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garetharmstrong
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Running VSphere hypervisor and Vsphere from the same machine

Hi guys,

I've got quite a basic question bu I can't seem to find an answer.

I'm setting up a home server/vmware test environment, but I only have one computer. I want to install ESXi on this computer, and then run VSphere via localhost to manage VM Machines on the same host. Until now, I've always set up ESXi on a host machine and then managed it remotely, with my laptop. But I don't have that option here. Is there something within ESXi that allows this configuration?

Thanks,

Gareth

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a_p_
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You can certainly run a Windows VM on the ESXi host, but you'll still need another system to access it. ESXi itself doesn't offer a GUI, and I'm not aware of any 3rd party tool which adds such functionality either.


André

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a_p_
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ESXi doesn't provide a management interface other than the DCUI and the command line. Although you can partly manage VM's from the command line, I assume this is not what you are looking for!?

André

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garetharmstrong
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What I'm trying to do is have ESXi running underneath, and then have a copy of Windows running on top so I can then run the VSphere client. and manage vms all from the same pc. Is that not possible?

Thanks,

Gareth

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a_p_
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You can certainly run a Windows VM on the ESXi host, but you'll still need another system to access it. ESXi itself doesn't offer a GUI, and I'm not aware of any 3rd party tool which adds such functionality either.


André

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mjha
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As in your setup you are installing Esxi on top of hardware and then installing Windows, there is no option of managing your esxi using vSphere client or any other utility because Esxi doesn't provide any GUI except DCUI. So you need another system with windows installation to connect and manage your esxi server. Better run your hypervisor inside vmware workstation or vmware player.

Please consider marking this answer "correct" or "helpful" if you think your query have been answered correctly. Manish Jha | Operations Support Engineer | vCloud Air Operations vExpert 2015-17 | vExpert-NSX | vExpert-Cloud | VCAP6-DCV | VCP6-DCV | RHCE-7 Website : http://vstellar.com