Create AlmaLinux 9 VM on vSphere 8

This guide walks you through creating and installing an AlmaLinux 9 virtual machine on VMware vSphere 8.

1. Download AlmaLinux 9 ISO

Copyhttps://almalinux.org/download.html

2. Upload ISO to Datastore

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1. Log in to vSphere Web Client
2. Select the target ESXi host or cluster
3. Go to "Storage" → select a datastore
4. Click "Datastore browser" → "Upload" → choose the AlmaLinux 9 ISO

3. Create New VM

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1. In vSphere Web Client, right-click the host/cluster → "Create / Register VM"
2. Choose "Create a new virtual machine" → Next
3. Name the VM (e.g., "AlmaLinux9")
4. Select compatibility (e.g., ESXi 8.0 and later)
5. Guest OS Family: Linux → Guest OS Version: "Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (64-bit)"
6. Select datastore → Next
7. Configure VM hardware:
   - CPUs: 2
   - Memory: 4096 MB (4 GB)
   - Network: VM Network (choose appropriate network)
   - New Hard Disk: 20 GB
8. Under CD/DVD Drive, select "Datastore ISO file" → browse to AlmaLinux 9 ISO
9. Connect at power on → Finish

4. Power On and Install AlmaLinux 9

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1. Power on the VM
2. Open the console
3. Follow installation steps:
   - Select language and keyboard
   - Configure "Installation Destination" and partitions (automatic recommended)
   - Configure network and hostname if needed
   - Select "Software Selection" (Server with GUI or Minimal Install)
   - Begin installation
   - Set root password and create a user account
4. Reboot VM after installation

5. Update the System

Copysudo dnf update -y

6. Set Hostname

Copysudo hostnamectl set-hostname almalinux9.local

7. Enable EPEL Repository

Copysudo dnf install -y epel-release

8. Reboot the VM

Copysudo reboot