Knowledge Base

Virtual Private Servers (VPS) have become an important solution for many businesses and individual users today. VPS divides the resources of a physical server into multiple virtual servers, allowing each virtual server to operate independently. VMware ESXi is one of the leading hypervisors used to perform this virtualization process. In this article, we will examine the installation and settings of VPS (VM) on ESXi in detail.

1. Introduction: Overview of ESXi and VPS Concepts

ESXi (Elastic Sky X Integrated) is a bare-metal (installed directly on the hardware) hypervisor developed by VMware. This means that ESXi runs directly on the physical server hardware without the need for a layer such as an operating system. This makes resource usage more efficient and provides increased performance.

VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a virtualized part of a physical server. Each VPS has its own operating system, disk space, RAM, and CPU cores. VPSs offer more control and customization than shared hosting, while being a more cost-effective alternative to dedicated servers. Thanks to VPS Virtual Server Services, you can easily find the most suitable VPS solution for your needs.

2. ESXi Installation and Configuration

2.1. Hardware Requirements

Before installing ESXi, you must ensure that your server meets certain hardware requirements. The basic requirements are:

• At least 64-bit x86 CPU (Intel VT-x or AMD-V support)
• At least 4 GB RAM (More RAM is recommended for running more virtual machines)
• At least one Gigabit Ethernet adapter
• Suitable storage (SATA, SAS, SSD)
• VMware compatible hardware (Check the VMware compatibility guide)

2.2. ESXi Installation Steps

1. Downloading the ESXi ISO File: You can download a free ESXi trial version or a licensed version from the VMware website.
2. Creating an Installation Environment: Burn the downloaded ISO file to a USB drive or CD/DVD.
3. Starting the Server and Starting the Installation: Start the server from the USB drive or CD/DVD. The ESXi installation screen will appear.
4. Completing the Installation: Follow the installation wizard. Complete steps such as disk selection, network configuration, and setting the root password.
5. Restarting the ESXi Host: Restart the server after the installation is complete.

2.3. Accessing the ESXi Web Interface and Initial Configuration

After the ESXi host is restarted, you will see the IP address on the console. You can access the ESXi web interface using a web browser via this IP address. Things you need to do in the initial configuration:

• Change Root Password: Change the default root password for security.
• Check Network Settings: Check and, if necessary, adjust the IP address, network mask, gateway, and DNS settings.
• Configure Time Server (NTP): Configure an NTP server for the ESXi host to operate with the correct time.
• Licensing: Activate the ESXi license (trial version or purchased license).

3. Virtual Machine (VM) Creation

3.1. Steps to Create a New VM

1. Accessing the ESXi Web Interface: Go to the ESXi host's IP address with your web browser and log in with the root username and password.
2. Going to the "Virtual Machines" Tab: Select the "Virtual Machines" tab from the menu on the left.
3. Selecting the "Create / Register VM" Option: Click the "Create / Register VM" button in the upper right corner.
4. Following the VM Creation Wizard:
   • Select creation type: Select the "Create a new virtual machine" option.
   • Select a name and guest OS: Enter a name for the VM and select the guest operating system (e.g., Linux, Windows Server).
   • Select storage: Select the storage area where the VM's disk files will be stored.
   • Customize settings: Configure hardware settings such as CPU, RAM, disk size, and network adapter.
5. Creating the VM: After checking the settings, click the "Finish" button to create the VM.

3.2. Configuring VM Hardware Settings

You can configure hardware settings during or after VM creation. Important settings include:

• CPU: The number of CPU cores to be assigned to the VM. Adjust according to need.
• RAM: The amount of RAM to be assigned to the VM. Determine according to the requirements of the operating system and applications.
• Disk: The disk space that the VM will use. Select the disk type (thin provisioned, thick provisioned).
• Network: The VM's network connection. Configure the virtual network adapter (vNIC).

3.3. Operating System Installation

After the VM is created, you need to install the operating system. For operating system installation:

1. Uploading the ISO File: Upload an ISO file to the ESXi host or connect an ISO file to the VM's CD/DVD drive.
2. Starting the VM: Start the VM and have it boot from the CD/DVD drive from the BIOS.
3. Completing the Operating System Installation: Follow the operating system installation wizard.

4. Network Configuration

4.1. Virtual Network Switches (vSwitch)

In ESXi, virtual networks are managed through vSwitches. vSwitches connect physical network adapters (pNICs) and VMs. There are different types of vSwitches:

• Standard vSwitch: Configured locally on the ESXi host.
• Distributed vSwitch: Managed by vCenter Server and ensures consistency across multiple ESXi hosts.

