View source for VMware: vSphere 5.1 VDI

== Install VMware ESXi Hypervisor ==
* Install the VMware ESXi Hypervisor from ISO (or network deployment) to a bare metal system. Very little user interaction is required during the installation. Only basic info will be requested:
** Disk to use for installation
** Password

== Manage with vSphere Client ==
* Download and install the '''vSphere Client''' for Windows (Mac and Linux versions not available at the time of writing) and install on a workstation.
* Open '''vSphere Client''' and enter:
** '''IP Address''' of '''ESXi Server'''
** '''Username''' of '''root'''
** '''Password''' as defined during the install of '''ESXi server'''

== Enable SSH ==
* Within '''vSphere Client''' select the '''ESXi server''' from the tree list on the left pane
* In the right pane, select '''Configuration''' tab
* Select '''Security Profile''' under the '''Software section'''
* Under '''Services''', click '''Properties...'''
* From the list of services, select '''SSH''' and click the '''Options''' button
* Click '''Start'''
* Select '''Start and stop with host''' and click '''OK'''
* Click '''OK''' to save and close the '''Services Properties''' dialog box

== Install nVidia GRID drivers ==
* Download the nVidia '''VIB''' driver package for VMware/vSphere from the nVidia website.
* Copy the driver to the ESXi system
<syntaxhighlight>
Jons-MacBook-Air: Jon$ scp NVIDIA-VMware-304.76-1OEM.510.0.0.802205.x86_64.vib root@10.50.0.0:/tmp/
</syntaxhighlight>
* Connect the '''ESXi Server''' using '''SSH''' and the root user:
<syntaxhighlight>
Jons-MacBook-Air: Jon$ ssh root@10.50.0.0
</syntaxhighlight>
* Enter '''Maintenance Mode''':
<syntaxhighlight>
/tmp # vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_enter
'vim.Task:haTask-ha-host-vim.HostSystem.enterMaintenanceMode-369681837'
</syntaxhighlight>
* Install the '''VIB''' driver:
<syntaxhighlight>
/tmp # esxcli software vib install -v /tmp/NVIDIA-VMware-304.76-1OEM.510.0.0.802
205.x86_64.vib
Installation Result
   Message: Operation finished successfully.
   Reboot Required: false
   VIBs Installed: NVIDIA_bootbank_NVIDIA-VMware_ESXi_5.1_Host_Driver_304.76-1OEM.510.0.0.802205
   VIBs Removed:
   VIBs Skipped:
</syntaxhighlight>
* Confirm the driver is installed:
<syntaxhighlight>
/tmp # esxcli software vib list | grep NVIDIA
NVIDIA-VMware_ESXi_5.1_Host_Driver  304.76-1OEM.510.0.0.802205          NVIDIA  VMwareAccepted    2013-04-23
</syntaxhighlight>
* Verify the nVidia module loads:
<syntaxhighlight>
/tmp # esxcli system module load --module nvidia
</syntaxhighlight>
* Verify the devices are present:
<syntaxhighlight>
/tmp # esxcli hardware pci list -c 0x300 -m 0xff
000:004:00.0
   Address: 000:004:00.0
   Segment: 0x0000
   Bus: 0x04
   Slot: 0x00
   Function: 0x00
   VMkernel Name:
   Vendor Name: Unknown
   Device Name: Unknown
   Configured Owner: Unknown
   Current Owner: VMkernel
   Vendor ID: 0x10de
   Device ID: 0x11bf
   SubVendor ID: 0x10de
   SubDevice ID: 0x100a
   Device Class: 0x0300
   Device Class Name: VGA compatible controller
   Programming Interface: 0x00
   Revision ID: 0xa1
   Interrupt Line: 0x0b
   IRQ: 11
   Interrupt Vector: 0xb0
   PCI Pin: 0x0c
   Spawned Bus: 0x00
   Flags: 0x0201
   Module ID: -1
   Module Name: None
   Chassis: 0
   Physical Slot: 8
   Slot Description:
   Passthru Capable: true
   Parent Device: PCI 0:3:8:0
   Dependent Device: PCI 0:3:8:0
   Reset Method: Bridge reset
   FPT Sharable: true

## More devices will be listed including the onboard graphics adapter
</syntaxhighlight>
* Exit '''Maintenance Mode''':
<syntaxhighlight>
/tmp # vim-cmd hostsvc/maintenance_mode_exit
'vim.Task:haTask-ha-host-vim.HostSystem.exitMaintenanceMode-369681914'
</syntaxhighlight>
* End the SSH session.

== Install (import) the vCenter Server Appliance ==
* Obtain the '''vCenter Server Appliance''' from VMware's website. (You may need to login to obtain a copy.)
* From within '''vSphere Client''', go to the '''File''' menu and select '''Deploy OVF Template'''. A wizard will start.
** Enter the location of the downloaded OVF file, click '''Next'''
** Click '''Next''' again
** Enter a name for the appliance (or accept the default), click '''Next'''
** Accept the '''Disk Format''' defaults, click '''Next'''
** Click '''Next''' to import the '''vCenter Server Appliance'''
* The import will take a few minutes depending on the speed of the local drives and network
* Right click on the '''vCenter Server Appliance''' in the left pane and select '''Power''' > '''Power On'''

== Configure vCenter Server Appliance ==
* Within '''vSphere Client''', select '''vCenter Server Appliance''' and select the '''Console''' tab
* The local console of the appliance will be displayed including the '''IP Address''' and '''TCP Port''' to connect to the system with. Enter these details into a web browser.
* When prompted, enter the default username ('''root''') and password ('''vmware'''), a setup wizard will start:
** Accept the licence agreement and click '''Next'''
** Select '''Set custom configuration''' (so you can see the available options) and click '''Next'''
** For '''Database Settings''' accept defaults and click '''Next'''
** For '''SSO Settings''' accept defaults and click '''Next'''
** For '''Active Directory''' accept defaults (disabled) and click '''Next'''
** For '''Review Configuration''' click '''Next'''
** For '''Configure''' click '''Start'''