Run Workstation 8 under ESXi 5.0?

[jsc3symc]

Quick question: Is it possible to run a Windows VM on ESXi 5.0, and then run Workstation 8 with 64-bit nested VMs?

For example, I want to run:

1. ESXi 5.0: On physical hardware
   
2. VM running on ESXi 5.0: running Windows 7 64-bit with VMware Workstation 8
   
3. VM running on VMware Workstation 8: running ESXi 5.0
   
4. VM running on nested ESXi 5.0: running Red Hat Linux 6.2 64-bit
   

[Datto]

I believe the visibility of the pertinent CPU ingredients currently only passes to the level 3 on your model assuming you have SLAT capability in the physical CPU.

Datto

[keiooz]

I think it is possible. I have tried similar as I am running Windows 7 64-bit with Workstation 8 for ESXi 5.

[depping · Accepted solution]

My colleague William tested this and it is not possible currently to go 4 levels deep: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2011/07/how-to-enable-support-for-nested-64bit.html

[jsc3symc]

Duncan,

Thanks, that was exactly what I was looking for (and hoping not to find).

John Cronin

[admin]

Duncan wrote:

My colleague William tested this and it is not possible currently to go 4 levels deep: http://www.virtuallyghetto.com/2011/07/how-to-enable-support-for-nested-64bit.html

Did he try something simple, like MS-DOS, on the innermost level?  I believe MS-DOS should work.