Dell VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7.x on Dell EMC PowerEdge Server Installation Instructions
Summary
This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions and critical information for deploying VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7.x on Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers. It covers everything from understanding the architecture to deep-dive configurations like Fault Resilient Memory and persistent storage. System administrators can rely on this manual for step-by-step installation procedures, setting up vCenter Server, optimizing performance across customized hardware components, and effective troubleshooting within a robust virtualized environment.
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VMware v Sphere ESXi 6.7.x on Dell EMC Power Edge Servers Installation Instructions and Important Information Guide
July 2020 Rev. A12
Page Summary Contents For Dell VMware vSphere ESXi 6.7.x on Dell EMC PowerEdge Server Installation Instructions
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VMware v Sphere ESXi 6.7.x on Dell EMC Power Edge Servers Installation Instructions and Important Information Guide July 2020 Rev. A12
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Notes, cautions, and warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of d...
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Contents Chapter 1: Introduction................................................................................................................. v Sphere 6.7.x architecture..............................
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VMware product licensing ............................................................................................................................................. Chapter 6: Troubleshooting ESXi.....
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Introduction This document helps you to deploy VMware ESXi 6.7.x on Dell EMC Power Edge servers, and provides specific information about recommended configurations, best practices, and additional reso...
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The following figure shows the different components of v Sphere: Figure 1. v Sphere components Overview of ESXi architecture ESXi is a bare-metal enterprise class hypervisor that can be preinstalled o...
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Figure 2. ESXi architecture Virtual SAN installation For more information about VMware documentation for VSAN installation, see the VMware Virtual SAN Production Information Guide at www.dell.com/virt...
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Installing v Sphere 6.7.x NOTE: If you have ordered VMware ESXi with the Power Edge server, then the VMware ESXi is preinstalled on your system. Topics: Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image fil...
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To download the ESXi image file, do the following: 1. Go to my.vmware.com and log in with your admin credentials. 2. Select View & Download products > All Products and then click the View Downl...
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Enable Dell NUMA Fault Resilient Memory The following conditions must be fulfilled before you enable NUMA Fault Resilient Memory (FRM): ESXi 6.7.x must be deployed on one of the following Power Edge s...
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Table 1. Power Edge servers (continued) yx4x Power Edge servers yx3x Power Edge servers R740xd R730 R740 R630 R640 M830 M640 M630 FC640 FC830 T640 FC630 MX740c T630 MX840c The BIOS version on your sys...
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For more information and configurations about DCPMM, see the Dell EMC DCPMM User's Guide at www.dell.com/ poweredgemanuals. 4K Native hard drive support with ESXi hosts 4K Native is an advanced format...
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NOTE: For instructions to install the SD memory card on the system board for supported Power Edge servers, see the system-specific Owner's Manual or Information Update at www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals...
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6. When the installation process is complete, press Enter to reboot the system. The system restarts and starts ESXi. 7. Set the correct licensing mode. For more information, see Licensing information ...
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Configuring one-time boot to ESXi 1. Turn on your system. The Dell EMC logo is displayed. 2. Press F11 to enter the one-time boot menu option. The menu entry changes to Entering Boot Menu, confirming ...
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Figure 3. ESXi Secure boot The BIOS of Dell EMC's yx3x Power Edge servers is preconfigured with the VMware Certificate Authority (VMCA) in the UEFI Secure boot authorized DB. Download the latest serve...
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NOTE: It is recommended that you regularly check for the latest patches and updates for ESXi. For certain hardware configurations, VMware may list certain patches or updates as required on its hardwar...
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Deploying v Sphere 6.7.x Important information For all the Dell EMC Power Edge servers with factory-installed VMware ESXi operating system: VMware v Sphere 6.x supports NVMe hotplug when the IOMMU Int...
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Topics: v Sphere configuration using Dell EMC Fibre Channel SAN v Sphere configuration using i SCSI SAN Booting ESXi Configuring the password Configuring Lockdown mode Managing management network serv...
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Figure 5. Configuring v Sphere with i SCSI SAN Booting ESXi This section describes performing the basic setup of your system based on the following assumptions: You have already connected a keyboard, ...
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1. Press F2 in the main ESXi Server host screen that is displayed after your system boots. The Authentication Required screen is displayed. 2. Select Configure Password and then press Enter. 3. Enter ...
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Back up and restore configuration NOTE: It is recommended that you back up your VMware ESXi configuration after you complete the initial setup on a routine schedule that fits your datacenter environme...
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Licensing information This section discusses the different modes of obtaining v Sphere license for your Dell EMC Power Edge servers. NOTE: For more information about the different editions, see vmware...
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NOTE: For more information about administering license keys and the VMware software licensing configuration, go to Vmware.com/support/pubs. NOTE: If you receive a warning that you are disabling certai...
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Troubleshooting ESXi Topics: ESXi installation Frequently asked questions ESXi installation This section provides troubleshooting steps for common issues encountered during deployment of ESXi. ESXi do...
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Why are network adapters not detected during ESXi installation Cause: This issue occurs due to one of the following reasons: The ESXi image does not contain the latest version of network drivers, for ...
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Figure 8. Target devices not displayed Why does ESXi display the number of processors incorrectly Cause: This issue occurs if the Snoop mode option is set to Cluster on Die in the BIOS Memory Settings...
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Getting help Topics: Contacting Dell EMC Locating Service Tag of your system Related information for virtualization solutions Documentation resources Download drivers and firmware Documentation feedba...
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Table 2. Related information for virtualization solutions (continued) If you need information about See Known issues and resolutions VMware v Sphere 6.7.x on Dell EMC Power Edge Server Release Notes a...
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Table 3. Virtualization videos for Dell EMC Power Edge servers (continued) Video title Links NOTE: This video is applicable for VMware ESXi 6.5.x. Documentation resources This section provides informa...
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Table 4. Additional documentation resources for your server (continued) Task Document Location Dell EMC Open Manage Essentials, go to www.dell.com/ openmanagemanuals > Open Manage Essentials User’s...
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Download drivers and firmware It is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS, drivers, and systems management firmware on your system. Ensure that you clear the web browser cache befo...
Manual Details
| Brand | Server |
|---|---|
| Pages | 32 |
| File Size | 761.39 KB |
| Published | May 31, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find necessary drivers and firmware for vSphere 6.7.x?
It is recommended to download and install the latest BIOS, drivers, and systems management firmware on site via www.dell.com/support/drivers.
What steps should I follow when downloading system drivers or firmware?
Enter the Service Tag (or click Detect PC if unknown) on www.dell.com/support/drivers to get a list of applicable downloads, then download them to a USB drive, CD, or DVD.
How do I plan for memory options like NUMA Fault Resilient Memory?
The manual provides an overview and specific instructions (like enabling Dell NUMA Fault Resilient Memory) in Chapter 2.
If I encounter PowerEdge server issues, where can I find troubleshooting help?
For identifying and troubleshooting these issues, you should refer to the PowerEdge Servers Troubleshooting Guide.