Dell EMC VMware vSphere 7.x on PowerEdge Servers User Guide

Dell EMC VMware vSphere 7.x on PowerEdge Servers

Product Information

Specifications

• Product: VMware vSphere 7. x on Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers
• Version: June 2020 Rev. A03

Important Information

Your Dell EMC customized VMware ESXi 7.0 A00 image must be installed as a new installation or deployment. Dell EMC recommends you to follow the VMware recommendations published in VMware Knowledge Base article 78487 and Dell Knowledge Base article SLN320957. After upgrading to 7.0.x, downgrading to 6.7.x or 6.5.x is not possible.

For all the Dell EMC PowerEdge servers with factory-installed VMware ESXi operating system:

• Dell EMC PowerEdge yx4x and yx5x server’s username is root and the password is the Service Tag of your system followed by the character ‘!’.
• Dell EMC PowerEdge yx3x servers do not have a password for the username root.

For the Dell EMC PowerEdge servers with a factory-installed VMware ESXi operating system on a BOSS-S1 device:

• The VMFS datastore is not enabled by default on Dell EMC PowerEdge yx4x and yx5x servers. Use the BOSS-S1 device as an operating system boot device and vSphere ESXi logging device. See VMware Knowledge Base article 2145210.

Before deploying the system, it is recommended that you see the VMware vSphere 7.0 on Dell EMC PowerEdge Server Release Notes at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions.

Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image files

Follow the steps below to download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image and Dell EMC Addon:

1. Go to www.dell.com/support/drivers.
2. In the Drivers & Downloads section, enter the Service Tag of your system in the Enter a Dell Service Tag, Dell EMC Product ID, or Model box, and then click the right arrow button.
3. If you do not have the Service Tag, select Detect PC to allow the system to automatically detect your Service Tag, or click Browse all products, and then navigate to your product.
4. Click Drivers & Downloads. The drivers that apply to your system are displayed.
5. In the Operating System list, select the appropriate VMware version.
6. In the Category list, select Enterprise Solutions.
7. The latest Dell EMC VMware ESXi customized images are displayed.
8. Click Download.

Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware. You should be registered with my.vmware.com to be able to download drivers and firmware.

Product Usage Instructions

Step 1: Installation

To install VMware vSphere 7. x on Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that your Dell EMC customized VMware ESXi 7.0 A00 image is ready for installation.
2. Refer to the VMware Knowledge Base article 78487 and Dell Knowledge Base article SLN320957 for installation recommendations.
3. Perform a new installation or deployment using the Dell EMC customized VMware ESXi 7.0 A00 image.

Step 2: Setting Up User Accounts

Depending on the model of your Dell EMC PowerEdge server, use the following credentials to log in:

• For Dell EMC PowerEdge yx4x and yx5x servers:
  • Username: root
  • Password: Your Service Tag of your system followed by the character ‘!’ (e.g., ServiceTag!)
• For Dell EMC PowerEdge yx3x servers:
  • Username: root
  • Password: No password is required

Step 3: Configuring BOSS-S1 Device (If Applicable)

If your Dell EMC PowerEdge server has a factory-installed VMware ESXi operating system on a BOSS-S1 device, follow these instructions:

1. Make sure the VMFS datastore is not enabled by default on Dell EMC PowerEdge yx4x and yx5x servers.
2. Use the BOSS-S1 device as an operating system boot device and vSphere ESXi logging device.
3. Refer to VMware Knowledge Base article 2145210 for more information.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information and usage guidelines, please refer to the VMware vSphere 7.0 on Dell EMC PowerEdge Server Release Notes available at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Can I downgrade from VMware vSphere 7.0.x to 6.7.x or 6.5.x?
• A: No, it is not possible to downgrade from VMware vSphere 7.0.x to 6.7.x or 6.5.x.
• Q: Where can I find the Service Tag of my Dell EMC PowerEdge server?
• A: To locate the Service Tag of your system, refer to the user manual or documentation provided with your Dell EMC PowerEdge server.

NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your product.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death.

