Install VMware ESXi on a Dell PowerEdge server

Installing VMware ESXi on a Dell PowerEdge server works like any ESXi install, with a few Dell-specific steps that save trouble later: use Dell's customized ESXi image, choose the right boot device, and boot the installer through iDRAC. This guide follows Dell's knowledge base articles. For the generic ESXi installer, vCenter and esxcli topics, see Install VMware ESXi, vCenter and esxcli.

Step 1 — Download the Dell customized ESXi image

Dell KB 000176963 explains that each Dell image is the base VMware image with Dell changes: files that identify Dell support, the latest validated asynchronous drivers, and patches for common issues on Dell systems. Dell says certain PowerEdge servers require the Dell customized image, and recommends the latest image available for your system.

For vSphere 8.x the KB describes this path on the Broadcom Support portal:

1. Log in at support.broadcom.com and select VMware Cloud Foundation from the drop-down next to your name.
2. Click My Downloads, search for VMware vSphere and open it.
3. Expand your entitled vSphere product and select the 8.0 release.
4. Select Custom ISO, search for Dell, accept the terms and download the ISO (or the ZIP bundle for upgrades).

For VCF or VVF 9.x the KB searches for Foundation under My Downloads instead and picks the 9.0.0.0 release. Older Dell custom ISOs are listed in Dell KB 000238184.

Step 2 — Choose the install disk

ESXi needs a boot device. On PowerEdge servers the usual choices are:

• BOSS card (M.2 boot device): keeps the hypervisor off your data disks. The BOSS-S2 User's Guide recommends using the card only as an operating system boot device. It also notes that when ESXi is installed on BOSS-S2, the VMFS datastore is not enabled by default and is disabled when you use a custom image, so plan your datastores on other disks.
• A PERC virtual disk: a small RAID 1 virtual disk for the OS, separate from the datastore virtual disk, is a common layout. Create it first; see create a virtual disk with iDRAC9.

Step 3 — Boot the installer

Dell KB 000231616 describes two methods:

• iDRAC virtual media (remote): open the iDRAC Virtual Console, map the Dell custom ISO as virtual media, then press F11 during POST and choose Virtual CD/DVD from the one-time boot menu. See iDRAC9 virtual console and virtual media.
• Bootable USB: write the ISO to a USB drive (Dell KB 000334285 explains how), press F11 and select the USB drive.

Step 4 — Run the ESXi installer

1. Press F11 to accept the licence agreement.
2. Select the disk to install on (the BOSS or OS virtual disk from Step 2).
3. Choose to install, or to upgrade an existing installation.
4. Set the root password and record it in a secure place.
5. Check that the install disk is correct, then press F11 to install (or F9 to go back).
6. When the installer finishes, reboot. Remove or unmap the virtual media.

Step 5 — Configure the host

1. At the console, press F2 to log in to the DCUI.
2. Under the management network options, select which network adapters the management vSwitch uses, then set the VLAN, IPv4/IPv6 address and DNS.
3. Under Troubleshooting Options, enable the ESXi Shell or SSH only if you need them.
4. Log in to the host web client and install your licence, or add the host to vCenter and license it there.

Step 6 — Dell drivers and management tools

• Drivers: Dell drivers are already in the custom ISO. For an individual driver update, Dell's KB points to the Broadcom Compatibility Guide and installs offline bundles with esxcli software vib install -d /tmp/bundlefilename.zip (use -v for a single .vib file). The KB notes that the install fails if you use the double-zipped download directly, and that device firmware must meet the driver's minimum version first.
• iDRAC Service Module (iSM): an optional lightweight agent that gives iDRAC OS information and features such as Lifecycle Log replication into OS logs. Dell's iSM support page lists ESXi 8.0 U3 and 9.0 for iSM 6.1 and points 15G and 16G servers to the iSM 5.4.2 matrix. Download it for your Service Tag under Drivers & Downloads and follow its user guide.
• Support bundles: generate one from the host's actions menu (Generate support bundle) or from vCenter (Export System Logs) when you open a case.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use the Dell customized ESXi image?

Dell's KB says certain PowerEdge servers require it for a fully managed deployment and recommends the latest Dell image for your system. It already contains Dell's validated drivers, so it is the safer choice.

Where do I get the Dell ESXi ISO now?

From the Broadcom Support portal under My Downloads, Custom ISO, searching for Dell, with an entitled account. Dell KB 000176963 has the current steps.

Checklist

• Model's Supported Operating Systems page and the Broadcom Compatibility Guide checked.
• Firmware updated; BIOS set for virtualization and UEFI.
• Dell customized ISO downloaded from Broadcom with a valid entitlement.
• Install target chosen (BOSS or a small PERC OS virtual disk) and confirmed by size.
• Installer booted through iDRAC virtual media or USB; root password stored safely.
• Management network set in the DCUI; licence applied.
• iSM installed if you use its features; virtual media unmapped.

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