Block 1 of 14

ESXi
Foundations

The bedrock. Type-1 vs Type-2 hypervisors, the ESXi architecture, DCUI, ESXi Shell, esxcli, and host health. Everything in the programme builds on what you learn here.

6 Live ESXi 8.x Block 1 of 14 Foundations

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Labs 1–2

Hypervisor Architecture & DCUI

Live

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Labs 3–4

ESXi Shell & Host Client

Soon

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Labs 5–6

esxcli & Host Health

Soon

Block 1 Labs

Virtualisation & ESXi Foundations

Hypervisor Architecture, DCUI, ESXi Shell, esxcli & Host Health

Lab 1

Type-1 vs Type-2 Hypervisors & ESXi Architecture

Explore the ESXi stack from the shell. Query host version, CPU topology, RAM and running VMs. Step through the Architecture View to understand where ESXi sits relative to Type-2 hypervisors.

Lab 2

DCUI — Direct Console User Interface

Configure management IP, hostname, DNS and default gateway at the physical console. Understand what the DCUI exposes and when you'd use it vs the Host Client.

Lab 3

ESXi Shell & SSH — Enabling & Using the CLI

Enable ESXi Shell and SSH from the Host Client and DCUI. Navigate /etc and /vmfs. Understand the security implications of leaving the shell enabled.

Lab 4

Host Client — First-Time Orientation

Log in to the ESXi Host Client. Explore host summary, VMs, storage, networking and manage surfaces. Understand what the Host Client can and cannot do without vCenter.

Lab 5

esxcli Fundamentals — Namespaces & Command Patterns

Work across esxcli system, network, storage and vm namespaces. Understand the get/set/list/add command pattern and how to discover available commands.

Lab 6

Host Time, Licensing & Basic Health Check

Configure NTP via esxcli and the Host Client. Apply a licence key. Review hardware summary, check system logs, and confirm the host is production-ready.

ESXiFoundations

ESXi
Foundations