[Update (12.07.2017): added links for additional tools in Misc./Beyond.]
While working with Tony "da_667" Robinson on his Project AVATAR (which by now has turned into the famous "Black Tome"), I started looking around for options that would meet my (estimated) needs to set up a home lab. For some reason I felt quite early like doing something based on VMware vSphere Hypervisor/ESXi server. With William Lam's virtuallyGhetto being one of the blogs I visit on a (more or less) regular basis, it didn't take me too long to come across the posting captioned 'Update on Intel NUC 7th Gen (Kaby Lake) & ESXi 6.x' (which, of course, is listed below).
After having a nice couple of short and more often than not enlightening chats, I settled for Intel's NUC-Kit NUC7i7BNH. Starting with the postings from virtuallyGehtto and virten.net, it didn't take much more to get my new home lab up and running. Even though I actually hadn't expected to run into much trouble on the way, I was and still am impressed by how easy and well it all went so far. Mostly because of that I thought of sharing the links I used (or found useful when coming across them). After asking on Twitter if anybody would be interested in "just that list" of links, I (obviously) received enough positive feedback to compile this posting.
The list below might serve you as some sort of launchpad. While the sequence of the sections might be helpful for the setup, the links are not at all ordered in a meaningful way. Just have a look and find out what works for you, what sounds interesting. If you are curious enough and have some time to spare, dare to follow some of the links you can find on the respective pages, postings etc. And if you feel like it, just leave a comment, nudge me on Twitter or just link back to this posting on your blog.
General
Well, this may appear to be way too obvious, but maybe it comes in handy to have this link right here.- VMware vSphere 6.0 Documentation: https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-60/index.jsp
NUC- & ESXi-Setup
This is the very beginning, the real core - and basically all you might need.- BIOS Update: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/de/product/95065/Intel-NUC-Kit-NUC7i7BNH
- VMware Homeserver - ESXi on 7th Gen Intel NUC (Kaby Lake): http://www.virten.net/2017/03/vmware-homeserver-esxi-on-7th-gen-intel-nuc-kaby-lake/
- Update on Intel NUC 7th Gen (Kaby Lake) & ESXi 6.x: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2017/02/update-on-intel-nuc-7th-gen-kaby-lake-esxi-6-x.html
- Download VMware ESXi 6.0 U3: https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/details?downloadGroup=ESXI60U3&productId=491&rPId=14487
Patches
Security
Yes, this bit might appear to be obvious too, some may think of it as superfluous, but I for one prefer my systems well-patched, at least when it comes to security related updates. The last two links might just serve as reminder, shortcuts…- VMware ESXi 6.0, Patch Release ESXi600-201703001 (2149568): https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2149568
- VMware ESXi 6.0, Patch Release ESXi600-201706001 (2149954): https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2149954
- How to Patch Free VMware ESXi Standalone Host: https://www.vladan.fr/how-to-patch-free-vmware-esxi/
- “esxcli software vib” commands to patch an ESXi 5.x/6.x host (2008939): https://kb.vmware.com/kb/2008939
Misc.
These might come in handy if you hate empty fields or default content displayed in your dashboard, prefer complete and meaningful information returned from your devices etc.- Intel NUC - Blank Manufacturer and Model in ESXi Summary Tab: http://www.virten.net/2017/03/intel-nuc-blank-manufacturer-and-model-in-esxi-summary-tab/
- Intel® Integrator Toolkit: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/de/download/26307/Intel-Integrator-Toolkit
Connectivity
In case you would like to add some more network ports to your NUC/ESXi setup, this one could be a good starting point - or all you need. (I went for the USB-C to Dual Gigabit Ethernet Adapter from StarTech.)- Functional USB-C Ethernet Adapter for ESXi 5.5, 6.0 & 6.5: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2017/01/functional-usb-c-thunderbolt-3-ethernet-adapter-for-esxi-5-5-6-0-6-5.htm
"Building Virtual Machine Labs"
No, this really has no deeper meaning, those are just a couple of links to be/stay prepared in case you are planning to try the setup Tony presents in his book. (To be honest, I had them on my respective scratchpad over at Simplenote.)- pfSense Latest Stable Version (Community Edition): https://www.pfsense.org/download/
- Ubuntu Server 16.04.2 LTS: https://www.ubuntu.com/download/server
- Kali Linux: https://www.kali.org/downloads/
Misc./Beyond
Missing in the original version of this article, I decided to update it and add the links for the following tools, as you might find them helpful too:- UNetbootin, which allows creating bootable Live USB drives for many Linux distributions (via download or ISO file): https://unetbootin.github.io/
- draw.io, a free to use web application to create all kinds of diagrams, e. g. for networks etc.: https://www.draw.io/
If you think of playing around with multiple instances of ESXi, those links below might lead you to some helpful stuff to start with - and read on, obviously.
- Updated Nested ESXi 6.0u3 & 6.5d Virtual Appliances: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2017/05/updated-nested-esxi-6-0u3-6-5d-virtual-appliances.html
- ESXi Learnswitch – Enhancement to the ESXi MAC Learn DvFilter: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2017/04/esxi-learnswitch-enhancement-to-the-esxi-mac-learn-dvfilter.html
- ESXi MAC Learn dvFilter Fling: https://labs.vmware.com/flings/esxi-mac-learning-dvfilter
Well, that's it. I would like to point out one last time that this isn't meant to be a kind of setup guide. Think of it as a launchpad, helping you to get things up and running. While I might correct errors or add one or two hints, I have no plans (so far) to take this to any higher level, so don't expect too much updates to this posting.
Apart from that, I wish you good luck and some fun and interesting time with your NUC/EXSi home lab.
Cheers!
