> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.exavault.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.exavault.com/installing-and-upgrading-the-appliance/installation-and-setup/vmware-prerequisites.md).

# VMware Prerequisites

If you use VMware, [download the ExaVault image](/installing-and-upgrading-the-appliance/downloading-the-base-image.md), import it into the hypervisor, and create the virtual machine.

Add a secondary drive for data storage and attach it to the virtual machine. ExaVault stores appliance data on this drive. Size it for the expected workload; we recommend starting with at least 500 GB.

After creating the virtual machine, open *Edit Settings*.

Change the CPU and memory settings to meet the [System Requirements](/installing-and-upgrading-the-appliance/system-requirements.md): at least 4 vCPU and 12 GB of memory.

Set *Guest OS Family* to *Linux* and *Guest OS Version* to *Debian GNU/Linux 6 (64-bit)*.

The root disk must have at least 100 GB of available space.

Power on the virtual machine and sign in through the console as `admin` with the password `DefaultPassChangeMe1!`.

Change the hostname to your desired hostname using the command:

```bash
sudo hostnamectl set-hostname files.example.com
```

Use the `passwd` command to change the password for the admin user.

Create and apply the appropriate netplan configuration in `/etc/netplan/`.

## Netplan Example Configuration

Use the example template below to create a network configuration for your environment.

```yaml
network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    ens192:
      dhcp4: no
      addresses:
      - 192.168.0.5/24
      nameservers:
        addresses: [8.8.8.8, 4.2.2.2]
      routes:
      - to: 0.0.0.0/0
        via: 192.168.0.1
      routing-policy:
      - from: 192.168.0.1/24
```

After the network configuration has been set, apply the changes:

```bash
sudo netplan apply
```