ESXi 6.7 booting from client CD Drive

[JackDertochipIT]

Hello,

We were wondering if it is possible to boot from our client CD Drive when installing a OS to a VM in the esxi 6.7 web interface.

We haven't had any problems booting from the host's CD Drive & datastore, however I have been trying to look for an option to boot from my PCs cd drive and haven't found anything. We thought this was possible in Esxi 6.7, just like the older vsphere client program.

If not possible - does anyone know of a way to work esxi 6.7 from vpshere client and not the new web interface?

Thanks,

[SupreetK]

You can use the 'Client Device' option -

Configure a Client Device Type for the CD/DVD Drive in the vSphere Web Client

Add a CD or DVD Drive to a Virtual Machine in the vSphere Web Client - Select Passthrough

Cheers,

Supreet

[JackDertochipIT]

Hi,

That option just doesn't show up, we only have the following:

.

- Host device

- Datastore ISO file

[psibaja]

Hello JackDertochipIT

In ESXi 6.7 the option is "Host Device", under this option you could select the right physical CD/DVD-ROM where you have put your Guest OS installer in your server. Make sure the virtual CD/DVD-ROM is marked a "Connected at power on". Then boot the VM and you could continue from there installing the OS.

Here is the official documentation for 6.7: Configure a Client Device Type for the CD/DVD Drive

Kind regards.

[patrickds]

I think you need to use the VM Remote Console to be able to connect to client device.

[Gotzu]

Most probably because client device existed on ESXi 6.0 and earlier versions because those host were managed from vSphere client. ESXi 6.5 and above are managed directly from web client hence "Client Device" is eliminated.