VMware

VMware ESXi Remote Install using SuperMicro IPMI

Have you ever needed to remotely install VMware ESXi? Let's take a look at VMware ESXi Remote Install using SuperMicro IPMI to see how this can be done

In working with the home lab recently, I had the need to reload one of my hosts remotely. It was great to have this functionality available via the Supermicro virtual media option using IPMI connectivity. Supermicro has really come a long way in terms of usability and features contained in the IPMI toolset. In the walk through today, I will demonstrate how you can perform a VMware ESXi remote install using Supermicro IPMI which is a great way to reload a host if you are in a pinch and need to do this remotely.

Supermicro IPMI

As most already know if you are familiar working with Supermicro servers, they have a really nice IPMI feature that allows out-of-band (OOB) management of your server.

This provides a great deal of flexibility in troubleshooting, performing maintenance, remotely viewing the console of the server, as well as installing an operating system as we will see.

You will need to have IP connectivity to your Supermicro server in terms of IPMI connectivity. Generally, from what I have seen, your Supermicro server will grab an IP for IPMI if you have one of your on-board adapters plugged into the network. It will not use add-in cards that may be installed, so keep this in mind. If you have seen otherwise, please post a comment and add your findings.

VMware ESXi Remote Install using SuperMicro IPMI

Let’s look and see how to get your media mounted and ready for performing a VMware ESXi remote install. First, you will need the IP for your Supermicro IPMI connection to your server. This is shown on the boot screen when your Supermicro server boots up and initializes the IPMI controller.

Supermicro-IPMI-initialization-BMC-IP-displayed-during-POST
Supermicro IPMI initialization BMC IP displayed during POST

Accessing the IPMI interface is simple by using a browser to browse out to the IP address you see during POST. The default login is ADMIN/ADMIN (hopefully you have changed this from default).

Once you have logged in, navigate to Virtual Media > CD-ROM Image. Click the Save button and then Mount. This will check the path for errors connecting and then actually mount the image file.

Enter-your-share-host-and-path-to-the-ISO-image
Enter your share host and path to the ISO image

Below, you can see the CD-ROM image Device 1 is showing There is an iso file mounted.

Checking-the-status-of-the-mounted-ISO-image
Checking the status of the mounted ISO image

If you have any issues getting the ISO to mount, I have found the old Java client to work at times when the other configuration page doesn’t.

To use the Java tool to configure your virtual media, launch the Java iKVM Viewer. Choose Virtual Media > Virtual Storage.

Using-the-Java-iKVM-Viewer-to-configure-virtual-storage
Using the Java iKVM Viewer to configure virtual storage

The Virtual Storage configuration will launch. Choose Device 1 tab and then drop down the Logical Drive Type and choose ISO File. Then, select Open Image. Browse to the location on your workstation where you have the file located. Finally, choose Plug in. This actually mounts the file you choose to the server and allows it to be used.

Choosing-the-VMware-ESXi-ISO-file-and-plugging-it-into-the-virtual-storage
Choosing the VMware ESXi ISO file and plugging it into the virtual storage

Now, when you boot the Supermicro server, you will see two new entries:

  • ATEN Virtual CDROM YSOJ
  • UEFI: ATEN Virtual CDROM YSOJ

Choose which option you want accordingly.

Verifying-you-see-the-virtual-CD-ROM-when-booting-your-Supermicro-server
Verifying you see the virtual CD-ROM when booting your Supermicro server

Your ESXi installation will launch and proceed along as you would expect. The one thing I want to mention is the speed of the solution. The performance of the virtual media is not great at all. In fact the page you see below took around 15 minutes to proceed to the point of getting to the first ESXi installation screen. However, if you need to do this remotely, if you are like me, you can deal with the slowness to get VMware ESXi installed without physically being there.

Booting-from-the-VMware-ESXi-ISO-file-mounted-to-virtual-storage
Booting from the VMware ESXi ISO file mounted to virtual storage

VMware ESXi installation at this point, once everything was loaded into memory, performed as expected.

Running-the-VMware-ESXi-installer-from-the-mounted-virtual-media
Running the VMware ESXi installer from the mounted virtual media

After you finish your VMware ESXi remote install, you will want to unmount the VMware ESXi ISO virtual media. To do that, you can simply click the Plug Out button.

Unplugging-and-unmounting-the-VMware-ESXi-virtual-media
Unplugging and unmounting the VMware ESXi virtual media

Concluding Thoughts

It provides great flexibility to be able to perform a VMware ESXi Remote Install using SuperMicro IPMI. Especially if you are supporting a branch location, performing maintenance, or troubleshooting, having the OOB functionality provided by the Supermicro IPMI is great.

As mentioned, there is a performance penalty with the mounted virtual media from my experience, but it is well worth the ability you are afforded with the remote installation capabilities.

Subscribe to VirtualizationHowto via Email 🔔

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.



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.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.