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VMWARE VSPHERE 7 UPDATE 3 AND MICROSOFT WINDOWS 11 BOTH ARRIVED ON OCTOBER 5
2021, MANY GREAT LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY BUT TESTING IS GOING WELL
Posted by Paul Braren on Oct 8 2021 (updated on Oct 28 2021) in ESXi HowTo
Virtualization VMUGAdvantage vSphere7 Windows 2 Comments
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To my delight and surprise, both VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3 and Microsoft
Windows 11 went GA on the same exact day, October 5 2021!
Windows 11 has had quite a bit of attention since it's release as a Windows
Insider Preview, and much of the controversy has surrounded the ability to run
it under systems without TPM 2.0 or with CPUs as little as 3 years old. All that
aside, what about running it as a VM? Specifically, does it work fine under
VMware vSphere, using the latest ESXi 7.0 Update 3? Let's find out!
For some context here, back on August 2 2021, Al Rasheed asked me if this helps,
in response, I wrote:
> It sure does, thank you @al_rasheed!
>
> I've prepended a link to Al's clean-install-from-ISO method
> https://TinkerTry.com/windows-11-as-ws-11-as-a-vmware-esxi-vm
>
> It'll be interesting to see if UEFI, Secure Boot, and maybe even vTPM
> https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-A43B6914-E5F9-4CB1-9277-448AC9C467FB.html
> will all be required once Windows 11 goes GA late 2021
Of course, I was like a kid in a candy store this week, downloading all those
bits to get cracking on some serious home lab testing, in hopes of soon
declaring these fresh bits TinkerTry'd. Finally the uncertainty about CPU and
TPM restrictions would soon be resolved, with all the tools needed to get some
answers for myself. Not only was I curious about whether it would all work out,
but would both work well super popular SuperServers Bundles? I use two of these
actively on a daily basis, Bundle 1 Xeon D-1567 12 core as my primary Windows 10
Workstation, Bundle 2 Xeon D-1541 8 core as my VMware vSphere Datacenter. Both
are based on the Supermicro SuperServer SYS-5028D-TN4T mini tower.
INITIAL LAB TESTS
1. UPDATE VSPHERE ON XEON D-1541 - get VCSA and ESXi both updated to 7U3
2. UPDATE WIN 11 VM - get my Windows 11 Developer Preview updated to Windows
Version 21H2 (OS Build 22000.194), easy, Windows Update took care of that
3. FRESH INSTALL WIN 11 VM - get a fresh install of Windows 11 going in my new
vSphere 7.0 U3 lab, see if Windows 11 shows in the drop-down menu, and
experiment with ways around TPM
4. FRESH INSTALL WIN 11 ON XEON-D-1567 - download the Windows 11 ISO, edit my
registry, and beat my unsupported CPU and TPM-less Supermicro SuperServer to
run Windows
That 4th topic will be covered in a future article, it's going well so far.
After multiple failures, ultimately this technique got the job done, albeit at
the risk of a loss of support from Microsoft. Until I get that written, I'll
just note here that downloading a replacement appraiserres.dll or editing my
windows installation ISO was not of any interest to me personally, the risk is
just too high. Editing the registry of running Windows or Windows installer is
legit, and documented by Microsoft. That said, what ultimately worked for me for
my upgrade from Windows 10 was done using a legible PowerShell tweak, followed
by a very normal upgrade. Unfortunately, because of the reboot, my Camtasia
screen recording of that process was lost. Very bummed about this, as usually
Camtasia Recorder can recover recordings after a reboot stops recording, but not
this time.
VMWARE HARDWARE
VMware vSphere works well on Xeon D-1500 systems, and it's already on the VMware
Hardware Compatibility Guide here, which means that even after 6 years, you are
still able to open a trouble ticket and get official VMware support should the
need arise, this is great!
VMWARE SOFTWARE
Generic "before" ATTO screenshot at left, Phison v1.5.0.0 "after" ATTO
screenshot after reboot, at right.
