Would you like to learn how to create a Linux virtual machine on Vmware ESXi? In this tutorial, we are going to show you how to create an Ubuntu Linux virtual machine using Vmware ESXi server.

This tutorial was tested on Vmware ESXi 6.5

This tutorial was tested on Vmware ESXi 6.7

This tutorial does not use Vcenter.

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Tutorial - Create Linux Virtual Machine on Vmware ESXi

First, you need to access the Vmware web interface.

Open a browser software, enter the IP address of your Vmware ESXi server and access web interface.

vmware web interface

On the prompt screen, enter the administrative login information.

After a successful login, the Vmware dashboard will be displayed.

Vmware ESXi Dashboard

On the Vmware Dashboard, Access the Virtual Machines menu Menu.

Click on the Create / Register VM button.

Vmware ESXi New VM

On the Vmware creation assistant, select the following options:

• Compatibility - ESXI 6.7 Virtual Machine
• Guest OS Family - Linux
• Guest OS Version - Ubuntu Linux

In our example, we are installing a new Ubuntu Linux virtual machine.

Vmwre ESXI Linux Virtual machine

Next, select the datastore where the virtual machine should be created.

Vmware Virtual machine Datastore

Now, you need to decide how are you going to install the new virtual machine operational system.

If you want to install the Linux operating system from a CD/DVD:

On the Setting customization screen, you need to change the following configuration:

• CD/DVD Drive - Host device
• Status - Connect at power on.

Vmware host device

Finish the Virtual machine creation assistant.

Insert the Ubuntu Linux CD/DVD on the Vmware ESXi driver.

Turn on the new Virtual Machine.

The system should start automatically a new operating system installation.

Ubuntu Installation

Congratulations! You installed a new Linux virtual machine on Vmware ESXi using a CD/DVD.

If you want to install the Linux operating system from a ISO image:

On the Setting customization screen, you need to change the following configuration:

• CD/DVD Drive - Datastore ISO file.
• Status - Connect at power on.
• CD/DVD Media - Click on the Browser button, and locate the installation média on the Datastore.

Vmwre ESXI Linux Virtual Machine ISO

Locate and select the Operational System installation image file.

In our example, we selected the Ubuntu Linux installation file: ubuntu-18.04-live-server-amd64.iso

To install an operating system from an ISO file, you need to install a Vmware ISO repository.

Vmware ESXi Linux Vm Datastore

Finish the Virtual machine creation assistant.

Turn on the new Virtual Machine.

The system should start automatically a new operational system installation.

Ubuntu Installation

Congratulations! You installed a new Linux virtual machine on Vmware ESXi using an ISO image.