Guides

Install a minimal Debian server virtual machine

• Download the latest 64-bit PC netinst iso file from debian.org
• In ESXi:
  • Upload the iso to the iso folder in the datastore
  • Create/Register VM:
    • Create a new virtual machine
    • Name the VM, and choose Linux and Debian GNU/Linux <xx> (64-bit)
    • Specify the desired Target Datastore
    • Customise:
      • CPU:
        • Use the full amount of cores per socket to end up with one socket
      • If using NVMe storage for the datastore:
        • Add other device > NVMe controller
        • Hard Disk 1 > Controller location > NVMe controller 0
        • Remove SCSI controller 0
      • Select other appropriate VM settings depending on desired applications
    • Confirm settings and Finish
  • If autostart is desired for this machine go to Host > Manage > System > Autostart:
    • Click on the current VM
    • Enable
    • Use Start earlier and Start later to set the desired order
  • Go to Virtual Machines on the sidebar and click on the current VM
    • Power on the VM
    • Go through the Debian setup process
      • In software selection, selecting only the SSH server and Standard system utilities
  • Give the VM a static IP address from your router using the generated MAC address (found under Hardware Configuration > Network adapter 1) and desired hostname
  • Reboot the VM
  • Using an SSH client, connect to the hostname set above, then run:

# Login with root details that were set earlier
# Update packages:
apt update
apt upgrade
# Install VMWare tools
apt install open-vm-tools
 
# Change the SSH port to 50001:
sed -i "s/#Port 22/Port 50001/" /etc/ssh/sshd_config
# Optionally enable root SSH login
sed -i "s/#PermitRootLogin prohibit-password/PermitRootLogin yes/" /etc/ssh/sshd_config
exit

• Shutdown the VM
• Edit VM note to be the following:

Minimal server installation of Debian <xx>

Ports:
50001/tcp SSH

• Save a snapshot called Base Install

• If desired, Log in to ESXi, navigate to the docker VM and create new snapshot
• Using an SSH client, connect to <hostname>:50001 then run:

# Run the following with sudo if not logged in as root
apt update
apt upgrade
reboot  # If desired/needed