VMware ESXi Download 6: A Guide for Beginners
If you are looking for a way to run multiple operating systems on a single physical server, you might have heard of VMware ESXi. VMware ESXi is a type of hypervisor that allows you to create and manage virtual machines on a bare-metal server. In this article, we will explain what VMware ESXi is, how it differs from VMware vSphere, and how you can download and install VMware ESXi 6 on your server.
What is VMware ESXi?
VMware ESXi is a software product that provides a virtualization layer between the hardware and the operating systems that run on it. It is also known as a type-1 or native hypervisor, which means that it runs directly on the server without requiring an underlying operating system. This makes it more efficient and secure than a type-2 or hosted hypervisor, which runs on top of an operating system.
vmware esxi download 6
DOWNLOAD: https://urluss.com/2vv8BX
With VMware ESXi, you can create multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single server, each with its own operating system and applications. You can also manage these VMs remotely using a web browser or a command-line interface. You can use VMware ESXi to run various workloads, such as web servers, database servers, file servers, and more.
VMware ESXi vs VMware vSphere
VMware ESXi is often confused with VMware vSphere, but they are not the same thing. VMware vSphere is a suite of products that includes VMware ESXi, as well as other components such as:
VMware vCenter Server: A centralized management platform that allows you to monitor and control your VMs and hosts.
VMware vSAN: A software-defined storage solution that pools the local storage of your hosts and creates a shared datastore for your VMs.
VMware vMotion: A feature that allows you to migrate your VMs from one host to another without downtime.
VMware DRS: A feature that automatically balances your VMs across your hosts based on their resource usage and availability.
VMware HA: A feature that automatically restarts your VMs on another host in case of a host failure.
You can use VMware ESXi without VMware vSphere, but you will not have access to these advanced features. If you want to use VMware vSphere, you will need to purchase a license and install the additional components on your hosts and VMs.
Benefits of VMware ESXi
Using VMware ESXi has many benefits, such as:
Reducing hardware costs by consolidating multiple servers into one.
Improving performance and reliability by isolating and optimizing each workload.
Enhancing security by minimizing the attack surface and applying patches and updates easily.
Simplifying management and maintenance by using a web-based or command-line interface.
Increasing flexibility and scalability by adding or removing resources as needed.
How to Download VMware ESXi 6
If you want to try out VMware ESXi 6, you can download it for free from the official website. However, there are some requirements and steps that you need to follow before you can download and install it.
Requirements for VMware ESXi 6
To download and install VMware ESXi 6 you need to meet some minimum hardware and software requirements. According to the VMware documentation, these are the main requirements for VMware ESXi 6:
vmware esxi 6.0 iso image download
vmware vsphere hypervisor esxi 6.5 download
vmware esxi 6.0 offline bundle download
vmware esxi 6.0 driver rollup iso download
vmware esxi 6.0 update 3 download
vmware esxi 6.5 free license download
vmware esxi 6.7 download free
vmware esxi 6.5 update 2 download
vmware esxi 6.0 patch download
vmware esxi 6.5 u3 download
vmware esxi 6.7 u3 download
vmware esxi 6.5 custom iso download
vmware esxi 6.0 license key download
vmware esxi 6.7 update 2 download
vmware esxi 6.5 update 1 download
vmware esxi 6.7 free license download
vmware esxi 6.0 u2 download
vmware esxi 6.7 u1 download
vmware esxi 6.5 tools iso download
vmware esxi 6.7 patch download
vmware esxi 6.0 u3 download
vmware esxi 6.7 update 1b download
vmware esxi 6.5 u2b download
vmware esxi 6.0 u1b download
vmware esxi 6.7 tools iso download
vmware esxi 6.5 update manager download
vmware esxi 6.0 u1a download
vmware esxi 6.7 u2b download
vmware esxi 6.5 u1b download
vmware esxi 6.0 u3b download
vmware esxi 6.7 custom iso download
vmware esxi 6.5 patch download
vmware esxi 6.0 update manager download
vmware esxi 6.7 update manager download
vmware esxi 6.5 u3b download
vmware esxi 6.0 u2a download
vmware esxi 6.7 u3b download
vmware esxi 6.5 u2a download
vmware esxi 6.0 u3a download
vmware esxi 6.7 license key download
vmware esxi 6.5 update rollup iso download
vmware esxi 6.0 update rollup iso download
vmware esxi 6.7 update rollup iso download
vmware vsphere hypervisor (esx) version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) Version: vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi)
Compatible hardware: Your server must be compliant with the VMware Compatibility Guide.
