Please follow this URL to install VMware ESXi on Dell servers: PowerEdge: How to Install and Manage VMware ESXi on PowerEdge Servers | Dell UK

• In this article they ask you to download an ESXI ISO file. For now we are using the latest ESXi, Dell custom ISO version 7.

Installing ESXI using a Dell Customized ISO

Follow these steps to install ESXI using a custom Dell ISO:

• Download the custom Dell ISO (ESXi Version 7)
  • Download the latest version of the custom Dell ISO from Broadcom's VMware Download Page

Note: You must log in with a Broadcom username and password in order to download the files.

 

• Select the correct ISO version (ESXi Version 7)
  • On the VMware/Broadcom website, select the Custom ISO's tab.
  • Choose the version of ESXI that you want to download (for example, 7.0).
  • Filter the results by searching for "Dell" in the search box.

 

• Download the Install CD
  • Click the download button for the Install CD to download the ISO file.

  

Booting the ISO

Follow these steps to boot the ISO:

• Mount the ISO
  • Mount the ISO on the host using iDRAC Enterprise. You can view more info on this process here: PowerEdge: How to use the Virtual Media Function on iDRAC6, iDRAC7, iDRAC8, and iDRAC9
    • How?

 

 

Browse to the ISO location, choose the ISO then click Map Device.

 

 

• Click Boot
• Choose Virtual CD/DVD/ISO

• Confirm the boot action by clicking YES
• Click Power and select 'Reset System (warm boot)'

The system reboots and shows Virtual CD boot Requested by iDRAC.

 

  

Installing ESXI

Follow these steps to install ESXI:

• Load the installer components
  • The Bumblebee screen loads the installer components.
  • Once loaded you see the main welcome screen.

 

• Press the F11 key to accept the user license.
• Select the disk to install the OS onto.

• Click on Enter

 

• Choose to install the existing installation.

 

• Select the keyboard layout.

• Set the root password

 

Warning: Do not forget this password or you have to reinstall ESXI.

 

 

• Verify that the install disk is correct and choose to Install (F11) or go back to make changes (F9)

 

• Once the install process has completed, you are prompted to reboot the server where it then proceeds with a first-time boot of the OS where you can begin configuration such as assigning a Management IP address.

IMPORTANT:  After you install ESXi, it operates in evaluation mode for up to 60 consecutive days. Evaluation mode provides all features of vSphere.

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How to configure new ESXi host?

In this example I use this ip address 192.168.1.25  to manage the ESXi server.

The ESXi server can be configured using function keys

                    <F2> Customize System/ View logs

                    <F12> Shutdown /Restart

Basic Configuration

 

- Give a free IP address (static IP). (be sure that you update this in TCP/IP address book)

 

 

 

- Fill in Primary DNS (from local DNS server) and Alternate DNS (From a remote DNS server)

- Give an appropriate Hostname: BEKIVHOST1, CNKIVHOST2,…

- New Hostname will be visible like this

After the installation and configuration of ESXi server 7.0.

 

Steps that need to be done afterwards:

1. Config time server new host: Via Network Time Protocol (**.pool.ntp.org)
2. Create static IP address in DNS server for new host.
3. Rename standard naming datastore(s) 
4. Ask Tier3 Infrastructure team via FS ticket to add this ESXi server in vCenter.
5. Update host to latest version via vCenter. Be sure that you attach all the three baselines.
6. If you get this warning (TPM Encryption Recovery Key Backup Alarm) after host is added to vCenter , you can fix this via this solution article:  https://kemin.freshservice.com/support/solutions/articles/1100011731