About the Default ks.cfg Installation Script

The ESXi installer includes a default installation script that performs a standard installation to the first detected disk.

The default ks.cfg installation script is located in the initial RAM disk at /etc/vmware/weasel/ks.cfg. You can specify the location of the default ks.cfg file with the ks=file://etc/vmware/weasel/ks.cfg boot option. See Enter Boot Options to Start an Installation or Upgrade Script.

When you install ESXi using the ks.cfg script, the default root password is myp@ssw0rd.

You cannot modify the default script on the installation media. After the installation, you can use the vSphere Web Client to log in to the vCenter Server that manages the ESXi host and modify the default settings.

The default script contains the following commands:

#
# Sample scripted installation file
#

# Accept the VMware End User License Agreement
vmaccepteula

# Set the root password for the DCUI and Tech Support Mode
rootpw myp@ssw0rd

# Install on the first local disk available on machine
install --firstdisk --overwritevmfs

# Set the network to DHCP on the first network adapter
network --bootproto=dhcp --device=vmnic0

# A sample post-install script
%post --interpreter=python --ignorefailure=true
import time
stampFile = open('/finished.stamp', mode='w')
stampFile.write( time.asctime() )