is displayed. Therefore, you can use the MAC address to determine which of the server’s physical network ports is being displayed.

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   Note - If you are not sure which network adapter to select, contact your network administrator.

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   A second ESX 4.0 Network Configuration dialog appears.

   
   
6. Select a network adapter configuration method.

   Do one of the following:

   • To auto-configure the network adapter, select Set automatically using DHCP, and click Next.

     Or

   • To manually configure the network adapter, select Use the following network settings, enter the network settings, and click Next.

7. Refer to the VMware installation documentation for ESX and complete the installation.

Next Steps

How to Update the ESX or ESXi Operating System