Getting started with VMware vSphere

This document helps you in setting up your Dell EMC PowerEdge server and configuring VMware vSphere.
NOTE: If you had ordered VMware ESXi with your Dell EMC PowerEdge server, it is preinstalled on your server.
The ESXi installer media is required for reinstallation. The Boot Optimized Storage Solution (BOSS) card is the preferred non-HDD or SSD device for VMware ESXi 7.0 installation. The Dell Internal Dual SD Module (IDSDM) install is no longer recommended due to write endurance issues with the SD flash media. For more information, see the Storage Requirements for ESXi 7.0 Installation or Upgrade section on the VMware ESXi Installation and Setup Guide or see VMware Knowledge Base article 2145210.

Topics

• Important information
• Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image files
• Configuring ESXi on Dell EMC PowerEdge server

Important information

• Your Dell EMC customized VMware ESXi 7.0 A00 image must be installed as a new installation or deployment.
• Dell EMC recommends you to follow the VMware recommendations published in VMware Knowledge Base article 78487 and
• Dell Knowledge Base article SLN320957.
• After upgrading to 7.0.x, downgrading to 6.7.x or 6.5.x is not possible.
• For all the Dell EMC PowerEdge servers with factory-installed VMware ESXi operating system:
• Dell EMC PowerEdge yx4x and yx5x server’s username is root and the password is the Service Tag of your system followed by the character ‘!’.
• NOTE: To locate the Service Tag of your system, see Locating Service Tag of your system..
• Dell EMC PowerEdge yx3x servers do not have a password for the username root.
• For the Dell EMC PowerEdge servers with a factory-installed VMware ESXi operating system on a BOSS-S1 device:
• The VMFS datastore is not enabled by default on Dell EMC PowerEdge yx4x and yx5x servers. Use the BOSS-S1 device as an operating system boot device and vSphere ESXi logging device. See VMware Knowledge Base article 2145210. Before deploying the system, it is recommended that you see the VMware vSphere 7.0 on
• Dell EMC PowerEdge Server Release Notes at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions.

Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image files
Dell EMC has migrated the latest revision of the Dell EMC customized ESXi image files with customized drivers to the website of VMware. This change aligns with industry-standard practices and brings the Dell EMC-customized image to the same location as that of our competitors. For customers who manage heterogeneous data centres, this simplifies the procurement of software image files because they will all be saved in one location. Visit my.vmware.com license portal or click My VMware Downloads.
Older versions of these image files can be downloaded from www.dell.com/support.
For information about how Dell EMC is offering customized versions of VMware ESXi image files, see Dell’s Customization of
VMware ESXi and Its Advantages.

Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image and Dell EMC Addon from the Dell EMC support site

NOTE: Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.

1. Go to www.dell.com/support/drivers.

2. In the Drivers & Downloads section, enter the Service Tag of your system in the Enter a Dell Service Tag, Dell EMC
   Product ID, or Model box, and then click the right arrow button.
   NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, select Detect PC to allow the system to automatically detect your Service
   Tag, or click Browse all products, and then navigate to your product.

3. Click Drivers & Downloads.
   The drivers that apply to your system are displayed.

4. In the Operating System list, select the appropriate VMware version.

5. In the Category list, select Enterprise Solutions.
   The latest Dell EMC VMware ESXi customized images are displayed.

6. Click Download.

Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image from the VMware site
NOTE: Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.
NOTE: You should be registered with my.vmware.com to be able to download drivers and firmware.

1. Go to my.vmware.com and log in with your account credentials.
2. Select View & Download Products> All Products and then click the View Download Components link of VMware vSphere.
3. Select the image version from the Select Version list.
4. Click Custom ISOs.
5. Expand the OEM Customized Installer CDs option and then click Go to Downloads for the image that you want to download.

Downloading the Dell EMC add-on package from the VMware site
NOTE: Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.
NOTE: To download the drivers and firmware, you must be a registered user in my.vmware.com.
To download an add-on package, do the following:

1. Go to my.vmware.com and log in with your account credentials.
2. Select View & Download Products> All Products and then click View Download Components link of VMware vSphere.
3. Select the image version from the Select Version list.
4. Click Custom Addons.
5. Select the appropriate add-on package and then click Go to Downloads to download the package.

