Install Cisco ACS in a VMware Virtual Machine
Learn how to install Cisco ACS from an ISO image in VMware Workstation, VMware Player, or VMware ESXi, including VM creation, storage, ISO attachment, boot, and verification.
Overview of Cisco ACS installation
Cisco Access Control System (ACS) is a network access-control and identity-services platform. In this workflow, ACS is deployed as a virtual appliance by booting a Cisco-provided installation ISO inside a virtual machine.
An ISO image is a disk-image file that acts as bootable installation media. Obtaining the correct ACS ISO and installing that ISO into a virtual machine are separate tasks: first obtain the authorized installation media, then configure VMware to use it as the VM's virtual CD/DVD media.
VMware ESXi is a bare-metal enterprise hypervisor commonly used for virtual appliance deployments. For a local practice environment, VMware Workstation or VMware Player can be used where the platform and ACS version support them.
Prerequisites
- Obtain the appropriate Cisco ACS ISO image through your authorized Cisco software access.
- Have access to a supported VMware platform: VMware ESXi for an enterprise-style deployment, or VMware Workstation or VMware Player for a desktop lab.
- Choose a host location with enough free physical storage for the VM and its virtual disk.
- Plan a VM name and storage location before starting the wizard.
- Reserve at least 60 GB for the ACS virtual hard disk.
- Understand basic virtual-machine concepts and basic VMware navigation.
Installation requirements
Create the VMware Workstation virtual machine
The following procedure uses VMware Workstation. Names and screen layouts can vary slightly between VMware releases, but the required choices remain the same.
- Open VMware Workstation.
- From the menu, select File > New Virtual Machine.
- In the New Virtual Machine wizard, choose Typical configuration and continue.
- When asked how to install the operating system, select I will install the operating system later. Do not ask the wizard to install a generic operating system from the ISO automatically.
- For the guest operating-system family, select Linux.
- For the guest operating-system version, select CentOS.
- Enter the planned VM name and select the location where the VM files will be stored.
- Configure the virtual hard disk to be at least 60 GB.
- Choose whether VMware stores the virtual disk in one file or splits it into multiple files. A single file can be convenient when the host filesystem supports it; split files can be easier to move between storage locations. Either choice must still provide at least 60 GB.
Virtual disk planning
The 60 GB value is the minimum virtual disk size for this installation workflow. It is a virtual capacity requirement, but the host still needs enough physical free space at the selected VM location. Check host storage before creating the appliance.
Attach the Cisco ACS ISO
Before completing VM creation, customize the VM hardware so its virtual CD/DVD device uses the ACS installation media.
- In the final wizard step, open Customize Hardware.
- Select the VM's CD/DVD virtual device.
- Choose Use ISO image file.
- Browse to the Cisco ACS ISO and select it.
- Confirm the ISO path, close the hardware customization window, and finish creating the VM.
The CD/DVD virtual device is the VM hardware component that mounts the ISO as if it were a physical optical disc.
Customize Hardware > CD/DVD > Use ISO image file > select the Cisco ACS ISOBoot and install Cisco ACS
- Power on the completed virtual machine.
- Wait for the Cisco ACS installer boot menu to appear.
- Select the first installation option in the menu.
- After that option is selected, the main ACS installation proceeds automatically. Avoid interrupting the VM while the installer is working.
- Recognize that the VM reboots when installation completes.
The installation process described here is intentionally different from a typical interactive Linux installation. After the first ACS installer entry is selected, the appliance installation runs automatically and then reboots.
Workstation workflow summary
Verify installation completion
After the automatic installation and reboot, verify that the VM reaches the Cisco ACS post-installation console state rather than returning to an installation error or an unexpected boot device.
Reaching the post-installation console indicates that the appliance software has been installed. It does not mean that the initial ACS configuration is complete.
- Confirm that the VM completed its reboot.
- Confirm that the console presents the installed ACS appliance rather than the installer menu.
- Proceed to the separate ACS setup and configuration phase, including the required appliance configuration and network-access settings.
Choosing a VMware platform
- VMware ESXi: Use for an enterprise-style virtualized environment and centralized hypervisor management.
- VMware Workstation: Use for a local desktop lab where you need to create and run the VM interactively.
- VMware Player: Use where an appropriate desktop virtualization option is available for running a lab VM.
Troubleshooting
The VM cannot start the ACS installer
- Open the VM hardware settings and confirm that the CD/DVD virtual device is configured to use the ACS ISO.
- Confirm that the selected ISO path exists and is accessible to VMware.
- Verify that the VM is powered on after the ISO is attached.
The VM does not meet the storage requirement
- Check the virtual disk configuration and confirm that it is at least 60 GB.
- Check the host's available physical storage at the VM location.
The wizard choices do not match the documented guest profile
- Select Linux as the guest operating-system family.
- Select CentOS as the guest operating-system version.
The learner expects to complete many manual installer screens
Confirm that the first installation option in the ACS boot menu was selected. In this workflow, the main installation proceeds automatically after that selection and ends with a reboot.
The appliance rebooted but is not ready for access-control services
Separate successful software installation from initial ACS setup. If the appliance has reached its post-installation console, continue with the ACS setup and configuration phase rather than repeating the ISO installation.
Key exam notes
- Cisco ACS is installed as a virtual appliance from Cisco-provided installation media.
- The VMware guest profile used in this workflow is Linux with CentOS selected as the version.
- The virtual hard disk must be at least 60 GB.
- The ACS ISO is attached through the VM's CD/DVD virtual device.
- The first installer option starts an installation that proceeds automatically and ends with a reboot.
- Installation completion and initial ACS configuration are separate stages.
For the next stage, continue with Cisco ACS setup and configuration after the appliance reaches its post-installation console.