Vmware ESX5 Lap setup requirements

[Psamy]

I would like to setup Vmware Vsphere 5  for exam practing .

Please let me know the cheapest solution, so that I can practice for exam.

Vmware hardward compatiblity list supports all new expensive servers but I need cheapset solution.

if anyone done this before please let me know.

Awaiting postive reply.

Thanks,

Samy

[aravinds3107]

You can setup a whitebox run VMware workstation with 60 days trial period and run vSphere for 60 days trial period.

For storage you can use Openfiler or Microsoft iSCSI target

Refer the below link you will get lot of useful information for setting up homelab

http://vsphere-land.com/vsphere-links/home-lab-links.html

[Psamy]

Thanks you all for your reply!!

After so much research found that the server or the components (LAN, Storage, CPU, Mother board etc) should be listed in HCL list then only it will  work.

so better to go for new IBM X 3200 series server for $ 1000 with good config & warranty.

I am now only worried about my local storage. I am not clear whether I should buy SAN box or software available for making virtual disk or I can do everything using my SATA 250GB disk.

Research is on, but I am sure it is very expensive project for individual. it is not like Windows servers which will work on any hardware

Regards,

Samy

[nava_thulasi39]

I am now only worried about my local storage. I am not clear whether I should buy SAN box or software available for making virtual disk or I can do everything using my SATA 250GB disk.

Use Openfiler or FreeNas to make Local disk to Shared storage (Software iscsi)

[Psamy]

Do I need to have RAID configured to install Vmware or I can install it in SATA disk?

Anyone suggest me whether the given below model of the server supports full functional Vmware server.

IBM X3200 M3

Intel Xeon E 3430 (Quad Core) 2.4 Ghz , 8   Mb 1333 Mhz, 2gb x1 DDR3-1333 RDIMM, 250 gb SATA 3.5" Simple Swap, DVD   ROM,

This model is there in HCL list but I worried as many thing are optional like RAID controller etc.basic config is only with SATA disk.

Thanks in advance for your valuable reply.

Thanks,

Samy

[aravinds3107]

Memory seems to by just 2GB so you wont be able to run more VM's on the host and yes its possible for install ESXi on SATA disk.

To check all advanced features you need to have mimimum of 2 host in cluster to play with all advanced features.

As suggested earlier you can setup home lab on Desktop PC (less costs) with more RAM with VMware Workstation and other softwares with 60 days trial period.

For shared storage you can go for Open filer or iSCSI based solutions

Checkout the link which i have suggested before which will help you a lot in setting lab

[vogie563]

My home lab was a single Dell Optiplex 745 PC with 8GB RAM and two 500 GB hard drives (no raid) installed with ESXi 5. Using a FalconStor NSS storage appilance (the free version) I used one of the hard drives as a iSCSI target to be shared storage. I created a vCenter VM and 2 Virtual ESXi VM's connected to the shared storage. With that setup I was able to create a cluster and play with vMotion, HA, DRS, etc all on a single server. It wasnt the fastest lab setup but it did the job and was pretty cheap.

[Psamy]

I am still trying desktop option before going forward to buy server.

IBM X 3200 M3 Server with 10GB RAM and 250GB SATA disk is costing me Rs 50K.

I appreciate your concern.

Regards,

Samy

[spravtek]

You could install ESXi in VMware workstation, you'd only be able to install 32bit clients but if it's just for testing and learning for the exam it shouldn't be an issue.

You can take any desktop you like, put in some extra RAM and install a copy of VMWare workstation 8 ... You can then install a separate client with openfiler for the storage etc ...

[aravinds3107]

Running 64 bit nested VM's is possible, provided your processor supports the feature

Intel VT-x and EPT or AMD-V and RVI

http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-8970