Rock5A ESXi Smoke Test

#1

I’ve had success with the most current version of ESXi for ARM on the Rock5A.

I have not spun up any VM’s yet.

The Rock5A is being managed on my vCenter.

  1. I could not SPI flash the UEFI from EDK2.
    –Zeroed the SPI
    –Put the EDK2 image on the micro SD https://github.com/edk2-porting/edk2-rk3588/releases

  2. used a USB3 Ethernet/HUB with compatible Realtek Chipset
    –plugged in USB with ESXi Installer
    –plugged in USB for ESXi install target
    –plugged in Cat5
    –plugged in USB Keyboard into hub ( Required for install ----> 2 USB thumb drives & the KBD all into the hub )

  3. Install ESXi
    –select USB NIC deselect the onboard NIC
    –regular ESXi install otherwise

  4. Remove install USB and re-boot

Also, there is a much simpler install of Proxmox on the Rock5A & Rock5B Checck my prior posts

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1 Like
#2

Hello!
I’am excited of your success and have some ideas on running esxi8b on rock 5 itx

Do you think it’s possible?
And what i will need to success?
USB-nic, only or some firmware change?
What do you think?

In case of success i will share my experience, surely
Thank you!

#3

Sorry for the slow response. I did not see your reply in my inbox.

I’ll give it a try. Right now it is a bit of a process to get running.

No promises on the timeline!

#4

OK, ESXi 8 loads without an external USB NIC