VMware VS4-ENT-PL-A Setup Guide - Page 132

vSphere Installation and Setup About PXE Configuration Files The PXE configuration file defines the menu displayed to the target ESXi host as it boots up and contacts the TFTP server. You need a PXE configuration file to PXE boot the ESXi installer. The TFTP server constantly listens for PXE clients on the network. When it detects that a PXE client is requesting PXE services, it sends the client a network package that contains a boot menu. Required Files In the PXE configuration file, you must include paths to the following files: n mboot.c32 is the boot loader. n boot.cfg is the boot loader configuration file. See "About the boot.cfg File," on page 154 File Name for the PXE Configuration File For the file name of the PXE configuration file, select one of the following options: n 01-mac_address_of_target_ESXi_host. For example, 01-23-45-67-89-0a-bc n The target ESXi host IP address in hexadecimal notation. n default The initial boot file, pxelinux.0 or gpxelinux.0, tries to load a PXE configuration file. It tries with the MAC address of the target ESXi host, prefixed with its ARP type code, which is 01 for Ethernet. If that attempt fails, it tries with the hexadecimal notation of target ESXi system IP address. Ultimately, it tries to load a file named default. File Location for the PXE Configuration File Save the file in var/lib/tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/ on the TFTP server. For example, you might save the file on the TFTP server at /tftpboot/pxelinux.cfg/01-00-21-5a-ce-40-f6. The MAC address of the network adapter on the target ESXi host is 00-21-5a-ce-40-f6. PXE Boot the ESXi Installer by Using PXELINUX and a PXE Configuration File You can use a TFTP server to PXE boot the ESXi installer, using PXELINUX and a PXE configuration file. See also "About Installation and Upgrade Scripts," on page 144 and "About the boot.cfg File," on page 154 Prerequisites Verify that your environment has the following components: n The ESXi installer ISO image downloaded from the VMware Web site. n TFTP server that supports PXE booting with gPXE. See "About the TFTP Server, PXELINUX, and gPXE," on page 129. n DHCP server configured for PXE booting. See "Sample DHCP Configuration," on page 130. n PXELINUX n Server with a hardware configuration that is supported with your version of ESXi. See the Hardware Compatibility Guide at http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php. n Network security policies to allow TFTP traffic (UDP port 69) n (Optional) Installation script, the kickstart file. See "About Installation and Upgrade Scripts," on page 144. 132 VMware, Inc.