In this post, I will show you ESXi 5.1 installation process step by step.Before going to install the VMware ESXi 5.1, we have to make sure the minimum hardware configuration should be meet and supported by ESXi 5.1.
ESXi Hardware Requirements:
- Verify the list of supported server hardware like HP, DELL, IBM & Cisco through VMware Compatibility Guide. http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility.
- Required minimum two CPU cores.
- Minimum of 4 GB RAM is required for basic installation.
- Required the NX/XD bit to be enable for CPU in BIOS.
- Hardware Virtualization (Intel VT-X or AMD RVI) must be enabled for 64 bit CPU in BIOS Level.
- Required minimum 1 Gbps or more faster Ethernet Adapter.
- Required Local or shared SCSI Disk with minimum 6 GB free space.
Installing and Configuring the ESXi 5.1:
We can install the ESXi 5.1 in several ways, like Interactive ESXi installation, Scripted ESXi installation and Auto Deploy ESXi installation. Here, I will use interactive installation method using CD/DVD media to install ESXi server. First, download the ESXi ISO Image from VMware https://www.vmware.com. please find the below link for reference.
After downloading the ESXi ISO Image from VMware and make sure the server is configured to boot from CD/DVD. Then mount the ESXi ISO image to CD/DVD and start the installation. Select the ESXi-5.1.0-standard installer and press enter to continue the installation.
Loading ESXi Installer
Press Enter to continue the installation 
Press F11 to Accept and Continue
Select Local and press Enter
Select a keyboard layout as US Default and press Enter
Provide Root password and Confirm password
Press F11 key to Confirm Install
Installation is in progress 
ESXi 5.1 has been successfully installed and press Enter to Reboot
Rebooting server is in progress 
After reboot, we can see the Direct Console User Interface below. Press F2 to Login
Provide root password and press Enter
Scroll down to Configure Management Network and press Enter
Select IP configuration and Press Enter
Select Set static IP address and network configuration by pressing space bar, then provide the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway and press Enter
Scroll down to DNS Configuration and press Enter
Provide Primary DNS Server, Alternate DNS Server, Hostname and press Enter
Select IPv6 Configuration and press Enter
Press space bar to disable the IPv6 and press Enter
Press Esc to Apply the changes
Press Y to Apply changes and restart management network
VMware ESXi host restart is in progress
Once installation and configuration is completed means download the vSphere client and connect the host to manage. I hope this is informative for you. Thanks for reading my post……! If you feel worth please share it in social media.
