Knowledge Base
Checking media integrity for ESX/ESXi host installations or upgrades
Symptoms
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ESX/ESXi Server host installation errors before completion.
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ESX/ESXi Server host upgrade errors before completion
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ESX/ESXi Server host installation fails to complete
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ESX/ESXi Server host upgrade fails to complete
Purpose
This document guides you through confirming the integrity of your ESX/ESXi Server install or upgrade media.
Resolution
For typical ESX/ESXi Server installations and upgrades, an ISO image of a CD is downloaded from VMware. You then record that file onto a CD/DVD-ROM, and boot the ESX/ESXi Server host from that disc.
If you have a production CD/DVD-ROM from VMware and it is version 3.x, and want to check the integrity, go to the CD/DVD-ROM Media Test section below.
Checking the Download Integrity
To check the integrity of the downloaded file, prior to recording to CD/DVD-ROM:
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Create an MD5 checksum of the downloaded file. For more information, see Using MD5 Checksums .
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Compare the newly created MD5 checksum with the MD5 checksum published by VMware.
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If the checksums match, the images are identical, record the file to CD/DVD-ROM and go to the CD/DVD-ROM Media test section outlined below (only for 3.x).
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If the checksums do not match, download the image again. Consider these alternatives:
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If you have a choice of file types to download, like .exe or .zip, try the other type(s).
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Use a different web browser.
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Use a different program for downloading.
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Use a different computer and/or a different operating system (perhaps using a virtual machine).
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Repeat steps 1 - 4 until the checksums match. When the checksums match, record the file to CD/DVD-ROM and proceed to the CD/DVD-ROM Media Test section.
CD/DVD-ROM Media Test
For ESX Server 3.0.x and ESX Server 3.5.x installations and upgrades, a CD media integrity test is one of the first steps of the installation or upgrade.
Note: For ESXi 3.x - 4.x and ESX 4.x you'll want to complete the above steps to verify your media, there is no test media option from CD/DVR-ROM in these versions.
After choosing whether you want to complete a graphical or text installation, you see this screen:
Click Test to have the installer inspect the installation CD/DVD-ROM media for errors.
If you click Skip, the installation or upgrade continues, skipping the integrity check.
If you click Test, a progress bar appears. The CD/DVD-ROM media is being tested for errors. When testing is complete, a Media Check Result dialog box appears. Click OK.
If the test fails, try recording the image onto CD/DVD-ROM again, repeating until the test succeeds. Consider these alternatives:
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Using a high quality CD-R/DVD+-R media.
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Recording at a slower speed.
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Using a different recording program.
Tags
See Also
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