Configuring ESXi on Dell EMC PowerEdge server

1. Set up your Dell EMC PowerEdge server.
   For more information, see the Getting Started Guide and the Rack Installation Instructions document shipped with your server.

2. Power on the server.
   The ESXi console is displayed.

3. To configure ESXi, press F2.
   Configuring the software includes changing the root password and setting a static IP address.
   NOTE: By default, the server obtains an IP address using the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

4. To change the root password from the main menu, select Configure Password.
   The root password manages the server on a one-to-one basis.

5. To configure a static IP address, select Configure Management Network > IP Configuration > Set the static IP address and network configuration.

NOTE: Note down the network IP address of the ESXi.
If you purchased the ESXi hypervisor-based vSphere Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Essentials Plus software, or Acceleration kits from Dell EMC, you must have received the Partner Activation Code certificate with the server. To use the ESXi software and receive subscription services, follow the instructions in your Partner Activation Code certificate that is included with the server.
NOTE: By using the VMware software, you agree to the VMware End User License Agreement (EULA) at vmware.com/downloads/eula. For more information about license keys and VMware software licensing configuration, see the VMware documentation at vmware.com/support/pubs.

Getting help

Topics

• Contacting Dell EMC
• Related information for virtualization solutions
• Documentation resources
• Identifying the series of your Dell EMC PowerEdge servers
• Download drivers and firmware
• Documentation feedback
• Locating the Service Tag of your system

Contacting Dell EMC

• Dell EMC provides several online and telephone-based support and service options. Availability varies by country, region, and product, and some services may not be available in your area.
• To contact Dell EMC for sales, technical assistance, or customer service issues, see www.dell.com/contactdell.
• If you do not have an active Internet connection, you can find contact information on your purchase invoice, packing slip, bill, or product catalogue.

Related information for virtualization solutions

Table 1. Related information for virtualization solutions

www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions
OpenManage documentation| www.dell.com/openmanagemanuals
PowerEdge documentation| www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals
Basic configuration information for running ESXi on a Dell EMC PowerEdge server| Getting Started Guide at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions

• Information about downloading, installing, and configuring ESXi
• Supported hardware configurations for running ESXi on a Dell EMC PowerEdge server

| Installation Instructions and Important Information Guide at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions
PowerEdge servers and compatibility with vMotion| VMware ESXi vMotion Support on Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers Compatibility Matrix at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions
PowerEdge and PowerVault compatibility information for running ESXi| VMware vSphere on Dell EMC PowerEdge Servers Compatibility Matrix at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions
Known issues and resolutions| VMware vSphere 7.0 on Dell EMC

PowerEdge Server Release Notes at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions

ESXi ISO image customization information| VMware ESXi on Dell EMC PowerEdge Systems Image Customization Information at www.dell.com/virtualizationsolutions
If you need information about| See
---|---
UEFI Boot order management utility in VMware ESXi 7.0| www.dell.com/support/article/en- us/sln321019
Dell EMC Add-on for VMware vSphere 7.0| www.dell.com/support/article/en- us/sln320956
Dell EMC ESXi 7.0 Quick Boot compatibility guide| www.dell.com/support/article/en- us/sln320746
VMware vSphere Life Cycle Manager vLCM and Dell EMC integration| downloads.dell.com/manuals/all- products/esuprt_software_int/ esuprt_software_virtualization_solutions/vmware-esxi-7x_white-papers3_en- us.pdf
PVRDMA Deployment and Configuration of QLogic CNA devices in VMware ESXi| downloads.dell.com/manuals/common/ vmware_esxi_6x_7x_whitepaper6_en_us.pdf
Self-Encrypting Drives in Dell EMC PowerEdge servers with VMware vSphere| downloads.dell.com/manuals/common/ vmware_esxi_6x_7x_whitepaper7_en_us.pdf
NVMe Hot-Plug on Dell EMC PowerEdge servers running VMware vSphere or vSAN| downloads.dell.com/manuals/common/ vmware_esxi_6x_7x_whitepaper9_en_us.pdf
Upgrading to Dell EMC vSphere and vSAN version 7.0| downloads.dell.com/manuals/all- products/esuprt_software_int/ esuprt_software_virtualization_solutions/vmware-esxi-7x_white-papers8_en- us.pdf

Technical support resources

• vmware.com/support
• www.dell.com/support/home
• Dell.com/services

Discussion forums

• Communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn
• Dell Virtualization
• Wikis, Forums, Blogs, and Videos
• Dell Community

Knowledge base

• kb.vmware.com/kb
• NOTE: For more information that is related to the VMware ESXi installation on Dell EMC PowerEdge servers, go to Dell Virtualization.

