Objectives

1. Configure a static IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers for VMware ESXi.

Prerequisites

1. Physical acccess to the server.
2. A monitor with a VGA cable (i.e. not DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort).
3. A USB keyboard.
4. Username and password for ESXi.

Instructions

1. Connect the VGA cable from the monitor to the VGA port on the back of the server.
2. Plug the USB cable from the keyboard into a USB port on the back of the server.
3. Press F2 Customize System/ View Logs to log into the ESXi console.
4. Type in the username and password and press Enter.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Configure Management Network and press Enter.
6. Use the arrow keys to highlight IP Configuration and press Enter.
7. Use the arrow keys to highlight Set static IP address and network configuration and press Space.
8. Press NumLock.
9. Type in the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway, and press Enter.
10. Use the arrow keys to highlight DNS Configuration and press Enter.
11. Type in the IP address for the primary and alternate DNS servers, and press Enter.
12. Press Esc to exit Configure Management Network.
13. Use the arrow keys to highlight Test Management Network and press Enter.
14. Press Enter to ping the default gateway and DNS servers, and resolve the hostname of this machine via DNS.
    
    
    
    * Note: The DNS lookup will fail if the DNS servers do not have a record for the hostname of this machine. This does not that DNS is not working. A DNS record for the hostname of this machine is not required, so this error can safely be ignored. If you would like to confirm that DNS is working correctly, you can type in a different hostname (www.google.com, etc.) and rerun the network tests.
    
15. Press Esc to log out of the ESXi console.
16. Press Y when prompted to restart the management network.