From Intel to AMD

[shinpad]

are there any difficulties in moving our ESX hosts from Intel CPU's to AMD?

I realise we will have to power off the vms before cold migrating them, but will this work for Microsoft/Linux/Netware OS and both 32 and 64 bit vms?

thanks

[VMmatty]

Windows should have no issue moving from Intel to AMD. Some versions of Linux may give you an issue since the kernel gets compiled depending on the processor type. For those servers I would definitely try to plan and test as much as you can before actually moving the production servers.

[dtracey]

As Matty says preparation is key - best thing to do is to clone one and cold migrate it - see what happens!

[shinpad]

that's a good approach if you have all the kit!

i need to get as much info before a decision is made on whether to purchase AMD.

will 64 bit windows systems work ok?

[VMmatty]

Windows should be fine with either 32bit or 64bit. I think Linux will be your bigger concern, and NetWare might be an issue depending on the version.

You don't have any spare hardware lying around to test?

[shinpad]

not AMD no.

thanks

[palm101]

Based on a previous thread.

Redhat 3 - kernel is intel or amd specific.

Redhat 4 and 5 - migration should be fine.

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/230041

I myselft will be receiving DL385 G6 soon. Will update the outcome.

[shinpad]

many thanks for all your contributions.