Learn How To Install Kali Linux Version 2020.2 On A VMware ESXi 6.0 Virtual Machine In Less Than 10 Minutes.
The Kali linux version 2020.2 is the latest release from offensive security that comes with new functions and features such as a makeover of the KDE desktop environment,improvements and enhancing for KALI on ARM chips,as well new apps and packages that make the job of being an ethical/white hat hacker or penetration tester an absolute JOY! Continue reading this tutorial to learn how to install Kali linux 2020.2 on a VMware ESXi 6.0 virtual machine. We’l also show you how to install KALI linux post installation updates, VMware tools and a few other things that you have to do right after installing KALI. Click on the button below to watch the video tutorial
REQUIREMENTS
In order to complete this tutorial successfully the following items are required. Please ensure to have these items available before taking implementation action on this tutorial:
1) A desktop or laptop running Windows, Mac0S or Linux.
2) A web browser such as google chrome, safari, mozilla firefox or Internet Explorer.
3) Authorised access to a VMware ESXi 6.0 server
4) The KALI linux 2020.2 ISO file.
5) An internet connection.
OVERVIEW
1) Go to the official KALI linux website and download a fresh copy of the installation ISO file.
2) Verify the SHA256 checksum for the ISO file, we recommend doing this if deploying KALI in a production environment.
3) Upload the ISO file the VMware ESXi data store and create the virtual machine where KALI linux will be installed.
Step 1: Download KALI linux 2020.2
1) Click HERE to go to the official KALI linux download page where it it possible to download the ISO installation file absolutely free. We recommend downloading KALI from the official website as this reduces the chance of facing pre / post installation problems.
On the “DOWNLOAD KALI IMAGES” section click on the KALI LINUX 64-BIT (installer) direct download link or torrent link.
Step 2: Verify The SHA256 Checksum For The KALI ISO file.
2) Basically checksums are used to ensure corrupt free transmission when a file is shared or download. They are also used to verify that a file has not been modified or tampered with. Even a small change is made on a file with a checksum this will result in a completely different checksum value. The most common checksums are MD5, SHA-1, SHA-2(SHA256, SHA384, SHA512)
To verify the SHA256 Checksum for the KALI LINUX ISO file on Windows 7, 8 or 10 open the folder where the ISO file was downloaded to and press SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK then choose the “OPEN POWERSHELL WINDOW HERE” option.
3) Once the POWERSHELL command line interface opens, run the following command:
certutil -hashfile type-the-filename-here sha256
The SHA256 checksum that is returned must be the same as the checksum that is shown on the KALI linux download page. If the checksum’s are the same it is safe to proceed to setup the KALI linux virtual machine. If the checksum’s are not the same we recommend that you download a fresh copy of KALI linux from the official download page.
Step 3: Upload The Kali Linux ISO file To The VMware ESXi 6.0 Server And Create The Virtual Machine.
4) Type in the ip address or hostname of the VMware ESXi server in the web browser address bar, press enter. This will open the VMware ESXi web based configurator.
Type in you login credentials and click on LOGIN.
5) Proceed by clicking on “STORAGE > BROWSE DATASTORE ISO >CREATE DIRECTORY” , type in a name for the directory and click on CREATE DIRECTORY.
6) Click on the folder and select the UPLOAD button with a greens UP arrow icon. This will open a FILE UPLOAD dialogue box. Browse to where the KALI linux ISO file is saved, select it and click on OPEN.
When the file upload process begins you will see a progress bar on the top right corner of the DATASTORE BROWSER. Wait for the file upload process to complete.
7) The next step is to create the virtual machine for running KALI linux by clicking on “VIRTUAL MACHINES > CREATE / REGISTER VM”. On the NEW VIRTUAL MACHINE wizard choose the “CREATE A NEW VIRTUAL MACHINE” option and click on “NEXT”
8) The next step is to set a name for the virtual machine and to choose a guest OS name and guest OS version. These details will help when it comes to installing VMware tools for the virtual machine.
On the NAME text field type in a descriptive name for the virtual machine, select LINUX on the GUEST OS FAMILY drop down and choose DEBIAN GNU/LINUX 8 64 BIT on the GUEST OS VERSION drop down.
9) The next step is to select the storage type and a vmare datastore where the KALI linux virtual machine files and virtual hard disks will be saved.
On the “SELECT THE STORAGE TYPE” section choose “STANDARD” and on the SELECT A DATASTORE …” section choose a datastore fro the available datastores configured on the server.
Click on “NEXT” to proceed.
10) On the CUSTOMIZE SETTINGS page of the NEW VIRTUAL MACHINE wizard there are options for configuring the virtual hardware for the KALI linux virtual machine however these depend on hardware resources that the ESXi server can offer.
For KALI linux VM that we are creating, set the number of CPU’s on the CPU drop down to 4. Set the memory to 4 GB and type in 250 GB as the HARD DISK size. Expand the HARD DISK option and set the DISK PROVISIONING option to THIN PROVISION.
11) Still on the CUSTOMIZE SETTINGS page scroll down to the NETWORK ADAPTER 1 and select a virtual machine port group to attach to the network adapter.
Select the DATASTORE ISO option on the CD / DVD 1 drop down menu and choose the KALI linux ISO image file that was upload to the ESXi server on STEP ONE.
Ensure that the CONNECT AT POWER ON check box is checked for the NETWORK ADAPTER 1 and CD / DVD DRIVE 1. Click on NEXT to proceed.
12) On the READY TO COMPLETE section of the NEW VIRTUAL MACHINE wizard a summary of the KALI LINUX virtual machine will be displayed. Here you will see an overview of all the selections that were made on previous steps. If there are any changes to be made simply click on the PREVIOUS button to browse back to the desired section of the wizard and make changes.
However if there are no changes simply click on the FINISH button and VMWARE ESXi will automatically create the virtual machine using the specified virtual hardware selections.
Step 4: Power On The Virtual Machine And Install KALI Linux.
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