I've just bumped into this issue. My IBM server was booting from an USB Hypervisor. Turns out that the USB pen drive was bad. Replaced it with a new SanDisk and the server was good to go. Vmware Esxi Fatal Error 33. Error Loading /k.b00 Fatal Error 33 (inconsistent Data). Stick and the scripted installation is using VMware Workstation. I am facing an issue, seems to be a rare one.
In some previous posts here at mobiletiger I explained how to use different ways to install ESXi, mostly to get a workaround for some N3150/J3160 systems, which „freeze their screen“ after outputting the message „relocating modules …“
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1. Kickstart overview
I’m showing here, how to modify an ESXi ISO file, so that the installation runs completely automatically from USB.
This can be used in principle on all systems, of course also on the above described or on „headless systems“ without connecting a display.
This can be used in principle on all systems, of course also on the above described or on „headless systems“ without connecting a display.
To get a complete overview or to get a detailed list of installation methods and commands, please read the original document from vmware:
https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-65/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-65-installation-setup-guide.pdf
https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-65/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-65-installation-setup-guide.pdf
2. ISO image preparation
You’ll need a server with more than 4 GB RAM, at least two cores, SSD/harddisk and an empty USB stick (>=8GB).
CAUTION: DATA WILL BE OVERWRITTEN on USB stick and on your server. So use this procedure at your own risk!
CAUTION: DATA WILL BE OVERWRITTEN on USB stick and on your server. So use this procedure at your own risk!
First of all you’ll need an ESXi ISO file, perhaps a modified file which contains custom drivers for your system. Read my other article for some tips how to create your own custom installation ISO file or have a look here: http://www.v-front.de/p/esxi-customizer-ps.html
Use option 4 and first install your ESXI inside a VMWare player on USB stick. Than boot from this stick as described in the above post. Be aware to download my latest ESXI 6.5 image. The IPXE installation over internet is outdated, I have to update and test the installation files with ESXi 6.5, latest update – when I have some time to spend. In our example, we downloaded the Vmware ESXi 6.7 installation image. The installation file name was VMware-VMvisor-Installer-6.7.0-8169922.x8664.iso. Tutorial - Vmware ESXi Installation.
I made a custom ISO file with this command (see v-front.de for details):
.ESXi-Customizer-PS-v2.5.1.ps1 -v65 -vft -load net55-r8168,net51-r8169,sata-xahci
.ESXi-Customizer-PS-v2.5.1.ps1 -v65 -vft -load net55-r8168,net51-r8169,sata-xahci
This image currently contains additional drivers for some ASRock and similar systems, e.g. Q1900/N3150/J3160/J3455-ITX
Download link is here: https://esxi.jorba.de/ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard-customized.zip
(Updated Image 2018/02/03)
Download link is here: https://esxi.jorba.de/ESXi-6.5.0-20171204001-standard-customized.zip
(Updated Image 2018/02/03)
Than create a bootable USB stick (size >= 8GB), for example use portable Rufus for this task.
Download portable Rufus from here: https://rufus.akeo.ie/?locale=en_US
Insert an empty USB stick, use the above parameters and select your ESXi ISO image, than click on Start button to create a bootable USB installation.
(Again the warning not to overwrite some important data!)
(Again the warning not to overwrite some important data!)
Download boot.cfg and ks-nowipe.cfg from my blog and copy (replace) them on the USB stick. These are the kickstart files.
Download links:
https://esxi.jorba.de/ipxe/ESXi-6.5.0-20170304101/usbboot/boot.cfg
https://esxi.jorba.de/ipxe/ESXi-6.5.0-20170304101/usbboot/ks-nowipe.cfg
Download links:
https://esxi.jorba.de/ipxe/ESXi-6.5.0-20170304101/usbboot/boot.cfg
https://esxi.jorba.de/ipxe/ESXi-6.5.0-20170304101/usbboot/ks-nowipe.cfg
3. Boot from USB and start installation
Insert USB stick into your server, boot from USB
–> BIOS needs to be setup in legacy boot / compatibility mode (not UEFI).
–> Installation will need about 10 minutes to complete, there will be a reboot
–> Installation will need about 10 minutes to complete, there will be a reboot
Wait for completion!
Post installation customization
Embedded host client
After installation, you can manage the system with the embedded host client inside your browser: http://<ip-address>/ui
You will find the ip address inside your router’s DHCP status table.
You will find the ip address inside your router’s DHCP status table.
Login credentials
The managing user is „root“, the initial password can be set in the ks-nowipe.cfg installation file.
If you use my above file without changes, the login it is simply „root/password„, so change it immediately ?
If you use my above file without changes, the login it is simply „root/password„, so change it immediately ?
ESXi shell / ssh
My kickstart files enable ESXi shell and ssh.
This are useful management tools, but if don’t need them, switch them off using the management client.
This are useful management tools, but if don’t need them, switch them off using the management client.
Direct console (DCU)
If the „direct console (DCU)“ is not working on your server due to missing video output or because you use the server „headless“, is can be accessed via SSH (if you leave it enabled).
Start putty or another ssh-tool, connect to your ESXi Server and enter the following commands:
export TERM=linux
dcui
dcui
ESXi console via SSH
Periodic Backup
A really good free backup script for ESXi is ghettoVCB:
http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2015/05/ghettovcb-vib-offline-bundle-for-esxi.html
http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2015/05/ghettovcb-vib-offline-bundle-for-esxi.html
Feedback
This post was updated several times and will be updated periodically in the future.
Feedback welcome.
Feedback welcome.
Antonio Jorba
After upgrading one of my home lab servers to VMware ESXi 6.7 Update 3, I’ve got the following error when trying to boot:
Shutting down firmware services…
Page allocation error: Out of resources
Failed to shutdown the boot services.
Unrecoverable error
After changing the boot mode from UEFI to “legacy only” in the BIOS, the ESXi host booted without the error.
VMware has confirmed that this is a bug. There is VMware community thread (link) about this bug and two other workarounds. When there will be a permanent fix available is unclear at the moment.
Esxi Installer Fatal Error 33 1
Esxi Install Fatal Error 33
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