Accepted Solutions
I take it these are older already in service or ready to be re-serviced servers? I can understand trying to save some $ espcially in a test environment however most "test" environments majically move into production shortly after you implement them 
Anyways the generic response to your questions is "it depends". If the servers are heavy hitters like SQL, Exchange, or high use apps then you'll want enough CPU and RAM to support it. The typical response on drive capacity would be similar, "it depends". For SQL and Exchange usually RAID 10 is recommended so you would need to size your drives based on that to include RAID loss.
Now if you plan on implementing HA, DRS, vmotion, etc then you'll need some type of shared storage (Fiber, iSCSI, NAS) to do that so keep that in mind as well. It's easy enough to add your VM's to local storage and them move them (using the converter or something similar) once you get your shared storage.
On #1 yes, or more specifically it's supported with whatever processor you can buy for it
On #2 yes again.
In my case I purchased a 2950 with a Xeon 53XX series processor (generation two) to start out with then added another 2950 several months later. Well, the generation three 2950 phased the 53XX series processor in favor of the 54XX series processor. Both of these were supported on the list however to maintain VMotion compatibility I had to "downgrade" the processors (purchased separately) on the newer server. Just something else to keep in mind if you plan on adding more ESX hosts at a later date.
Hi
Thanks for a very quick reply....
To be particular I have 2 more queries
1. So if there is X under 3.5 and no X under ESX 3i does that mean ESX 3.5 is supported on that model with any cpu and not supported for esx3i
2. Say if there is X3,4,5 does that mean that only the server model with particular cpu with numbers below are supported?
Sorry guys I am asking this very novice question as I am going to buy a server and want to be sure of it before buying.....also would like to know since esx 2.5 is old do we get free download of it without the licensing?
Cheers!!!
I take it these are older already in service or ready to be re-serviced servers? I can understand trying to save some $ espcially in a test environment however most "test" environments majically move into production shortly after you implement them Anyways the generic response to your questions is "it depends". If the servers are heavy hitters like SQL, Exchange, or high use apps then you'll want enough CPU and RAM to support it. The typical response on drive capacity would be similar, "it depends". For SQL and Exchange usually RAID 10 is recommended so you would need to size your drives based on that to include RAID loss.
Now if you plan on implementing HA, DRS, vmotion, etc then you'll need some type of shared storage (Fiber, iSCSI, NAS) to do that so keep that in mind as well. It's easy enough to add your VM's to local storage and them move them (using the converter or something similar) once you get your shared storage.