My testing of VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3 has gone more smoothly than all prior
7.x releases, this is good! Some minor issues noted below.
In the image up at the top of this article, you'll see a red "Backup job status"
warning. For mysterious reasons, my daily backups stopped working after the
upgrade, I need to spend some time figuring out why, or just reconfigure the
daily scheduled backups using VAMI to see if I can get them going again. You'll
also notice a Skyline Health warning, it's just the generic "Concurrent-context
attack vector vulnerability in Intel processors" warning you'd get on most any
home lab system that haven't had every single hardware and software risk
mitigation strategy applied. Oct 12 2021 UPdate - I tried reconfiguring my VCSA
backups, and I get "Path not exported by the remote filesystem." error
On my Windows 11 workstation (not VM), I use a 4TB Sabrent SB-ROCKET-4TB M.2
NVMe drive. I also noticed that replacing the generic Windows NVMe driver that
the Phison NVMe Drver v1.5.0.0 gives a nice performance boost, but is also
breaks the ability for Sabrent Rocket Control Panel from "seeing" my drive at
all now, so its native speed and firmware checker functionality is broken.
WINDOWS HARDWARE
I have the ability to add a TPM 2.0 chip to my SuperServer, but I wanted to see
whether folks who don't have one could install Windows 11 anyway. The answer is
yes, details below.
I don't have the ability to change my CPU for this SoC (System on Chip) Xeon
D-1500 design, so I'm not going to be supported by Microsoft whether I do the
TPM override, CPU override, or both. See screenshot at right, the results of
running the latest Oct 7 version of Microsoft's PC Health Check.
WINDOWS SOFTWARE
I haven't notice any bugs of the showstopper variety, at least not yet. I'm
running both Windows 11 VMs and a Windows 11 bare metal (upgrade) install on my
Xeon D-1567. I've definitely noticed some triple-monitor window placement
handling advancements that I'm quite fond of already, read below for details.
As for cosmetic stuff, I noticed:
1. Under Personalization, Taskbar, my "When using multiple displays, show my
taskbar apps on" was set to "Taskbar where window is open", but before the
upgrade, it was set to "Main taskbar and taskbar where window is open"
2. SoftPerfect Networx no longer shows a Taskbar graph, and no newer version
than 6.2.10 is available, with Windows 11 not in their list of operating
systems yet either. The rest of the product functionality works just fine.
Sadly, this isn't just a known issue, but since Microsoft removed the
extension functionality from the Taskbar, it's unlikely to be fixable.
So my answers below are focused on the first 3 lab tests listed above. I learned
a bunch these past 48 hours, and took some notes right on Twitter that you might
find helpful, listed sequentially below. I've also copy and pasted the tweets
below as well, to make it easier to find this information right here at
TinkerTry.
I've also recorded a new video below using an alternative technique Install
Windows 11 as VM on VMware vSphere / Workstation without TPM 2.0 chipset by Ivo
Beerens. He's gone and written another article already, see also equally
spectacular Install Windows 11 on VMware vSphere with a virtual TPM, where he
starts by saying:
> Yesterday I wrote a blog called "Install Windows 11 as VM on VMware vSphere /
> Workstation without TPM 2.0 chipset". In this blog article, I explained how to
> install Windows 11 without having a TPM 2.0 chipset by using a registry hack.
> Paul Braren from tinkertry.com created a cool video (link) about installing
> Windows 11 on VMware vSphere using my blog article. Bob Plankers (@plankers)
> replied on Twitter that virtual TPM can be used too.
Thank you Ivo, it's helpful members of the #vCommunity like you that make
blogging so much fun for all of us!
Please let us know if you have questions by dropping a comment below this
article, and thank you for your readership!
VIDEO
TinkerTry - Oct 06 2021 - Smoothly moving from VMware vCenter 7.0.x to 7.0
Update 3
TinkerTry - Oct 06 2021 - IvoBeerens.NL 's "Install Windows 11 as VM on VMware
vSphere without TPM 2.0 chipset"
TinkerTry - Aug 01 2021 - How to get Windows 11 Insider Preview running as a
VMware ESXi 7 VM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCT 28 2021 UPDATE
I discovered this KB 86069 today, no more mystery why my daily backups are
failing!
