22 Aug 12 Install Rackspace Private Cloud on VMware ESXi

Rackspace recently released Private Cloud software which you can obtain from http://www.rackspace.com/cloud/private/openstack_software/. Just fill in your contact info, then you will receive a download link in your email.

For evaluation purposes, I installed both Controller and Computer nodes to one VM on my ESXi homelab. Rackspace has an article showing how to install the software

http://www.rackspace.com/knowledge_center/article/installing-rackspace-private-cloud-vmware-esxi

The instruction is clear, but I run into an error after boot the VM. It keeps telling me that the hardware virtualization is not enabled. This is because by default ESXi automatically detect software/hardware Virtualization. You can fix this by:

Edit VM Settings >> Options >> Advanced >> CPU/MMU Virtualization >> Chose “Use Intel VT-x/AMD-V for ….”. Also, make sure on Options tab, change the Guest Operating System to Other – VMWare ESXi 5.x as I couldn’t find this when I use automatic for CPU Virtualization. Reboot the VM, you will be able to install the software.

VM Console:

Openstack Dashboard: