.. _vmware-esxi-install-cl: |CL-ATTR| on VMware\* ESXi ########################## This page explains how to create a new :abbr:`VM (Virtual Machine)` and manually install |CL-ATTR| on the new VM with VMware ESXi 6.5. .. contents:: :local: :depth: 1 Overview ******** `VMware ESXi`_ is a type 1 bare-metal hypervisor that runs directly on top of server hardware. With VMware ESXi, you can create, configure, manage, and run |CL| virtual machines in the cloud. Manually installing |CL| on a new VM gives additional configuration flexibility during installation. For example: alternate disk sizes, number of partitions, pre-installed bundles, etc. .. note:: VMware also offers a type 2 hypervisor designed for the desktop environment, called `VMware Workstation Player`_. Refer to :ref:`vmw-player` for more information. Visit :ref:`image-types` to learn more about all available images. Download the latest |CL| installer ISO ************************************** Get the latest |CL| installer ISO image from the `image`_ repository. Look for :file:`clear-[version number]-installer.iso.xz`. We also provide instructions for downloading and verifying a Clear Linux ISO. For more information, refer to :ref:`download-verify-decompress`. Upload the |CL| installer ISO to the VMware server ************************************************** #. Connect to the VMware server and log into an account with sufficient permission to create and manage VMs. #. Under the :guilabel:`Navigator` window, select :guilabel:`Storage`. See Figure 1. #. Under the :guilabel:`Datastores` tab, click the :guilabel:`Datastore browser` button. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-1.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Storage Figure 1: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Storage #. Click the :guilabel:`Create directory` button and name the directory `ISOs`. See Figure 2. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-2.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Datastore > Create directory Figure 2: VMware ESXi - Datastore > Create directory #. Select the newly-created directory and click the :guilabel:`Upload` button. See Figure 3. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-3.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Datastore > Upload ISO Figure 3: VMware ESXi - Datastore > Upload ISO #. Select the decompressed |CL| installer ISO file :file:`clear-[version number]-installer.iso` and upload it. Create and configure a new VM ***************************** In this section, you will create a new VM, configure its basic parameters such as drive size, number of CPUs, memory size, and then attach the |CL| installer ISO. #. Under the :guilabel:`Navigator` window, select :guilabel:`Virtual Machines`. See Figure 4. #. In the right window, click the :guilabel:`Create / Register VM` button. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-4.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Virtual Machines Figure 4: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Virtual Machines #. On the :guilabel:`Select creation type` step: #. Select the :guilabel:`Create a new virtual machine` option. See Figure 5. #. Click the :guilabel:`Next` button. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-5.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Create a new virtual machine Figure 5: VMware ESXi - Create a new virtual machine #. On the :guilabel:`Select a name and guest OS` step: #. Give the new VM a name in the :guilabel:`Name` field. See Figure 6. #. Set the :guilabel:`Compatibility` option to :guilabel:`ESXi 6.5 virtual machine`. #. Set the :guilabel:`Guest OS family` option to :guilabel:`Linux`. #. Set the :guilabel:`Guest OS version` option to :guilabel:`Other 3.x or later Linux (64-bit)`. #. Click the :guilabel:`Next` button. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-6.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Give a name and select guest OS type Figure 6: VMware ESXi - Give a name and select guest OS type #. On the :guilabel:`Select storage` step: #. Accept the default option. #. Click the :guilabel:`Next` button. #. On the :guilabel:`Customize settings` step: #. Click the :guilabel:`Virtual Hardware` button. See Figure 7. #. Expand the :guilabel:`CPU` setting and enable :guilabel:`Hardware virtualization` by checking :guilabel:`Expose hardware assisted virtualization to the guest OS`. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-7.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Enable hardware virtualization Figure 7: VMware ESXi - Enable hardware virtualization #. Set :guilabel:`Memory` size to 2048MB (2GB). See Figure 8. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-8.