VMware ESXi and vSphere Cluster Management
How to Download and Install VMware ESXi
Learn how to download the VMware ESXi ISO, create bootable installation media, configure BIOS or UEFI, and install ESXi on a physical server.
VMware ESXi is VMware's bare-metal hypervisor. A hypervisor is software that creates and manages virtual machines while allocating physical resources such as CPU, memory, storage, and network access. ESXi is installed directly on a supported physical server, called the host; it is not installed inside Windows, Linux, or another desktop operating system.
This lesson covers the host installation only. After ESXi is installed, you still need to configure management networking and other host settings before creating and running virtual machines. For the broader learning path, see ESXi installation and configuration topics.
Plan the Installation
An ESXi installation can repartition and erase the device selected as its destination. Complete the following checks before starting:
- Verify that the server CPU is supported by the ESXi release you plan to use.
- Check memory capacity and confirm that the server meets the requirements for your intended virtual machines.
- Verify compatibility for the storage controller, disks, network adapters, and server firmware.
- Identify the exact disk or supported boot device intended for ESXi.
- Protect disks containing production data, another operating system, existing virtual machines, or files that must be preserved.
- Prepare a strong root password and store it in an approved password manager or other secure location.
- Confirm access to the server's physical console or to a suitable remote-management console.
Obtain the ESXi Installer
VMware provides time-limited evaluation access for ESXi editions. When required, register for an account or sign in to the VMware download portal, then select the ESXi release appropriate for your lab or server.
The installer is distributed as an ISO image. An ISO image is a disk-image file that contains the files and boot information needed to start an operating-system installer. Select a release that is compatible with the target server hardware rather than automatically choosing the newest release.
Before downloading, compare the selected ESXi release with the server's CPU, storage controller, network adapters, firmware, and supported boot devices. Hardware compatibility is especially important for servers with specialized RAID controllers or network adapters.
Create Bootable Installation Media
Use the downloaded ISO to create installation media: a bootable CD, DVD, USB drive, or equivalent device used to start the installer.
- Optical-disc workflow: If the server has a usable optical drive, write the ISO image to a blank CD or DVD.
- USB workflow: Create bootable USB media with a trusted imaging utility that supports the target server's firmware and boot mode.
Simply copying the ISO file onto a CD, DVD, or USB drive is not the same as creating bootable media. The media must contain the ISO's boot structure, not merely the ISO as an ordinary file.
Configure BIOS or UEFI Boot Order
BIOS is traditional motherboard firmware that initializes hardware and selects a boot device. UEFI is the modern firmware interface commonly used instead of BIOS. Both provide startup and boot-order settings.
- Connect the ESXi CD/DVD or USB installation media.
- Restart or power on the server.
- During startup, press the setup key shown on screen. Common keys include F2, F10, Escape, and a vendor-specific key.
- Open the Boot, Boot Order, or similarly named menu.
- Place the CD/DVD drive or USB installation device before the normal local installation disk.
- Save the changes and restart the server.
| Key | Typical purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F2 | Open firmware setup | Common on many servers and motherboards. |
| F10 | Open setup or save firmware changes | The exact function depends on the manufacturer. |
| Escape | Open a startup or boot menu | It may also expose a choice between setup and temporary boot selection. |
| Vendor-specific key | Open setup or a temporary boot menu | Check the server or motherboard documentation. |
Start the ESXi Installer
After the restart, verify that the server boots from the ESXi installation media rather than its existing local disk. The installer loads files and hardware components, which can take several moments. At the welcome screen, use the indicated key, normally Enter, to continue.
Accept the License Agreement
The installer displays VMware's end-user license agreement, or EULA. An EULA is the legal agreement governing use of the software. Read and accept it to proceed. In the ESXi installer, F11 is normally used to accept the agreement.
Select the Installation Destination
The installer lists available local disks, SSDs, and supported boot devices. Select the device that you identified during planning as the dedicated ESXi destination.
Review the device identity, capacity, and any available model information carefully. Do not rely only on the disk's position in a list because storage order can change between systems or controller configurations.
Select the Keyboard Layout
Choose the keyboard layout that matches the keyboard used by the host administrator. The layout controls how keys are interpreted at the local console, including symbols used in passwords.
A mismatch can cause a password to be entered differently from what you expect. This is particularly common with symbols, punctuation, and keyboards designed for different regions.
Set the Root Password
Set the initial password for the root account. Root is the highest-privilege local administrative account on an ESXi host, so its password must be protected carefully.
- Use a long, unique password that is not reused on another system.
- Store it securely in an approved password manager or equivalent protected record.
- Avoid ambiguous special characters if the selected keyboard layout is unfamiliar.
- Verify the keyboard layout before entering the password.
Because the root account has extensive administrative authority, losing or exposing its password can prevent administration or compromise the host. At the local console, make sure the password behaves as expected before depending on remote access.
