ESXi New Install

Last Updated: June 25, 2026

This topic provides the requirements and steps to create your Virtual Appliance using an OVA file. While the steps are specific to VMware ESXi, they provide a guideline for similar hypervisors.

Requirements

  • Virtual Appliance Host and Application files are no longer available on the Admin Guide site. To obtain these files please create a support ticket with our team and include:
    • Latest Host / Application Files Request in the subject field.
    • Your current Host and Application versions (Support & Training then About PrinterLogic) in the description.
    • Hypervisor file type (OVA, VMDK, VHD, QCOW2) in the description.
  • Review the Minimum System Requirements for environmental specifics and version compatibility.
  • Access to your hypervisor web management interface / console.

Create Virtual Appliance

1. Create Virtual Machine

  1. Connect to your ESXi web management interface.
  2. Select the Virtual Machines option from the left-side menu.
  3. Select the Create / Register VM button.

    ESXi Virtual Machines screen, showing Create/Register VM button.

  4. In the New virtual machine modal, select Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file from the dropdown, then select Next.

    "New virtual machine" wizard, showing "Deploy a virtual machine from an OVF or OVA file" option.

  5. Enter a name for the virtual machine, select the downloaded OVA file, then select Next. Allow time for the OVA file to extract.

    "New virtual machine" wizard, showing "Enter a name for the virtual machine" field.

  6. Select the storage option for the host disk, then select Next.

    "New virtual machine" wizard, showing "Select storage" tab.

  7. In the Deployment options modal, select the Network Mapping, Thin or Thick provisioning, and uncheck the Power on automatically option. You'll configure other settings prior to powering on the virtual machine.

    "New virtual machine" wizard, showing "Deployment options" tab.

  8. Select Next,review your settings, then select Finish and wait for the upload to complete.

    "New virtual machine" wizard, showing "Ready to complete" tab.

2. Adjust Virtual Machine Settings

  1. After the upload completes, select the newly created virtual machine, then select Edit.
  2. Adjust the Memory to at least the 16 GB minimum. See Minimum System Requirements and adjust as needed for your environment.

    "Edit settings" screen, Virtual Hardware tab, showing hard disk fields.

  3. Adjust the Hard disk space to at least the 160 GB minimum.
  4. Select Add hard disk in the upper-left, then select New standard hard disk.

    "Edit settings" screen, Virtual Hardware tab, showing expanded "Add hard disk" menu.

  5. Select the new hard disk and adjust the Hard disk space to at least the 50 GB minimum.

    "Edit settings" screen, Virtual Hardware tab, showing Memory field.

  6. Select the dropdown arrow next to the New Hard disk and adjust the location, Disk Provisioning, and other settings as needed.
  7. Select Save, then Power on the virtual machine.
  8. Select Console, then Open browser console.

    ESXi screen, showing expanded Console menu.

3. Configure Network Settings

Once the virtual machine spins up, use the web console to configure the network settings.

For environments using a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) when accessing the Virtual Appliance. Configure the FQDN in your Domain Name System (DNS) and assign it the IP Address shown in the web console. The licensed URL in the license file provided by Vasion must match the chosen FQDN.

The Virtual Appliance starts as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) client. You can leave the DHCP default and configure TCP / IP settings via DHCP Reservations. Alternatively, use the steps below to configure a static IP Address and adjust the private IP address range the Virtual Appliance uses for internal services to avoid conflict with existing subnets.

  1. In the hypervisor, open the web console to access the Virtual Appliance Linux terminal interface.
  2. Sign in to the terminal using the network credentials supplied in the terminal banner.

    Virtual Appliance web console, showing network credentials.

  3. Enter "Y" to change the network settings.
  4. Enter "Y" to change the network mode.
  5. Enter the TCP / IP settings.

    The image below is just an example. Ensure you use the settings specific to your network.

    Virtual Appliance web console, showing current network settings.

  6. If the existing address pool does not conflict with any subnets in the environment, enter “N”. Otherwise, enter “Y” to set a different address range.

    Virtual Appliance web console, showing "Would you like to change the unassigned address pool for your network?" message.

  7. Configure the address range. If you need to adjust IP addresses, be sure to read and understand the network range options you are presented with. Any range used must have a netmask < 20.

    Virtual Appliance web console, showing prompt for CIDR range.

  8. Press any key to exit.
  9. Copy the IP address located at the top of the terminal interface in the To continue with this configuration please visit field.

4. Launch the Virtual Appliance Wizard

The steps below are for creating new Virtual Appliance instances. If you are upgrading from an older host build, refer to Host Upgrade.

  1. In your preferred, supported browser, paste or enter the Virtual Appliance IP address including port 8080. Example: 192.168.10.20:8080
  2. Once the setup wizard displays, select Let's Do This.

    Virtual Appliance configuration wizard, showing Let's Do This button.

  3. Select the Storage Type dropdown and select VM-Attached Virtual Disk.

    Virtual Appliance configuration wizard, Storage page, showing Configure Storage section.

  4. Select Format Attached Storage. When the attached disk is ready, select Continue.
  5. Select Start a New Instance.

    Virtual Appliance configuration wizard, showing "Upgrade or Start New Instance?" message with "Start a New Instance" and "Upgrade my Current Instance" buttons.

  6. On the General Settings tab:

    1. Add the domain name.
    2. Enter a Shared Storage Password.

      Passwords can contain any alphanumeric character (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), the following special characters (%^()_-+={}[]<>,.;), and up to 128 characters.

    3. Upload your license file.
    4. Upload your SSL certificate and key.

    Document and save the Shared Storage Password. It is available only during the web portion of the new Host configuration steps.

    Virtual Appliance configuration wizard, Settings page, showing General Settings section.

  7. Select Continue when finished.
  8. On the Setup Database tab:

    1. Select the Database Type. The internal database displays by default.
    2. Enter a Password.

      Passwords can contain any alphanumeric character (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), the following special characters (%^()_-+={}[]<>,.;), and up to 128 characters.

    Virtual Appliance configuration wizard, Database page, showing Setup Database section.

  9. Select Continue, then select Finish Setup.

    Virtual Appliance configuration wizard, showing "Success" message and Finish Setup button.

    Please do not refresh the page during the installation procedure.

  10. A new "Thank You" browser window will open when the installation is complete. This window can be closed as needed.

5. Initial Access & Root Account

After the installation completes, the Admin Console opens automatically in the browser. A root account user must be created to access the instance.

  1. When the Admin Console login screen displays, enter the desired credentials for the root account.
  2. Once logged in, review and accept the License Agreement.
  3. At this point the instance creation and initial access are complete, and you are ready to set up printers, folders, and other features.

Admin Console screen, showing login modal.