We’ve been running ESX since the days of v2.5, but with the news that v4.1 will be the last “fat” version with a RedHat service console, we decided it was time to transition to ESXi. The 30+ step guide below describes our process using an EMC CLARiiON CX3 SAN and Dell hosts with redundant Qlogic HBAs (fiber environment).
- Document network/port mappings in vSphere Client on existing ESX server
- Put host into maintenance mode
- Shutdown host
- Remove host from Storage Group in EMC Navisphere
- Create dedicated Storage Group per host for the boot LUN in Navisphere
- Create the 5GB boot LUN for the host
- Add the boot LUN to the host’s Storage Group
- Connect to the host console via the Dell Remote Access Card (DRAC)
- Attach ESXi media via DRAC virtual media
- Power on host (physically or via the DRAC)