AOMEI Cyber Backup
Installation of Windows Server 2025 on ESXi 7 [Step-by-Step]
There are new features in the Windows Server update that help virtual environments run more comprehensively, such as Accelerate Networking, which, when combined with ESXi 7, provides a more comprehensive approach to virtual environments.
By Amelia / Updated on November 28, 2024
Why Server 2025 and ESXi Work Perfectly Together
The combination of Server 2025 and ESXi 7 creates a powerful virtualization platform for organizations that rely on virtualization technology, especially with Server 2025's significant optimizations for Accelerate Networking to enhance virtual machine performance. Below are some of the benefits of combining the two for virtualized environments.
🔶Unmatched Performance
Server 2025 has multi-core processors, high-capacity DDR5 memory, and NVMe storage that seamlessly integrates with ESXi 7 to improve VM performance.VM scalability for ESXi 7: Supports VMs with up to 768 vCPUs and 24TB of RAM.The Server 2025 has high core density and PCIe Gen5, which delivers faster data processing speeds.
🔶 Seamless Hybrid Cloud Integration
Azure Arc built into Windows Server 2025 enables one-stop management of hybrid clouds. VMware ESXi 7 integration with VMware Cloud Foundation enables hybrid cloud deployments to utilize Server 2025 hardware fully. This makes it easier for enterprises to centralize management in hybrid cloud environments.
🔶Enhanced Security
Whether it's Windows Server 2025 or ESXi 7, they both put security first: - Server 2025 hardware-assisted security features such as Secure Boot and Hardware Root of Trust. ESXi 7 native support for TPM 2.0 and vSphere Trust Authority ensures trusted hypervisor operations.
How to Install Windows Server 2025 on ESXi 7
To create a more robust and secure virtual environment, you can combine Server 2025 with ESXi 7. The following section will help you install Server 2025 hardware on VMware ESXi 7.
Step 1. Access the vSphere Web Client
Log in to the vSphere Client, use the root credentials or an administrator account. Navigate to the Virtual Machine tab.
Step 2. Create a New Virtual Machine
▶Click Create/Register VM, select Create a new virtual machine, and click Next.
▶Then configure name and guest OS, storage, and customize settings. After completing the configuration, click Finish.
🎈Note: In the Customize settings tab, you need to set CPU, Memory, Hard Disk, CD/DVD Drive, and Network Adapter. All these are based on your needs.
Step 3. Install Windows Server 2025
▶Right-click the VM and select Power On, open the console to view the VM.
▶Then select language, time, and keyboard settings. Click Install and provide the product key.
Step 4. Post-Installation Configuration
▶After the OS installation is complete, install VMware. Right-click the VM, select Guest OS > Install VMware Tools.
▶Then use a valid license key to activate the server, verify the network connection, and assign a static IP if necessary.
Safe and Efficient Backup Solution for Virtualization
With Windows Server 2025 successfully installed on ESXi 7, you can have a secure and comprehensive virtual environment. However, to keep your data more secure, you can backup your virtual machines after creating them with AOMEI Cyber Backup, a professional backup tool that keeps your data safe and provides a comprehensive backup solution for VMware.
User-friendly Backup: It is equipped with an intuitive web console for backup and restore of all virtual machines. Backup administrators can easily handle data protection jobs without a long learning curve.
Instant VM Recovery: In the event of a VMware crash, quickly restore VMware to a normal state, reducing business-critical downtime.
Automated Backup: You can configure a backup schedule where the backup task will be executed automatically at a specified time.
Agentless Backup: It can create image-based backups of entire VMware virtual machines without the need to install an agent on each virtual machine, increasing the efficiency of the backup deployment process.
Step 1: Bind Device
First navigate to Source Device > VMware, then click + Add VMware Device to add a host, and enter information to bind device.
Step 2: Create Backup Task
Navigate to Backup Task > + Create New Task, and select VMware ESXi Backup as the Backup Type. Then set Task Name, Device, Target, Archive and Schedule.
Step 3: Start Backup
Click Start Backup and select to Add the schedule and start backup now, or Add the schedule only.
Conclusion
Successfully installing Server 2025 on ESXi 7 is the first step, and after successfully creating a virtual machine, you can secure your data by backing it up with AOMEI Cyber Backup to minimize all kinds of losses due to data loss.