* VAMI Backup with SMB reports error: "Path not exported by the remote
filesystem" (86069)
kb.vmware.com/s/article/86069
> Cause
> This is a known issue on vCenter 7.0 Update 3.
> Impact / Risks
> VAMI backup fails when using SMB as protocol.
> Resolution
> VMware Engineering is aware of this issue, it is currently under
> investigation.
> Please subscribe to the KB article to get notified on changes.
Also, after using VAMI to update to VCSA 7.0U3a, the issue is still there, so
it's not mentioned in the release notes. Here's my related Oct 22 tweet:
> VMware vCenter Server 7.0 Update 3a Release Notes
> https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/rn/vsphere-vcenter-server-70u3a-release-notes.html
> VCSA 7.0.3.00100
>
> Many changes, this good one caught my eye, likely applies to new Windows 11
> VMs as well! See also
> https://twitter.com/paulbraren/status/1446152223193538562
> https://TinkerTry.com/vsphere-70u3-are-70u3-and-windows-11-lessons-learned
> https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/2147714
>
> @MyVMUG #homelab
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE ALSO AT TINKERTRY
* All vSphere 7 articles
* All vSphere 7 videos
* VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3 is now GA, here's how to download it any which
way!
Oct 06 2021
* How to get Windows 11 Insider Preview running as a VMware ESXi 7 VM
Aug 01 2021
* How to update any VMware ESXi Hypervisor to the latest using ESXCLI for easy
download and install
Aug 14 2018, updated Aug 20 2019
//tinkertry.com/task-manager-resource-monitor-deep-dive-windows-server-2012-and-windows-8)**
Sep 07 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEE ALSO
* Securing Virtual Machines with Virtual Trusted Platform Module
Updated Dec 15 2020 at VMware Docs
> With the Virtual Trusted Platform Module (vTPM) feature, you can add a TPM
> 2.0 virtual cryptoprocessor to a virtual machine.
>
> A vTPM is a software-based representation of a physical Trusted Platform
> Module 2.0 chip. A vTPM acts as any other virtual device. You can add a
> vTPM to a virtual machine in the same way you add virtual CPUs, memory,
> disk controllers, or network controllers. A vTPM does not require a
> hardware Trusted Platform Module chip.
SOCIAL CACHED
1
> 1/ @VMware vSphere 7.0 Update 3 & @Microsoft Windows 11 both arrived Oct 5,
> already TinkerTry'd in my #homelab!
> Draft notes:
>
> * no Win11 type when deploying VM, just use "Windows 10 (64-bit)"
> * no issue installing 7.0U3's VMware Tools 11.3.0 in that Win11 VM
> * local account works
2
> 2/ Current @Veeam Agent for Microsoft Windows 5.0.0.4301 doesn't support
> Win11, follow https://veeam.com/kb4215 for updates, my basic #homelab testing
> with Win11 beta showed backup & restore seemed to work. Do NOT expect support
> yet, just wait for next release/full support.
3
> 3/ Win 11's TPM 2.0 & CPU requirements have bypass procedures, unsupported.
> Testing w/ Xeon D-1500
> @supermicro SYS-5028D-TN4T soon.
> 1st method is TPM bypass by regedit at install
> https://twitter.com/ibeerens/status/1445709392423178241 - @ibeerens
> https://youtu.be/wh-KoJKtm2k
> 2nd is tweak ISO
> https://google.com/search?q=cpu+override+windows+11&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS941US941&sxsrf=AOaemvJYPjr2yFsV3auMkdqcIosJS0IWCA%3A1633573842532&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A10%2F5%2F2021%2Ccd_max%3A10%2F7%2F2021&tbm=)
4
> 4/ 3rd is turn on virtual TPM in the VM
> https://twitter.com/plankers/status/1445789003761004546
>
> My Xeon D-1500 series CPU on my ESXi host is incompatible w/ Win 11. CPU is
> seen in VM, but Win 11 VM doesn't mind. Installs fine, no CPU bypass req'd. My
> (Preview) article is still relevant
> https://TinkerTry.com/windows-11-as-ws-11-as-a-vmware-esxi-vm
>
> > Replying to @ibeerens and @cchilderhose
> > You can just add a virtual TPM in Workstation or vSphere, too.
