What is the configuration tool for ESXi of choice?

[Stu_McHugh]

So installing ESXi 4.1 is very straight forward but there are many post install tasks such as name, IP addresses, NTP servers, etc.  What are the tools of choice to configure this?

PowerCLI

Custom install CD's

Using the vsphere client

Host profiles

Any thoughts or advices would be great!

[AWo]

That also depends on your available licenses. If you have the appropriate ones I would go with host profiles.

AWo

[Texiwill]

Hello,

This also depends on how technical folks are with respect to the tools. If they are use to windows based tools then the vSphere Client is the easiest tool. For configuring such things as ESXi IP address, best done from the management console unless you really like using DHCP for your ESXi hosts (not recommended).

But to maintain many servers? Host Profiles if you have Ent+, else PowerCLI or some other scripting language or even using vMA and its remote config tools.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

Communities Moderator, VMware vExpert,

Author: VMware vSphere and Virtual Infrastructure Security,VMware ESX and ESXi in the Enterprise 2nd Edition

Podcast: The Virtualization Security Podcast Resources: The Virtualization Bookshelf

[AndreTheGiant]

It's also depend by the number of hosts and the license that you have...

Host profiles, for example is available only with the Enterprise+ (or in evaluation mode).

The kickstart solution could be an interesting way (and can work with all edition).

And also the new (for vSphere 5.0) Auto Deploy (this is only for Enterprise+).

Andre

[ChrisDearden]

I've had a good ammount of sucess using the EDA - http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/89313