Hi And welcome to the community 
One of the best parts of vSphere is that is very easy to install, very easy to configure and very easy to start using. (create VMs) :smileycool:
Regarding you point on the installation, I would install the Hypervisor on a memory stick or flash card, if the server supports it.
You need a 1GB mem stick, 2GB is better for future upgrades.
Installing on a memory stick means you do not waste 2 local drives for a 200-500MB OS install
Getting up to speed there is a big virtual specialists community sharing their knowledge via blogs.
Also using VMware Communities is a great resource for answers
You could look at the vSphere documentation found on this link:
http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-pubs.html
Start with the top 2 documents
vSphere basics and Installation guide
Remember to award points for helpful/correct answers by simply clicking on helpful or correct tabs 
I set mine up on a simple server just to try out...
install was easy but later bits have been infuriating (for a new guy,windows proficient, but trying to organise a company at the same time)
made a few notes for myself as I went...
To update your Licence details: Select top node, Configuration Tab, Licensed Features in the sub menu and then click on the small edit... on the RHS
Before you can Network properly you need to create a vCenter server.. you can use a VM but it has to be a 64 bit VM
And to run a 64 bit VM you need Intel Hyper-V chipset on the hardware
To duplicate Vanilla Server
Main Node > Summery
Right click on Datastor to browse
To duplicate, Make a new folder, copy and paste the VMDK files, then create a new virtual machine, but use the copied VMDK files as your HDD… cloned Server.
Or Move the VMX & the VMDK (do not rename anything) then whilst in the “Consol” boot it up and tell it you “moved” it and it’s fine….
Not much, but hope it helps.. and I'll be following that link above myself
This works if oyu dont have a vCenter license.
If you do have a vCenter infrastructure, then you can just use the built in clone to make this much faster
oops... sorry, must have made that note before I managed to get vCenter setup...
but always nice to have more than one way of doign things
