Esxi 6. 5 Mac Os

 

Learning has never been so easy!

We all know VMWare start to supporting Mac OS X as VM on latest ESXi hypervisor releases. According to Apple licensing policies, VMware only supports the virtualization of Apple Mac OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) client or server, Apple Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) client or server, Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) client or server, Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) client or server, Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) client or server, 10.6 (Snow Leopard) server and 10.5 (Leopard) server.

In this HOWTO, provided the steps to create an Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks as a VM in ESXi 6.0 Host for a test case scenario. Before deployment, you must read EULA for Apple Mac OS X license, given link at the end of this HOWTO. We all know that Mac OS is extremely popular with users. However, Mac OS can only be used with Mac machines. Now it’s easy to migrate Mac OS 10.12 into a virtual machine. Follow the simple steps to achieve it. VMware ESXi 6.0 doesn’t support OS X out of the box.

  • This media will have to be created as the OS comes as a.app by default. This link has a good tutorial for creating said media. Unlocker Utility Current Stable version 2.0.8 works up to OS X Yosemite on ESXi 6.0 and Workstation 11; Version 2.0.9 RC adds support for macOS Sierra on ESXi 6.5 and Workstation 12.x.
  • Mar 22, 2015  Thanks to Donk over at InsanelyMac, a patch has been created to install macOS on ESXi (5.5 only) but also supports Workstation (8, 9, 10), Player (4, 5, 6) and Fusion (4, 5, 6). Have a look at it here or try out version 2 which supports Workstation 11, Player 7 Fusion 7 and ESXi 6.
  • For this quick tutorial, I am using the latest VMware ESXi 6.5 Update 1 Build 7388607 and I started by simply cloning my macOS 10.12 VM to a new virtual machine. Once powered on, go to the Mac App Store and download the macOS High Sierra installation. When the download is complete, DO NOT run the installer and quit it instead.

The End User License Agreement (EULA) for Apple Mac OS X legally and explicitly binds the installation and running of the operating system to Apple-labeled computers only. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Server, 10.6 Snow Leopard Server, 10.7 Lion client or server, 10.8 Mountain Lion client or server and 10.9 Mavericks client or server are fully supported on VMware Fusion while running on supported Apple hardware.

In this HOWTO, provided the steps to create an Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks as a VM in ESXi 6.0 Host for a test case scenario. Before deployment, you must read EULA for Apple Mac OS X license, given link at the end of this HOWTO.

8 Steps total

Step 1: Steps to do

1. VMware ESXi 6.0 doesn’t support OS X out of the box. So, the first thing you need to do is to customise the hypervisor layer by executing an Unlocker script by insanelymac.com. You will need to register on the site in order to download the Unlocker tool.

2.You need to enable SSH server service on your ESXi host. In order to do that, login to the host using VMware vSphere Client and navigate to Configuration->Security Profile. From here click on Properties in the upper right corner where it says Services. The dialog Services Properties should appear and from here you can click on SSH->Options and choose Start and Stop with host. Click Start and then close all the open dialogs.

3.Transfer the Unlocker-files to the host using any SFTP client. Make sure you extract the files somewhere on your client before transfer and connect to the ESXi host using the user root. Once connected navigate to /vmfs/volumes/datastore/, replacing datastore with your actual datastore name. Create a new folder (mkdir) called tools and transfer your unlockerXXX directory.

4.Now cd into the uploaded directory and ensure the ESXi scripts have execute permissions by running chmod +x esxi-install.sh. Now run ./esxi-install.sh in order to install the Unlocker.

5. Reboot ESXi host.

Step 2: Download and create the bootable OS X Sierra ISO

Grab the Sierra installer app from the Apple App Store. Note, you need a Genuine Mac machine in order to download and convert the Sierra installation disk. Once downloaded, minimize or close the installer.

Open the terminal and run the below command one after another.

