VMware ESXi is the easiest way to get started with virtualization, and
it’s free. You can run multiple virtual machines with different operating systems and applications on a single server.
VMware ESXi has an ultra thin design and does not rely on a general purpose operating system. This architecture helps to avoid the security hardening, user access control, anti-virus tasks and patching associated with a typical operating system.
VMware ESXi and ESX Comparison
The major differences between the standalone VMware ESXi and
VMware vSphere is on the management features. Please refer to the
VMware ESX and ESXi 4.0 comparison table. However, VMware ESXi users can purchase a license and upgrade to VMware vSphere to support centralized management with vCenter and virtual infrastructure capabilities.
Getting Started
Download VMware ESXi
Users can
download VMware ESXi from the VMware web site upon registration. The download is a bootable CD image, which can be burned to a CDROM for the installation.
Version | Release Date | Hardware Support |
|---|
| 4.1 build 260247 | July 13, 2010 | 64-bit |
| 4.0 Update 1 build 208167 | November 19, 2009 | 64-bit |
| 3.5 Update 5 build 207095 | December 3, 2009 | 32-bit / 64-bit |
Hardware Compatibility
ServiceTech suggests customers to review the
Hardware Compatibility Guide first, especially on the storage and network cards. If the server does not have a supported SCSI or SATA adapter, the error message "Unable to find a supported device to write the VMware ESX Server 3i 3.5.0 image to" may be displayed during VMware ESXi installation. If you need SATA support like Intel ICH9 / ICH10, it is necessary to use the latest VMware ESXi versions. Be aware of the issues mentioned in the
VMware KB article 1008673.
VMware Infrastructure Client / vSphere Client
The VMware vSphere Client is the user interface to VMware ESXi for administrators.
After VMware ESXi installation, use a web browser with the URL
https://<esxi_server> to connect your VMware ESXi server. Then select the
Download VMware vSphere Client (VMware-viclient.exe) link and install it.
vSphere Client Login Issues
If the error message below appear when logging in with VMware vSphere Client, you may be running Windows 7 or the Microsoft .NET Framework update released on June 9, 2010 has been installed.
Error parsing the server "<servername>" "clients.xml" file. Login will continue, contact your system administrator.
The type initializer for 'VirtualInfrastructure.Utils.HttpWebRequestProxy' threw an exception.
The
VMware KB article 1022611 has provided solutions for this issue. You can upgrade to vSphere Client 4.0 Update 1, or uninstall the Microsoft update KB980773.
Licensing
In VMware vSphere Client, connect to your VMware ESXi server. Select the Configuration tab, and then choose Licensed Features under Software. From Licensed Source, Enter the Serial Number that you obtained from VMware web site.