Confirm and Complete Installation
Review the final summary, especially the destination disk. At the confirmation step, press F11 as normally instructed to begin writing ESXi to the selected device.
- Wait while the installer copies files and configures the ESXi installation.
- When prompted, remove the installation CD/DVD or USB device.
- Restart the server.
- Allow the server to boot from the newly installed ESXi device.
Removing the media matters because leaving it connected can cause the server to restart into the installer again instead of the installed host.
| Stage | Administrator action | Expected result | Important caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download installer | Sign in or register when required and download a compatible ISO. | The ESXi installer image is available. | Match the release to the server hardware. |
| Create bootable media | Write the ISO to optical media or create bootable USB media. | The server can start the installer. | Copying the ISO as a normal file is insufficient. |
| Set firmware boot priority | Put the installer device before the local disk. | The server starts from installation media. | Save firmware changes before restarting. |
| Run installer | Continue from the welcome screen and accept the EULA. | The installation wizard proceeds. | F11 normally accepts the agreement. |
| Select destination disk | Choose the dedicated local disk, SSD, or supported boot device. | ESXi will be installed on the selected device. | Selection can erase existing data. |
| Set keyboard layout and root password | Choose the correct layout and create the initial password. | Local console credentials can be used after installation. | Layout mismatches affect password characters. |
| Complete installation and reboot | Confirm with F11, wait, remove media, and restart. | The server boots into ESXi. | Remove media to avoid restarting the installer. |
Installer Decision Points
| Installer screen | Required choice | Consequence of incorrect choice |
|---|---|---|
| License agreement | Accept the EULA with the indicated control, normally F11. | The installation cannot continue. |
| Destination storage | Select the intended dedicated installation device. | The wrong disk may be formatted or repartitioned. |
| Keyboard layout | Select the layout used by the administrator. | Password characters may not be entered as expected. |
| Root password | Enter and securely record a strong password. | Administrative access may be difficult or insecure. |
| Final confirmation | Verify the destination and confirm, normally with F11. | Installation may write to an unintended device. |
Post-Installation Handoff
After the reboot, ESXi displays the Direct Console User Interface (DCUI). The DCUI is the local, text-based management screen for the ESXi host. It helps identify the host and provides access to basic local operations.
Installation is not the end of host setup. The next tasks normally include configuring management networking, confirming the host name and access settings, applying appropriate updates, and connecting with an administrative management tool. Continue with separate material on basic ESXi configuration before creating virtual machines.
Troubleshooting
The server boots from the existing disk
- The media may not be bootable. Recreate it from the ISO using an imaging or disc-writing utility.
- The optical drive or USB device may not be first in the boot order. Adjust BIOS or UEFI settings, or use the temporary boot menu.
- The media may be disconnected, unreadable, or not detected. Confirm the connection and verify that firmware lists the device.
BIOS or UEFI setup does not open
- You may be using the wrong startup key. Consult the server or motherboard documentation.
- The key may be pressed too late. Restart and press it repeatedly immediately after power-on.
- Use the manufacturer's remote console or boot menu if the server provides one.
The intended disk is not listed
- Check disk cabling, power, controller configuration, and RAID configuration.
- Verify the storage-controller mode and relevant firmware settings.
- Confirm that the controller and disk are supported by the selected ESXi release.
The installer reports unsupported hardware
- The CPU, storage controller, network adapter, or firmware may not be supported.
- The selected ESXi release may not match the server generation.
- Review VMware compatibility information for the release, update server firmware where supported, or select a release appropriate for the hardware.
The root password behaves unexpectedly
- Check the keyboard layout selected during installation.
- Remember that special characters can map differently on another layout.
- Use the expected layout at the local console and follow the appropriate administrative recovery procedure if the password cannot be used.
Practical Example: Optical-Disc Installation
- Complete any required VMware download-portal registration or sign-in and download a compatible ESXi ISO.
- Write the ISO as a bootable CD or DVD.
- Insert the disc and set the server's CD/DVD drive as the first boot device.
- Boot the server and continue from the welcome screen.
- Accept the license agreement, normally with F11.
- Select a dedicated installation disk and acknowledge the data-loss warning only after verifying the device.
- Choose the correct keyboard layout and set a strong root password.
- Confirm the installation with F11 and wait for it to finish.
- Remove the disc when directed and reboot into the installed ESXi host.
Exam-Relevant Notes
- ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor installed directly on physical host hardware.
- An ISO image is the installer file; bootable media must be created from that image.
- BIOS and UEFI control startup, including boot order.
- F11 normally accepts the EULA and confirms the installation in the interactive installer.
- The destination-device selection is a critical data-loss checkpoint.
- The root account is the initial highest-privilege local administrator.
- The DCUI is the local console shown after ESXi starts.