Introduction:

VMware ESXi is a powerful and widely used hypervisor that allows users to virtualize their hardware and run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing VMware ESXi 6.7 on bare metal using a USB stick and ISO image.

Prerequisites:

  1. A server with compatible hardware for VMware ESXi 6.7.
  2. A USB stick with at least 4GB of storage capacity.
  3. VMware ESXi 6.7 ISO image, which can be downloaded from the official VMware website. (Click the drop-down in the top-left to select your version.)
  4. A computer to create a bootable USB stick.

Step 1: Download VMware ESXi 6.7 ISO Image:
Visit the official VMware website and download the ESXi 6.7 ISO image. Ensure that you have a valid VMware account for access to the download.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Stick:

  1. Insert the USB stick into your computer.
  2. Download and install a tool like Rufus (for Windows) or UNetbootin (for Linux) to create a bootable USB stick.
  3. Open the tool and select the USB stick as the target.
  4. Choose the VMware ESXi 6.7 ISO image as the source.
  5. Click on the “Start” or “Create” button to initiate the process. This will write the ESXi image to the USB stick and make it bootable.

Step 3: Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings:

  1. Insert the bootable USB stick into the server where you want to install VMware ESXi.
  2. Power on the server and access the BIOS or UEFI settings. This process may vary depending on your hardware.
  3. Ensure that the boot order is set to prioritize the USB drive.

Step 4: Start the ESXi Installation:

  1. Save the BIOS/UEFI changes and exit.
  2. The server should now boot from the USB stick, loading the VMware ESXi installer.
  3. Once the installer is loaded, follow the on-screen instructions to proceed with the installation.
  4. Accept the license agreement and select the target disk for the ESXi installation.

Step 5: Configure Networking:

  1. From the ESXi server, set a static IP address or use DHCP for networking.
  2. Configure DNS settings and set a hostname for the ESXi host.

Step 6: Set a Root Password:
Create a strong root password for the ESXi host.

Step 7: Complete the Installation:

  1. Confirm the installation settings and begin the installation process.
  2. Once the installation is complete, remove the USB stick and reboot the server.

Step 8: Access the ESXi Web Interface:

  1. Open a web browser and enter the IP address of the ESXi host.
  2. Log in using the root credentials.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed VMware ESXi 6.7 on bare metal using a USB stick and ISO image. You can now start creating virtual machines and leveraging the powerful features of VMware ESXi for your virtualization needs.