# Mount the installer image

Esxi 6.5 Mac Os Mojave

hdiutil attach /Applications/Install macOS Sierra.app/Contents/SharedSupport/InstallESD.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_app

# Create the Sierra Blank ISO Image of 7316mb with a Single Partition – Apple Partition Map

hdiutil create -o /tmp/Sierra.cdr -size 7316m -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J

# Mount the Sierra Blank ISO Image

hdiutil attach /tmp/Sierra.cdr.dmg -noverify -nobrowse -mountpoint /Volumes/install_build

# Restore the Base System into the Sierra Blank ISO Image

asr restore -source /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg -target /Volumes/install_build -noprompt -noverify -erase

# Remove Package link and replace with actual files

rm /Volumes/OS X Base System/System/Installation/Packages cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/Packages /Volumes/OS X Base System/System/Installation/

# Copy Sierra installer dependencies

cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.chunklist /Volumes/OS X Base System/BaseSystem.chunklist cp -rp /Volumes/install_app/BaseSystem.dmg /Volumes/OS X Base System/BaseSystem.dmg

# Unmount the installer image

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app

# Unmount the Sierra ISO Image

hdiutil detach /Volumes/OS X Base System/

# Convert the Sierra ISO Image to ISO/CD master (Optional)

hdiutil convert /tmp/ElCapitan.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o /tmp/ElCapitan.iso

# Detach the volumes

hdiutil detach /Volumes/install_app
hdiutil detach /Volumes/OS X Base System/
hdiutil convert /tmp/Sierra.cdr.dmg -format UDTO -o /tmp/Sierra.iso

# Rename the Sierra ISO Image and move it to the desktop

mv /tmp/Sierra.iso.cdr ~/Desktop/Sierra.iso

Note : Once done it should have created a file called Sierra.iso on your desktop.

Step 3: Create a virtual Mac OS X VM

The next step should be fairly simple if you have used ESXi before. As usual open your datastore and transfer the iso to wherever you normally store your installation files.

1. Create a New VM
2.Select Typical and you should be able to select Other and then Apple Mac OS X 10.10 (64-bit). Complete the wizard, mount the ISO and install Mac OS X as usual.

Step 4: Mac OS X Installation steps - Language selection

Choose desired language once you see the welcome screen

Step 5: Mac OS X Installation step - Formatting the hard drive.

Also note that you must format the hard drive using the disk utility before it will be visible in the install wizard.

Step 6: Mac OS X Installation step - Choose Virtual disk and erase the partition

Choose Virtual disk and erase the partition

Step 7: Mac OS X Installation step - Choose Virtual disk and erase the partition 2

Give a name and click “Erase”.

Mac

Click “Continue” button on the next consecutive screen, choose the Virtual HDD which is created and proceed the installation with on-screen instructions

Step 8: Configure Mac OS X after install

It’s very important to install the VMware Tools as soon as possible after the install has finished. Without it Mac OS X might not awake from sleep and in general be very unreliable.

Very Important : I also recommend to turn off sleep and the screensaver in settings as these may cause issues.

Finally, reboot and start enjoying your virtual Mac on non-Apple hardware.

You may also wish to read the software license agreement for Mac OS Sierra provided in the References section.

As said, using Apple Mac OS X as a VM on vmware environment is subject to apple EULA. VMWare recommend to use VMWare fusion for installing Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks.

References

  • Apple EULA
  • Installing OS X 10.9 Mavericks as a guest operating system in VMware Fusion (2056603)
  • Virtualizing Apple Mac OS X (1000131)

3 Comments

  • Anaheim
    thelaz Apr 25, 2017 at 03:30pm

    Tried this - didn't work for me. Never made it to install screen. Did I miss anything that says this is for Apple hardware only? There's a ton of these guides out there that are generally the same - to my knowledge those that include the unlocker step are for non-Apple platforms.

  • Sonora
    Master RX Sep 25, 2018 at 09:32pm

    Hello, it worked for me. with the process I was able to create an ISO for Yosemite macOS. however it does not work for me to create an iso of macOS Mojave. you know if the creation process has changed or if it's just mojave can not be used with VM

  • Habanero
    Gopal (Vembu) Sep 26, 2018 at 06:03am

    Master RX

    Yes, We tried with Yosemite and Sierra macOS only, since it was the latest that time. We have not tried with Mojave yet, and not sure process has changed.

Virtualizing systems to be hosted on higher-density servers, with its robust resources and modern, more efficiently optimized hardware, offers most enterprises the ability to compartmentalize its physical server count while lowering its carbon footprint.

