Scribd
Upload
37 views

How To Deploy ESXi8

The document provides step-by-step instructions for deploying ESXi 8.0, including prerequisites, installation, and first configuration. It details downloading the ISO, creating a bootable USB, installing to disk, setting the network configuration, and accessing the web interface. It also notes that the free license should not be applied if deploying vCenter Server.

Uploaded by

p.rasmijn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
37 views

How To Deploy ESXi8

The document provides step-by-step instructions for deploying ESXi 8.0, including prerequisites, installation, and first configuration. It details downloading the ISO, creating a bootable USB, installing to disk, setting the network configuration, and accessing the web interface. It also notes that the free license should not be applied if deploying vCenter Server.

Uploaded by

p.rasmijn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

How to Deploy ESXi 8.

VMware vSphere 8.0 was released in late 2022 along with VMware ESXi 8.0 and
VMware vCenter Server 8.0. All this comes with lots of new features, improvements
and a brand new GUI look.

In this article, I will show you step by step how to install ESXi 8.

Prerequisites
License and ISO

VMware provides a free evaluation license for ESXi 8.


Bootable USB

Create a bootable USB stick with the downloaded ISO image. This is only required if
you want to deploy ESXi on a standalone server.

ESXi Installation

1. Boot your server to ISO image. Choose ESXi 8.0 Installer.


2. CPU WORKAROUND. If your CPU is compatible SKIP THIS STEP.
Immediately after selecting the ESXi 8 installer, press Shift+O. Then type the
following command:
allowLegacyCPU=true

And press Enter. Make sure there is a space between cdromBoot and
allowLegacyCPU=True
3. After couple minutes you will see the following screen. Press Enter to continue.
4. Accept and Continue by pressing F11.

5. Select the disk where ESXi will be installed and press Enter.
6. Select keyboard layout and press Enter.

7. Type root password which you want to use and press Enter.

8. Now you will see CPU compatibility error but you are able to continue installation.
Press Enter.
9. Confirm the installation by pressing F11.

10. Installation in progress.


11. Installation completed. Remove ISO and press Enter to reboot.

ESXi first configuration

1. Once ESXi is up after installation it is time for the first configuration. Press F2.
2. Type root password and press Enter.

3. Using arrow keys go to Configure Management Network and press Enter.


4. Select your network adapter and modify VLAN ID if needed. In my home lab this
is not necessary, so I will go to IPv4 configuration.

5. Select Static IP by using arrow keys and Space. Type your ESXi IP details. Once
done confirm by pressing Enter.
6. In IPv6 section I will disable IPv6 using arrow keys and Space. Press Enter once
done.

7. In DNS section type your Domain Controller IP and hostname. Make sure to
create a DNS record with your ESXi on the Domain Controller.

8. Custom DNS suffixes you can type your domain. I will use my home lab domain
vmcloud.local.
9. Finally, in main screen of Configure Management Network press Esc and Y
to confirm host reboot and apply changes.

10. When the host is up you can access web interface by going to:
https://IP_or_hostname_of_ESXi
If you want to use hostname, make sure you have added your ESXi IP to hosts file!

Use root credentials.

11. Join CEIP if you want.


Your ESXi 8.0 is ready to use!

If you want to deploy a new vCenter Server 8.0 on this ESXi host DO NOT apply
your free license key.
Leave it in Evaluation Mode.
If the free license key is applied, vCenter Server 8.0 deployment hangs on
Initialization phase.

You might also like