VMware Cloud Community
dkurz8814
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Dell precision t3620 esxi

I am looking at buying something like this for my esxi lab

Dell Official Outlet Refurbished Laptops, Desktops, Servers & Monitors

Precision T3620

Tech Specs

Processor: Intel Xeon E3-1220 v5 Processor (Quad Core, 3.0GHz, 8M Cache, 80W)

Windows 10 Pro

256GB 2.5Inch SATA Class 20 Solid State Drive

32 GB DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC 2400MHz (2x16GB)

16X Half Height DVD +/- RW

NVIDIA NVS 315 1GB (DMS59 - Dual DVI adapter)

Dell Outlet Precision T3620 Mini Tower

I cannot find anyone saying yes or not if this line of devices works or not. I have seen older dell precision devices mentioned but not any recently.

I know there is the poweredge towers but they are currently out of my price range. I am going to keep checking around but this seems like a decent deal that could work. All I need is ESXi and maybe 2-4 VMs

Thanks

Reply
0 Kudos
1 Solution

Accepted Solutions
bluefirestorm
Champion
Champion
Jump to solution

There is a very high chance (99.99%) that Precision T3620 should work fine with ESXi 6.5u1.

http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/Dell_Precision_Tower_3000...

The important things to check in the VMware Compatibility Guide are the CPU and NIC. Both component are in the compatibility guide for ESXi 6.5u1.

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=cpu&productid=110&deviceCat...

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=39793&deviceCa...

If you consider that the chipset is C236 is the same as the Dell PowerEdge R330, you might be even able to use the Dell custom image for the PowerEdge R330 for the ESXi install. Even the PowerEdge R330 is in the VMware Compatibility Guide.

http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/Dell_PowerEdge_R330_SpecS...

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=server&productid=37804&devi...

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=P72V9

The "host-based RAID" is Intel Rapid Storage is software RAID. ESXi does not support software RAID. Other than this, everything else should look OK. Just don't have the expectation you can use Intel RSTe for RAID functionality in ESXi.

View solution in original post

Reply
0 Kudos
5 Replies
SureshKumarMuth
Commander
Commander
Jump to solution

You can try installing vmware workstation or vmware player on your desktop and then install ESXi on top of it. In that case you need not worry about the hardware specification with respect to ESXi since it is running on top of an application(workstation/player)

Regards,
Suresh
https://vconnectit.wordpress.com/
Reply
0 Kudos
dkurz8814
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

I have considered that route but I am worried about performance. I have two  follow up questions.

1. How can I run a proper DNS/DHCP/AD environment within that along with having reliable and solid performance?

2. How is this not nested Virtualization?

Reply
0 Kudos
bluefirestorm
Champion
Champion
Jump to solution

There is a very high chance (99.99%) that Precision T3620 should work fine with ESXi 6.5u1.

http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/Dell_Precision_Tower_3000...

The important things to check in the VMware Compatibility Guide are the CPU and NIC. Both component are in the compatibility guide for ESXi 6.5u1.

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=cpu&productid=110&deviceCat...

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=io&productid=39793&deviceCa...

If you consider that the chipset is C236 is the same as the Dell PowerEdge R330, you might be even able to use the Dell custom image for the PowerEdge R330 for the ESXi install. Even the PowerEdge R330 is in the VMware Compatibility Guide.

http://i.dell.com/sites/doccontent/shared-content/data-sheets/en/Documents/Dell_PowerEdge_R330_SpecS...

https://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?deviceCategory=server&productid=37804&devi...

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=P72V9

The "host-based RAID" is Intel Rapid Storage is software RAID. ESXi does not support software RAID. Other than this, everything else should look OK. Just don't have the expectation you can use Intel RSTe for RAID functionality in ESXi.

Reply
0 Kudos
dkurz8814
Contributor
Contributor
Jump to solution

Thank you very very much. RAID is not really important at this time. I just need something that I can offload stuff from my Mac Mini and use something that I can keep up 24/7. I did see the Dell custom image and I was going to try it as well for the same reasons. I was really just trying to see if anyone had actually done it.

I did not think to check the individual parts in terms of the HCL. I was primarily focusing on actual machines that are compatible with recent hardware and in my budget.

I really appreciate your efforts.

Reply
0 Kudos
pboguszewski
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Jump to solution

Did you ever give this a go?  I am wondering if the ESXi install went well without much effort.

Thanks,

Pete

Reply
0 Kudos