Vmotion between 6850 and 2950, possible?

[media_gen]

We're looking at adding to our existing cluster of ESX servers, we currently run all Dell PE 6850's with Dual-Core Intel's. We were hoping to be able to add some 2950's to the cluster with compatible processors and still keep the Vmotion capability, is this possible?

Here is what Dell is telling us:

"[i]You can’t Vmotion from a 6850 server to a 2950 server. It’s not really a problem, it’s a chipset compatibility thing. All the chipsets have to be consistent of you want to Vmotion from one server to another. I’m pretty sure that is what the customer is referring to below.[/i]"

Thanks!

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Below is Dell's compatability matrix for Vmotion and it will depend on the CPU model.

Vmotion CPU Compatibility for Intel processors - http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1991

Vmotion and VM Compatibility Matrix for Dell PowerEdge Servers - http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/solutions/vmotion_compatiblity_matix.

[media_gen]

I've looked through these charts prior to my post and from what I can tell as long as I can get compatible CPUs in the 2950 we should be able to Vmotion between the 6850 and the 2950. Correct?

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Yes - the CPUs have to be compatible. The number of CPUs, cache size, CPU speed can be different.

[Fedde]

I've looked through these charts prior to my post and

from what I can tell as long as I can get compatible

CPUs in the 2950 we should be able to Vmotion between

the 6850 and the 2950. Correct?

That is correct, but can you still get compatible CPUs in the 2950?

You have to use the 5000-series CPU in the 2950

to be compatible with the 6850.

And the question is: is the 5000-series CPU still available for the 2950?

/Fedde

[RParker]

The only time this will be an issue is if you had a 6950 going to a 2950. The AMD processors are not cross compatible, and your VM's will crash.

Otherwise the machine doesn't matter, only the CPU. As long as there is sufficient memory to process the VMotion, there won't be a problem.

[glynnd1]

Dave,

Your missing the .pdf in your link.

http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/solutions/vmotion_compatiblity_matix.pdf

Fedde,

These are the CPUs the the 2950 is currently listed with:

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® X5355, 2x4MB Cache, 2.66GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® E5345, 2x4MB Cache, 2.33GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® E5335, 2x4MB Cache, 2.0GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® E5320, 2x4MB Cache, 1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB

Quad Core Intel® Xeon® E5310, 2x4MB Cache, 1.60GHz, 1066MHz FSB

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5160, 4MB Cache, 3.00GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5150, 4MB Cache, 2.66GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5148LV, 4MB Cache, 2.33GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5130, 4MB Cache, 2.00GHz, 1333MHz FSB

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5120, 4MB Cache, 1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB

Dual Core Intel® Xeon® 5110, 4MB Cache, 1.60GHz, 1066MHz FSB