ESXi running on Virtualization Station - complete guide

If anyone is interested, I just finished writing up a complete guide on how to install ESXi 7.0.2u on QNAP x64 hardware. Just to be clear ESXi was installed in Virtualization station. Tested on VS 3.6 & VS 4.0

I have been running ESXi 7 for a few weeks on a QNAP TS-h1283xu-RP but just went through the complete setup again and now have it working on my backup NAS. I documented the procedure in the guide below. Another popular NAS by QNAP has the AMD processors installed I don't have an AMD QNAP to test however I'm pretty sure that it can be made to work on these devices also.

Great for labbing - I've tried a few pretty beefy network appliances. Cisco's FMC & FTD devices, BIG-IP F5 without issues, ESXi's performance on the TS-h1283xu-RP is not quite as good as it is on my fully loaded 56 core DELL R730 but it's absolutely fine for labbing multiple appliances.

What did I do differently.

When you try to install a virgin ESXi image on QNAP you are usually met with a 'no network card detected error', which prevents you from completing the install, so I custom built my own ESXi ISO by slipstreaming the ne1000 network driver into an VMware ESXi image. The procedure is repeatable since I now have it working on 2 NAS devices.

Full instructions are in this post on the QNAP forum

https://forum.qnap.com/viewtopic.php?p=858826#p858826

Skills used: Python, Powershell, Linux, ESXi

Steps Required

  1. Enable Nested Virtualization on your QNAP NAS
  2. Create Custom ESXi.ISO
    - 2.1. Download - VMware-ESXi-7.0U2c-19290878-depot.zip - (does not have to be this version, but the filename must follow a similar format)
    - 2.2. Download - Net-Community-Driver_1.2.7.0-1vmw.700.1.0.15843807_19480755.zip
    - 2.3. Slipstream ne1000 network card driver into a Custom EXSi.ISO - Using Powershell
  3. Configure Virtualization Station
  4. Edit ESXi VM .xml config file
  5. Install ESXi
  6. Launch & configure ESXi

Let me know what you think

Pinnedqnap
5
5
3mo
wiggi2
1Edited
11hLink

[Image] 

Aostirmotor s18 750w, Out for a 22 mile ride today. Only had her 2 weeks. GPS, Storage and rear brake/turn lights are the only mods so far.

Does anyone have a copy of the QSC Rescue image they can email to me. My core 110f is no longer under warranty so having difficulty getting a copy from QSC.

wiggi2
1Edited
1moLink

I recently took my CCNP Security and did FMC/FTD for my elective. I used both ESXi and EVE-NG for labbing so I know they both work well with those appliances. Used a Dell R730/128gb ram but I also had the lab running fine on an old 12-core MacPro 5,1/32gb running ESXI

Was that an out of warranty replacement from QSC or did you source the replacement elsewhere. ?

wiggi2
1
MSc, CCNP S,CCNA R&S,CySA+Sec+Net+
1moLink

Drag and Drops were the only labs I remember there being in Security+. CCNA labs are way more complex. However It has been 4-5 years since I took either of those exams so things might have changed.

Such beautiful machines. The addiction is real. 🤗

Thank you, and thanks for everything you do to support the Kitchenaid community.

wiggi2
7Edited
MSc, CCNP S,CCNA R&S,CySA+Sec+Net+
1moLink

You can earn credibility as a teen by joining a hackathon and placing in the top 10. Do that a few times and you will get noticed which may lead to an offer. Also excellent for your resume. However Even if you are US based I doubt that you would get onto a red team if that’s your intended career path without being a US citizen.

wiggi2
1
MSc, CCNP S,CCNA R&S,CySA+Sec+Net+
1moLink

I’d put them in this order CBROPS > CySA+ > Security+

wiggi2
1
MSc, CCNP S,CCNA R&S,CySA+Sec+Net+
1moLink

You are correct with your assumption, whilst not impossible you are going to find it really difficult to get through CCNP Security without working a couple of years in the field.

wiggi2
2Edited
MSc, CCNP S,CCNA R&S,CySA+Sec+Net+
1moLink

Skip A+, Security+ would be a great choice since it enables you to look for jobs at companies that have government contracts. Network+ only if you’re fairly new to networking. It actually covers quite a lot that CCNA doesn’t touch but you could skip it since it won’t get you a better networking position than the CCNA will.

I bought the Cyberops material but didn’t do it. CySA+ is closer to CyberOps than CyberOps is to Security+

I didn’t come across many legitimate question banks for SCOR. Cisco U was 1 the other was BOSON. I used both.

My success rate with BOSON has always been great. I’ve used boson for lots of certs. Already purchased their CISSP content and questions.

wiggi2
1Edited
2moLink

Best way to describe the difference is CISCO U content is similar to an online OCG. It does have detailed videos in each section but there is also a lot of content to read. CBT Nuggets takes a more personal classroom based approach with lots of video and hands on labs. CBT is easier to understand it just does not have the technical detail you get with Cisco U content. I purchased the CISCO U course as a Bundle so I got the Course+Exam Voucher+Exam Review Questions. The sample questions were pretty good.

Other Resources:-

I used the Santos OCG for reference only, and I did buy the BOSON SCOR content. I also used other resources which were less helpful like Santos videos on O'Reilly and some other guy Peter ???? but who's lastname currently escapes me but I felt those last 2 courses were just a waste of my time.

I studied Official Cisco U course & CBT Nuggets managed to pass SCOR on first attempt.

If either of your parents were born in Jamaica you can apply for passport/dual citizenship. Otherwise as others have said marriage or work permit.

Google

https://congenjamaica-ny.org/requirements-for-citizenship-by-birth-adoption-descent/

This is the way.

Just do the ENCOR or one elective before the CCNA expires to renew.

No egress on the cul-de sac, could make it very difficult to maintain good traffic flow.

wiggi2
1Edited
3moLink

I did the Cisco U SCOR course and CBT Nuggets SCOR course. CU covers the broadest range of content and has some point & click simulations but they are hardly interactive. Plenty of videos and Lots and lots of material to read through which is very detailed.

CBT Nuggets was thorough and a lot more engaging. 90% video material. Personally I found the content easier to absorb. Demos & Simulations were realistic.

I don’t think you’ll ever find one resource that’s sufficient to pass an exam at this level so I wouldn’t recommend one over the other but together they’re some of the best content you’ll find.

Having production grade servers is always preferable. I have the R730 & R710 but I only have them running when doing a big project. My QNAP NAS runs 24x7x365 so having the ability to run a quick appliance or work on a lab anytime I feel like is really why I wanted to get it working.

  1. Because they said it couldn’t be done
  2. Because no one has documented it

What better reason could one want 😉

wiggi2
1Edited
3moLink

Don’t know if your device has pcie card support but Some of the cheap $10 pcie NVMe cards can be used for SSD cache in QNAP devices. You can’t use the card to mount a storage device since they are blocked by qnap but they work for NVMe SSD cache.