Using external USB cd drive?

[chimoe125]

Hello

Will vmware esx 4 detect an external cd rom drive? My internal sata cd won't work so I'm thinking of buying an external USB cd and wanted to make sure it's compatible.

Thanks. .

[golddiggie]

Once you have ESX installed, what do you need a cd drive for? If you're thinking you need it to install the OS for VM's you're wrong. Just make an ISO file of the physical media, upload it to a datastore available to the ESX host, and link the virtual CD/DVD Drive 1 to that iso file (making sure to have it connect at power on and/or connected if the VM is already on) and you're good to go...

I've not used physical media to install an OS onto a VM in ages. It's far easier, and faster, to use the ISO file option.

VMware VCP4

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[Rumple]

Or use the client side mounting of the CDROM on your local system

[golddiggie]

I know that's an option, I just know that having the ISO files in a datatore that's either local to the host, or on one that's also used for the VM's is going to be fast. Plus, you have the ISO readily available for additional installs. It even gives you the ability to create new VM's when remote (via a VPN connection and such).

I've also gotten into the habbit of using ISO files when installing the OS into a VM under the Workstation product. Pretty much the only time I use physical media, these days, is when I'm installing the OS onto a desktop system. I don't even use them when installing software, unless I'm forced to (which is rare these days, or when you know what you're doing)...The less I need to use the physical optical drive, the better I like it...

VMware VCP4

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.