VMware ESXi online course

Install ESXi

Boot the installer, set a management address, and open the host client.

Write the ESXi installer to USB, boot the host, accept the license screen, and pick a disk you can wipe. Set a root password you will still know next month. After reboot, press F2 in the DCUI to set a static management IP if DHCP is not what you want.

Browse to https://your-host-ip for the host client. vCenter is optional for a one-host lab. Nested ESXi in Workstation or VirtualBox works if you enable nested VT-x/AMD-V and give the VM enough NIC and disk.