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agcastle2000
Contributor
Contributor

Cheaper alternative to VirtualCenter Management Server

Hi,

I want to try out the VI3 and most likely purchase the Starter Edition. After briefly reading the vi3book (thanks for those who shared it), I am happy to know that ESX server can also be managed by web interface and COS and don't have to spend for the VC. The sad thing is that I don't know Linux so I need an alternative management solution (cheaper) but equally effective.

We are not a big shop and don't want to spend more money on VC. Initially, we will be deploying it on one HP DL380G5 box and eventually add one more box later.

Thanks in advance. I hope there will be replies this time around.

Regards, Archie

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dpomeroy
Champion
Champion

Pointing the VI Client at the ESX Server gives you a GUI interface, no Linux knowledge needed. Also as far as the service console goes, you need very little Linux knowledge as normally there is very little you need to do there. I would guess most ESX admins are Windows admins who learned whatever Linux they needed as they went along.

IMO, if you are not going to get VirtualCenter then I would just stick to the free tools already available and learn the little tiny bit of Linux that is needed to manage an ESX server.

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agcastle2000
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for your reply.

I came to know last night from the ESX 3.0 QuickStart Guide of RapidAdd (great book) that the VI Client can be pointed to the ESX server. Still plenty of reading to do.

Regards, Archie

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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

After installing the VI Client on my XP box and pointing it to the ESX Server, what can I see/monitor??

I'm comfortable with Linux, what tiny bit of Linux should I learn??

Thank you, Tom

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esiebert7625
Immortal
Immortal

Pointing the VIC directly to a ESX server lets you pretty much manage anything that you can do in VirtualCenter. VirtualCenter just lets you centrally manage all your ESX servers collectively instead of individually.

Here's a good link,

Common Linux commands on the service console - http://www.vmts.net/article/linuxcommand.htm

Also, check these out...

Upgrade Guide to ESX 3 and VirtualCenter 2

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx3.x-vc2-upgradeguide.pdf

Guide to ESX 3 Service Console

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx3.x-vc2.x-serviceconsole-guide.pdf

Guide to ESX 2.x Administration I

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-01-esx2.x.pdf

Guide to ESX 2.x Administration II

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-02-esx2.x.pdf

Beyond the Manual - VMware ESX 2.x

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx2.x-beyondthemanual.pdf

ESX 2.x Service Console Quick Command-Line Guide

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/esx2.x-serviceconsolecommands.pdf

Guide to vCenter 1.x Administration

http://www.rtfm-ed.eu/docs/vmwdocs/admin-vcenter1.2.pdf

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dpomeroy
Champion
Champion

There are a lot of free resources that list Linux commands, or you can buy a book, this is nice: Linux in a Nutshell

Here is also a mapping of commands for Linux for DOS users .

Honestly many of the command you will use are specific for VMware, so honestly the amount of Linux knowledge you need is very small.

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tlyczko
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hello again esiebert,

You're awfully good at this!! Smiley Happy Generous, too!! Smiley Happy

Thanks for the links, I also found somewhere PDFs of the Syngress ESX books, they should be good for further general knowledge.

I also downloaded the 2.5.x RapidAdd book and will buy the abbreviated 3.x book on lulu.com, this all should be enough for me to work with.

Thanks also for mentioning the VIC, I figure I should be able to learn my way around that.

Now I only have to wait for approval etc. to buy the server.

Thank you, Tom

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