How to deploy several ESX servers simultaneously?

[Nemo7777]

Hi there,

I have a little task - I must install 6 ESX 3.5 servers on 6 same blade-servers. How can I do it at one time? Can I use some products like Tivoli Provision manager for OS deployment or any otners same products?

or may be Vmware itself have such tools?

best regards,

Ilya

[Gerrit_Lehr]

This might be a solution:

http://www.gabesvirtualworld.com/?p=21

Kind Regards,

Gerrit Lehr

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[Cooldude09]

You need to install ESX on one blade...then later you can do scripted installation by creating the kickstart file....After you install first ESX...you can login to web accesss for the ESX and then create the kickstart file which can be used to install ESX on all blades and which will be identical as well.

Regards

Anil

Save the planet, Go Green

if you found my answer to be useful, feel free to mark it as Helpful or Correct.

[Nemo7777]

I found at web-site 'ESX Server Scripted Installer'

But I can't use it, the message returned when I trying to start installer -

Message: Your ESX Server is not configured to support

scripted installations. To support scripted installations, please refer

to the VMware Web Access Administrators Guide.

I can't find such manual (in my case I use ESX 3.5).

And, does it mean what such kind of installation will give me a possibility for unattended installation of ESX server? Next installation will also need cd-rom?

[sbeaver]

The scripted installer creates the ks.cfg file for you and you do not need the installer to automate ESX installations. Search the forum for ks.cfg and that should get you on your way

Steve Beaver

VMware Communities User Moderator

VMware vExpert 2009

====

Co-Author of "VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center"

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

Come check out my blog: www.theVirtualBlackHole.com

*Virtualization is a journey, not a project.*

[Jasemccarty · Accepted solution]

The message tells you, that you will have to modify a file (part of the Web Access piece) to enable the ability to generate a scripted installation config file.

Here's the doc you are looking for: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35/vi3_35_25_installation_guide.pdf

Start looking at page 101 in that document.

Jase McCarty, VCP, vExpert, VTSP

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

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[Dynamax]

maybe this could help

http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/1216

[Nemo7777]

WOW! thank you.

Is this some kind of PXE server or it's just GUI for cfg-file creation? I'm not clear understand it, because Ubuntu only set as supported os... I'm not understand this limitation...

[Dynamax]

For a better understanding see below link for more info and questions about the appliance

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/139465