VMware Communities: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System

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1 2 3 4 ... 8 Previous Next 116 Replies Last post: Jun 16, 2009 11:59 PM by esloof Go to original post

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

15. Feb 5, 2008 7:42 AM

in response to: jonasb

rpartmann

223 posts since
Feb 8, 2007

i have 2 of these boxes here and these have only 4 SATA connectors.
probably you can buy an additional SAS hba?

I tried the onboard RAID and the ESX sees 2 disks -> thats SOFTWARE raid at best .. forget it!
So i only use one sata drive per host and also can use it as VMFS storage!

then i also addes two additional nics
(intel 1000
1xPCIe PRO/1000 PT Desktop Adapter
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/pro1000pt_desktop_adapter.htm
and
1xPCI Intel® PRO/1000 GT Desktop Adapter
http://www.intel.com/network/connectivity/products/pro1000gt_desktop_adapter.htm

Desktop adapters) and they work great

The ilo 100c is already ordered but not delivered..... still waiting.....

kind regards,
Reinhard

ps: Award points if you find answers helpful. Thanks.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

16. Feb 5, 2008 7:45 AM

in response to: rpartmann

jonasb

27 posts since
Mar 29, 2006

Yeah - usually some cheap RAID in those cheaper servers. But if I connect two drives and use them seperately - will it work? One disk for OS and one for only VMs.

Even though some extra NICs are needed, will the internal NIC work too?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

17. Feb 5, 2008 8:14 AM

in response to: jonasb

rpartmann

223 posts since
Feb 8, 2007

2nd hdd : yes will work
internal nic: yes works

hth,

Reinhard.

ps: Award points if you find answers helpful. Thanks.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

18. Feb 6, 2008 8:19 AM

in response to: rpartmann

jonasb

27 posts since
Mar 29, 2006

OK! One last question then - does the CPUs allow you to run 64-bits VMs? I'm only familiar with Intel CPUs where you need Intel VT-enabled CPUs to run 64-bit VMs.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

19. Feb 8, 2008 7:26 AM

in response to: gopherhockey

Virtual_Jazz

36 posts since
Feb 7, 2008

Hi gopherhockey

How did ou get on with your setup? Just ordered similar kit, but will be adding an Adaptec 2940 and 3 * 9.6Gb Scsi disks. Did you manage to get the thing working.

Also can I have the ESX server and VM's on same box if I install the scsi controller and disks or do I need a separate box? To be fair MS have made thier setup for easier, anyway I guess thats why they pay top dollar for VMware.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

20. Feb 10, 2008 6:28 AM

in response to: Virtual_Jazz

gopherhockey

13 posts since
Feb 12, 2005

Hi VJ,

Tell you the truth I ended up going Windows 2008 with Hyper-V. I played around with ESX but if it is going to be that difficult to get going its not worth the trouble other than for educational purposes (i.e. job training) I got ESX running on an old Dell server, could never get the license files to take, then ended up shutting it off.

Its my hope Microsoft eventually makes a decent run at VMWare, but for corporate use I'd bet ESX will be on top for a long while.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

21. Feb 11, 2008 4:35 AM

in response to: gopherhockey

Virtual_Jazz

36 posts since
Feb 7, 2008

Hi gopherhockey,

I gues this is were all the other vendors get it wrong. MS make things a lot easier to install, and work around. I invest about $750 on same kit as you hoping that you would have got it working. Did manage to get adaptec 2940 and 3 scsi disks. Memory didnt arrive over the weekend so will wait till next to give it a go. Will be looking @ MS Hyper -v too. Will let you know how this goes, as you say for the knowledge it might be good to get it working

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

22. Feb 12, 2008 8:28 AM

in response to: gopherhockey

deneshkanna

3 posts since
Feb 12, 2008

Hi there ,

Even im looking for a PC/Server to test drive the ESX 3.5 .. As some of the other members were taking abt to install these on to a desktop machine which works well with upto 4Vms hz sounds g8 for a newbie so i just searched around ebay and found these 2 products can any one tell me which 1 to go with
1. HP DL360 G3
2. HP Compaq D530 P4 HT

Im a bit confused which shld i go for... and can any one please let me know which can i got for and which looks like working in an easy way of start...

