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If you are installing ESX Server using a remote network install, you can also create a boot floppy image to run the installation instead of scripting the install. During the installation, you are asked to specify the location of the ESX Server CD-ROM.

1. Use dd, rawwritewin or rawrite to create a floppy image called bootnet.img. This file is located on the ESX Server CD-ROM in the /images directory. You do not use run the webconfig.cgi script in the management interface to set up the floppy image.
2. Put the boot floppy in the system on which you want to install ESX Server, then boot the server. The installation starts.
3. Answer the initial prompts. At the Install Type prompt, choose from:
   • HTTP — This is the preferred installation method. Specify the name of the remote machine where the ESX Server CD-ROM is located, the root directory (/) and HTTP port 8555.
   • NFS — You must have an NFS server set up. Copy the ESX Server CD-ROM to the NFS server and point the new system to the NFS server.
   • FTP — You must have an FTP server set up. Copy the ESX Server CD-ROM to the FTP server and point the new system to the FTP server.
4. Continue with the installation. The installation steps are largely the same as the steps in Installing the Software on the Server, but some steps are out of order. For instance, you are not asked to configure networking, since that information was already provided.