manage an ESX 3.5 server with vCenter 4.0?

[Smokinboot72]

I am in the beginning stages of upgrading my whole ESX cluster to 4.0, but due to certain circumstances, I need to migrate my vCenter server first (hardware troubles and backup software troubles). I have my backup software running on the same server as my vCenter and I'd like to keep it that way.

So I built a Win2008 64-bit server to run my new SQL server on and my vCenter and afterwards I found out that vCenter 2.5 doesnt run on 64-bit. I tried to look up someplace with the specs but couldnt find specifically where it says if it runs on 64-bit. I seem to remember something about it in the past, but not 100%...

So can anyone tell me whether the vSphere vCenter runs on 64-bit and will I be able to manage my ESX 3.5 U4 cluster with it until I upgrade them to vSphere?

Thanks!

[jrenton]

Not sure about the 64bit question but I know for certain that you can manage ESX3.5 with vCentre 4.

[Malce30]

I dont know specifically about vCenter but most 32 bit software will run on 64 bit versions of Windows quite happily as they install to X:\Program Files(x86)\... so windows knows to treat them as 32bit Apps.

Malc

[mjsvirt]

vCenter 4 is supported on 64-bit OS. You will be able to manage your 3.5 cluster, you will just be limited to 3.5 functionality until you upgrade your hosts.

See page 49 of the vSphere upgrade Guide:

Hope this helps.

Jason Silva

blog:

[azn2kew]

Even thought you can run x64 windows for the vCenter server but when deploying database configuration of DSN, you are required to use x32 bit as mentioned here

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[Smokinboot72]

But what if my SQL 2008 server is also 64-bit? Do I still need to use a 32-bit DSN?

[mjsvirt]

yes indeed, dsn needs to be 32 bit

Jason Silva

blog: http://silvaecs.com