Need Help with Installing ESXi 5.5 on a Dell R740
Asked by
TechyBee2023
Hey everyone! I'm stuck in a tough spot here. My boss has decided he wants to install VMware ESXi 5.5 on our Dell R740 server, which is kind of ridiculous given that ESXi 5.5 is so outdated. The issue I'm facing is that the RAID controller is too new for that version. I managed to get around it a bit by using an Adaptec card, but now I'm running into a problem with the installation file. The only ISO I can find is the Dell version, but it won't let me inject the necessary drivers because it doesn't have the complete original ISO. My searches for the original ESXi 5.5 Update 3 ISO have hit a dead end, and to top it off, my boss doesn't even have a VMware license. If anyone has this ancient ISO and can share it, I'd really appreciate it!
Answers
Why not open a ticket with Broadcom about this configuration and CC your boss? Let him get the news straight from someone who knows it’s not feasible. That could save you a lot of hassle.
Reply to this answer
Been there, done that. If it's for some legacy system that can't upgrade, fine. But just know, if you try to make this work, you're just inviting future headaches.
OldSchoolNerd: Agreed. It's really not worth the effort unless there's an absolute need. Better to push for something that actually works.
TechyBee2023: Exactly! I don't think my sanity can handle this.
Reply to this answer
Just tell your boss to consider the absurdity of this request. It’s not supported and shoehorning this together is just a bad idea. If he's really set on doing it, he should at least understand the potential waste of time involved here.
TechyBee2023: I totally get that. It really does seem pointless to go through all this trouble for outdated software.
Reply to this answer
I get the nostalgia for older versions, but there's a good reason to move on. Why not consider something like Proxmox for your lab instead? It could save time and avoid a ton of headaches.
CloudGuru99: Exactly! That's definitely a much more stable option than trying to make this work.
Reply to this answer
Honestly, I'd try pushing back on this one. Explain that this combination of software and hardware just doesn’t mesh well at all. It's a waste of resources, and you might want to suggest alternatives that are more reasonable and supported.
SysAdminMaverick: Right? There's no way this setup is going to work smoothly, if at all. Plus, trying to get it all running without a license surely opens up a can of legal issues.
ServerWhisperer75: Exactly! No sane person would expect you to pull off something that's literally impossible.
Reply to this answer
Add your answer
Answers are reviewed before publication.
TechyBee2023: That sounds like a plan! Better to have him hear it from an official source.