Skip to main content

Step 1: Create the VMware Router VM

This step creates the VMware ESXi virtual machine that will host the SSR branch router. The VM requires two VMXNet3 network adapters: NIC 1 connected to the WAN portgroup and NIC 2 connected to the LAN portgroup.

VM Minimum Requirements​

ResourceMinimum ValueNotes
vCPUs4
Scheduling Affinity0-3Set under CPU → expand
Memory8 GB
Disk62 GB
Network Adapters2 × VMXNet3NIC 1 = WAN portgroup, NIC 2 = LAN portgroup
Boot FirmwareEFIUEFI secure boot disabled

Log In to VMware ESXi​

Open a web browser and navigate to your ESXi host. Log in with administrative credentials.

VMware ESXi Login

Upload the SSR ISO to the Datastore​

  1. From the ESXi Navigator, select Storage.

    Storage

  2. Click the Datastore Browser button.

    Datastore Browser

  3. Click Upload, navigate to the SSR 7.1.4-3r2 ISO on your local workstation, and click Open. The ISO appears in the datastore.

    Upload SSR Software

  4. Click Close.

Create the Virtual Machine​

  1. From the VMWare Navigator window, click on Create/Register VM.

    Create VM

  2. In the Select creation type window click Create a new virtual machine and then click Next.

    VM Type

Name and Guest OS​

Use the steps below to configure the following:

FieldValue
NameA descriptive name, for example Spoke1
CompatibilityESXi 7.0 U2 virtual machine
Guest OS familyLinux
Guest OS versionSelect the highest available Oracle Linux (64-bit) version

  1. Name the Virtual Machine Spoke1.

  2. Select Linux from the Guest OS family dropdown selection.

  3. Select the highest available Oracle Linux (64-bit) Guest OS version. Click Next.

    Name the VM

Storage​

  1. From the Storage screen, select datastore1 and click Next.

    VM Storage

Virtual Hardware​

  1. On the Customize settings screen, click Virtual Hardware and configure the following settings.

These values meet the minimum router requirements:

SettingValueNotes
CPUs4Minimum
Hardware virtualizationSelect (checkbox) Expose hardware assisited virtualization to the guest OSSet under CPU → expand
Memory8 GBMinimum
Hard Disk 162 GBMinimum
SCSI Controller 0VMware Paravirtual

Storage Parameters

Boot Settings​

  1. Click the VM Options tab.

    VM Options

  2. Expand Boot Options.

  3. In the Firmware field, choose BIOS from the drop down.

Boot Options

  1. Click Next.

Network Adapters​

A VMware router requires at least two VMXNet3 network adapters: one for WAN and one for LAN. By default, one adapter is created.

Network Adapter Type

  1. Set the existing adapter's Adapter Type to VMXNET3 and select the appropriate portgroup name for the virtual network that will provide access to your WAN.

  2. Click Add network adapter to add a second adapter. Set its Adapter Type to VMXNET3 and select the appropriate portgroup name for the virtual network that will provide access to your LAN.

note

If you need help creating portgroups and connecting them to your appropriate infrastructure, please consult your VMWare documentation.

Add Network Adapter

note

The order of the adapters (NIC 1 = WAN, NIC 2 = LAN) corresponds to the PCI addresses you will identify in Step 3 — Find VM NIC PCI Addresses.

CD/DVD Media - Software Selection​

  1. Expand CD/DVD Drive 1.

CD Drive 1

  1. Place a check next to Connect at power on. In the dropdown to the right, select Datastore ISO file and then click Browse. The Datastore Browser opens.

  2. Select the SSR-7.1.4-3.r2.el9.x86_64.ibu-v1.iso and click Select.

CD ISO Selected

  1. Confirm the settings, and then click Next.

Confirm Settings

  1. Review the summary, then click Finish.

VM Complete

Next Step​

Proceed to Step 2 — Install SSR Software and Initialize the Router.