How to install VMware vSphere vCenter 6.5

Step-by-step on how to deploy the VMware vSphere vCenter 6.5 appliance (VCSA) using the Windows GUI installer.

This article will guide you step-by-step on how to deploy the VMware vSphere vCenter 6.5 appliance (VCSA) using the Windows GUI installer.  The vCenter 6.5 installation is a bit different from previous versions where you would simply import an OVA file.

Prerequisites for installing vSphere vCenter 6.5

Appropriate hardware sizing and network infrastructure. Ensure that the FQDN name of the new vCenter is resolvable.

vCenter 6.5 Installation Procedure

After downloading the VCSA iso, if you are using Windows 8.x or Windows 10, you can simply right-click on the ISO image and mount it.  Navigate to the \vcsa-ui-installer\win32 folder and execute installer.exe. This will guide us through the installation process.
VMware vSphere Installer executable

Click on Install.
VMware vSphere vCenter 6.5 Installation Wizard

This is a basic introduction page, simply click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer deploy appliance

Check “I accept the terms of the license agreement.” and click Next. VMware vSphere Installer accept license agreement

Since this is a basic installation, like a “One Size Fits All”, we will stay with the default option of “Embedded Platform Services Controller” and click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer option with embedded platform
Enter the name of your current vCenter or an ESXi host if your starting from scratch.  Enter the appropriate admin username and password.  Click Next.

Note:  If you are using a FREE version of ESXi, the installation may stall at 80% and you will most likely need a licensed copy of ESXi or at least a trial.

VMware vSphere Installer appliance deployment target

Click Yes on the Certificate Warning.  You should always confirm that this confirms with your security standards.
VMware vSphere Installer certificate warning

Select the appropriate datacenter and click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer  select folder

Select an ESXi host and click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer select compute resource

Enter the name of the appliance to be created and root password.  Click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer set up appliance VM

Select the appropriate size for the appliance.  Since this will be for demonstration purposes, we select Tiny.  Click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer select deployment size

Select the appropriate datastore and click Next. VMware vSphere Installer select datastore

Enter the appropriate information, like Network, System Name, IP addresses and click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer configure network settings

Click Finish on the Summary.
VMware vSphere Installer ready to complete stage 1

Depending on the physical/networking specs, this may consume a bit of time.  Click Continue when it completes.
VMware vSphere Installer deployment complete

Click Next to complete the post-deployment configuration.
VMware vSphere Installer set up vCenter server appliance with an embedded psc

Enter an appropriate NTP server configuration and click Next.  “pool.ntp.org” is a publicly available NTP server but this may not be appropriate for your organization.
VMware vSphere Installer VMware vSphere Installer appliance configuration NTP

Create an SSO domain and Site.  “vsphere.local” has been used as it is a remnant of the past, but you can opt for additional naming conventions.  Click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer appliance SSO configuration

You may opt to Join CEIP.  Click Next.
VMware vSphere Installer configure CEIP

Click Finish on the summary page.
VMware vSphere Installer ready to complete

Click OK to proceed.
VMware vSphere Installer configuration warning

This again will consume some time.  Once complete, click Close.
VMware vSphere Installer successfully setup

References on vSphere

VMware vSphere 6.5 Documentation Center