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Deploy XLServer on VMware

XLServer is distributed as a ready-to-import OVA file that can be deployed on VMware Workstation for testing, or VMware ESXi for production environments. This guide covers both scenarios.

📥 Prerequisites​

  • Download the appropriate OVA file for VMware: xlserver-vmware.ova
  • VMware Workstation (version ≥ 16) or VMware ESXi (version ≥ 6.7)
  • Sufficient resources depending on edition (see System Requirements)

🖥️ A. Deploy on VMware Workstation​

1. Launch VMware Workstation and choose Open a Virtual Machine​

2. Select the downloaded xlserver-vmware.ova file​

select-ova

3. Choose a name and destination folder for the virtual machine​

vm-name

4. Review configuration and import​

VMware will display a summary of the appliance configuration. Click Import.

import-summary

5. Adjust Resources​

Once imported:

  • vCPU: Adjust according to edition
    • Standard/Professional: 8 vCPUs
    • Enterprise: 16 vCPUs
  • Memory:
    • Standard/Professional: 32 GB
    • Enterprise: 64 GB

vm-settings

6. Configure Network Adapter(s)​

You must have at least one network adapter. Optionally add up to 3 for separation of:

  • Management network
  • Backup traffic
  • Client communication

Recommended: use Bridged Adapter and VMXNET 3 as the network type.

network-settings

Keep the Network Adapter selected and click on Advanced. Click on Generate to generate new MAC ADDRESS.

network-settings

7. Add Disks​

Add additional virtual disks for:

  • Datastore: Required
    • For Free Edition: Minimum 10 GB
    • For commercial editions: Based on backup volume (see System Requirements)
  • Log (SLOG): Optional but recommended (use SSD/NVMe)
  • Cache: Optional for performance (e.g. 20% of datastore size)

add-disk

8. Save Settings​

Click OK to save new setting.

☁️ B. Deploy on VMware ESXi​

🛠️ The process is similar, but done via the web interface of your ESXi host.

1. Log into VMware ESXi and select Create/Register VM​

2. Choose Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file​

3. Upload the xlserver-vmware.ova file​

4. Set Virtual Machine Name and select storage​

Choose the desired datastore (SSD/NVMe recommended for performance-critical systems).

5. Configure Compute and Network​

  • Assign vCPU and memory as needed
  • Add one or more NICs (VMXNET 3)
  • Attach additional disks (datastore, slog, cache)

🚀 Start the VM​

Once deployed and configured:

  • Power on the VM
  • Wait for initial boot
  • Note the assigned IP address displayed on the console

This IP address will be used in the next step: Initial CLI Configuration

boot-screen