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VMware ESX Server 2.1
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 Installing the Software on the Server

Installing the Software on the Server

This installation guide steps you through the process of installing and configuring the VMware ESX Server software on your server.

Later sections explain how to create and provision virtual machines, how to manage your virtual machines from a remote workstation and how to work with the advanced features of VMware ESX Server.

This section describes the following:

Note: if you are upgrading from a previous version of ESX Server, the process is much faster and simpler than a complete installation. For details, see Upgrading from a Previous Version of ESX Server.

Before You Begin

Before You Begin

To install VMware ESX Server, you need:

  • The VMware ESX Server software CD, which includes the VMware Service Console, VMware ESX Server software and VMware Remote Console software.
  • A computer that meets the system requirements for ESX Server. See Server Hardware Requirements for details.

The VMware ESX Server installation process installs:

  • The service console, which is based on a modified Red Hat Linux 7.2 installation. It is used to configure, start and administer virtual machines.
  • The VMkernel, which manages system hardware and the virtual machines running on the server. Users communicate with the VMkernel through the service console.

    The VMkernel manages all the operating systems on the machine, including both the service console and the operating systems running in each virtual machine.

  • VMkernel modules, which provide support for high-performance device I/O and allow run-time addition of functionality to the VMkernel (for example, network traffic filters).
Preparing to Install

Preparing to Install

Be sure you have the network information you need during installation. You need to know:

  • The IP address for the server where you are installing ESX Server.
  • The host name for the server, including the full domain name for the server, if applicable.
  • The netmask for the server's subnet.
  • The IP address of the gateway.
  • The IP address of the name server.
  • Optionally, the addresses of one or two alternate name servers.

In addition, you should have a general idea how many virtual machines you want to run on the server. During installation you must allocate memory to the service console and create swap space. Running more virtual machines on the server requires more memory and swap space.

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