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  Asked: May 19 2008   2:36 PM GMT
  Asked by: CraigS65

ESX Hardware configuration


Virtualization and hardware, VMware ESX, VMware, ESX Server

I am interested in bringing up an ESX Server to learn more. I have tried the Evals and am now willing to purchase the product. I have no need to purchase high-end hardware as there will be very few users. Does anyone have a specific hardware list (m/b model, etc)? Thanks in advance

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Last Answered: May 19 2008  2:47 PM GMT  by Alessandro.panzetta




Hello Craig,
it is difficult to suggest an exact hardware config, anyway you can have a look at this document that describes the requirements for ESX Server.
If you have to build the virtualization solution from scratch you may also consider Windows 2008 Server that already has virtualization solutions embedded, this may cut your costs because you don't need a Windows Server license and then the ESX Server license too but only Windows 2008.
I hope this helps.
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Esiebert7625  |   May 23 2008  9:00PM GMT

Hello,

ESX has a hardware compatibility list that contains a full list of all server make/models, I/O devices, storage devices, etc. that is supported by VMware. This list changes constantly as newer versions of ESX are released, typically only hardware made in the last 3 years is supported. ESX will typically run and install on hardware not on the list but will not be supported by VMware and there is no guarantee that a newer release of ESX will work on older hardware as ESX only includes a very limited set of drivers for specific hardware. There are plenty of low cost servers on there lists that are suitable for SMB’s and non-enterprise environments. Also when it comes to storage you can avoid the higher cost SAN devices and utilize either local disk or network storage such as NFS and iSCSI. If you do use local disk then you will be unable to use some of the more advanced features like vMotion, DRS and HA which required VM’s to be on shared storage. I would read through the below links and see what hardware and version of ESX (Starter, Standard or Enterprise) is right for you.

Systems HCL - <a href="http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/1032" rel="nofollow">http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/1032</a>
I/O HCL - <a href="http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/1033" rel="nofollow">http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/1033</a>
Storage/SAN HCL - <a href="http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/1034" rel="nofollow">http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/1034</a>
Feature & Benefit Summary - <a href="http://vmware.com/files/pdf/key_features_35.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://vmware.com/files/pdf/key_features_35.pdf</a>