Here we are right at the beginning of a multi part how to series I'm putting together on vSphere 5.5.

If you missed any of the previous parts of the series or want go back/forward here is the jump list:

• vSphere 5.5 - Part 1 - ESXi Server 5.5 (inc U1) Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 2 - vCenter Single Sign On (SSO) Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 3 - vCenter Inventory Service Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 4 - vCenter Server Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 5 - vSphere Web Client Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 6 Creating a Datacenter, HA/DRS Cluster and Adding a Host 

First things first we are going to install ESXi Server 5.5.0. This is the baremetal hypervisor that will run our VMs and may be one of several servers you wish to build into a cluster managed by vCenter server to provide HA, DRS and vMotion features for VMs.

The ESXi server installation is straightforward, at this initial stage all we need to do is get the hypervisor installed, give it an IP address and password before proceeding with the various steps for the vCenter Server install.

1. Check the server hardware you are installing ESXi 5.5 onto is supported and on the VMware HCL.

2. Login to the VMware license portal to check/upgrade/buy your vSphere licenses.

3. Read the ESXi Setup Guide to ensure you understand the pre-requisites.

4. Download the VMware ESXi 5.5 U1 ISO file from the VMware download area.

5. Burn the ESXi 5.5 ISO to a CD.

6. Disconnect all Fibre Channel connections (if any) and boot the server from the CD.

7. Boot the server from the CD and Select "ESXi-5.5.0-20140302001-Standard-Installer"

8. When ready to install press "Enter"

9. Read and accept the license agreement, press F11 to accept.

10. Select the correct storage device to install ESXi on and press "Enter"

NOTE: Ensure it is not a fibre channel (FC) VMFS datastore or RDM! Make sure your fibre cables or disconnected or zoning excludes this host during the install/upgrade.

There is a tendency for local storage devices to show as remote (as in the case below). If this happens ensure it is local storage and not a fibre channel LUN.

11. Select the keyboard layout and press Enter.

12. Enter a secure password for the "root" account, store it in a safe place and Press Enter.

13. Press F11 to start installing ESXi.

Note: The install doesn't take too long, only just enough time to make a cup of tea!

14. Once the installation is complete press Enter to reboot the ESXi server.

Your CD will be ejected at this point.

15. Once the ESXi server has booted it will receive a DHCP lease (if applicable) you can now manage this with the vSphere client or continue to set a static IP for management (recommended)

16. Hit F2 and enter your root username and password.

17. Select "Configure management network"

18. Select "IP Configuration"

19. Change to "Static IP"

20. Enter your IP address, mask and gateway and hit Enter.

It might also be advantageous to disable IPV6 if you are not using it, which is enabled by default now.

21. Press escape [ESC] to got back to the main menu.

22. You will be asked "Apply changes and restart management network?", say yes [Y]

Note: You can set you VLAN ID in this section too if you need.

23. Job done! you will now see you static IP address is set and you can now manage this with the vSphere client.

24. You should also now create A records on your DNS server for your ESXi servers.

e.g. esxi-3.vmadmin.co.uk   A   192.168.1.210

Next up Part 2 - Single Sign On

If you missed any of the previous parts of the series or want go back here is the jump list:

• vSphere 5.5 - Part 1 - ESXi Server 5.5 (inc U1) Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 2 - vCenter Single Sign On (SSO) Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 3 - vCenter Inventory Service Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 4 - vCenter Server Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 5 - vSphere Web Client Install
• vSphere 5.5 - Part 6 Creating a Datacenter, HA/DRS Cluster and Adding a Host