ESXi Fresh Install on existing Blade
Normally upgrades are done using “Updates” within vCenter but in case a fresh install is needed please follow below:
- Enable SSH by selecting blade (host) > Configure > Services > SSH > Start
- Login to the host using root credentials and run as below to backup existing configuration:
~] vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/sync_config~] vim-cmd hostsvc/firmware/backup_configBundle can be downloaded at : http://*/downloads/52225723-704a-3e48-e197-456be40add82/configBundle-hostname.tgz
3. Copy this link and paste in the browser replacing “*” with the hostname and it’ll download the backup configuration for the host.
4. Once done, login to the UCS console or connect to the KVM. Activate Virtual Device and map the ISO downloaded from vmware under Virtual Disk Management.
5. Press F12 to restart the host and F6 while boot to select the boot device (vKVM-Mapped). Follow the prompts. Under ESXi and VMFS Found screen, select “Install ESXi, preserve VMFS datastore”
6. Once installation completes, disconnect the virtual media and Reboot.
7. Once system boots up, configure Management network, IPv4 address, DNS and connect the host back to the vCenter. Once done, stop the SSH service the same way we started in step 1.
