You can install or upgrade ESXi from a USB flash drive by using a script that specifies the installation or upgrade options.

Supported boot options are listed in Boot Options.

Prerequisites

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

Procedure

  1. Boot the ESXi installer from the USB flash drive.
  2. When the ESXi installer window appears, press Shift+O to edit boot options.
    ESXi Installer screen
  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.