Setting Up BIOS

Before you install the VMware ESXi software, you should ensure that BIOS settings are configured to support the type of installation you plan to perform. The following section provides specific instructions on how to configure BIOS to support the installation:

• Verify the BIOS Factory Defaults

Verify the BIOS Factory Defaults

In the BIOS Setup Utility, you can set defaults, as well as view and edit BIOS settings as needed. Any changes you make in the BIOS Setup Utility (through F2) are permanent until the next time you change them.

In addition to using F2 to view or edit the system's BIOS settings, you can use F8 during the BIOS start-up to specify a temporary boot device. If you use F8 to set a temporary boot device, this change is only in effect for the current system boot. The permanent boot device specified through F2 will be in effect after booting from the temporary boot device.

Before You Begin

Ensure that the following requirements are met:

• The server is equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SDD).

• The HDD or SDD is properly installed in the server. For instructions, see the Sun Server X2-4 Service Manual.

• A console connection is established to the server. For details, see Selecting the Console Display Option.

1. Reset or power on the server.

   For example, to reset the server:

   • From the local server, press the Power button (approximately 1 second) on the front panel of the server to power off the server, and then press the Power button again to power on the server.
   • From the Oracle ILOM web interface, click Host Management > Power Control, and then select Reset from the Select Action drop-down list.
   • From the Oracle ILOM CLI, type the following command from the prompt:

     -> reset /System

   The BIOS screen appears.

   
   
2. When prompted in the BIOS screen, press F2 to access the BIOS Setup Utility.

   After a few moments, the BIOS Setup Utility appears.

3. To ensure that the factory defaults are set, do the following:
   1. Press F9 to automatically load the factory default settings.

      A message appears prompting you to continue this operation by selecting OK or to cancel this operation by selecting CANCEL.

   2. In the message, highlight OK and then press Enter.

      The BIOS Setup Utility screen appears with the cursor highlighting the first value in the system time field.

4. In the BIOS Setup Utility, do the following to edit the values associated with the system time or date.
   1. Highlight the values you want to change.

      Use the up or down arrow key to change between the system time and date selection.

   2. To change the values in the highlighted fields use these keys:
      • PLUS (+) to increment the current value shown
      • MINUS (-) to decrement the current value shown
      • ENTER to move the cursor to the next value field
5. To access the boot settings, select the Boot menu.

   The Boot menu appears.

6. In the Boot menu, use the down arrow key to select Boot Device Priority, and then press Enter.

   The Boot Device Priority list appears showing the order of the known bootable devices. The first device in the list has the highest boot priority.

7. In the Boot Device Priority menu, do the following to edit the first boot device entry in the list:
   1. Use the up or down arrow key to select the first entry in the list, and then press Enter.
   2. In the Options menu, use the up or down arrow key to select the default permanent boot device, and then press Enter.

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      Note - You can change the boot order for other devices in the list by repeating Steps 7a and 7b for each device entry you want to change.

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8. To save changes and exit the BIOS Setup Utility, press F10.

   Alternatively, you can save the changes and exit the BIOS Setup Utility by selecting Save and Reset in the Save & Exit menu. A message appears prompting you to save changes and exit the utility. In the message dialog, select OK, and then press Enter.

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   Note - When using the Oracle ILOM Remote Console, F10 is trapped by the local OS. You must use the F10 option listed in the Keyboard drop-down list that is available at the top of the Remote Console application.

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