Install or Upgrade ESXi from a CD or DVD by Using a Script

You can install or upgrade ESXi from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive by using a script that specifies the installation or upgrade options.

You can start the installation or upgrade script by entering a boot option when you start the host. You can also create an installer ISO image that includes the installation script. With an installer ISO image, you can perform a scripted, unattended installation when you boot the resulting installer ISO image. See Create an Installer ISO Image with a Custom Installation or Upgrade Script.

Prerequisites

Before you run the scripted installation or upgrade, verify that the following prerequisites are met:

• The system on which you are installing or upgrading meets the hardware requirements. See ESXi Hardware Requirements.
• You have the ESXi installer ISO on an installation CD or DVD . See Download and Burn the ESXi Installer ISO Image to a CD or DVD.
• The default installation or upgrade script (ks.cfg) or a custom installation or upgrade script is accessible to the system. See About Installation and Upgrade Scripts.
• You have selected a boot command to run the scripted installation or upgrade. See Enter Boot Options to Start an Installation or Upgrade Script. For a complete list of boot commands, see Boot Options.

Procedure

1. Boot the ESXi installer from the local CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
2. When the ESXi installer window appears, press Shift+O to edit boot options.
   
3. Type a boot option that calls the default installation or upgrade script or an installation or upgrade script file that you created.
   The boot option has the form ks=.
4. Press Enter.

Results

The installation, upgrade, or migration runs, using the options that you specified.