How to Create VMware Infrastructure & Virtual Machines (ESXi + vCenter)

01 Download VMware ESXi

ESXi is the bare‑metal hypervisor that runs directly on your server hardware.

VMware Customer Connect → Products → ESXi

• Create a VMware account
• Download the latest ESXi ISO
• Prepare a bootable USB using Rufus or BalenaEtcher

02 Install ESXi on Your Server

Foundation Step

This installs the hypervisor that will host all your virtual machines.

Boot server → Select ESXi Installer → Follow on‑screen setup

• Boot from the ESXi USB installer
• Select target disk (prefer SSD)
• Set root password
• Complete installation and reboot

03 Configure ESXi Management Network

Networking must be configured so you can access ESXi remotely.

Direct Console UI → Configure Management Network

• Assign static IP
• Set subnet mask & gateway
• Configure DNS
• Test network connectivity

04 Access ESXi Web Interface

You manage ESXi through its web UI.

Open browser → https://<ESXi-IP>

• Log in using root credentials
• Verify hardware, storage, and network adapters
• Apply ESXi license (optional)

05 Deploy VMware vCenter Server (VCSA)

Recommended for Production

vCenter centralizes management, clustering, HA, DRS, and VM automation.

Run VCSA Installer → Install → Target ESXi Host

• Deploy VCSA OVA to ESXi
• Configure SSO domain
• Set vCenter IP & DNS
• Complete Stage 1 & Stage 2 setup

06 Create Datastores for VM Storage

Datastores hold VM disks, ISOs, and snapshots.

vCenter → Storage → New Datastore

• Use local SSD/NVMe or shared SAN/NAS
• Format with VMFS6
• Upload ISO images for OS installation

07 Configure Virtual Networking

VM networks define how VMs communicate internally and externally.

vCenter → Networking → Distributed Switch (recommended)

• Create vSwitch or vDS
• Add port groups (e.g., VM Network, Management, vMotion)
• Assign physical NIC uplinks

08 Create a New Virtual Machine

Now you can deploy your first VM.

vCenter → Hosts & Clusters → Right‑click → New Virtual Machine

• Choose VM name & compatibility
• Select datastore
• Assign CPU, RAM, and disk
• Mount OS ISO
• Power on the VM

09 Install Guest OS

Install Windows, Linux, or any supported OS inside the VM.

VM Console → Boot from ISO

• Complete OS installation
• Install VMware Tools for performance
• Configure network inside OS

10 Enable Backups, Snapshots & HA

Best Practice

Protect your VMs and ensure uptime.

• Configure snapshots (short‑term only)
• Set up vSphere HA & DRS (requires cluster)
• Integrate backup solutions like Veeam or Nakivo