NB! At the end of the blog post, there is a YouTube video and an eBook – a photo-based step-by-step guide
Download Nvidia vGPU Drivers for ESXi
- Log in to the Nvidia Application Hub at login.nvgs.nvidia.com.
- Download Nvidia vGPU Drivers for ESXi:
- Go to Software Downloads from the left menu.
- Select Driver Downloads -> Product Family -> vGPU.
- Use the Platform filter to select VMware vSphere.
- Choose your Platform Version (e.g., VMware vSphere 8.0).
- Select your Product Version (Nvidia vGPU version) based on your GPU model. Verify compatibility using the Nvidia vGPU support matrix.
- Click Download on the right side.
Download Nvidia vGPU License Server:
- Go to Non-Driver Downloads.
- Select Platform -> VMware vSphere.
- Download the latest NLS License Server (DLS) for VMware vSphere.
Installing Nvidia vGPU Drivers on ESXi
- Prepare the ESXi Host:
- Place the ESXi host in Maintenance Mode.
- Log in to the ESXi GUI.
- Upload Nvidia vGPU Drivers:
- Click on Storage and select the datastore where you want to upload the drivers (e.g., ESX-3 4TB SSD).
- Open the Datastore Browser.
- Create a new directory named vGPU.
- Upload the following VIB files to the vGPU folder:
- NVD_bootbank_NVD-VMware_ESXi_8.0.0_Driver_535.183.04-1OEM.800.1.0.20613240.vibNVD_bootbank_nvdgpumgmtdaemon_535.183.04-1OEM.700.1.0.15843807.vib
- NVD_bootbank_nvdgpumgmtdaemon_535.183.04-1OEM.700.1.0.15843807.vib
- Prepare for Installation:
- Copy the file paths of the VIBs to a text editor:
- /vmfs/volumes/[datastore-ID]/vGPU/NVD_bootbank_NVD-VMware_ESXi_8.0.0_Driver_535.183.04-1OEM.800.1.0.20613240.vib
- /vmfs/volumes/[datastore-ID]/vGPU/NVD_bootbank_nvdgpumgmtdaemon_535.183.04-1OEM.700.1.0.15843807.vib
- Copy the file paths of the VIBs to a text editor:
- Install Nvidia vGPU Drivers:
- Enable SSH and the ESXi Shell.
- Log in to ESXi using PuTTY.
- Run the following commands to install the drivers:
- esxcli software vib install -v /vmfs/volumes/[datastore-ID]/vGPU/NVD_bootbank_NVD-VMware_ESXi_8.0.0_Driver_535.183.04-1OEM.800.1.0.20613240.vib
- esxcli software vib install -v /vmfs/volumes/[datastore-ID]/vGPU/NVD_bootbank_nvdgpumgmtdaemon_535.183.04-1OEM.700.1.0.15843807.vib
- Verify and Reboot:
- Test the installation with the command nvidia-smi.
- Reboot the server.
Deploying the NvidiaDLS OVA to vSphere
- Upload the OVA File:
- Upload the OVF file to vSphere.
- Configure Network Settings:
- During the upload process, enter the IP Address, Gateway (GW), and DNS information.
- Start the VM:
- Once the upload is complete, start the VM.
Configuring Nvidia DLS (License) Server
- Initial Setup:
- Click New Installation and create a new user.
- Configure Service Instance:
- Go to Service Instance, click Actions, and select Edit.
- Name your instance as desired.
- Download the DLS Instance Token.
- Register DLS Instance:
- Log in to the Nvidia Application Hub.
- Go to Service Instances, click Actions, and select Register DLS Instance.
- Upload your Instance Token.
- Create and Download License Server:
- In the Nvidia Application Hub, click License Servers from the left menu, then click Create Server.
- Fill in the required information and click Create Server.
- After creation, click Actions and download the license file.
- Upload License File to DLS Server:
- Return to the DLS server in vSphere.
- Click Select License Server File and upload your downloaded license file.
Installing Nvidia Drivers on a Windows VM
- Add vGPU to the VM.
- Copy Nvidia Drivers to your VM (538.78_grid_win10_win11_server2019_server2022_dch_64bit_international).
- Install the Drivers.
- After installation, the Display Adapter in Device Manager will change to your vGPU.
- Task Manager will now show a GPU.
- License the VM:
- Go to your on-prem license server.
- Click Action and generate a Client Config Token.
- Copy the token to your VM and place it in:
- C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\vGPU Licensing\ClientConfigToken
- Your VM will now be licensed.
- Verify License:
- Open Nvidia Control Panel, go to Manage License, and confirm that your DLS server IP is displayed.