4.2. Port Groups

Port groups are logical network segments defined on a vSwitch. VMs can access the network by connecting to a port group. Port groups are used to configure features such as VLANs, security policies, and traffic shaping.

4.3. Network Adapter Settings

The network adapter (vNIC) settings of a VM determine which port group the VM will connect to, its IP address, network mask, gateway, and DNS settings. You can configure network adapter settings from within the operating system or from the ESXi web interface.

5. Storage Management

5.1. Datastores

Datastores are storage areas where VM disk files are stored. ESXi supports different storage types:

• VMFS (Virtual Machine File System): A file system specific to VMware and optimized for ESXi.
• NFS (Network File System): A file system shared over the network.
• vSAN (Virtual SAN): A distributed storage solution that aggregates the local disks of ESXi hosts to create a virtual storage area.

5.2. Disk Types (Thin vs. Thick Provisioning)

When creating a VM or adding a disk, you can choose the disk type:

• Thin Provisioning: Disk space is allocated only as it is used by the VM. Less disk space is used initially, but performance may decrease as the disk fills up.
• Thick Provisioning: Disk space is fully allocated when the VM is created. More disk space is used initially, but performance is more consistent.

5.3. Storage Optimization

You can use the following methods to optimize storage performance:

• SSD Usage: You can improve performance by storing VM disk files on SSDs.
• Storage vMotion: You can use storage resources more efficiently by live migrating VMs between different datastores.
• Storage DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduler): A feature managed by vCenter Server that automatically optimizes storage resources.

6. VPS Management and Monitoring

6.1. VM Console Access

You can use the ESXi web interface or vSphere Client to access the VM console. The VM console displays the VM's screen and transmits keyboard/mouse inputs to the VM. You can complete operating system installation, perform troubleshooting, and manage the VM through the console.

6.2. Resource Monitoring and Performance Analysis

The ESXi web interface and vCenter Server offer tools to monitor VM resource usage (CPU, RAM, disk, network). With these tools, you can analyze VM performance, identify bottlenecks, and use resources more efficiently.

6.3. Backup and Restore

Regularly backing up VMs is important to prevent data loss. ESXi and vCenter Server offer different methods for backing up and restoring VMs:

• VMware vSphere Data Protection (VDP): VMware's integrated backup solution.
• Third-Party Backup Tools: You can also use third-party backup tools such as Veeam Backup & Replication, Acronis Cyber Protect.
• Snapshots: You can quickly restore by taking a snapshot of the VM (but snapshots are not suitable for long-term backup).

7. Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

Example 1: A Small Business's VPS Need

A small e-commerce business needs a VPS to host its websites and databases. A VPS installed on ESXi offers the business a scalable, secure, and cost-effective solution. The business can start with low resources initially and easily increase the VPS's resources as traffic increases.

Example 2: Development and Test Environment

A software development team needs multiple VMs to perform tests on different operating systems and software configurations. ESXi speeds up the development process by allowing the team to easily create, copy, and delete VMs.

8. Visual Explanations

ESXi and VPS Relationship Diagram:

Physical Server -> ESXi Hypervisor -> VM 1 (VPS), VM 2 (VPS), VM 3 (VPS)

This diagram shows that ESXi runs on the physical server and hosts multiple VMs (VPS). Each VM can run an independent operating system and applications.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is ESXi free?

   VMware offers a free version of ESXi. However, the free version has some limitations (for example, it cannot be managed with vCenter Server). You need to purchase a licensed version for more features and support.

2. Which operating system should I choose for VPS?

   The choice of operating system depends on your needs and preferences. Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian) and Windows Server are popular options. Consider which operating system your applications and software support.

3. How can I increase the resources of the VPS?

   You can increase CPU, RAM, and disk resources by editing the VM's hardware settings from the ESXi web interface or vCenter Server. The resource increase process usually requires restarting the VM.

4. How do I update ESXi?

   You can use VMware Update Manager to update ESXi or manually update it from the ESXi web interface. The update process may require restarting the ESXi host.

10. Conclusion and Summary

Installing and configuring VPS (VM) on ESXi allows you to use resources more efficiently, reduce costs, and create a scalable infrastructure by leveraging the power of virtualization technology. In this article, we covered many important topics from ESXi installation to VM creation, network and storage configuration to VPS management. I hope this information helps you better understand ESXi and VPS technologies and successfully implement your own virtualization projects.

Remember, proper planning, appropriate hardware selection, and regular maintenance are critical to a successful virtualization environment. You can contact our experts for more information about VPS Virtual Server Services and to find solutions tailored to your needs.

Important Note: The information contained in this article is intended as a general guide. Actual installation and configuration steps may vary depending on your ESXi version, hardware, and specific requirements. It is always recommended to consult VMware's official documentation and guides.