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hack3rcon
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

How does ESXi run?

Hello,

Can anyone tell me what sections run in order when the server starts up until the ESXi is fully run?

 

Thank you.

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Tibmeister
Expert
Expert

What is the overall goal in asking this question?  ESXi is based on a Linux system, so it will load similarly by starting the bootloader then switching over to the kernel.

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virtsysadmin
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Any issue booting a ESXI?  stuck during a specific state ?



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hack3rcon
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

So, when does the BusyBox and VMkernel run?

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Tibmeister
Expert
Expert

BusyBox is a small binary that runs in the shell and provides standard functions such as ping, vi, nslookup, etc.  VMkernel is an application that runs at startup.

hack3rcon
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hello,

Thank you so much for your reply.

Can you show me a diagram which shows the components that are executed in order?

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Tinto1970
Commander
Commander

hello, you could probably find interesting infos at the following link

https://www.vmware.com/content/dam/digitalmarketing/vmware/en/pdf/techpaper/ESXi_architecture.pdf

 

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Alessandro aka Tinto VCP-DCV 2023
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Tibmeister
Expert
Expert

I haven't seen that doc in years!  I do have to wonder, how much has changed?  I think the general picture is unchanged though, so should be good for OP's needs.

BTW, why are you needing this level of info, if you don't mind me asking?

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hack3rcon
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hello,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I want o learn it deeply.