Thanks in advance

Denesh

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

23. Feb 12, 2008 12:44 PM

in response to: deneshkanna

jonasb

27 posts since
Mar 29, 2006

According to the Compatibility Guide , ESX 3.5 will work with DL360 G3 so I would go for that one.

Have in min that lots of memory could be expensive for older servers so make sure to check that.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

24. Feb 12, 2008 12:59 PM

in response to: deneshkanna

jonasb

27 posts since
Mar 29, 2006

I would go for the DL360 G3 since it's supported in the Systems Compatiblity guide for ESX 3.5.

Tyan K8WE (Thunder S2895) workstation for ESX 3.5 & 3i

25. Feb 12, 2008 1:14 PM

in response to: Dave.Mishchen…

Erik Bussink

423 posts since
Jan 10, 2004

I've just validated that I can install VMware ESX 3.5.0 (Build 64607), ESX 3i installable (Build 67921) and ESX 3i installable (Build 70348) on a Tyan K8WE (Thunder S2895) workstation using only the integrated NV RAID as the storage adapter.

The Tyan K8WE (Thunder S2895) has two AMD Opteron 270, 8GB and a single 750GB SATA drive (configured as Spanning volume in the NV RAID). It's using BIOS 1.05.

Regards,

Erik

Attachments:

tyan_s2895_k8we_esx3i_b70348.jpg (35.2 K)
tyan_s2895_k8we_esx35_storage_adapter.jpg (48.9 K)
tyan_s2895_k8we_esx35_b70356.jpg (35.0 K)

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

26. Feb 13, 2008 7:48 AM

in response to: jonasb

deneshkanna

3 posts since
Feb 12, 2008

Cool Joasb, I think as u said i might go for the DL360 G3 for the test.. yea as u said the Ram alone costs me very high £200 for a gig umm. Since its new for me to work with ESX im going to use the Trail license do we have any restrictions in it .. Can i use it with no problems? Thanks dude

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

27. Feb 13, 2008 9:31 AM

in response to: deneshkanna

Dave.Mishchen…

8,943 posts since
Nov 15, 2005

When you install ESX you'll have a 60 day trial period with no functional limitations. One downside with the HP is that an old processor may not have Intel VT in which case you won't be able to run 64 bit VMs. Here's a list of whiteboxes that have been found to work with ESX 3.5 / 3i - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3.5/Whiteboxes_SATA_Controllers_for_ESX_3.5_3i.htm.

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

28. Feb 14, 2008 5:41 AM

in response to: Dave.Mishchen…

deneshkanna

3 posts since
Feb 12, 2008

Hi Daveand others,

Thanks for the List of Whiteboxes i have changed my mind to go for the HP ProLiant DL360 G5 Intel Xeon 5335 Quad Core / 2GB which is = £899.99 ex VAT but im not use if this server has Intel VT Support do u think does it has Intel VT and Im planning to run Win2003 and Exchange 2003 and 2007 well the Exchange 2007 its recommended to use the 64bit but im not use does this server 64bit.... And i got an other question if u dont mind ....

i got his new quote from Vmware

VMware Infrastructure Foundation for 2 processors - SnS is required. Includes ESX Server 3i or ESX Server, VC Agent, VMFS, VSMP, Update Manager, and CB = £ 502.00
But the DL 360 g5 is a Single CPU server can i use this license for 2 CPU for a phycially 1 CPU Server, will it accept and what is " SnS is required " ? and will i get ESX 3.5 along ??

Thanks

Denesh - London

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

29. Feb 16, 2008 12:12 AM

in response to: gopherhockey

Virtual_Jazz

36 posts since
Feb 7, 2008

Hi gopherhockey , wasnt ableto get our kit working. The software would not install, keeps going into dos mode. Not quite sure why, even after adding adaptec 2940 and 3 scsi disks, no way. Maybe the board is not supported. So I have kind of given up on using it, will reserve it for ms hyper -v or make it a iscsi target server.

So guys what do I need to get the ml115 working? got an extra 2940 with 2 36gb drives. Hope this would resolve the sata issue. this whole setup thing is driving me mad

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Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

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Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Tyan K8WE (Thunder S2895) workstation for ESX 3.5 & 3i

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

Re: Low Cost ESX 3.5 System - Suggestions?

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