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Set memory size Figure 8: VMware ESXi - Set memory size .. note:: The |CL| installer ISO needs a minimum of 2GB of RAM to work properly. You can reduce the memory size after the installation completes if you want, because a minimum |CL| installation can function on as little as 128MB of RAM. See :ref:`system-requirements` for more details. #. Set :guilabel:`Hard disk 1` to the desired capacity. See Figure 9. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-9.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Set hard disk size Figure 9: VMware ESXi - Set hard disk size .. note:: A minimum |CL| installation can exist on 600MB of drive space. See :ref:`system-requirements` for more details. #. Attach the |CL| installer ISO. For the :guilabel:`CD/DVD Drive 1` setting, click the drop-down list to the right of it and select the :guilabel:`Datastore ISO file` option. Then select the |CL| installer ISO :file:`clear-[version number]-installer.iso` that you previously uploaded to the VMware server. See Figure 10. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-10.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Set CD/DVD to boot installer ISO Figure 10: VMware ESXi - Set CD/DVD to boot installer ISO #. Click the :guilabel:`Next` button. #. Click the :guilabel:`Finish` button. Install |CL| into the new VM **************************** #. Power on the VM. #. Under the :guilabel:`Navigator` window, select :guilabel:`Virtual Machines`. See Figure 11. #. In the right window, select the newly-created VM. #. Click the :guilabel:`Power on` button. #. Click on the icon representing the VM to bring it into view and maximize its window. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-11.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Virtual Machines > Power on VM Figure 11: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Virtual Machines > Power on VM #. Follow the :ref:`install-on-target-start` guide to complete the installation of |CL|. #. After the installation is complete, follow the |CL| instruction to reboot it. This will restart the installer again. Reconfigure the VM's settings to boot the newly-installed |CL| ************************************************************** After |CL| has been installed using the installer ISO, it must be detached so it will not run again. Also, in order to boot the newly-installed |CL|, you must enable UEFI support. #. Power off the VM. #. Click the :guilabel:`Actions` button - located on the top-right corner of the VM's windows - and go to the :guilabel:`Power` setting and select the :guilabel:`Power off` option. See Figure 12. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-12.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Actions > Power off Figure 12: VMware ESXi - Actions > Power off #. Edit the VM settings. #. Click the :guilabel:`Actions` button again and select :guilabel:`Edit settings`. See Figure 13. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-13.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Actions > Edit settings Figure 13: VMware ESXi - Actions > Edit settings #. Disconnect the CD/DVD to stop it from booting the |CL| installer ISO again. #. Click the :guilabel:`Virtual Hardware` button. See Figure 14. #. For the :guilabel:`CD/DVD Drive 1` setting, uncheck the :guilabel:`Connect` checkbox. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-14.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Disconnect the CD/DVD drive Figure 14: VMware ESXi - Disconnect the CD/DVD drive #. |CL| needs UEFI support in order to boot. Enable it. #. Click the :guilabel:`VM Options` button. See Figure 15. #. Expand the :guilabel:`Boot Options` setting. #. For the :guilabel:`Firmware` setting, click the drop-down list to the right of it and select the :guilabel:`EFI` option. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-15.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Set boot firmware to EFI Figure 15: VMware ESXi - Set boot firmware to EFI #. Click the :guilabel:`Save` button. Power on the VM and boot |CL| ***************************** After configuring the settings above, power on the VM. #. Under the :guilabel:`Navigator` window, select :guilabel:`Virtual Machines`. See Figure 16. #. In the right window, select the VM. #. Click the :guilabel:`Power on` button. #. Click on the icon representing the VM to bring it into view and maximize its window. .. figure:: figures/vmware-esxi/vmware-esxi-install-cl-16.png :scale: 100 % :alt: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Virtual Machines > Power on VM Figure 16: VMware ESXi - Navigator > Virtual Machines > Power on VM .. _VMware ESXi: https://www.vmware.com/products/esxi-and-esx.html .. _VMware Workstation Player: https://www.vmware.com/products/workstation-player.html .. _image: https://cdn.download.clearlinux.org/image/