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+---
+lastproofread: '2026-02-02'
+---
+
+(vyosonvmware)=
+
+# Running on VMware ESXi
+
+## ESXi 5.5 or later
+
+`.ova` files are available for supporting users. You can also set up VyOS
+using a generic Linux instance by attaching the bootable ISO file and
+installing using the `install image` command.
+
+:::{note}
+Previous issues have been documented with GRE/IPSEC tunneling
+using the E1000 adapter on VyOS guests. Use the VMXNET3 adapter instead.
+:::
+
+### Memory Contention Considerations
+
+When the underlying ESXi host reaches approximately 92% memory utilization,
+it begins the balloon process to reclaim memory from guest operating systems.
+This creates artificial memory pressure through the `vmmemctl` driver. Because
+VyOS does not have a swap file by default, this pressure cannot move memory
+data to a paging file. Instead, it consumes memory and forces the guest into
+a low memory state with no recovery option. The balloon can expand to 65% of
+guest allocated memory, so a VyOS guest using more than 35% of memory can
+encounter an out-of-memory situation and trigger the kernel `oom_kill`
+process. The `oom_kill` process then terminates memory-hungry processes.
+
+To prevent ballooning, configure VyOS routers in a resource group with
+adequate memory reservations.
+
+### References
+
+<https://muralidba.blogspot.com/2018/03/how-does-linux-out-of-memory-oom-killer.html>
+