Compatible CPU: Your server must have a supported and compatible processor. VMware ESXi 6 requires the NX/XD bit to be enabled for the CPU in the BIOS.
Sufficient memory: Your server must have at least 4 GB of RAM, but 8 GB of RAM is recommended to run virtual machines in a typical production environment.
Supported network adapter: Your server must have one or more Gigabit or faster Ethernet controllers. For a list of supported network adapter models, see the VMware Compatibility Guide.
Supported storage device: Your server must have a SCSI disk, a local RAID LUN, or a SATA disk connected through a supported SAS controller or a supported on-board SATA controller. For a list of supported storage systems, see the VMware Compatibility Guide.
Boot device: Your server must have a boot device that is a minimum of 1 GB for installation or upgrade. If you are installing ESXi on a disk that contains an installation of ESXi/ESX or a VMFS datastore, you will be presented with upgrade options.
Steps to Download VMware ESXi 6
Once you have verified that your server meets the requirements for VMware ESXi 6, you can proceed to download the installation media from the official website. Here are the steps to download VMware ESXi 6:
Step 1: Register for a free account on VMware website
To download VMware ESXi 6, you need to have a free account on the VMware website. If you already have an account, you can skip this step. If you don't have an account, you can create one by following these steps:
Go to [10]( and fill out the registration form with your personal and professional information.
Check your email for a confirmation link and click on it to activate your account.
Log in to your account with your username and password.
Step 2: Choose the version of VMware ESXi 6 that you want to download
There are different versions of VMware ESXi 6 available for download, depending on your needs and preferences. You can choose from these options:
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 U3: This is the latest version of VMware ESXi 6 as of June 2021. It includes bug fixes and security updates, as well as some new features and enhancements. You can download it from [11](
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.5 U3: This is an older version of VMware ESXi 6 that is still supported by VMware until November 2021. It may be compatible with some legacy hardware or software that is not supported by the newer version. You can download it from [12](
VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.0 U3: This is an even older version of VMware ESXi 6 that is no longer supported by VMware as of March 2020. It is not recommended to use this version unless you have a specific reason to do so. You can download it from [13](
In this article, we will assume that you want to download the latest version of VMware ESXi 6, which is VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 U3.
Step 3: Download the ISO image or the offline bundle of VMware ESXi 6
After choosing the version of VMware ESXi 6 that you want to download, you will see two options for downloading the installation media: ISO image or offline bundle. The ISO image is a file that contains the entire installation package of VMware ESXi 6, which you can burn to a CD/DVD or mount to a USB device. The offline bundle is a ZIP file that contains the installation files of VMware ESXi 6, which you can copy to a local or network location and install from there. The offline bundle is useful if you want to install VMware ESXi 6 on multiple servers or update an existing installation of VMware ESXi 6.
In this article, we will assume that you want to download the ISO image of VMware ESXi 6, which is VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.7.0.update03-14320388.x86_64.iso. To download the ISO image, follow these steps:
Go to [11]( and click on the "Download Now" button under "VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) 6.7 U3".
Log in to your account with your username and password.
Accept the license agreement and click on the "Download" button under "ESXi ISO image (Includes VMware Tools)".
Save the ISO image file to your preferred location on your computer.
Step 4: Verify the checksum of the downloaded file
After downloading the ISO image file of VMware ESXi 6, it is recommended to verify the checksum of the file to ensure that it is not corrupted or tampered with. The checksum is a unique value that is calculated from the contents of the file. You can compare the checksum of the downloaded file with the checksum provided by VMware on their website.
To verify the checksum of the ISO image file, you can use a tool such as MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility for Windows or md5sum for Linux. For example, if you are using MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility, follow these steps:
Open MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility and click on the "Browse" button to select the ISO image file.
Select "SHA1" as the algorithm and click on the "Calculate" button.
Compare the calculated checksum with the checksum provided by VMware on their website, which is 9a9c72c22f3ab0f3500f443f8be1e354b8d2d6d0 for VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.7.0.update03-14320388.x86_64.iso.
If the checksums match, then the file is valid and safe to use. If they don't match, then the file is corrupted or modified and you should download it again.
