ESXi vRAM limit

[eversys]

We have just downloaded & installed VMware vSphere Hyperviser 5.1.0 build 799733 on a host with 2 CPUs and 80GB RAM. When we allocate the new license to the host, it mentions that we have unlimited CPUs but only 32GB vRAM per CPU. Then an error comes up saying:

"The system Memory is not satisfied with the 32GB of Maximum Memory limit. Current with 80GB of Memory"

I don't understand - I thought this whole limitation of vRAM had been removed? Any suggestions?

[spravtek · Accepted solution]

Hi,

There's no vRam limit ... There is however a hard limit of 32GB Ram ...

More info: http://www.vladan.fr/esxi-5-1-free/

[eversys]

Sorry, I don't understand. My server has 80GB physical RAM but boots just OK. Just when I try to activate the license, comes the error. Is this because we are still running the test/trial license?

[spravtek]

Yes, as long as you're in the 60 days trial you are running in "Enterprise Plus - Mode" ... So no limits and everything works, as soon as you apply a license or the trial expires, all limits apply.

[eversys]

Do I need to purchase vSphere Essentials to overcome this physical RAM problem?

[spravtek]

Yes, to use more than 32Gb of physical RAM you will need a license like essentials or higher.

[eversys]

OK thanks. Just for clarification, if I purchase the Essentials I will be able to see & allocate my full 80GB RAM? I thought that I read somewhere that this only allows up to 64GB RAM?

[spravtek]

Yes, the physical RAM limitations are gone since ESXi 5.0 ...

For more information check out this document: http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vsphere_pricing.pdf

[eversys]

Thank you!

[spravtek]

You're welcome, happy to help!