====== VMWare ESXi ======

===== How & Why =====

===== What hardware to get =====
==== Dell R710 ====

=== ISOs ===
https://www.reddit.com/r/vmware/comments/l2pbch/matching_dell_server_firmware_iso_to_custom_esx/

=== iDRAC 6 Setup ===
https://gist.github.com/xbb/4fd651c2493ad9284dbcb827dc8886d6#gistcomment-2597160

=== Recommended Additions/Modifications ===
== Secondary Hard Drive ==
Remove the CD Drive up front and buy a CD bay SSD holder
== Storage Cards ==
See below, but ideally, you'll want the Perc H200

==== Dell R720 ====

==== HP Servers ====

===== Setup & Configuration =====
Speeding up installation - https://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2019/07/automated-esxi-installation-to-usb-using-kickstart.html
==== Driver Dependencies ====
=== SATA ===
=== SAS Cards ===
=== Network Cards ===
=== Video Cards ===
Passthrough cards.. AMD is safe.
Nvidia requires some tweaking - https://www.reddit.com/r/nvidia/comments/5m07h2/pci_passthrough_in_esxi_for_consumer_nvidia_cards/
=== Misc PCI Cards ===
== USB PCI Cards ==
Must use Renasas (formerly NEC) chipset cards (Startech). I used to use Fresco Logic chipset cards because I used them in my hackintosh builds. I would pass through the entire PCI card to my windows VM for my ham radio builds, and then the CPU would peg, and the host would "purple screen". This link explains more - https://www.reddit.com/r/VFIO/comments/8n4m2y/pcieusb_card_fl1100_causing_host_system_freezes/. Apparently it is a chipset compatibility issue. The Renasas cards are natively supported, and allow me to use a keyboard an mouse without issue.

==== Installing Operating Systems ====
=== Using the Console ===
=== VMWare Tools ===
List of VMWare Tools versions - https://packages.vmware.com/tools/versions
Upgrade tools to latest version - https://www.virtualizationhowto.com/2017/12/upgrade-vmware-tools-to-latest-version/
=== Windows ===
=== Linux ===
=== macOS ===
== Caveats ==
Needs an unlocker if below ESXi 7
= Updating =
https://communities.vmware.com/t5/VMware-Fusion-Discussions/When-trying-to-upgrade-a-VM-from-macOS-10-12-6-to-10-13-4/m-p/1826883
== Mojave ==
= APFS Setup =
Applies below as well - https://licson.net/post/vmware-apfs/
== High Sierra ==
= APFS Setup =
As of 13.4, installations will default to using APFS. You can force it to still use HFS+, but here is a guide to help with using APFS - https://licson.net/post/vmware-apfs/
== Sierra & Below ==
https://calvin.me/install-macos-esxi
https://web.archive.org/web/20170418154134/https://idmedia.no/general/installing-os-x-el-capitan-on-esxi/
https://www.nakivo.com/blog/run-mac-os-on-vmware-esxi/
== Snow Leopard ==
=== FreeNAS ===
https://b3n.org/freenas-9-3-on-vmware-esxi-6-0-guide/
https://www.truenas.com/community/threads/absolutely-must-virtualize-freenas-a-guide-to-not-completely-losing-your-data.12714/
== Set up iSCSI share on FreeNAS for ESXi ==
https://johnkeen.tech/freenas-11-iscsi-esxi-6-5-lab-setup/
https://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/158570-setup-exsi-6-7-iscsi-datastore-to-nas

==== Tips and Tricks ====
=== Migrate VMs from one drive to another ===
1. Power down VM.
2. Right click VM, remove from inventory.
3. Create datastore on new drive.
4. Browse original datastore where VM is kept.
5. Highlight VM folder, click move button. Move to new datastore.
6. Browse new datastore. Go to newly created VM folder. Find the VMX file, right click, import/add to inventory.
When you start the VM, it will ask you if you copied or move it. Select Moved.
=== Convert Fusion VM to ESXi ===
http://www.dbcloudshifu.com/convert-vmware-fusion-vm-to-esxi-based-vm/
https://derflounder.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/migrating-os-x-vms-files-without-vmware-standalone-converter/
=== Passthrough USB devices ===
https://www.networkinghowtos.com/howto/pass-through-usb-device-access-to-vmware-guest-os/
http://woshub.com/vmware-esxi-usb-device-passthrough-to-virtual-machine/
=== Using vmkfstools ===
https://buildvirtual.net/vmkfstools-examples-working-with-virtual-disks/
=== Backup and Restore Configuration ===
https://graspingtech.com/backup-vmware-esxi-6-5-configuration/
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2042141
=== Removing 3rd Party Drivers ===
http://jdgreen.io/removing-third-party-drivers-from-esxi/
=== Directly whitelisting HID devices ===
https://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2020/05/how-to-passthrough-usb-keyboard-mouse-hid-and-ccid-devices-to-vm-in-esxi.html