PowerEdge: Dell factory install changes for VMware ESXi
Summary: Learn what changes in the Dell factory install regarding ESXi 6.5 and 6.7 and later.
Instructions
The Dell PowerEdge 14G servers' factory installed with VMware ESXi (from June 2017 until June 2018) have the root password set to Server Service Tag. See <Locating Service Tag of your system> section under Getting started guide at dell.com/support/home/en-us?app=manuals on locating service tag.
From June 2018 onwards, the Dell PowerEdge 14G servers' (or newer) factory installed with VMware ESXi have the root password set to Server Service Tag followed by Exclamation mark. See Custom DCUI screen for Dell customized VMware ESXi which detail about the custom DCUI screen Dell introduced to notify this change. The change in password is due to the password complexity policies revised for vSphere 6.7. See vSphere Security
- Dell PowerEdge 13G servers factory installed with VMware ESXi continues to have no password set for the root user.
- Dell PowerEdge 14G servers or newer generations shipped from factory with VMware ESXi installed on BOSS-S1 device do not have VMFS datastore enabled by default. Dell Technologies recommends BOSS-S1 device as OS boot device and "vSphere ESXi Logging device" only from VMware ESXi point of view. See VMware KB 2145210