Confused with what to download and install

[regentscollege]

Hello All,

First of apologies in advance if these may seem basic questions. I wish to install and test ESXi version 5 on my test server which is a HP Microserver with 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 160 GB SATA drive. It does not have a CD ROM drive so I decided to install it from a USB stick.

1. What exactly do I need to download in terms of ISO files ? (rather confused as there is many different options here) and where ?

2. I have read their are tools to convert the ISO files to a bootable state on a USB stick what is the recommended software ?

3. Will it recognise my SATA drive ?

Many thanks,

[JCMorrissey]

Hi,

Might i suggest using

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=vmware-vsphere51-ent&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&...

as an excellent starting point, in terms of installation via usb, take a look at:

http://www.satheesh.net/2011/08/29/how-to-make-a-bootable-vmware-vsphere-5-usb-installation-media/

Takes a wide range of drives so hopefully shouldnt see a problem

Many tx

[Josh26]

What RAID card to you have?

The one which is default with this hardware is not supported under ESXi, and therefore, your HDD will not be detected.

[regentscollege]

I have created the bootdisk as per instructions but when I boot via the USB it comes up with "missing operating system" any ideas ?

[mcasekar]

Hi,

can you look into the below link, i hope it may helps...

http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/ESXi_USB_install.php

http://vmackem.co.uk/?p=575

[Ariel_l]

I know some people who have had similar issues and they'll be talking  about VMware ESXi in a peer panel in Jan. It may be worthwhile for you to check it out. Here's the link- https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/8799/62383

[regentscollege]

Mcasekar that was a useful link thankyou but still having followed the exact instructions I still get the "missing operating system" when I boot with the UBS drive. Could it be that most of the articles are based on ESXI 5.0 ? and I have downloaded 5.1 ?

[JCMorrissey]

Hi,

Might be worth doing a double check on your boot order in the BIOS. Given its a usb drive be worth validating its up the top.

Many tx!