Install Virtual machine on Vmware exsi,
Create Virtual switch and configure Storage-
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Create / Install a Virtual Machine on ESXi (UI)
These steps work from the vSphere Client (vCenter) or the ESXi Host
Client.
1. Upload the OS ISO (if not already):
o vSphere Client / Host Client → Storage → select a
datastore → Datastore browser → Upload → pick the ISO.
2. Create the VM:
o vSphere Client: Hosts and Clusters → right-click the host
or cluster → New Virtual Machine → Create a new virtual
machine.
o ESXi Host Client: Virtual Machines → Create / Register
VM → Create a new virtual machine.
3. Configure the new VM (follow dialog):
o Name: e.g., WinServer01.
o Compatibility: leave default unless you need an older ESXi
compatibility.
o Guest OS family & version: pick matching guest
(Windows/Linux).
o Select storage: choose the datastore where VM files and
ISO live.
o VM hardware:
▪ CPUs: e.g., 2 vCPUs (adjust as needed).
▪ Memory: e.g., 4 GB (adjust as needed).
▪ Network adapter: attach to a Port Group (e.g., “VM
Network”).
▪ New hard disk: set size (GB) and provisioning:
▪ Thin provision for dev / space efficiency.
▪ Thick (Lazy or Eager) for predictable
performance / special requirements
(EagerZeroedThick required for some FT
setups).
▪ SCSI controller: default LSI Logic is OK; VMware
Paravirtual for heavy I/O workloads.
o CD/DVD drive: choose Datastore ISO file and browse to
the uploaded ISO; check Connect at power on.
4. Finish & Power on:
o Complete the wizard → Power On the VM → open
Console → install OS normally using the mounted ISO.
5. Post install:
o Install VMware Tools inside the guest (improves drivers
and performance).
o Set network config inside guest (IP, DNS, gateway) or use
DHCP as appropriate.
Configure Storage
A. Create a VMFS Datastore on a local/attached disk (UI)
1. Host Client / vSphere Client → Storage → New Datastore.
2. Choose VMFS datastore type → Select device (local disk or
RAID LUN visible to ESXi).
3. Name the datastore (e.g., datastore1) → choose VMFS version
(VMFS6 on modern ESXi) → confirm capacity and format.
4. Finish — the host formats the device and the datastore appears
under Storage.
Mount an NFS Datastore
1. Ensure NFS server (export) is reachable (IP and export path).
2. Host Client / vSphere Client → Storage → New Datastore →
choose NFS (NFSv3 or NFSv4.1 as supported).
3. Enter server IP, folder path (export), datastore name, and NFS
version → Finish.
4. Datastore mounts and is visible to ESXi hosts.
Notes: NFS is file-level; ensure NFS server permissions allow the ESXi
host(s) to mount the export.
Connect to an iSCSI target (software iSCSI adapter)
1. Networking: create a VMkernel adapter dedicated for iSCSI
traffic on the vSwitch you created; assign IPs on iSCSI
VLAN/subnet for multipathing.
2. Storage → Adapters → locate Software iSCSI adapter (if not
present, add/enable software iSCSI).
3. Configure iSCSI adapter:
o Dynamic Discovery → add iSCSI target IP(s) → Save.
4. Rescan the iSCSI adapter and storage devices (click Rescan).
New LUNs should appear in Devices.
5. Create datastore from the new device: Storage → New
Datastore → select the discovered iSCSI LUN → Format as VMFS
→ Finish.
6. For redundancy/performance: configure multipathing (Path
Selection Policy e.g., Round Robin) and ensure physical NICs &
switches are configured for multiple paths.
