How to install ESXi on Azure VM?

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Nested Virtualization is one of the new features of Windows Server 2016, indicating that you may operate a VM within another VM. As a result, you may also operate an ESXi within a Hyper-V Virtual Machine.

It is only helpful in testing environments because it is not at all supported in the Azure VMware Solution production process!

How to install ESXI?

To install the ESXi in any kind of Hyper-V Virtual Machine, you must strictly follow these steps:

  • PowerCLI Install ESXi-Customizer-PS is a well-recognized PowerShell script that eases and simultaneously automates the entire process of building fully patched and customized ESXi installation ISOs by using the very powerful Azure VMware Solution PowerCLI ImageBuilder module. It is available for download at http://www.v-front.de/p/esxi-customizer-ps.html.
  • Make a Hyper-V VM using a Legacy Network Adapter.
  • Configure the adaptor to allow Mac Spoofing.
  • Download and recreate the ESXi ISO using the customizer.
  • Mount the freshly produced ISO within the Virtual Machine Download and execute the “Enable-NestedVM.ps1” script.
  • Following that, you may install ESXI 6.0.
  • The sole condition for performing these steps is a Hyper-V Host running Windows Server 2016 or Windows 10 with an Intel CPU that supports VT-x and EPT technologies.

ESXi 6.0 ISO Preparation

First, download and install PowerCLI. VMware PowerCLI was added to the PowerShell Gallery, so in this post, VMware will be set up. PowerCLI 10.0.0.7895300 may be accessed using the PowerShell command below. Remember to launch an elevated prompt:

  • PS> Run Install-Module VMware. PowerCLI
  • Wait a minute for the installation to complete. After the installation is complete, execute the customizer script:
  • The script will obtain the ESXi 6.0 ISO from the VMware online depot and configure it by injecting the following drivers:
  • For ESXi 6.0, you need to use the –v60 parameter; again, for ESXi 6.5, you should use the –v65 parameter.
  • To connect to the V-Front Online Depot, use the –vft argument.
  • To load the DECchip 21140 Ethernet driver within ISO, use net-tulip.
  • After downloading the ISO, check to see if the file resides in the current working directory.

Making a Virtual Machine

Now proceeding to construct the Virtual Machine for the ESXi, you only need to establish a 1st Generation Virtual Machine:

  • Next, click and:
  • Enter a name for your Virtual Machine.
  • Navigate to the place where the Virtual Machine will be kept.
  • Select the first option, “Generation 1,” and then click Next.
  • Set the amount of RAM to be assigned to this Virtual Machine.
  • Don’t connect to the network since you need to uninstall the default adaptor and then install a new one. The newly introduced adapter will be a legacy adapter.
  • “Create a virtual hard drive” should be selected.
  • Now you may mount the ESXi ISO file and click Review and Finish.
  • Now that the ESXi VM has been successfully built, you need to make certain changes before you can use it.
  • Select “Settings” from the Virtual Machine’s context menu.
  • Increase or decrease the number of virtual processors. Set up two CPUs for this VM.
  • Then uninstall the default network adapter.
  • To communicate with the internet or your LAN, add a Legacy Network Adapter and attach it to your Hyper-V Virtual Switch.

Conclusion

You may quickly install ESXi on a Hyper-V Virtual Machine Azure VMware Solution using Windows Server 2016 and Nested Virtualization, which is perfect for testing a new ESXi version.

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