Local CD = lots of problems

[JBruyet]

Hey all,

I have an ESXi box with a VM network complete with a couple of 2k3 DCs, two workstations and a 2k3 server. Everything is working great.

Now, I just came back from Exchange 2k7 training and I'm trying to install Exchange on the 2k3 server (32 bit learners version from the class). I originally tried putting the CD in my workstation drive, mapped the drive from my server (a long way to walk back there) and tried the install. It worked flawlessly but vvveeerrryyy slowly. I took the CD and put it in the drive of the ESXi box and all my VMs locked up. I did a couple of resets (including the ESXi box) but still no joy. SO, I went and got the CD and put it back in my workstation, remapped the drive and there's joy in Mudville once again. Do VMs on an ESXi box not like a local CD drive? Are there additional configuration tweaks needed for local peripherals?

Thanks,

Joe B

 

[nhidalgo]

Make sure you don't have all of your vm's connected to the cd rom at the same time. if they don't use it, make sure the check in "connected is removed

 

[victorv]

hi,
make iso copies of your CDs (Windows, Applications,...),
and put them on a storage seen by ESX server.
You can define as storage a part of the HD of ESX server.

When you work needs a CD, instead insert it in drive,
indicate the right XXX.iso.
It is not a good thing, put a bootable CD (as windows),
on the driver of an ESX server!

ciao
vittorio