Step 2: Installing and Configuring VMware ESXi 8

Guideline for installing and configuring VMware ESXi 8.0, including network configuration, for use in a lab environment.

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure that your server meets the minimum hardware requirements for ESXi 8.0. Once confirmed, follow the steps listed in the section 'Building a Base-Metal (Tier 1) Hypervisor - VMware ESXi 8.0' to install and configure ESXi on your server. After installation, follow the steps listed in the section 'ESXi Lab Network Configuration' to set up your lab network configuration.

Building a Base-Metal (Tier 1) Hypervisor - VMware ESXi 8.0

1. Download ESXi 8.0 ISO Image from VMWare, take note of the licence key when registering the product to your VMware account. Download VMware vSphere - VMware Customer Connect

2. Write the ISO to a USB flash drive (ISO is 600MB, drive should be ~1GB min). Rufus is a FOSS tool that can be used to do this. Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

3. Enter the BIOS Setup on the host, pressing either F2 or F10 depended on the BIOS vendor. Change the boot device to the USB.

4. Proceed through the installation wizard, ensure you record the root password.

ESXi Lab Network Configuration

1. Create vSwitches, see the ‘Network’ column in the Lab Design and Architecture - Networking Table in the section above for details. Ensure that the LabNet network is connected to the second VMnic.

1. For the Jedi, Empire, and Rebel vSwitches, remove the defaulted ‘Uplink’ and ‘Accept’ Promiscuous mode, MAC addresses changes, and Forged transmits under the Security menu. Leave the default security settings for the Droid vSwitch.

1. Create Port Groups, see the ‘Port Group’ column in the Lab Design and Architecture - Networking Table in the section above for details. Create and connect each port group to their corresponding vSwitch