The GUI is probably most used method for installation.

Steps to install:

1. Insert CD into CD drive and reboot the server
2. Choose Install ESX In Graphical mode
3. Click next on the welcome screen and Hardware compatibility guide
4. Click Next and accept EULA screen
5. Select keyboard type and click next
6. Select Yes on the custom drivers screen
7. Select No and then click Next on the loading drivers screen
8. Enter the serial number on the license screen
9. Select preferred NIC on the network configuration screen
10. Select Set Automatically Using DHCP, or enter IP Address, subnet mask , default gateway, primary and secondary DNS, and fully qualified hostname
11. Choose Advanced setup on the setup type screen
12. Select where the ESX host will be installed on the ESX storage device screen
13. The Data Loss Warning pop-up open; this is our last chance to ensure shared storage is not connected. When ready, click OK.
14. Deselect the Create on the same device as ESX check box on the Datastore screen
15. Highlight the correct storage device and click OK
16. A window similar to the first pop up warning will pop up. On the data loss warning window, there’s a potential to wite out production data. Ensure this is the correct device and not selecting shared LUNs with production data, and then click OK.
17. Choose either Create New Datastore or Use Existing Datastore on the datastore screen.
18. On the Service console virtual disk image screen, highlight the mount point on the screen, click edit, change the size, and click OK
19. On the Set Bootloader screen option screen, you may choose to have a bootloader password. (optional)
20. On the Time Zone Settings screen, choose your time zone and click Next.
21. On the Date and Time screen, choose date an dtime, and specify a NTP server, and then click synchronize button (to test the connection)
22. Specify password
23. Click Next on the summary of installation setting screen
24. Wait for status to read 100% complete on the Installing ESX Screen, and then click Next
25. Click Finish on the ESX Installation complete screen.

Be careful when upgrading firmware and BIOS. Some hosts may lose their setting in BIOS. It’s a good idea after upgrading pieces to double check and ensure the settings are still accurate and have not changed on their own.