Introduction

VMware ESXi, one of the most important players in virtualization technologies, has been developed to efficiently manage physical servers. As a bare-metal hypervisor (installed directly on the hardware), ESXi makes it possible to create and manage virtual machines in various infrastructures. In this article, we discuss which systems ESXi can be installed on, what to pay attention to, step-by-step installation stages, and details to consider after installation.

ESXi Supported Hardware and Requirements

Supported Processors: 64-bit supported processors with Intel VT-x or AMD-V technology.
RAM: Minimum 4 GB (at least 8 GB is recommended for actual smooth operation).
Storage: Minimum 1 Core Disk, 32 GB disk space (SSD disks are recommended for performance).
Network Connection: A supported Ethernet card (Intel and Broadcom are common).

Which Systems Does It Run On?

Physical Servers (Dell, HP, Supermicro, etc.)
Some customized desktop computers (for homelab)
KVM in supporting infrastructures (with nested virtualization)
Virtual installations for testing in environments such as VMware Workstation, Proxmox

Things to Consider

VT-x or AMD-V virtualization support should be enabled from the server's BIOS/UEFI settings.
Secure Boot feature can be disabled.
RAID configuration (software or hardware, depending on preference)
Make sure you are using a supported network card.

How to Install ESXi? Step-by-Step Installation

Obtain the ESXi ISO File: You can download the free ESXi version from VMware's official website.
Preparing the Installation USB: Write the ESXi ISO file to a USB drive using a program like Rufus.
Boot the Server: Plug in the USB drive and boot the system from USB.
Installation Process:
- VMware End User License Agreement (Accept the license agreement that appears)
- Select the disk to install on
- Determine the root password
- Confirm and start the installation
After the Installation is Complete:
- The server is restarted
- IP address is displayed
- ESXi is accessed via a web browser at https://IP-address.

Things to Do After Installation

Adding a license key (if required)
Updating password policies
Adjusting settings such as firewall and SSH access
Start managing virtual machines using VMware vSphere Client

ESXi Nested Virtualization (On KVM and Other Environments)

In some cases, you may want to install ESXi on a virtual machine instead of directly on a physical server. This requires an environment that supports "nested virtualization" (such as Proxmox, KVM). For nested use, CPU virtualization must be active, and it should be noted that performance will not be as high as a direct hardware installation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Which operating systems can ESXi be installed on?
ESXi is a hypervisor that is installed directly on the hardware. You do not install it on an operating system; it works like a mini operating system itself.

Is ESXi licensed?
Yes. ESXi offers a free version, but a commercial license is required for some advanced features.

Is my server hardware compatible with ESXi?
You can check it on the VMware HCL (Hardware Compatibility List) page.

What is the difference between Proxmox and ESXi?
Proxmox is open source and KVM-based, while ESXi is a commercial solution developed by VMware.

Can I install ESXi if the server I use is a home type?
If the hardware supports it (VT-x/Amd-V and a suitable Ethernet card), it can be installed.

Which Disk is Recommended for Performance?
If possible, it is strongly recommended to use SSD.

Installation Resources

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Thus, we have presented a comprehensive guide from A to Z regarding ESXi installation and usage. For your questions, you can contact us via support request.