In addition to the potential savings, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is lowered as well through simplifying management of the converged systems. In permitting IT to do more with less, this helps to keep performance and uptime high, as hosted servers benefit from the allocation of resources while being able to access more, if necessary, from the available pool. Increased availability comes from being able to take snapshots of virtual machines (VMs) for up-to-date backups and being able to move VMs to other less congested hosts with the click of a button or script.

SEE: Virtualization policy (Tech Pro Research)

While there are other considerations and benefits associated in migrating your physical servers to VMs, the main focus of this article is on how to virtualize macOS so it is hosted on the VMware ESXi hypervisor installed on a Mac server.

Note: As per Apple's Software License Agreement for macOS Sierra, Apple will permit you to virtualize up to two instances of macOS Server, so long as it is run on Apple-branded hardware.

If you have not already installed ESXi on an Apple-branded computer or server, please do so before continuing.

SEE: Boost your Mac productivity with these 10 techniques (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

1. Access your ESXi host from the device or from a browser by navigating to the IP address of the host server. At the login screen, enter the credentials created during the installation process for ESXi to authenticate (Figure A).

Figure A


2. From the console, you'll be able to monitor the vitals of the host server and manage resources, as needed. Also, it is from here that we'll be able to install macOS onto a VM (Figure B).

Figure B


3. To begin the installation process, select the virtual machines button to bring up that management pane (Figure C).

Figure C


4. To create or register an existing VM, click the New Virtual Machine button to launch the wizard that will guide you through the process. Once the wizard loads, you'll be able to select whether you wish to create a new VM, deploy one from an OVF file, or register an existing one from another virtualization suite (Figure D).

Figure D


5. You'll be asked to provide the information necessary to identify the type of VM to be created, including name and OS type (Figure E). Enter that information and click the Next button.

Figure E


6. When selecting data storage, it is important to have the data storage pool set up prior to VM creation/deployment. Since it is typically performed during the installation of ESXi on the bare-metal server, you can always upgrade storage later by adding hard drives and/or arrays. After selecting the datastore you wish to utilize, click the Next button to proceed (Figure F).

Figure F

7. During the Customize settings portion, you'll configure the meat and potatoes of the VM—specifically, the resources that will be allocated to it, such as CPU, RAM, and storage space. Ideally, just about any hardware resource can be allocated, from USB drives to ISOs used to boot the OS—it will all be done here.But fret not, they can be modified later by editing the VM settings—for now we just need to configure the VM to boot and run the OS (Figure G and Figure H).

Figure G

Figure H


8. On the confirmation screen, you can review the settings selected before committing them to the VM. If all looks good, click the Finish button to complete the task (Figure I).

Figure I


9. With the newly created VM added to the list of hosted VMs, you will have a cursory view of the VM's health and current resource commitments, as well as the ability to control the VM for maintenance and management purposes (Figure J).

Esxi 6.5 Mac Os 10.13

Figure J


10. By clicking the Play button, that will power on the VM and allow it to boot to any installation media that has been configured for the VM to use. For the purposes of this article, a USB flash drive was inserted into the USB port that contains the macOS 10.12 installer and configured the VM settings to be able to boot from that drive, kicking off the installation process for macOS Server. From here it is the straightforward macOS installation we are all used to (Figure K).

Figure K


Once the installation has completed, the VM will reboot like usual. When it comes back up, macOS will have installed successfully and should boot and operate the same within the VM as it does when booted directly from a Mac.

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Also see

Esxi 6. 5 Mac Os X Download

  • Basics of VMWare vSphere & ESXi Virtualization Software (TechRepublic Academy)
  • How to create a bootable VMware ESXi USB drive on Macs (TechRepublic)
  • How to restore the recovery partition in macOS Sierra (TechRepublic)
  • VMware vSphere: The smart person's guide (TechRepublic)
  • How to virtualize Windows on VMware ESXi (TechRepublic)
  • Composable infrastructure: The Next Big Thing in datacenters (ZDNet)

Did we miss something? Or do you have a better, more efficient way to configure VMware virtual machines? We'd love to hear from you in the comments section.