5
> 5/ Minor vSphere 7U3 issues noticed so far
>
> 1. Can't "Upgrade VM Compatibility" for VMs, even those with latest VMware
> Tools 11360 and powered off
> 2. My daily backups (to SMB) have halted since my VCSA upgrade from 7.0U2d to
> 7.0U3, I'll use VAMI to do problem determination.
6
> Windows 11 / VMware 7.0U3 / Veeam Agent 5 notes above.
>
> * @thurrott @bdsams @WithinRafael
7
> Delightfully straight-forward way to go forward with Windows 11 on systems
> with unsupported CPUs
> https://twitter.com/verge/status/1446237133841346561
> Support implications yes, but at least my 12 core Xeon D-1500 @Supermicro_SMCI
> system should be good to go, testing this weekend...
>
> The easy way to install Windows 11 on unsupported CPUs
> https://theverge.com/22715331/how-to-install-windows-11-unsupported-cpu-intel-amd-registry-regedit?utm_campaign=theverge&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
8
> While booting from an ISO (to edit registry for TPM bypass), it won't allow
> you to upgrade. Instead, this @tomshardware method of running a PowerShell
> script then running setup.exe from the ISO works.
>
> Testing on Xeon D-1500 system underway, despite nasty warnings...
> @ibeerens
>
> > How to Bypass Windows 11's TPM Requirement and Upgrade from Windows 10
> > https://trib.al/98YCoJG
9
> 9/ Once my VCSA 7.0U3 was misbehaving hours after its ESXi host reboot,
> vSphere Client saying "no healthy upstream". Rebooting VCSA brought it back to
> normal. Later I'll look into why daily backups are failing.
10
> 10/ Windows 11 is running great on my Intel Xeon D-1567 12 core bare metal,
> probably all Xeon D-1500 systems too.
>
> My triple monitors & speakers are on a smart power strip. Powering up, all my
> window positions are actually restored to exactly where I left them.
> FINALLY/FANTASTIC!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOCIAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TinkerTry - PCs, EVs, home tech, efficiency and more, including virtualization.
My opinions here, not my employer's.
Paul Braren, MCSE in 1998, VCP #2681 in 2005, vExpert since 2014, Veeam Vanguard
Emeritus, 2015 to 2019.
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After 6 successful years testing and shipping well over 1,000 Xeon D Bundles,
Wiredzone had to stop selling them in 2021 due to cost, supply, and logistics
challenges. Fingers crossed for Intel Ice Lake D solutions in 2022, go
Gelsinger! Or AMD EPYC, we'll see.
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RECENT COMMENTS
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First of all - Sorry to hear the heat fix for many did not help yours, as
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* Brian
I've updated to the most recent firmware and modified the resistor to the
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using 10GB. While I have not added a fan or...
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network outages on 12 or 16 core Xeon D systems, firmware fix is in the
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* blogthis
Saying "not convinced heavy IO..." is confusing. Does that mean you actually
TRIED the update firmware, slap a heat sync on the 10G onboard chipset, turn
up the fan, and other recommendations? Or...
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network outages on 12 or 16 core Xeon D systems, firmware fix is in the
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* blogthis
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= 0x800006b7, and while you can still ask...
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network outages on 12 or 16 core Xeon D systems, firmware fix is in the
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MOST DISCUSSED
* Leaks/Rumors - Intel Xeon D-1700/D-2700 (Ice Lake D), a promising choice for
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includes Log4j related updates
comment · 3 weeks ago
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