Virtualization videos for Dell EMC PowerEdge servers
All the supported virtualization videos for Dell EMC PowerEdge servers are available in the Supported Operating Systems for
Dell PowerEdge servers playlist.
Table 2. Virtualization videos for Dell EMC PowerEdge servers

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnVxtkAkYTI
Downloading Dell EMC customized ESXi image from the VMware website| www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnWyuyxuk5k
Video title| Links
---|---
Operating system Deployment (VMware ESXi)—Installing Using CD/DVD| www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EbufUS86zA
Enabling and Configuring Fault Resilient Memory on Dell EMC PowerEdge servers| www.youtube.com/watch?v=retSh-XlsK0
OS Deployment (VMware ESXi)—Installing on BOSS S1 device| www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1loXpFFME
OS Deployment (VMware ESXi)—Installing on IDSDM| www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC- Xntg5mgw
To enable UEFI Secure Boot on VMware ESXi for Dell EMC’s yx3x PowerEdge servers

NOTE: This video applies to VMware ESXi 6.5.x and later.

| www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll9qlF9qV9I
To enable UEFI Secure Boot on VMware ESXi for Dell EMC’s yx4x PowerEdge servers

NOTE: This video applies to VMware ESXi 6.5.x and later.

| www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZB_XyV0enY

Documentation resources
This section provides information about the documentation resources for your server.
Table 3. Additional documentation resources for your server

rack, see

the rack documentation included with your rack solution or the Getting Started Guide that is shipped with your server.

| www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals
For information about turning on the server and the technical specifications of your server, see the Getting Started Guide that is shipped with your server.| www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals
Configuring your server| For information about the iDRAC features, configuring and logging in to iDRAC, and managing

your server remotely, see the Integrated Dell Remote Access Configuration Tool User’s Guide.

| www.dell.com/idracmanuals
 | For information about installing the operating system, see the operating system documentation.| www.dell.com/operatingsystemmanuals
 | For information about understanding Remote Access Controller Admin (RACADM) subcommands and supported RACADM interfaces, see the iDRAC RACADM CLI Guide.| www.dell.com/idracmanuals
 | For information about updating drivers and firmware, see| www.dell.com/support/drivers
Task| Document| Location
---|---|---
 | Download drivers and firmware topics in this document.|
Managing your server| For information about server management software offered by Dell EMC, see the Dell EMC Systems Management Overview Guide.| www.dell.com/openmanagemanuals
 | For information about setting up, using, and troubleshooting OpenManage, see the Dell EMC OpenManage Server Administrator User’s Guide.| www.dell.com/openmanagemanuals
 | For information about installing, using, and troubleshooting

Dell EMC OpenManage Essentials, go to www.dell.com/ openmanagemanuals > OpenManage Essentials User’s Guide.

| www.dell.com/openmanagemanuals
 | For information about installing and using Dell SupportAssist, see the Dell EMC SupportAssist Enterprise User’s Guide.| https://www.dell.com/serviceabilitytools
 | For understanding the features of Dell EMC Lifecycle Controller (LC), see the Lifecycle Controller User’s Guide.| www.dell.com/idracmanuals
 | For information about partner programs enterprise systems management,

see the OpenManage Connections Enterprise Systems Management documents.

| www.dell.com/esmmanuals
 | For information about viewing inventory, performing configuration, and monitoring tasks, remotely turning on

or off servers, and enabling alerts for events on servers and components using the

Dell EMC Chassis Management Controller (CMC), see the Chassis Management Controller User’s Guide.

