Install ESXi 5 wothout network connection

Install as normal, but DO NOT CONNECT physical management network interface.

you mean I can install it and do not connect to our live network

As far as i understand,  install the EXSi need to perform on the host itself. Just put in the installer CD and install.

Only to manage the Host and the VMs need to done with networking.

Yes, but there is also an option to Mark NIC as disconnected in Network Options on the console.

or remove network cable which ever is easiest

The installation is ok without network connection. However, when I create the VM I need to connect to live network connection?

yes, no network is needed for installation.

when you are readybto create a VM you WILL NEED TO CONNECT TO NETWORK TO MANAGE AND CREATE VM.

The developers need to do their job on VM but I cannot connect to live network yet because of some security issues.

You can only create a VM on the Host Server if its connected to a network, because management of ESXi is via a network.

you could use a network crossover cable and a laptop.

Summary.

1. you can install ESXi on server without network connection.

2. you cannot create a VM unless connected to a network management station. You cannot create a VM from the console of the server and install OS.

what do you mean?

you need the server to be connected to network to create a VM.

do you mean later you will connect to the LAN and create VM for developers.

Perhaps you can consider Hyper-V?

Install the OS , add Hyper-V role , create and manage VM from the OS itself  , no need to connect to network

However, if other user need to access the VM , networking is required.

With VMware, the live network is required?

To Create a Virtual Machine - Yes.

or network cross over cable and a laptop connected to server

I am confused now. What do I do with the laptop? Do you mean that I use the laptop connects to server and use the network cable connect the laptop to the wall jack?

if you cannot connect the ESXi server to your LAN - you cannot create a VM.

If you want to build your ESXi server, and create a VM, without connecting to you LAN at present, you could use

1. A Laptop
2. A Network crossover cable (this is not the same cable that connects your laptop to wall jack!)

I think the second choice would work in my situation now.
Do you mean that I use the laptop to connect directly to HP server which I will install ESXi on it and create the VM later?
Thanks

Correct.

I will give a try tomorrow or Monday and let know later.
Thanks a lot.

I am using the KVM to connect to HP servers. May I use that instead of the laptop? I might not have the crossover cable.

No.

You need networking, from A PC to server, with crossover.

you will havebto install ESXi without networking, and later when you get the all clear connect to network, and create VM.

I just installed ESXi 5 and get into this screen. Do I need to install vSphere on the laptop in order to connect to ESXi 5 server?
11-esxi-5-install.png

Yes, correct, you need to download and install the vSphere Client to manage the server, hence why you need a network connection.

with a web browser go to http://192.168.1.38 and download the vSphere Client and install on a computer.

but if it has an IP address by DHCP, it must be on a network?

For now, I don't connect to the live network yet.

I used the crossover cable to connect directly to ESXi host. However, I got this error msg "vSphere Client could not connect to "server". An unknown connection error occurred. (The request failed because the server name could not be resolved. (The remote name could not be resolved: 'server'))
I made a crossover cable. I tested it by connecting the laptop to the switch. It works fine.
Please assist me.
Thanks

you need to use its IP address it cannot resolve its name

use the IP address 192.168.1.38

check you can ping the server 192.168.2,38, but if you havevdownloaded the client via web browser your cross over cable must be working.

do I set dns and default gateway blank?

does not matter at present, or set to IP addresses used on your production network.

but this will not prevent you from connecting.

i used the IP address from live network before but I could not ping to the server. In additional, I got the error above.

where did you get the vSpherevclient from?

vmware website

if your laptop and server have IP addresses on the same IP network and subnet, working croos over cable between server and laptop, you should

1. be able to ping
2. be able to connect to server using IP address

so you have not test network communications between server and laptop?

where did server get DHCP IP address from?

The laptop and server have the same network. The NIC on the laptop is flashing. However, I am not able to ping and connect to server using IP Address

When I pinged the IP Address of the server. I got this:
ping 10.10.10.40
PING: transmit failed. General failure.

What do you mean?
Now, I don't connect to the LAN yet.

ip address previously was 192 from DHCP?

what IP address does the server have?

what IP address does your laptop have?

IP Address:
Server: 10.10.10.40
Laptop: 10.10.10.145
Default Gateway: 10.10.10.4

have you got the cable in the server correct LAN socket?

are Link lights on both network cards on laptop and server?

try different IP addresses 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.2 subnet 255.255.255.0

crossover cable fault?

try different IP address, no default gateway

The link light on both network cards on laptop and server
If I use IP address (192.168.1.1), it is different from the laptop (10.10.10.145)

yes, CHANGE IP ADDRESSES ON BOTH FOR TEST

Do I need to set for DNS and gateway

It must have the gateway and DNS.

no need for dns or gateway for test, with crossover cable

at present we are trying to diagnose why you cannot simply

1. ping
2. connect

the less configuration we have the better

If I leave the gateway address blank, I get "Invalid Gateway address"

what is the server?

just put 192.168.1.254

ESXi host

check the server configuration, that networks are connected with a CROSS X in the box, on the console of server

MAKE AND MODEL

earlier in your screenshot the server got an IP address from,a DHCP server?

how did it get this IP address?

Where is the server configuration?

I see "System Customization"

oh, I just got the similar screenshot online. it was not mine ;)

thats correct

okay!

select F2 and you will see other options

In the  "System Customization", I don't see "F2"

press F2

In the  "System Customization, there are three options <Up/Down>, <Enter> , and <Esc>

press Function Key No.2 for Customize System View Logs

Are you at the ESXi 5.0 Console Screen?

which is yellow and black?

and has Download Tools from.....

I see the View System Logs, It that one?

I was there. Then, I pressed F2 to get into System Customization

did you have to Login, with root and password after press F2?

Yes, i did

you should see a list of options in that menu

<Up/Down>, <Enter> , and <Esc>
those are at the bottom, above is a list of options

is the Background Yellow on the Left and Black on the Right?

Yes, those are at the bottom

Yes, it is

what you should see:-

Yes, it is same with that screen you attached

Have you not configured here before?

select Configure Management Network and add IP addresses

Yes, I have. I have assigned 10.10.10.40 to the host

change the IP address, also check Configure Management Network, Network Adaptors, states CONNECTED and there is a CROSS in.

also use the Test Management Network to also ping you laptop

There is a CROSS in Network Adepter but Status is DISCONNECTED. What can I do to have it CONNECTED.

It is CONNECTED now but still cannot ping

I am able to ping now but cannot connect to the host using vSphere

OK, finally I am able to connect to the host. I use IP Address instead of the host name

if you cannot ping, you will not be able to connect with vSphere.

this is the issue.

make sure you specift the IP address in vSphere Client.

Thanks very much.
How can I assign the license for it?

When connected to it from vSphere Client.

I have vSphere open now. I am looking for it and enter license key

Okay, I believe your question has been answered. We have gone off topic long ago on the question. If this answer as been helpful please assign points.

If you have any other VMware related questions, please post a new question and myself or other Experts will be glad to assist.

Ok, I get it.Thank you very much.