vSphere ESX or ESXi? Which one to choose from...

[Maelito77]

Hi

I have to make the decision between the two, currently I have a mix of ESX and ESXi installed in my infrastructure.

I have heard that we should all "UPGRADE" to ESXi, well I thought ESXi was the poor cousin of ESX and ESX was the version to be on!!!

And how would support licensing work on ESXi?

Thanks, Maelito

[DSTAVERT]

ESX and ESXi are functionally equivalent. You simply choose to install one or the other in any licensed version. ESX classic will disappear in the next release

[DSTAVERT]

Have a look at http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1023990 for a comparison.

[vmroyale]

Hello.

Go with ESXi now, and save yourself a lot of work later on.  The VMware vSphere Hypervisor (formerly free ESXi) is not the same as licensed ESX/ESXi.

Good Luck!

[Josh26]

Maelito77 wrote:

Hi

I have to make the decision between the two, currently I have a mix of ESX and ESXi installed in my infrastructure.

I have heard that we should all "UPGRADE" to ESXi, well I thought ESXi was the poor cousin of ESX and ESX was the version to be on!!!

And how would support licensing work on ESXi?

Thanks, Maelito

I'm not sure where you got that view from. ESXi is slated to be the replacement for ESX.

Support and licensing is equivalent. Licenses purchased for ESX can be used in ESXi and vice versa.

[Maelito77]

Now I am confused, what do you mean it's not the same?

What is the licensed ESXi then?

The download binary is the same right?

Thanks, Maelito

[Josh26]

Hi,

The download and install for the free ESXi and licensed ESXi is the same. However, many of the best features are only available in the licensed edition.

[idle-jam]

the download binary is the same for all ESXi version. Just download it and with the right license you could upgrade on the fly to even enterprise plus. or downgrade later.

[Maelito77]

Aah!!!!

I finally get it!

I use the normal download page, get the ISO file, then use an upgraded license from the License Portal to have all the perks (VMotions, DRS, etc)

Thanks guys.

I am answered now.

Maelito

[kish09 · Accepted solution]

Hi,,

Go for the ESXi since from 2014 ESX wont be in no more support by vmware.

and as per licenceing is concern choose among standard,advance,enteprise and entprise+.whichever is suits ur infra..all have their distinguish features as well as cost.

http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vsphere_pricing.pdf

kish