How to install ESXi 5 under VMware player and run a VM in ESXi5 VM within VMware Player

Here’s an example of how to install ESXi5 within VMware player

Host OS : windows 7 Home 64bit
VMware player :5.0.0 Build 812388 ( host OS )
Host OS’s CPU : AMD Phenom 2 X4 925 2.8GHz
Host OS’s memory : 8GB

ESXi 5.0.0 Build 469512 ( VM )
vMemory : 2GB
vCPUs : 2

I have enabled VT feature on BIOS.

To install ESXi5 within VMjust create a new VM and install ESXi5 from iso.
In my case , there’s no need to edit vmx file.

vmx file

.encoding = "Shift_JIS" config.version = "8" virtualHW.version = "9" numvcpus = "2" scsi0.present = "TRUE" scsi0.virtualDev = "lsilogic" memsize = "2048" scsi0:0.present = "TRUE" scsi0:0.fileName = "VMware ESXi 5.vmdk" ide1:0.present = "TRUE" ide1:0.fileName = "C:\Users\hattori\Desktop\VMware VMvisor ESXi 5.0.0.469512 Installable CD ISO 64-bit{worldend}{h33t}\VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.0.0-469512.x86_64\VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.0.0-469512.x86_64.iso" ide1:0.deviceType = "cdrom-image" floppy0.startConnected = "FALSE" floppy0.fileName = "" floppy0.autodetect = "TRUE" ethernet0.present = "TRUE" ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000" ethernet0.wakeOnPcktRcv = "FALSE" ethernet0.addressType = "generated" ethernet1.present = "TRUE" ethernet1.connectionType = "nat" ethernet1.virtualDev = "e1000" ethernet1.wakeOnPcktRcv = "FALSE" ethernet1.addressType = "generated" usb.present = "TRUE" ehci.present = "TRUE" ehci.pciSlotNumber = "35" pciBridge0.present = "TRUE" pciBridge4.present = "TRUE" pciBridge4.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort" pciBridge4.functions = "8" pciBridge5.present = "TRUE" pciBridge5.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort" pciBridge5.functions = "8" pciBridge6.present = "TRUE" pciBridge6.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort" pciBridge6.functions = "8" pciBridge7.present = "TRUE" pciBridge7.virtualDev = "pcieRootPort" pciBridge7.functions = "8" vmci0.present = "TRUE" hpet0.present = "TRUE" displayName = "VMware ESXi 5" guestOS = "vmkernel5" nvram = "VMware ESXi 5.nvram" virtualHW.productCompatibility = "hosted" gui.exitOnCLIHLT = "FALSE" vhv.enable = "TRUE" powerType.powerOff = "hard" powerType.powerOn = "hard" powerType.suspend = "hard" powerType.reset = "hard" extendedConfigFile = "VMware ESXi 5.vmxf" scsi0.pciSlotNumber = "16" ethernet0.generatedAddress = "00:0c:29:82:5b:e0" ethernet0.pciSlotNumber = "33" ethernet1.generatedAddress = "00:0c:29:82:5b:ea" ethernet1.pciSlotNumber = "34" usb.pciSlotNumber = "32" vmci0.id = "1552047072" vmci0.pciSlotNumber = "36" uuid.location = "56 4d 84 73 01 8b 20 b0-1f cc a1 69 5c 82 5b e0" uuid.bios = "56 4d 84 73 01 8b 20 b0-1f cc a1 69 5c 82 5b e0" cleanShutdown = "FALSE" replay.supported = "FALSE" replay.filename = "" scsi0:0.redo = "" pciBridge0.pciSlotNumber = "17" pciBridge4.pciSlotNumber = "21" pciBridge5.pciSlotNumber = "22" pciBridge6.pciSlotNumber = "23" pciBridge7.pciSlotNumber = "24" usb:0.present = "TRUE" usb:1.present = "TRUE" ethernet0.generatedAddressOffset = "0" ethernet1.generatedAddressOffset = "10" vmotion.checkpointFBSize = "33554432" softPowerOff = "FALSE" usb:0.deviceType = "hid" usb:0.port = "0" usb:0.parent = "-1" usb:1.speed = "2" usb:1.deviceType = "hub" usb:1.port = "1" usb:1.parent = "-1"

after installing ESXi5 within VMware Player.



you can enter system customization mode with Alt + F2

Okay , let’s access to the ESXi with web browser.

download vsphere client and install it on windows 7.

access to the ESXi5 with vSphere client.

okay



deploy a VM from an OVA

down load “Damn Small Linux.ova” from the following URL.
http://www.ntpro.nl/blog/archives/1754-Available-for-Download-Damn-Small-Linux-on-vCloud-OVF.html

on vsphere client , File -> Deploy OVF template -> select OVA file you downloaded





after finishing deploying the VM , start the VM

Damn Linux VM is running in ESXi5 VM which is running under VMware Player.