When you perform a scripted installation, you might need to specify options at boot time to access the kickstart file.

Supported Boot Options

Table 1. Boot Options for ESXi Installation
Boot Option Description
BOOTIF=hwtype-MAC address

Similar to the netdevice option, except in the PXELINUX format as described in the IPAPPEND option under SYSLINUX at the syslinux.org site.

gateway=ip address Sets this network gateway as the default gateway to be used for downloading the installation script and installation media.
ip=ip address Sets up a static IP address to be used for downloading the installation script and the installation media. Note: the PXELINUX format for this option is also supported. See the IPAPPEND option under SYSLINUX at the syslinux.org site.
ks=cdrom:/path Performs a scripted installation with the script at path, which resides on the CD in the CD-ROM drive. Each CDROM is mounted and checked until the file that matches the path is found.
Important: If you have created an installer ISO image with a custom installation or upgrade script, you must use uppercase characters to provide the path of the script, for example, ks=cdrom:/KS_CUST.CFG.
ks=file://path Performs a scripted installation with the script at path.
ks=protocol://serverpath Performs a scripted installation with a script located on the network at the given URL. protocol can be http, https, ftp, or nfs. An example using NFS protocol is ks=nfs://host/porturl-path. The format of an NFS URL is specified in RFC 2224.
ks=usb

Performs a scripted installation, accessing the script from an attached USB drive. Searches for a file named ks.cfg. The file must be located in the root directory of the drive. If multiple USB flash drives are attached, they are searched until the ks.cfg file is found. Only FAT16 and FAT32 file systems are supported.

ks=usb:/path Performs a scripted installation with the script file at the specified path, which resides on USB.
ksdevice=device Tries to use a network adapter device when looking for an installation script and installation media. Specify as a MAC address, for example, 00:50:56:C0:00:01. This location can also be a vmnicNN name. If not specified and files need to be retrieved over the network, the installer defaults to the first discovered network adapter that is plugged in.
nameserver=ip address Specifies a domain name server to be used for downloading the installation script and installation media.
netdevice=device Tries to use a network adapter device when looking for an installation script and installation media. Specify as a MAC address, for example, 00:50:56:C0:00:01. This location can also be a vmnicNN name. If not specified and files need to be retrieved over the network, the installer defaults to the first discovered network adapter that is plugged in.
netmask=subnet mask Specifies subnet mask for the network interface that downloads the installation script and the installation media.
vlanid=vlanid Configure the network card to be on the specified VLAN.
systemMediaSize=small
Limits the size of system storage partitions on the boot media. The selected value must fit the purpose of your system. You can select from the following values:
  • min (32 GB, for single disk or embedded servers)
  • small (64 GB, for servers with at least 512 GB RAM)
  • default (128 GB)
  • max (consume all available space, for multi-terabyte servers)

For more information on ESXi booting options post installation, see VMware knowledge base article 77009.