Getting Started Guide

Getting Started With VMware vSphere

This document helps you in setting up your Dell PowerEdge system running VMware vSphere for the first time.

NOTE: If you had ordered VMware ESXi with your PowerEdge system, it is pre-installed on your system. The ESXi

installer media is required only for the recovery of a corrupted image. If you did not order ESXi with your system,

you can order the Internal Dual SD Module kit (for supported PowerEdge systems) at dell.com and download the

ESXi installation media from dell.com/support.

Downloading The ESXi Installer Media

You can download the Dell-customized ESXi installer image from dell.com/support. To create the ESXi installer media:

1. Navigate to dell.com/support.

2. Enter your PowerEdge service tag and click Submit.

See Locating Your System Service Tag.

3. Navigate to the Drivers & Downloads section.

4. Select your operating system as ESXi and download the ISO image.

Configuring ESXi On The PowerEdge System

1. Set up your PowerEdge system.

For more information, see the Getting Started Guide and the Rack Installation Instructions that shipped with your

system.

2. Connect the network cables to the appropriate LOM NIC connectors.

For a 4-port LOM, connect the VMware management network cable to LOM1 port, the virtual machine network

cable to LOM2 port and LOM3 port, and the optional storage network cable to LOM4 port.

For a 2-port LOM, connect the VMware management network cable to LOM1 port and the virtual machine network

cable to LOM2 port.

3. Turn on the system.

The ESXi console loads.

4. Press <F2> at the ESXi console screen to configure the software.

Configuring the software includes changing the root password and setting a static IP address.

NOTE: By default, the system obtains an IP address using the dynamic host configuration protocol.

5. Select Configure Password from the main menu to change the root password.

The root password manages the system on a one-to-one basis.

6. Select Configure Management Network → IP Configuration → Set static IP address and network configuration to

configure a static IP address.

NOTE: Record the host IP address.

If you purchased the ESXi hypervisor-based vSphere Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Essentials Plus software, or

Acceleration kits from Dell, you must have received the Partner Activation Code certificate with the server. To use the

ESXi software and receive subscription services, follow the instructions in your Partner Activation Code certificate with

the server.