| www.dell.com/esmmanuals
Working with the Dell EMC PowerEdge RAID controllers| For information about understanding the features of the Dell EMC PowerEdge RAID controllers (PERC) and deploying the PERC cards, see the Storage controller documentation.| www.dell.com/storagecontrollermanuals
Understanding event and error messages| For information about checking the event and error messages generated by the system firmware and agents| www.dell.com/openmanagemanuals
Task| Document| Location
---|---|---
 | monitor server components, see the Dell EMC Event and Error Messages Reference Guide.|
Troubleshooting your system| For information about identifying and troubleshooting the PowerEdge server issues,

see the PowerEdge Servers Troubleshooting Guide.

| www.dell.com/poweredgemanuals

Identifying the series of your Dell EMC PowerEdge servers

The PowerEdge series of servers from Dell EMC are divided into different categories based on their configuration. They are referred as YX2X, YX3X, YX4X, YX4XX, or YX5XX series of servers. The structure of the naming convention is described below:
The letter Y denotes the character in the server model number. The character denotes the form factor of the server. The form factors are listed below:

• C- Cloud
• F- Flexible
• M or MX- Modular
• R- Rack
• T- Tower

The letter X denotes the numbers in the server model number. The number denotes multiple characteristics of the server. They are listed as follows:.

• The first digit (X) denotes the value stream or class of the server.

  • 1-5—iDRAC basic
  • 6-9—iDRAC Express

• The second digit denotes the series of the server. It is retained in the server naming convention and does not replace the letter X.

  • 0—series 10
  • 1—series 11
  • 2—series 12
  • 3—series 13
  • 4—series 14
  • 5—series 15

• The last digit (X) always denotes the make of the processor as described below:

  • 0-Intel
  • 5-AMD
    NOTE: For servers that use an AMD processor, the model number is made up of four digits instead of three. The third digit (X) denotes the number of processor sockets that the series of servers supports.

• 1 ̶ one socket server

• 2 ̶ two-socket server

Table 4. PowerEdge servers naming convention and examples

Download drivers and firmware
It is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS, drivers, and systems management firmware on your system.
Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.

1. Go to www.dell.com/support/drivers.

2. In the Drivers & Downloads section, enter the Service Tag of your system in the Enter a Dell Service Tag, Dell EMC
   Product ID, or Model text box, and then click the right arrow button.
   NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, click Detect PC to allow the system to automatically detect your Service Tag.

3. Click Drivers & Downloads.
   A list of applicable downloads is displayed.

4. Download the drivers or firmware to a USB drive, CD, or DVD.

Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image and Dell EMC Addon from the Dell EMC support site

NOTE: Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.

1. Go to www.dell.com/support/drivers.

2. In the Drivers & Downloads section, enter the Service Tag of your system in the Enter a Dell Service Tag, Dell EMC
   Product ID, or Model box, and then click the right arrow button.
   NOTE: If you do not have the Service Tag, select Detect PC to allow the system to automatically detect your Service
   Tag, or click Browse all products, and then navigate to your product.

3. Click Drivers & Downloads.
   The drivers that apply to your system are displayed.

4. In the Operating System list, select the appropriate VMware version.

5. In the Category list, select Enterprise Solutions.
   The latest Dell EMC VMware ESXi customized images are displayed.

6. Click Download.

Download the Dell EMC customized ESXi image from the VMware site

NOTE: Ensure that you clear the web browser cache before downloading the drivers and firmware.
NOTE: You should be registered with my.vmware.com to be able to download drivers and firmware.

1. Go to my.vmware.com and log in with your account credentials.
2. Select View & Download Products> All Products and then click the View Download Components link of VMware vSphere.
3. Select the image version from the Select Version list.
4. Click Custom ISOs.
5. Expand the OEM Customized Installer CDs option and then click Go to Downloads for the image that you want to download.

Documentation feedback
You can rate the documentation or write your feedback on any of our Dell EMC documentation pages and click Send Feedback to send your feedback.

Locating the Service Tag of your system
Your system is identified by a unique Express Service Code and Service Tag number. The Express Service Code and Service Tag are found on the front or back of the system by pulling out the information tag. Alternatively, the information may be on a sticker on the chassis of the system. This information is used by Dell EMC to route support calls to the appropriate personnel.

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