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sanboot:esxi4.1 [2010/07/14 02:02] rschror Adding ESXi 4.1 method for boot over iSCSI - Final Draft |
sanboot:esxi4.1 [2010/07/14 02:14] (current) rschror Added headings and fixed spelling mistakes |
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- | __Overview__ | + | ====== Overview ====== |
This tutorial assumes you know how to set up an iscsi targets on your SAN and, you already have gPXE up and running. With version 4.1 of ESXi (installable) boot from SAN is possible via software initiator. This new feature works with gPXE! Here's a quick tutorial on the easiest way to get you up and running in less than 10 minutes. For ease of use I'll be doing this within my current ESXi host (physical box) and doing a virtual install of ESXi host #2 (the same steps as you would physical PC) | This tutorial assumes you know how to set up an iscsi targets on your SAN and, you already have gPXE up and running. With version 4.1 of ESXi (installable) boot from SAN is possible via software initiator. This new feature works with gPXE! Here's a quick tutorial on the easiest way to get you up and running in less than 10 minutes. For ease of use I'll be doing this within my current ESXi host (physical box) and doing a virtual install of ESXi host #2 (the same steps as you would physical PC) | ||
- | __Requirements__ | + | ===== Requirements ===== |
* a SAN or NAS capable of iSCSI - I'm using openfiler | * a SAN or NAS capable of iSCSI - I'm using openfiler | ||
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* 1 iSCSI target 5GB or more - I made mine 10 which gave me a 5GB datastore for ISO's after the install. | * 1 iSCSI target 5GB or more - I made mine 10 which gave me a 5GB datastore for ISO's after the install. | ||
- | * a DHCP server that passes the keep-san variable to your client. | + | * a DHCP server that passes the keep-san variable to your client. if your unfamiliar with this check out the [[:sanboot:win2k8_iscsi_install|Windows Server 2008]] section. |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Create a gPXE Menu ===== | ||
- | __The procedure__ | ||
First make sure you've got your iSCSI target accessible via gPXE command line, then set up a pxelinux menu | First make sure you've got your iSCSI target accessible via gPXE command line, then set up a pxelinux menu | ||
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</code> | </code> | ||
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+ | ===== Installation ===== | ||
Once you have the gPXE loading to a running menu then select the ESXi iSCSI Boot Disk menu option | Once you have the gPXE loading to a running menu then select the ESXi iSCSI Boot Disk menu option | ||
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{{:sanboot:memdisk_load.jpg|}} | {{:sanboot:memdisk_load.jpg|}} | ||
- | Select install ESXi | + | Select ESXi Installer |
{{:sanboot:vmvisor_boot_menu.jpg|}} | {{:sanboot:vmvisor_boot_menu.jpg|}} | ||
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And finally you can reboot knowing that this time your gPXE menu will boot into ESXi. | And finally you can reboot knowing that this time your gPXE menu will boot into ESXi. | ||
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{{:sanboot:reboot_message.jpg|}} | {{:sanboot:reboot_message.jpg|}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | Enjoy! |