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
- Enable Nested Virtualization on your QNAP NAS
- 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 - Configure Virtualization Station
- Edit ESXi VM .xml config file
- Install ESXi
- Launch & configure ESXi
Let me know what you think
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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.
Let’s see your bikes people.
ebikes