Recomended platform for vSphere5 ?

[leejm_ca]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any recommendations on what type of affordable hardware platform that I can purchase to run vSphere5 on (perferably a laptop)?   In summary I'd like to install VMware Workstation which I can use to setup and simulate an entire vSphere 5 environment (couple of ESX servers, VC with a SAN appliance storage environment, vMotion, DRS ect...)?   Using this, I'd like to start studying for my VCP5 exam.

I recently bought a Dell Precision 690 which according the the vSphere 5 HCL had a compatible 64 bit chipset.   When I installed ESX5 on it with a 64 bit OS to house VC (within VMware workstation) I received the error "VT-x/EPT is disabled for this ESX VM.  You will only be able to run 32-bit nested VM's".    Before you ask, yes, VT is enabled the BIOS.  Apparently this issue occurs on older platforms of 64 bit hosts with VT.

Thanks in advance,

Jason

[a_p_]

To run nested 64 bit guests, you need to create the ESXi VM's with hardware version 8 and enable/check "Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI" in the ESXi VM's processor settings.

André

[leejm_ca]

Hi Andre,

Yes, I tried the settings that you mentioned within VMware Workstation version 8 as well but still receive the error.   I assume that I need a relatively more modern 64-bit CPU than what I have in my current Dell Precision 690 host.    Any recommendations on a suitable hardware platform ?

Thanks,

Jason

[logiboy123]

You can make a laptop based VMware Workstation lab with 8GB of RAM, but to make it run properly with a couple of hosts, DC, software shared storage etc you need 16GB RAM.

I have the setup you described on my laptop but with only 8GB it runs pretty slow.

Also it is usually best to build most boxes under Workstation, instead of nesting everything under the virtual ESXi hosts. So in Workstation you would see;

Host1

Host2

DC

VC

Storage

You can install vCenter and database on a server, then promote that server to be a domain controller if you wish to save some resources.

Regards,

Paul

[leejm_ca]

Thanks Paul.    Your suggested setup is a great idea.

Jason

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

A DC is not strictly required for vSphere (vCenter Server can work also in workgroup), so you can save a VM

[admin]

Regarding the error that refers to intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-v /RVI,

there is an option in workstation 8 to enable this features, just edit the VM select processor and you will see the option to the right of the screen.

[respada]

I've seen this error... on my Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo but on my i5 it works correctly so i believe its related to CPU Instructions on those old models not being available...

What CPU does the 690 have?

As for the main Question check this out:

http://boerlowie.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/building-the-ultimate-vsphere-lab-part-1-the-story/

[krishong]

Jason,

Were you able to install ESXi 5 on Dell Precision WS 690 sucessfully?

If you were, which CPU model do you have on the 690?

Kris

[kelv]

Yeah, I got confused with the new virtualization also:

There's two Intel Virtualization technologies you want to be aware of:

Supports Intel® VT-x	Supports Intel® EPT

Full list of CPUs here:

http://ark.intel.com/Products/VirtualizationTechnology

VT-x: the old hardware virtualization, supported by core 2, core 2 quad, etc.

EPT: newer virtualization tech from Intel

You'll need at least VT-x to get decent performance when running ESXi inside workstation.

If you don't have EPT, and only have VT-x, you can still build ESXi as a VM, however you will not be able to build 64-bit guests inside the virtualized ESXi host, only 32-bit guests.

In the CPU listing on the intel website, you can see what technology your existing CPU supports

http://ark.intel.com/Products/VirtualizationTechnology

[krishong]

Well, it seems none of the upgradable Xeon Qaud Core Processors (like X5300 serieis - about $300) for Dell Precision WS 690 Desktop PC have no EPT technology so that I'd better buy a Core i3 or i5 laptop (around $500) to go with ESXi 5.

Thanks for the information.

Kris