How to install ESXi 8 on the Vault

ESXi 8 Overview

This article describes how to install ESXi 8.0.0. standard edition on a protectli vault. The VP4600 series and other protectli vaults with i225 Network Interface Cards (NICs) are now standard in ESXi 8 OEM firmware and driver packages. Additionally, you can leverage protecli’s TPM 2.0 with the VP2410 and VP4600 series to enforce secure configurations. To see protectli TPM 2.0, click here, or to find more information on ESXi 8 TPM configurations click here.

For more information on ESXi 8 release notes, click here.

Verify Hardware Requirements/Recommendations

VMware now requires a minimum of 8 GB RAM instead of 4 GB and 128 GB storage, but we used 64 GB and 480 GB storage as our base install. If possible, you should double both the RAM and storage amount from the base requirement to future proof. For more information about ESXi 8 Hardware requirements, click here.

As previously mentioned in our knowledge base article “How to install ESXi 7 on the Vault,”  Ensure you understand your hardware requirements before installing ESXi. We recommend using our VP4600 or FW6 series vault to ensure full-feature capabilities.

Download ESXi 8

Obtaining the Installation Image

To gain access, you will need to register with VMware Customer Connect. ESXi can be downloaded for free here.

ESXi Account Login or Creation

ESXi ISO Download

Burn the Installation image to a USB Drive

The easiest way to transfer the installation image to a USB drive is by using software called “Rufus” on Windows or “balenaEtcher” on Apple OSX. See this link for detailed instructions on creating a bootable USB drive using Rufus or balenaEtcher.

Note: Use a relatively skinny USB since the ports are close together and can prevent you from attaching two devices.

Install ESXi 8 on the Vault

• Power off the vault, then connect the following in no particular order;
  • Monitor
  • Keyboard
  • USB with ESXi 8.0 ISO
  • Connect DHCP-enabled ethernet cable to WAN port.
• Power on the vault
  • Follow the on-screen installation instructions.

Note: If the storage device is not empty, you must press F11 at the Protectli splash screen, then select the USB drive.

• Install Complete
  • To access the ESXi management console, browse “https://<IP address>/ui/#/login” Example https://192.168.1.107/ui/#/login.
  • Login
    • Username: root
    • Password: created during installation
• ESXi dashboard is displayed

ESXi Dashboard (no TPM)

ESXi Dashboard (with TPM)

At this point, ESXi 8 is up and running on the vault. The host can start provisioning virtual machines and appliances.  

Optional SSD on Vaults (FW6 and VP series)

The FW6 and VP series ship with a SATA cable, SATA power cable, and 2.5” drive mount to support an optional SSD drive (we recommend using an SSD drive, not a spinning hard drive). Adding an SSD drive requires no software or BIOS modifications. See the screenshot below for an example of an additional 1TB drive added to a VP4630 with ESXi 8 installed.

Theoretical Speeds

ESXi does not require advanced configurations to identify or leverage your hardware’s theoretical speed.

The image below has one NIC connected to a 1G switch and the other to a 2.5G switch on a VP4630. As shown, ESXi will recognize the speed of all hardware and display it in the link speed section.

BIOS Compatibility

The table below shows the compatibility of tested releases of ESXi 8.0.0 on each of the Vaults.

Note: The compatibility test below relates to our current vaults listed on our Product Comparison page.

If you experience any hardware issues, please feel free to reach out to support@protectli.com.