I'm trying to build a redhat linux server via VMWware. We have ISO files for RHEL5 disks 1-6 in a shared directory on a server. We also have kickstart files available via http on another server. However, some networking issues are preventing us from accessing the kickstart server.

The VM server can get to the server that has the ISO files and is using the ISO files from disk 1 to boot the system. But then as it tries to build the OS, it wants the additional CDs. Is there a way to specify that I want it to use the iso files on the server, rather than CDs? The VMWare client gives me an option before I power on the server for the boot iso in the CD drive. But I think the only way that I can modify this is to power down the server and power it back up again.

Search in the forums for ways that other people have installed RH using VMware.

In my limited experience of using virtual machines, i have to select the ISO file to be mounted at boot time prior to starting the VM. From what you say, I think this is what you are doing. I know of no way to unmount the virtual 'CDROM' once the VM is running in installation mode.

It turns out that you can, in fact, switch the file names that you list in the iso tab during installation using VMware. I was able to just go back to edit settings, enter the next iso file name and save the change, and then go back to the console window and tell it to continue. It found the next "CD" and did its thing.