How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs –Part5

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

In this article, I’m going to show you how to build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs. In my previous guide, I’ve shown you how to build vStorage and link it to ESXi host via Microsoft iSCSI Software Target, Install ESXi hosts and connect them to vCenter Server and some other topics I’ve covered in my previous build so you guys can check them down below.

Related: Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 vStorage
Related: Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 ESXi Hosts
Related: Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 vCenter Server

Once we’ve built our virtual storage (VMFS) then it’s time to install some virtual machines (VMs) on our shared storage. So to do that just follow the steps below.

Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Building virtual machine on your ESXi host is very simple and straightforward if you’ve done the previous build correctly. Let’s get started to create some VMs on our ESXi Hosts.

Step #1. Before you turn on ESXi1 and ESXi2, give them two extra virtual Network Adapter attached to VMnet5 (Production) and two extra vNICs attached to VMnet4 (Fault Tolerance). You should have 8 vNICs now on EACH ESXi host.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Add Network Adapter to ESXi Host

Step #2. Power On your ESXi1, navigate to Configuration > Networking > Add Networking. Add new vSwitch and name it vMotion/FT.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Create vMotion Switch

Use the IP address 10.0.2.10 /24. Select vmnic4 and vmnic5. Make sure that tick mark “vMotion & Fault tolerance” option.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

VMkernel Switch

Step #3. Now create a new vSwitch and this time select Virtual Machine, not VMKernel.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Create Production Switch

Step #4. Name it Production and select vmnic6 and vmnic7. Finish the wizard.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Virtual Machines Connection Settings

Your Final configuration should look something like this. You should have switch0, switch1, switch2 and switch3.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Virtual switches are Created

Important Note: Do not forget to follow the steps above on ESXi2.

How to Create VMs on ESXi Hosts

Step #1. Right-click on your ESXi1 and select “New Virtual Machine”.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Create New Virtual Machine on ESXi Host

Step #2. Name your VM anything you want. In my case, I want to install Windows 7 and I call it “Win7”.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Name the VM

Step #3. Store your VM on one of your shared storage and do not store on the local data store. I select iSCSI1.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Store on iSCSI Shared Storage

Step #4. Select the Guest OS and version then click Next. I’m going to install Windows 7 so I select Windows 7 64 bit.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Select The Guest Operating system and Version

Step #5. Put your virtual machine on Production switch and click Next.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Put on Production Switch

Step #6. Specify the amount of disk space you need and select Thin provisioning. In the real world try to select Tick provisioning for better performance. Click Next.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Create Disk with Thin Provisioning

Your final configuration should like something like the screenshot down below.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Ready to Complete the Task

Step #7. Now that you’ve created VM then it’s time to install an operating system on it. You need an ISO file of the OS. Go to VC VM settings and select Option tab > Shared Folders > Enable until next power off or suspend. Click Add and select your OS ISO file.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Map Network Share

Once you’ve attached the ISO image of your OS then follow the next step.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Share OS ISO Image

Step #8. Navigate to ESXi1 and select one of your iSCSI shared storage. Right-click on select Browse Datastore.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Browse ISO Image of Windows

Step #9. Click on Upload icon and browse your ISO image from the shared folder which you did in step #7.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Upload ISO Image on ISCSI Shared Storage

Step #10. Wait for a couple of minutes that the ISO file should be uploaded to your iSCSI shared storage.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Uploading in Process

Step #11. Go to your newly created VM settings and connect the ISO image to your VM DVD Drive. Just see the screenshot below to get the idea.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Connect the ISO File to VM

Step #12. Power on the virtual machine and install the OS like the normal one.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Power On the Virtual Machine

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Installation begins

Step #13. Your virtual machine might be so slow and doesn’t work properly so to avoid slow performance, install VMware tools. See the snapshot below.

How to Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs

Install VMware tools

Now you have a fully functional virtual machine which works totally fine.

Important Note: You can follow the same procedures to install VMs on your ESXi2.

Conclusion

In this article, I’ve explained to you how to build vSphere infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 VMs. I’ve shown step by step to create brand new virtual machine on ESXi host. I hope you guys have learned something useful from this guide and if you’ve got any question please feel free to hit a comment down below this post. We will try to answer within 24 hours.

Next Guide: Build vSphere Infrastructure on Windows Server 2008 R2 vMotion & Fault Tolerance

blank

Mukhtar Jafari is the founder and CEO of wikigain.com. He is CISCO CCENT & CCNA Certified and has got his diploma in IT Networking from North Metro TAFE PERTH. He is currently working as a Help Desk Technician at DEEPTECH Perth Western Australia. In addition, he loves helping other tech enthusiasts so he is working part-time on wikigain.com. He shares his experience through this website for IT beginners.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.