VMware Cloud Community
M_A_Y
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

A dynamic ESXi installer (USB) to install any version of ESXi

Hi all

I am in a position that i keep installing new ESXi all the time, by creating a ESXi installer Media (USB) via rufus then insall ESXi from that.

I think if it is possible to create a dynamic ESXi installer Media (USB) and just replace the .iso image by copy&past then it will install the version of the ESXi that .iso file is, than creating multiple ESXi installer Media (USB) for each version of ESXi...

Right now i have 5 USB drives and i am switching between ESXi 5.5U3, 6.0, 6.5U2, 6.7 & 6.7U1, but it will nice to have 1 USB and just switch between .iso files by coping the .iso to the USB drive and start installing.

ZALMAN hard drive is not an uption.

Tags (1)
Reply
0 Kudos
1 Solution

Accepted Solutions
peetz
Leadership
Leadership
Jump to solution

Greetings,

there are several "multiboot" tools available that allow to copy multiple ISO files to a USB drive and to pick one of them to boot from via a menu (e.g. XBoot).

Here is a starting point: https://www.pendrivelinux.com/tag/boot-multiple-isos-from-flash-drive/

Is this what you are looking for?

Andreas

Twitter: @VFrontDe, @ESXiPatches | https://esxi-patches.v-front.de | https://vibsdepot.v-front.de

View solution in original post

Reply
0 Kudos
3 Replies
minivlab
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

You could setup a PXE server an host all of the versions of ESXi you need.  Also, I am not 100% positive but you may be able to use Auto Deploy from a host running 6.7U1, I am just not sure if you can deploy older versions of ESXi

Reply
0 Kudos
peetz
Leadership
Leadership
Jump to solution

Greetings,

there are several "multiboot" tools available that allow to copy multiple ISO files to a USB drive and to pick one of them to boot from via a menu (e.g. XBoot).

Here is a starting point: https://www.pendrivelinux.com/tag/boot-multiple-isos-from-flash-drive/

Is this what you are looking for?

Andreas

Twitter: @VFrontDe, @ESXiPatches | https://esxi-patches.v-front.de | https://vibsdepot.v-front.de
Reply
0 Kudos
M_A_Y
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Hi Peetz

Thanks a lot. Yes i was looking for something like Xboot. I have tried it and did some tests with my HPE server.

Even though XBoot does not support UEFI boot endnu, but it works find with legacy BIOS...

Thanks once again.

Reply
0 Kudos