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VMware ESX Articles
Installation and Deployment
A checklist for the proper planning, installation, configuration, and security of a new
1 of 17 1/29/2011 10:37 AM
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ESXi Server.
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Introduction
In this article, VMware ESX Video author, I will provide a step by step configuration checklist for the proper
planning, installation, configuration, and security of a new ESXi Server. While installing ESXi is not difficult,
installing it properly is.
Let us begin
One of the best things about VMware ESXi (besides being free) is that it is quick and easy to install. However,
there is more to properly configuring it than just getting it installed. Not only do you want it installed but you also
want it configured to function for all your future needs and to do so securely. Let us see how to do just that.
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1. Installation
2. Console Configuration
3. VI Client Configuration
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Figure 3: Press Enter to Accept the default hard drive for install
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Going down the list from the top to bottom of the console interface, here is our list of what we need to configure at
the console level:
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2. Configure Management Network – the networking for the ESXi Server is called the “management
network” so in this step, you need to configure the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. While your
server will likely start out with an IP address obtained from DHCP, as this is a server, you need to configure
a static IP address.
3. Configure DNS Servers on this ESXi Server – Just as you tell your PC what DNS Servers to use and what
the domain is that it should use, you also need to tell your ESXi Server. Go into DNS Settings inside DNS
Configuration to give this server the DNS Server IP’s and its hostname.
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4. Next, you need to add a Custom DNS Suffixes to assign the DNS Suffix for this ESXi server.
Now, Exit the Management Network Configuration by pressing ESC. You will be prompted to confirm that you
want to save this new configuration. Make sure that you accept the new configuration with a Y for YES.
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5. To ensure that this server is properly configured, you should use the Test Management Network function in
the console, like this:
What is this? Our Management Network Test failed? This points out that we need to make
sure that this ESX host is able to resolve DNS and above to resolve its own DNS
hostname. Now, let us add it.
6. To resolve the fact that this ESX host is not in DNS, go to your DNS Server and make a host entry for the
new ESX host, like this:
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Figure 13: Adding a Windows DNS Server host entry for the new ESXi host
From here, we are done with the console configuration so let us move onto administering the new server using
VMware’s VI Client.
VI Client Configuration
1. Connect to your vCenter Server and add the new ESXi server to vCenter. Authorize as the root user and I
recommend enabling lock down mode at this time.
2. Configure Licensing – if you have the vCenter Server licensing configured to “change host license server
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settings to match these VirtualCenter Server settings whenever a host is added to the inventory” then the
new ESXi Server licensing should be automatically configured. Still, you should check your licensing for the
new server and verify that it is properly licensed (not an evaluation) and that any optional features you need
(like VCB or VMotion) are enabled.
3. Connect ESXi Server to SAN – iSCSI or FC. For more information on ESX Server and iSCSI, see my
articles How to create an inexpensive iSCSI SAN for VMware ESX and Connect VMware ESX Server to a
free iSCSI SAN using Openfiler.
4. Configure NTP Server & Start NTP – it is important to have the proper time configured on your ESXi
Servers for a variety of reasons (logging, security, iSCSI authentication) and NTP is the correct way to do
this. To enable NTP, go to the Configuration for your server, click on Time Configuration, and then click
Properties.
Figure 16
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Figure 17
5. Consider Security - while ESXi is a very secure OS already (even more secure than the regular ESX
Server), I encourage you to consider the security implications of it. Here are a couple of things you can do-
a. Read the VMware VI Security Hardening Guide and consider what it recommends. This guide was
recently updated to cover ESXi (ESX 3i 3.5).
b. Get on the update list to be notified when the new version of TripWire ConfigCheck will be released
which will support ESXi (3i). This is a very powerful tool and I highly recommend it but, so far, it only
supports ESX Server (not ESXi). They have an email notification list you can joint to be notified when the
new ESXi version is released.
6. Consider Documentation & Communication – these are two areas that are too often forgotten. When
adding any new server, you need to update your documentation, hardware inventory, network management,
and more. You also need to notified other administrators that the new server is available and how to
administer it.
7. If you will be wantig to gain access to the command line on your ESXi server, read my article How to Access
the VMware ESXi Hidden Console
8. Configure options features, such as vMotion, VCB, and/or other backup solutions.
Conclusion
a dve rtis e me nt
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In conclusion, adding a new VMware ESXi Server should be quick and easy. However, there are often many parts
of adding that new server that are forgotten until later. By having a quick checklist for installation and
configuration, adding that new server can be easier and you will save time in the long run.
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