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How to create a VM in VMware ESXi

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Requirements

 

Instructions

Uploading an ISO to VMware ESXi

From the ESXi Host Client, navigate to Storage > Datastores tab > Datastore browser button.

In the pop-up window, select a location for your ISO and click Upload to select a file.

Info

The upload time for your ISO depends on your network speed and the ISO file's size.

Add ISO - Create VM VMware ESXi

 

Creating a VM in VMware ESXi

To create a VM in the ESXi Host Client, select Virtual Machines > Create / Register VM.

In the pop-up window, proceed through each step of the "New virtual machine" wizard:

  1. Select creation type 

    Warning

    NOTE: These instructions continue with deploying a new virtual machine from scratch. However, VMware offers numerous appliances as OVFs; you can also use this screen to install VMs from VMDK files as well as register deleted VMs that were not removed from the managed host's datastore.

    To learn more about these options, please consult VMware's documentation.

  2. Select a name and guest OS 

  3. Select storage 

  4. Customize settings: Make sure all of the hardware on this screen is sufficient for the operating system you are using, as well as the programs the VM will be running. To load your ISO, click the drop-down menu next to CD/DVD Drive 1 and choose Datastore ISO file.

    Info

    For networking information, please refer to our How to Connect a VM to the Internet Using VMware ESXi guide.

  5. Ready to complete 

Create VM VMware ESXi

 

Installing an OS in VMware ESXi

The actual installation of the OS will differ depending on the OS you choose. However, you can easily begin the installation in ESXi's user interface by selecting Virtual Machines > <your_VM>.

After this, click the ▶ Power on button and proceed to follow your operating system's installation instructions.

 

Go further

Browse all the Dedicated Servers guides.

Browse the rest of the OVHcloud US documentation for guides on our other products and services.

Learn more about Dedicated Servers on the OVHcloud US website.