Home Server Log

May 25, 2017 - Install VMWare ESX 6.5

Installing VMWare vSphere ESXi Hypervisor 6.5 but network card is not detected on boot.

This article looks promising - https://www.v-front.de/2014/12/how-to-make-your-unsupported-nic-work.html
Dell seems to package their own ESX IOS which I think will work but I need to see if I can upgrade. Also what's with the A00, A01, A03 designation linked under "Other Versions"? - http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=FCTFC

This Dell article to download the Dell-customized ESXi Embedded ISO also has more info on what drivers are installed.

Also checked the native download page for the leaptop but ESX is not listed as an OS.

Using Windows found network card is Realtek PCI-e FE Family Controller,

Using VMWare ESX CD and booting into Linux,

Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8101/2/6E PCI Express/Gigabit Ethernet controller Class 0200: 10ec:8136

Searched the vibsdepot using PCI ID "10ec:8136" to download driver.

Downloaded Convenience Script...

Download ESX 6.5 Offline Bundle (not available unless you own a vSphere License.

Start Windows 7

Download VMWare PowerCLI 6.5 and install. PowerCLII may ask you to first install Windows Management Framework 3.0.

Another set of instructions here seem to say I should use PowerCLI 5.1 and PowerShell 3.0.

Start Menu, Right Click "Windows Power Shell" and choose "Run as administrator".

At terminal allow execution of the custom Script,

get-executionpolicy
# "Restricted" is returned
set-executionpolicy remotesigned
get-executionpolicy
# "RemoteSigned" is now returned

Install VMWare Module

Record asset tag and system specs. Upgrade BIOS from 1.0.6 to 1.2.8 (March 22, 2017). Run basic burn test.