Installing ESX3i U2 on Dell Poweredge 2950

[jbisset]

We are having problems installing the free ESX3i update 2 on a Dell Poweredge 2950 III (2 x QuadCore CPUs).

We have burned the ISO to DVD and CD - every combination fails to be accepted by the server. We're not sure if it's a problem with the way we've burned the disk(s) or with an incompatibiluty between the ISO image file and the PE2950.

Has anyone succeeded?

James.

[Karunakar]

Hi James,

Can you try to install the ESX35I U2 directly using the ISO images, this can be done by Dell Remote console.

As the ISO may also be an issue.

-Karunakar

[jbisset]

Hi Karunakar

I'm not sure I've got your meaning. We're setting up an out of box 2950 with OpenManage and chosen VMWare ESX3.5 U2 as the target OS. I'm not sure how we can access the ISO other than by booting directly from the ISO CD (which didn't work) or feeding it in to OpenManage when asked.

James.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Moved to ESXi forum.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

SearchVMware Blog: http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/virtualization-pro/

Blue Gears Blogs - http://www.itworld.com/ and http://www.networkworld.com/community/haletky

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[Axis]

Won't work, because ESX and ESXi are completely different products.

You can install ESX by using the OpenManage installation CD's, and doing what you descibed.

You can only install ESXi directly from the installation CD, not by using the OpenManage preinstallation discs. OpenManage won't run on ESXi.

[Karunakar]

Hi James,

Usually any server has a Remote Access Console.

Similarly, dell can also have a DRAC (Dell Remote access Control), here you can select the virtual media, and point that virtual media to the ISO you have.

this can Isolate if this is the issue with the ISO or withthe machine.

Regards,

Karunakar

[RobertPRAG]

Hi,

I've just purchased a PowerEdge 2950 in the last week and setup ESXi with no problems - I didn't use the Open Manage setup as there is no need. I'm guessing the server came configured with the RAID setup already - I would wipe it (carry out an initialise on each array) and then put the DVD/CD in and do the install. It should work absolutely fine then.

Thanks

Rob

[s1xth]

Just to throw my 2 cents in here, for my ESXi implentations I use PE2950's, I have 6 of them and every single one I boot straight off the install media, never touched the Open Manage disc.

95% of the time I WIPE the already preconfigured RAID config and rebuild, if I have time. I never had an issue not doing that, but to cover myself I do it anyway.

[RParker]

Just to throw my 2 cents in here, for my ESXi implentations I use PE2950's, I have 6 of them and every single one I boot straight off the install media, never touched the Open Manage disc.

95% of the time I WIPE the already preconfigured RAID config and rebuild, if I have time. I never had an issue not doing that, but to cover myself I do it anyway.

Totally agree. That openmanage CD is great for Windows / Linux installs but it does nothing for ESX. It's best to use the CD. ESX recognizes the RAID / Video / HBA / NIC's no problem.

That's why the 2950 is certified compatible, so you don't need 3rd party drivers.

[jbisset]

Karunakar

Hi. We solved it by recreating the ISO on CD (not DVD) and rebooting from the CD.

Up and running now.

Thanks

James.

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