Itzikr's Blog

In this example, I will be using SolarWinds TFTP, but really, it can be any TFTP server you are feeling comfortable working with..

File > Configure, Start The Service, point the root directory to the folder where you put the ESXi bundle.

on the TFTP Server, open a vSphere client to the vCenter Server, click the “Auto Deploy” icon > download TFTP Boot zip and save it to your drive.

extract the zipped file to the TFTP server root folder (C:\ In this example)

Configuring the DHCP Server

on your DC > Manage > Manage this DHCP Server, you will have to configure the scope options that corresponds to your subnet that you will boot the ESX from, the first Option is 066 – here you will have to put the IP of your TFTP Server, the second option type that you will have to configure is 067 (undionly.kpxe.vmw-hardwired), that’s it, click ok.

Configuring PowerCLI

if you didn’t install PowerCLI by now, then please do.

once installed, please run the following commands: (marked in white)

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

Connect-VIServer <vCenter FQDN)

let’s add the software repository:

Add-ESXSoftwareDepot <file of the ESXi offline image)

Get-EsxImageProfile

new auto deploy rule:

$channel = Get-ESXSoftwareChannel

$ip = Get-ESXImageProfile –SoftwareChannel $channel

New-DeployRule –Name “ForAllHosts” –Item $ip[0] –AllHosts

(this could take a while..)

add the new rule

Add-DeployRule ForALLHosts

the next step is to reboot the Physical Server that we want to deploy ESXi to, the Server will have to boot using it’s network cards, so make sure that in the Server’s BIOS, the following options will be enable:

1. PXE

2. Boot order is set to network as the first boot priority.