1. Overview
Sometime ago if you want to play around with VMware vSphere Hypervisor, the ESXi host, you need to have a dedicated server hardware with a CPU that support virtualization technology. Luckily,the new version of VMware Workstation now can support ESXi host, the VMware vSphere Hypervisor.
In this document will explain how to install VMware ESXi 6.0, the Hypervisor of VMware vSphere, on VMware Workstation version 11.
2. Prerequisites
In this article, it is assumed that:
a. You already have VMware Workstation 11 up and running on your computer.
b. You have already downloaded VMware ESXi installer image iso file from VMware website.
3. Installing VMware ESXi Host
Create a new virtual machine by going to “File” and click “New Virtual machine” from the VMware Workstation toolbar. Choose “Custom (advanced)” and then click “Next”.
Select the option of “I will install the operating system later” and then click “Next”.
In the Guest Operating System list choose “VMware ESXi” option and the select “VMware ESXi 6” in Version drop-down list and click “Next”.
Follow the on-screen options to configure the virtual machine until you reach at the following window and then click “Customize Hardware”.
Insert the installer disk Image ISO file of VMware ESXi 6.0 by browsing to the location that you had downloaded it to.
Power on the virtual machine and the following window will appear accordingly.
Follow the on-screen options to configure the virtual machine and when you reach at the following window, enter the root password the ESXi host.
Continue to follow the on-screen options until the installation is finished and below picture is the ESXi interface after it is installed successfully.
4. Configuring Static IP Address
To configure a static IP address for the ESXi host, press “F2” on the VMware ESXi host screen and the following root authentication window appears.
Select option “Configure Management Network” and press “Enter”.
Choose “IPv4 Configuration” and press “Enter”.
Select option “Set static IPv4 address and network configuration” and then configure the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway as the following and the press “Enter”. Press escape (Esc) key to exit the following window and press “Y” to apply the new change.
5. Managing ESXi Host With VMware vSphere Client
The simplest way to manage the ESXi host and operate its virtual machines is using vSphere Client. We can directly use the vSphere Client to connect to the ESXi host.
The vSphere Client software is available to download directly from ESXi host by accessing to the ESXi host from a browser as the following.
After finished downloading the VMware vSphere Client software, you need to install it on your computer.
After finish the installation, access to ESXi host from VMware vSphere Client by enter the IP address of the ESXi host and the credential as below.
Here is the interface of VMware vSphere Client that you can use to manage your ESXi host and operate with virtual machines on this ESXi host.
5. Conclusion
Now you should be able to try VMware ESXi product without any real hardware required. So, let continue and enjoy your VMware vSphere journey. If you have any questions or suggestions you can always leave your comments below. I will try all of my best to review and reply them