installing vmware esx3i

[avmnd_com]

Where would the install instructions possibly be for esx3i.. just the bare metal. I saw a paper or article somewhere, where you download the iso, extract a file from the iso, put it on a usb, change bios to boot from usb and then reboot from the usb to do the minimum esx3i install, now for the life of me I can't find these instructions. The vmware site has become such a mess!!!!

Also, once installed what protocol/port does the vi_client use and can the esx3i server be manage remotely if the proper port(s) are open. Essentially, what needs to be open for remote management and is it all encrypted?

Thanks.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

I have the process documented here - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Boot%203i%20from%20USB%20flash%20drive.html. Basically you're extracting files from the ISO image so that you can run ESX 3i from a USB flash drive. You would still use the ISO to perform a hard drive install.

General documentation for 3i Installable you can find here - http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vi_pages/vi_pubs_35_3i_i.html. For a list of ports that you'll need to open to manage the host see this document - http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-2500.

[avmnd_com]

I am actually trying to use the embedded version. This is a dell poweredge 2950, but they don't yet embed the esx3i onto the server. I would prefer the embeded version and the instructions I think I saw were for that.

Also, if i install a trial version, can i license it later without re-installing?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

I don't beleive the embedded version has been made public yet (http://www.vmware.com/download/vi/) - besides the beta that was released at VMworld. When you install 3i, you'll have a 60 day eval and you will then be able to switch it to use a license server without re-installing.

[avmnd_com]

http://communities.vmware.com/blogs/Knorrhane/2008/01/21/installing-esx-3i-on-usb-stick this is the link i was referring to... finally found it.

[ocremel]

There is no significant differences between the embedded and installable versions.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Olivier, will the embedded version have the same partition structure as installable (i.e. Hypervisor0 --> Hypervisor3)?

[RParker]

You have to call Dell, they can support you. We participated in the beta for the R905 AMD box, and it had embedded 3i.

However, it's no big deal, the 3i installable is the same thing. One is pre-installed by Dell and the other is install by end user, that's the only difference, there is no advantage to using one over the other, we tried both.

3i embedded comes on an SD card on the box, personally it's a pain, it's much easier to simply install it on the local hard drive....

[RParker]

the versions are the same. One is an OEM install the other is end user install, there is no difference in how they install/implement. We had a machine with the embedded, and after finally installing it, it's the same build as the 3i installable, so all that work for nothing. 3i needs some work, like remote commands for updating the bios on the server for one.. since you don't have a console, that's a major impetus.

[ocremel]

embedded and installable have the same partition structure indeed.

[ocremel]

Yes. It is almost exactly the same dd image. (the difference is only two bits).

Thanks,

Olivier.