I have downloaded the ESXi installer from the Broadcom download portal. I chose to download the custom ISO file for Dell. The file name was:

VMware-VMvisor-Installer-8.0.0.update03-24414501.x86_64-Dell_Customized-A03.iso

The installation was straightforward. It didn’t take a lot of time too.

The following is the series of steps and the screens that I captured as the installation progressed to completion. I used iDRAC’s Virtual Console to see the main console of the server and to mount the ISO file as a virtual DVD.

While the server was powered off, I mounted the ISO file as a virtual DVD.

Click Virtual Media from the top row: System powered off

Click “Choose File” under “Map CD/DVD”: Mapping the ISO file

Find and open the installer ISO file: Opening the ISO file

Click “Map Device”: Mapping the Virtual Media

Click “Boot” from the top row, and then click “Virtual CD/DVD/ISO”: Mapping the Virtual Media

Click “Power” from the top row, and then click “Power On System”. The server will boot up and will switch screens a few times as such: Dell starting up

Loading ESXi installer 1

Loading ESXi installer 2

Welcome to the VMware ESXi 8.0.3 Installation! Just press Enter at this screen. Welcome to the installation

Press F11 to accept the EULA and continue. Accept EULA

Select a disk to install ESXi. Select a disk

It will scan the disk. Just be patient and wait for it. Scan the disk

Choose how you want to install ESXi. Choose installation

Choose a keyboard layout. Choose keyboard layout

Enter a root password of your choice. Enter root password

Press Enter to continue. Nothing much I can do about this warning. Acknowledge warning

Press F11 to continue installation, and then “watch paint dry”.
Continue installation

Actually, it won’t take long. Installation complete! Installation complete

Unmap the Virtual Media device and disconnect the Virtual Media. Disconnect DVD

Press Enter to reboot. Reboot

This is what the console looks like when the boot up has completed. ESXi ready

To manage the host, log on to the ESXi Host Client using your browser. ESXi client ready

Log on with the “root” username and its password. You’ll be greeted by this screen. ESXi client ready

Switch to the console to customize the Management Network settings. Press F2, and log in with the root account and password. Customize System

Select “Configure Management Network”. Configure Management Network

Set a static IP and gateway. IPV4 Configuration

Configure DNS. DNS Configuration

Configure DNS Suffixes. DNS Suffixes

Save your changes. Confirm settings

Test settings. Test settings

Make sure the test results are all OK! Test results

Switch to the ESXi Web UI, and configure Time settings. Click “Host->Manage”, and then click “System->Time & date”. Time settings

Assign a valid license for the ESXi product. x

Congratulations! Your ESXi host is now up and running!