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baardbi
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Additional CPU to ESX server

I am wondering if I can install ESX Server 3 Enterprise with one CPU in the server. And install an additional CPU next week... Will it work seamlessly or will I get problems with configurations or compatibility, licenses and so on...?

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Texiwill
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Hello,

Please remember that licensing is per socket. If the socket is in use then it applies to the license. However since most licenses cover at least 2 sockets this should not be an issue. If you had a 4 socket box however, then yes licensing would be an issue.

Make sure the CPUs match including the stepping, or if they do not match follow the hardware vendor's installation procedure, you may have to move your original CPU as well. It is best that they are identical down to the stepping CPUs.

Best regards,

Edward

--
Edward L. Haletky
vExpert XIV: 2009-2023,
VMTN Community Moderator
vSphere Upgrade Saga: https://www.astroarch.com/blogs
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/Texiwill

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sbeaver
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No you should not have any problems doing that. If the one processor is a single core then you might get some performance issues but it will work

Steve Beaver
VMware Communities User Moderator
VMware vExpert 2009 - 2020
VMware NSX vExpert - 2019 - 2020
====
Co-Author of "VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center"
(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach
Come check out my blog: [www.virtualizationpractice.com/blog|http://www.virtualizationpractice.com/blog/]
Come follow me on twitter http://www.twitter.com/sbeaver

**The Cloud is a journey, not a project.**
boydd
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Like Steve said - shouldn't be any problems.

DB

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baardbi
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Thanks guys. Then I will start installing ESX in an hour or so. Smiley Happy

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Texiwill
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Hello,

Please remember that licensing is per socket. If the socket is in use then it applies to the license. However since most licenses cover at least 2 sockets this should not be an issue. If you had a 4 socket box however, then yes licensing would be an issue.

Make sure the CPUs match including the stepping, or if they do not match follow the hardware vendor's installation procedure, you may have to move your original CPU as well. It is best that they are identical down to the stepping CPUs.

Best regards,

Edward

--
Edward L. Haletky
vExpert XIV: 2009-2023,
VMTN Community Moderator
vSphere Upgrade Saga: https://www.astroarch.com/blogs
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/Texiwill
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baardbi
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Thank you for an informative answer Texiwill. Smiley Happy

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