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jbaustert
Contributor
Contributor

Dell PE2500

I realize the Dell PE2500 is not on the "supported" list, though I'm wondering if anyone has successfully installed ESXi. I'm going to attempt it myself if I don't hear anything within the next week or so and will report my results.

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Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

I haven't seen anyone, but other PEs have been fine - http://www.vm-help.com/Whitebox_HCL.php. The main thing is the storage controller and NICs - do you know the specfic models that your system has?

jbaustert
Contributor
Contributor

PERC 3/Di for the (RAID) storage controller, I'm not positive on the NIC. I believe it's Intel-based and built onto the motherboard, so I don't imagine a problem there.

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Dave_Mishchenko
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The PERC 3/Di is a supported controller - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_io_guide.pdf and you'll likely be fine with the NICs.

jbaustert
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for your help, Dave. I can now confirm everything works fine with my Dell PE2500. This is a dual 1400MHz (PIII) server using a PERC 3/Di. The PS/2 keyboard is picked up properly throughout the setup and on the console. After entering the license key, I did have to reboot the server once in order to pick up the 2nd processor as licensed.

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Dave_Mishchenko
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Immortal

That's good to hear. I think you win the prize for the oldest server running ESXi. Smiley Happy I have an IBM x335 in the basement (single 2.6 GHz Xeon) that's running ESXi after the upgrade from ESX 3.0.2 last night.

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jbaustert
Contributor
Contributor

If I'm going for a prize, I have a Compaq Proliant 6000 at work that I'm almost ready to retire. Dual 400MHz Xeon with a Compaq SmartArray controller. I'll have to report back how that one goes.

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CKitz
Contributor
Contributor

I've got ESXi 3.5 update 3 running on my PowerEdge 2500SC.

I have a PERC 3/Di which didn't work initially but after hearing that it could be done I updated the firmware from 2.5.0 to 2.8.1 and then the ESXi installer was able to see the logical drive.

The processors, which are 1.0GHz Xeons, detect on the console as "AABC" and within the VI client as "%01%01%02%03" but it still seems to be working OK.

Thanks!

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tomtomek
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

How did you update the firmware for the PERC 3 Di controller? From the Windows mode?

My PERC 3 Di is not being recognised in BIOS. Because this machine is quite old could it be related to the battery for RADI?

Thanks,

Tom

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