How to Install VMware ESXi 6
After downloading and verifying the ISO image file of VMware ESXi 6, you can proceed to install it on your server. To install VMware ESXi 6, you need to prepare the installation media, boot from it, and follow the installation wizard.
Preparing the installation media
To prepare the installation media, you need to burn the ISO image file of VMware ESXi 6 to a CD/DVD or mount it to a USB device. You can use any tool that can create bootable media from an ISO image file, such as Rufus for Windows or UNetbootin for Linux. For example, if you are using Rufus, follow these steps:
Open Rufus and insert a blank CD/DVD or a USB device into your computer.
Select your CD/DVD or USB device from the "Device" dropdown menu.
Click on the "SELECT" button and choose the ISO image file of VMware ESXi 6.
Click on the "START" button and wait for Rufus to create the bootable media.
Eject your CD/DVD or USB device from your computer.
Booting from the installation media
To boot from the installation media, you need to insert your CD/DVD or USB device into your server and configure your server's BIOS settings to boot from it. The exact steps may vary depending on your server model and manufacturer, but generally you need to do something like this:
Power on your server and press a key (such as F2, F10, F12, or Del) to enter the BIOS setup menu.
Navigate to the boot order or boot priority settings and move your CD/DVD or USB device to the top of the list.
Save your changes and exit the BIOS setup menu.
Your server will restart and boot from your CD/DVD or USB device.
Following the installation wizard
After booting from the installation media, you will see the VMware ESXi 6 installation wizard, which will guide you through the installation process. Here are the steps to follow the installation wizard:
Press Enter to continue when you see the welcome screen.
Read and accept the end user license agreement (EULA) by pressing F11.
Select the storage device where you want to install VMware ESXi 6 and press Enter.
Select the keyboard layout that matches your preference and press Enter.
Type a root password for your VMware ESXi 6 host and press Enter.
Press F11 to confirm the installation and wait for it to complete.
Press Enter to reboot your server when you see the installation complete message.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained what VMware ESXi is, how it differs from VMware vSphere, and how you can download and install VMware ESXi 6 on your server. We hope that this article has helped you to understand the basics of VMware ESXi 6 and how to get started with it. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about VMware ESXi 6:
Q: How can I access and manage my VMware ESXi 6 host?
A: You can access and manage your VMware ESXi 6 host using a web browser or a command-line interface. To use a web browser, you need to open a browser window and type where is the IP address of your VMware ESXi 6 host. To use a command-line interface, you need to use an SSH client such as PuTTY or WinSCP and connect to your VMware ESXi 6 host using the root username and password that you set during the installation.
Q: How can I create and run virtual machines on my VMware ESXi 6 host?
A: You can create and run virtual machines on your VMware ESXi 6 host using the web-based or command-line interface. To use the web-based interface, you need to log in to your VMware ESXi 6 host using a web browser and click on the "Create/Register VM" button on the left panel. To use the command-line interface, you need to log in to your VMware ESXi 6 host using an SSH client and use the vmkfstools command to create and manage virtual disks and virtual machines.
Q: How can I update or upgrade my VMware ESXi 6 host?
A: You can update or upgrade your VMware ESXi 6 host using the offline bundle that you downloaded from the official website. To update or upgrade your VMware ESXi 6 host, you need to copy the offline bundle ZIP file to a local or network location that is accessible by your VMware ESXi 6 host. Then, you need to log in to your VMware ESXi 6 host using an SSH client and use the esxcli software vib command to install or update the VIBs (vSphere Installation Bundles) contained in the offline bundle.
Q: How can I get support for my VMware ESXi 6 host?
A: You can get support for your VMware ESXi 6 host from various sources, such as:
The official VMware documentation, which provides detailed information and instructions on how to use and troubleshoot VMware ESXi 6.
The official VMware community forums, which allow you to interact with other users and experts who can help you with your questions and issues.
The official VMware support portal, which allows you to open a support request, chat with a support agent, or call a support number if you have a paid license or subscription for VMware vSphere.
Q: How can I learn more about VMware ESXi 6?
A: You can learn more about VMware ESXi 6 from various sources, such as:
The official VMware blog, which provides news, updates, tips, and best practices on VMware products and technologies.
The official VMware YouTube channel, which provides videos, tutorials, demos, and webinars on VMware products and technologies.
The official VMware education portal, which provides courses, certifications, and learning paths on VMware products and technologies.
The official VMware podcasts, which provide audio interviews, discussions and insights on VMware products and technologies.
44f88ac181
Comments