How to install ESXi 5.1 to a DELL Server with ESXi 5.5 installed on IDSDM ?

[TonyJK]

Hi,

We get a new DELL Server that gets ESXi 5.5 installed on IDSDM.

Since we are still using ESXi 5.1, we would like to set up that server so that it also runs ESXi 5.1 Update 3.

There are 2 SAS Physical Disks that has been configured as RAID1.

We would like to know when we install ESXi 5.1, should we install on the RAID1 Disk or on the IDSDM cards ? 

If IDSDM cards are preferred, is there any use for the local RAID HD ?

If we should install on local RAID HD, can we use the IDSDM cards as SSD for ESXi Host ?

Thanks

[CoolRam]

This is completely you choice whether you want to keep on SD card or Hard drive.

But while installing on SD card please do make sure to configure your scratch in HD . you can keep the cache imaged in SD card in case of HD failure.

[TonyJK]

Many thanks for your advice.

Re Scratch in HD, does it mean what KB1033696 mentions ?

Besides, if we install in the HD, can we use the SD Card for ESXi Host ?

Thanks again.

[CoolRam · Accepted solution]

Besides, if we install in the HD, can we use the SD Card for ESXi Host ? : --You Can Install in HD and used the SD card to keep the backup image of ESXi in case of HD failure . To do so you need to cache the image in SD card.

If you install in SD card then you need to configure scratch in HD because of Space constraint with CD card. 

[TonyJK]

Hi,

Many thanks for your advice.  We have determined to install on the HD.

Could it be possible to elaborate how to cache the image in SD Card ?

Thanks again.

[CoolRam]

you need to take a Host profile for that and click on edit  profile section " System Image cache configuration" select "statefull install/ stateless cache on the Card" and your image will be cached in the Card.

refer the below article

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=203288...