# Try Out VMware vSphere (ESXi) Hypervisor in VirtualBox

NOTE: This is a helpful exercise to get familiar with the VMware vSphere (ESXi) installation, user interface and terminology but is not recommended for production use and most, if not all, VMs created inside ESXi will fail to boot. Also, I tried these steps with the latest ESXi 7 version but the installer didn't have necessary networking drivers and would halt early on in the process.

1. Open a web browser and navigate to https://my.vmware.com
2. Create an account or log in
3. Once logged in, go to https://my.vmware.com/en/group/vmware/evalcenter?p=free-esxi6
4. Click the Register button to register for the software and generate download links
5. Copy the License Key listed on the page and paste it into a text editor for later
6. Download the VMware vSphere Hypervisor 6.7 Update 2 Binaries .iso file by clicking the Manually Download button
7. Launch Virtualbox
8. Create a New VM by selecting Machine > New

   Name: VMware vSphere (ESXi)
   Machine Folder: C:\VMs
   Type: Linux
   Version: Other (64-bit)
   Memory Size: 8192 MB
   Hard disk: Create a virtual hard disk now

9. Click Create
10. On the Create Virtual Hard Disk dialog

    Name the virtual disk image VMware vSphere (ESXi).vdi
    File size: 500 GB
    Hard disk file type: VDI
    Storage on physical hard disk: Dynamically Allocated

11. Click Create
12. Select the VM and Click Settings
13. Select System > Processor
14. Give the VM at least 2 processors
15. Check the Enable Nested VT-x/AMD-V
16. Change the
17. Select Display
18. Slide the Video Memory to 128 MB
19. Select Network
20. Set the attached to dropdown to Host-Only
21. Select Storage
22. Click on the CD-ROM drive
23. Select the disc dropdown to the right > Choose a virtual optical disc file...
24. Browse to and select the downloaded VMware vSphere (ESXi) .iso file
25. Click OK
26. Click OK to accept the settings
27. Make sure the VMware vSphere (ESXi) VM is selected and click Start > Normal
28. Wait a few moments for the installer to initialize
29. At the Welcome screen press Enter
30. Press F11 to accept the EULA and continue
31. Select the 500GB VBOX HARDDISK > Press Enter
32. Select a keyboard layout > Press Enter
33. Enter and confirm a root password > Press Enter
34. Press Enter to continue on the Errors/Warnings message
35. Press F11 to confirm installing to the VBOX HARDDISK
36. Wait for the installer to copy files and configure the system
37. After the installation succeeds select Devices > Optical Drives > Remove disk from virtual drive
38. Press Enter to Reboot
39. After the VM reboots, note the http address on the screen to manage the host
40. Open a web browser on the host machine and navigate to http://IP noted above
41. Login with the username root and the password set during the installation
42. Welcome to VMware vSphere (ESXi) inside VirtualBox

## Applying the Free ESXi License

1. Inside the VMware ESXi web UI click the Manage link in the left navigation menu
2. Click the Licensing tab in the top navigation menu
3. Click the Assign License button
4. Paste the license key noted during the download steps
5. Click the Check License button
6. After the license is validated, click the Assign License button
7. The free license should be applied and the expiration date should now say Never