Scripted Installation ESXi 4.1 from CDROM

[Nautilus]

I want to install ESXi 4.1 from CDROM and want to put the config files on the CD. Because some of my customers has no dhcp, no pxe, no web server on the esx Host network.

Is this possible, when yes, how ?

Thanks

Nautilus

[FranckRookie]

Hi Nautilus,

Have a look at this article if it can help.

Good luck.

Regards

Franck

[Nautilus]

i go this way (but i modify the ISO file with a different tool), but but get failure messages, that the esx01.cfg file cannot be found.

Kind regards

Nautilus

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[FranckRookie]

Are you able to install your server with the standard ESXi CD? If yes, then you should have a problem with the CD you created.

If no, maybe your CD-ROM is not seen as the "cdrom" device... so you have to find the device name of your CD and play with the "ks=...:" command to point to the right device.

Good luck!

Regards

Franck

[Dave_Mishchenko]

It may be that ESXi is not able to see the CD-ROM device once the kernel has booted. You could put the script into oem.tgz and then use the file option to specify the script.




Dave

VMware Communities User Moderator

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[Nautilus]

@[Franck|~608883]

I'am testing the installation inside vmware workstation and booting from and ISO File. The installation is starting and i can see that files be loaded from CD,

that means CD is working, and yes i can install manually from this CD.

But the Installation cannot find the CFG File.

@Dave

I think a translator put file oem.tgz ? Option ?? mmmhhhh

Kind regards

Nautilus

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[Dave_Mishchenko]

You can use the file script option and specify the path /etc/vmware/weasel/ks.cfg to use the default installation script. This file is placed within the ESXi file system so you don't have to worry about CD- ROM issues.

To replace this file you can use an oem.tgz file. Essentially you'll take your script and put it into a tgz file. See the sample here - http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/customize_oem_tgz.php. You'll have to edit isolinux.cfg on the root of the CD to include the oem.tgz file. You can also include the option to specify the script file.




Dave

VMware Communities User Moderator

Now available - vSphere Quick Start Guide

Do you have a system or PCI card working with VMDirectPath? Submit your specs to the Unofficial VMDirectPath HCL.