How to Install VMware ESXi 4.0 on Workstation 6.5.2 as a VM
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Update 1.2: 11th December 2009
This paper has been updated with a single change as follows:
Originally: monitor_control.restrict_backdoor = "TRUE"
New Value: monitor_control.restrict_backdoor = TRUE
Although it worked with the "TRUE" entry with quotes some text editors that are used to edit the .vmx file might convert these to double quotes causing the error below:

Overview
This white paper outlines the process of installing ESXi 4.0 in Workstation 6.5.2 as a VM (virtual machine). Being able to run VMware ESXi 4.0 as a VM under VMware Workstation gives users and professionals in the IT community great flexibility when it comes to learning, experimenting or even demonstrating the product, however this is not an officially supported deployment.
The approach is fundamentally no different to VMware ESXi 3.5, the main difference simply being the change in minimum hardware requirements for the virtual machine and parts of the actual installation of ESXi 4.0 itself.
Key Concepts:
- Step by step install guide for VMware ESXi 4.0 as a virtual machine within VMware Workstation 6.5.2
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