VMware in ProLiant MicroServer Gen8

[arcticeye]

Hi there,

I just want to know if i can install any Vmware Esxi on this server http://www8.hp.com/es/es/products/proliant-servers/product-detail.html?oid=5379860#!tab=features

I was looking for in the VMware compatibility guide and didn't find it.

Anyway, is there any posibility to run any vmware esxi version on this machine?

Thank you

Kind regards,

Matias

[Anjani_Kumar]

i believe your server can run the vmware in to it. here is the link:http://techhead.co/hp-proliant-microserver-g8a-decent-home-lab-server/

You can download the customized esxi iso for your server from here :http://www8.hp.com/us/en/products/servers/solutions.html?compURI=1499005#tab=TAB4

Check out the compatibility here. :VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search

You can give it a try and i believe it will work.

[arcticeye]

Hi Anjani,

Thank you for your answer.

I have to be sure if it will work and which version.

As i said before i didn't find the server in the VMware Compatibility Guide: System Search.

I will buy this machine only if i'm completely sure it will run with some esxi (5 or 6).

Thank you again!

Kind regards,

Matias

[Anjani_Kumar · Accepted solution]

Yes. As i can see all over the internet is flooded with the info that it work with vmware.

And as its Gen8 so i should say vmware is normally supported in to it.

Here are some links which ensure you that it will work .

http://seiler.it/vmware-esxi-5-5-installation-hp-proliant-microserver-gen8/

HP Builds Enterprise Features into New Gen8 MicroServer

Also it will support till the latest version as you can see all the custom esxi image is available for these kind of hardware. so no issue you can go ahead with the same model.

[arcticeye]

Thank you for your answer.

I see... I saw also many places where they say it works, nevertheless the official guide doesn't. But anyway you convinced me so i may try.

Thanks for your time helping me...

Kind regards,

Matias

[Anjani_Kumar]

My pleasure to help you out.

Please mark the answer correct or helpful if you feel that your query is solved.

[cykVM]

The main culrpit why the Microserver Gen8 is not listed in VMWare HCL is the embedded/onboard storage controller (HP SmartArray B120i) which is not officially supported. That's why you need to use the HP customized installation image for VMWare, the driver for the SmartArray B120i/B320i) is only included in that one.

[arcticeye]

Dear Cyk!

Today I got the proliant microserver and I have to set it up. I would like to know which ISO I have to use to be able to configure RAID MIRROR (2 HDD) for its SmartArray B120i/B320i. Do you have the link?

Do I have to consider extra advices using the ISO you recommend me? (using the HP customized installation image)

Thank you very much for your help.

Kind Regards,

Matias

[cykVM]

The VMWare installation image was linked by Anjani above. But for configuring the controller you need to do that during boot up by pressing the F5 key for the ACU.

You may watch this video for the B320i but it should be similar with the B120i: How to Setup Dynamic Smart Array controllers for Windows [CCEN] - YouTube

After that is configured to your needs you install VMWare from the above ISO and it should detect the configured RAID right away.

[arcticeye]

Great! I will open a new discussion for the Raid issue once I start the trials.

I wonder, would I be able to install the ESXI 6 in this server? Which is the last Update I can install if not? (ESXi 5?, 5.1?).

Kind regards,

Matias

[cykVM]

I would recommend using 5.5 Update 1 due to several discussions around here referring the latest drivers for B120i/B320i included in 5.5 Update 2 or version 6 HP customized.

The latest drivers released by HP seem to have a bug which causes performance problems at least with (the big) Proliant servers Gen8.

I experienced same trouble with my B320i in a DL380e Gen8 and I'm still using 5.5 Update 1 version without any issues.

At first do update all BIOS/firmware on your Microserver prior to any OS installation.

[arcticeye]

Dear CYK

Thank you very much!

would I be able to install the ESXi in this storage? http://www8.hp.com/us/en/products/oas/product-detail.html?oid=5360695

And then the VMs on the SATA RAID, would ir be possible?

What do you think about doing this?

Maybe you consider me to open a new post for this issue. Just tell me.

Kind regards,

Matias

[cykVM]

You may open a new discussion if you like but I don't mind to continue this place.

A 16GB SD-card will be enough for vSpehere, 32GB does not give you any advantages but does not hurt either .

Scratch partition can be placed on the disks during install or after install.

You may get a 2nd 16GB card for cloning the system from time to time if you like.

[arcticeye]

Great! So I can install in any SD and then I can turn off the server, take out the sd, copy to another sd for backup and no matter which sd I introduce to the server the system is going to load?

That easy?

Kind regards,

Matias

[cykVM]

The 2nd SD was just meant to be an option. You have to clone the original SD because it's bootable and just copying doesn't copy the bootsector.

I would suggest you first get your system up and running and do some reading of the basics of VMWare setup and configuration.

There are a lot of blogs/webpages with step-by-step instructions of VMWare on a HP Microserver.

[arcticeye]

Yes I got plenty material. I will work a little bit and if I have any issue I will be posting.

Thank you very much again.

Matias