vSphere 6.5

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

vSphere 6.5 has been released so we want to take a look at the VMware ESXi 6.5 install step by step and see the process in action.

vSphere 6.5 has been released! ย With the release yesterday of VMware vSphere 6.5, this is aย quick post showing screenshots of the VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step and what to expect with the install. ย For the most part there are no surprises here with the installer as it keeps with the look and configuration that we have all come to know with vSphere 6.x.

First things first, you need to download the ISO from VMware. ย You can do that here directly from VMware.

There are some important compatibility considerations at this point. ย The following is straight from VMware:

Compatibility considerations

  • These products are not compatible with vSphere 6.5 at this time:
    • VMware NSX
    • VMware Integrated OpenStack
    • vCloud Director for Service Providers
    • vRealize Infrastructure Navigator
    • App Volumes
    • Horizon Air Hybrid-Mode
    • Integrated OpenStack
    • vCloud Networking and Security
    • vRealize Business for Cloud
    • vRealize Configuration Manager
    • vRealize Hyperic
    • vRealize Networking InsightCustomers with these products are advised to upgrade to vSphere 6.5 when compatible versions become available. For more information, see theย VMware Product Interoperability Matrixes.
  • To revert a migration to 6.5 that contains these products see,ย Reverting a vCenter Server 5.5 or 6.0 to Appliance 6.x migration (2146453)
  • To revert a Windows installed vCenter Server upgrade that contains these products see theย Roll Back a vCenter Server Instance on Windows When vCenter Server Upgrade Fails sectionย in the vSphere Upgrade guide.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

The ISO image that I downloaded from VMware wasย 336,156KBย and the build number for 6.5 looks to beย 4564106. ย The screenshots below show the installer booting from the ISO. ย Keep in mind that you have many options with the ISO – burning the ISO to optical media, booting from it directly in nested install configuration, or creating a bootable USB disk with a utility like Rufus.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

The installer begins with the familiar greeting.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

As before, we select the disk to install or upgrade.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

Next, we choose our language.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

Setting the root password…

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

Scanning for componentsย screen is next.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

The disk is repartitioned with the install by pressing F11.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

The install begins!

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

After the installer completes, we are prompted to reboot by pressing ENTER.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

The host reboots.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

Below is a quick screen caught as the system was halted and reboot begins.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

Alas, we are at the first DCUI spash screen for 6.5.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

The DCUI menus look the same with no surprises here in the management network configuration or other options found in the menus.

VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step

Thoughts

There were no surprises in the VMware ESXi 6.5 Install step by step as the screens, colors, options, and expected behavior are a direct takeaway from 6.x installs that we are familiar with at this point. ย However, we didn’t expect much change here either. ย Next, we will take a look at the upgrade process to get a host that is running 6.0 U2 with patches up to version 6.5.

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Brandon Lee

Brandon Lee is the Senior Writer, Engineer and owner at Virtualizationhowto.com, and a 7-time VMware vExpert, with over two decades of experience in Information Technology. Having worked for numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as in various industries, He has extensive experience in various IT segments and is a strong advocate for open source technologies. Brandon holds many industry certifications, loves the outdoors and spending time with family. Also, he goes through the effort of testing and troubleshooting issues, so you don't have to.

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