single proc

[tung717]

I know this is a stupid question and I probably already the answer, but I must have a definitive answer for a project manager. Is it remotely possible to run esx on a single core server?

[bertdb]

I've seen ESX run on a single core (but hyperthreaded) processor.

Are you really interested in "is it possible", or is "is it - even remotely - supported" also important ?

Possible, assumed yes. Supported, definite no.

Performance will disappoint no matter what you're running on the ESX.

[esiebert7625]

Plus you can't buy a single processor license, they come in 2-cpu increments and the licensing agreement does not allow for splitting them.

[bertdb · Accepted solution]

in the above response, I assumed you were talking about a single-CPU, single-core server. Is that right ?

ESX is fully supported on a dual, quad, eight or sixteen-CPU single-core server.

regards,

Bert.

[admin]

ESX requires two physical processors to be "supported", whether that's a single-core, dual-core, or quad-core.

That said it will run just fine on a single processor, espeically a quad core.

Whether you can run two single processor boxes from one 2-CPU ESX license is a grey area, it definitely works, I know because I've tried it, but the EULA is unclear as to whether it is "allowed" or not - could be interpreted either way, personally I think it's OK to do so.

Read the bottom of page 3 of this PDF: http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_pricing.pdf

"VMware

Infrastructure 3 is sold in increments of two processors

instead of 2-, 4-, 8- and 16-CPU specific part numbers.

Processor capacity purchased can be deployed or redeployed

on any mix of servers as required.[/b]"

The EULA itself is clear as mud, have a read and see what you think.

http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/esx_server.html

[tung717]

single core single processor.

[esiebert7625]

Also check out these threads that talk about single cpu pricing...

ESX single-CPU multi-core licensing - http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=648327&#648327

Splitting 2 processor license between 2 single CPU servers - http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=87871

[tung717]

Okay so from what I understand I can legally put a vmware license on 2 servers with a single core.

I accidently marked this answered, but the question for me still stands a single chip server, can run esx. Yes I know it will run like a dog, we would like to test distaster recovery. FYI it is an intel pentium 4 cpu.

[esiebert7625]

Yes a single CPU server will run ESX