VMware Cloud Community
jdelgado89
Contributor
Contributor

Dell ESXi ?

Hi,

I have a question of the ESXi version that comes with the dell servers. Is it a full version or a trial. If it is a full version how can we purchase Yearly support for upgrades. Does it comes with a year support for software updates.? Sorry I was reading the dell web site and it was confusing I and I call sales and their VMWare sales expert was out to lunch.

Their web site shows:

1. Embedded VMware ESXi v3.5 with VI3 Enterprise Trial, USB, 2S so my question is VI 3 is trial or both

2. Dell Remote Access Card, 5th Generation for PowerEdge Remote Management - Do i need this in their help me choose for the ESXi it reads "For customers using ESXi 3.5, a Dell Remote Access Controller is recommended to update server firmware and to update ESXi itself. "

3. Remote Advisory Services for Virtualization 1 Pack, 1 Year - Does this includes the yearly support for software updates or just dells support services. It complains if you remove it from the options it says need for the Virtualization.

Sorry for all the questions maybe some of you guys who have purchase a dell server can help me out.

Thanks

Reply
0 Kudos
2 Replies
Dave_Mishchenko
Immortal
Immortal

1) With the ESXi license, you'll be getting a license for VMware ESXi and the features shown on this page - http://www.vmware.com/products/vi/buy.html. If you want to manage the host with VirtualCenter, have HA, vmotion, etc, you would then have to buy an upgrade license to upgrade ESXi to the Foundation / Standard or Enterprise level. See this guide for upgrade costs - http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/vi_pricing3.pdf. That said, when you first install ESX / ESXi you get a 60 day trial and that license is at the enterprise level.

2) "For customers using ESXi 3.5, a Dell Remote Access Controller is recommended to update server firmware and to update ESXi itself.

You can update ESXi without a DRAC card, but it's really worth having especially if the host is in a remote location. For some of the initial setup you have to be at the console (either physicaly or via a DRAC card) and if you ever need to restart the management services on the host then you'll need to be at the console.

3) Gold subscription and support (SnS) is $495 retail for ESXi. I'm not familiar with the offering myself (on the IBM side it is more of a consulting / support service) but according to this brochure it would seem to be a consulting service and not VMware SnS - http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/services/prosupport/en/us/Remote_Advisory_SMb.pdf. Best to check with them to make sure though. When I have purchased SnS from Dell it has been clearly labelled as such.

Reply
0 Kudos
jdelgado89
Contributor
Contributor

Thanks for the info Dave that is what I needed.

Reply
0 Kudos