Frequently Asked Questions about ESXi

faq-esxi.md

VMware ESXi – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Introduction

VMware ESXi is a bare-metal hypervisor used to virtualize servers and run multiple virtual machines on a single physical host. It is widely used in enterprise data centers due to its stability, performance, and integration with the VMware ecosystem. This FAQ covers common questions asked by administrators and engineers who are starting with or already using ESXi.

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1. What is VMware ESXi?

VMware ESXi is a Type-1 (bare-metal) hypervisor that installs directly on physical server hardware and allows multiple virtual machines to run efficiently on a single host.

2. What is the difference between ESXi and ESX?

ESX included a Linux-based service console, while ESXi removed it, resulting in a smaller footprint, improved security, and simpler management.

3. Is VMware ESXi free?

Yes, VMware offers a free version of ESXi, but it has limitations such as no vCenter management and restricted API access.

4. What hardware is supported by ESXi?

ESXi supports hardware listed in the VMware Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), including specific CPUs, storage controllers, and network adapters.

5. What file system does ESXi use?

ESXi uses VMFS (Virtual Machine File System), a clustered file system designed for storing virtual machine files.

6. Can ESXi run on a workstation or laptop?

It is possible for lab or testing purposes, but many consumer devices lack supported network or storage controllers.

7. How is ESXi managed?

ESXi can be managed using the ESXi Host Client (web interface), SSH, PowerCLI, or centrally via vCenter Server.

8. What is vCenter Server?

vCenter Server is a centralized management platform that enables advanced features like vMotion, HA, DRS, and centralized monitoring.

9. What is vMotion?

vMotion allows live migration of virtual machines between ESXi hosts with no downtime.

10. What are datastores in ESXi?

Datastores are storage containers where virtual machine files, ISO images, and snapshots are stored.

11. How does ESXi handle networking?

Answer:
ESXi uses virtual switches (vSwitch or Distributed vSwitch) to connect virtual machines to physical networks.

12. What is an ESXi snapshot?

A snapshot captures the state of a virtual machine at a specific point in time and is mainly used for short-term testing or backup support.

13. Is ESXi secure?

Yes, ESXi has a small attack surface, role-based access control, and supports secure boot and encryption features.

14. How are ESXi hosts backed up?

Configuration backups can be done via scripts or PowerCLI, while virtual machines are backed up using third-party backup solutions.

15. What are common ESXi use cases?

Common use cases include server consolidation, test and development environments, private clouds, and disaster recovery solutions.

Source: VMware esxi and https://vmware-esxi.org/