ESXi - Is there a reason not to use it?

[mshe]

It seems ESXi is smaller, faster (?), and more reliable - is there a reason not to use it for a new deployment?

We're going to be evaluating ESX - and seeing ESXi is smaller, I don't see any major drawbacks? (perhaps the smaller HCL?).

[Dave_Mishchenko]

The server HCL is much smaller today, but that will be changing as more vendors start to ship servers with embedded. Definately smaller, not sure about faster and as to more reliable that's something that needs to be determined. There are definitely less patches so far, but as with ESX 3.5 this is a new release so there likely to be more problems versus going with 3.0.2 with the latest update.

A few other things to consider

- HA is only experimentally supported

- some networking features available in 3.5 are not in 3i - http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1003345

- if you rely on the serivce console, it's gone and the RCLI isn't the equivalent in terms of functionality (hopefully that will change).

- there's less technical experience with it and I would hazzard a guess that would apply to VMware support as well

- you may have to rethink your backup - for example, esXpress and vRanger don't support it yet.

Take a look through the ESXi 3.5 forum. There are a few similar posts there.

[mcowger]

Its also completely unmanageable....no way to remote install it, no way to restart its management services (which often needs restarting), etc.

--Matt

[Dave_Mishchenko]

no way to remote install it

Someone probably figured we'd all be buying it embedded.

no way to restart its management services

At the console you can - you login and then you can restart the management and / or VC services.

[mcowger]

Neither of which scale as methods.

That works for 2-3 ESX servers, not 30.

--Matt

[mreferre]

I am all for 3i so don't get me wrong .... but "faster" ? I don't think so ...

Massimo.

[azn2kew]

Massimo,

Since IBM employee, you'll probably heard of IBM codename "Phantom" as well to secure the ESX hypervisor can you explain how it works? As far as 3i, I've heard rumors it will be ship with Dell servers for free that's kinda cool but then they might be service contracts for that as well "no such free lunch" as we all know. Like everyone has mentioned, its not so flexible in terms of management and very limited but great things is load it up boot so fast and all you have to do is configure tcp/ip settings and manage it using VI Client you're good to go. Saves you time to reinstall ESX OS itself its pre-integrated with hardware vendors and its cheap I believe its about 500$+. If your environment is expanding and you want to have more control and management of your ESX than 3i is probably not a choice for you due to limitations behind it.

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

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems LLC.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[mreferre]

Stefan,

I heard very little (mostly what you can read on the net).

Per 3i .. it's just the way forward...... I am saying this from an architectural/strategy perspective but obviously there are practical things (i.e. scripts that some customers still need to run etc etc) that won't allow all customers to jump right away. To me it just makes sense... but as everything it will take time.

Massimo.

[ejward]

ESXi appears to be shipping with Dell servers for $99 right now.

[meistermn]

You can get ESX3i for 30 $/30 € . It is a reaction to windows hyper V price.

[meistermn]

With ESX 3I update 1 HA is supported.

ESX Server 3.5 Update 1 | 10 APR 2008 | Build 82663

VMware High Availability (HA)

VirtualCenter 2.5 Update 1 extends support for VMware High Availability (HA) to ESX Server 3i hosts. See below for details.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

To me, ESXi is missing too many monitoring hookups for Security and a few other things. If these were added, which is difficult, then I would be quite happy to use it in my environment.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354, As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[ejward]

"hook ups' like what?

For me, I've never installed any 3rd party applications on my ESX hosts. So not being able to install them on ESXi shouldn't be an issue for me. I don't think. I WANT to go for it but, I'm leary.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Currently the only Security assessment tools work from within the SC (yes even ESXi has a SC). There is now syslog forwarding for most logfiles but not every logfile uses syslog. There is no method to integrate safely with remote password servers (kerberos, AD, LDAP, etc.), or to control authentication using PAM modules. There is no way to change certificates used by the Remote CLI... Remote CLI has its own security issues, etc. So far the benefit of ESXi is outweighed by the security implications.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354, As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[mcowger]

In terms of manageability, theres no good SUPPORTED way to restart the mgmt-vmware services or the hostd services when (not IF) they fail.

No useful automated remote install/config.

--Matt