Should I go to Server or ESXi

[kruiseri]

I'm currently using VMWare Server 1.0, and I'm now considering either upgrading to Server 2.0 or moving to ESXi (Free). Few things that I couldn't find an answer though.

Does the free ESXi include the Windows based management client (Infrastructure client) or does that need to be purchased separately ?

Can i move my existing virtual machines to the ESXi environment easily ? I believe they have IDE drives defined currently.

Would a HP ML350 G5 with 10G memory and 4 x 146 Gb RAID 5 configuration (15k disks) yield more performance in ESXi that it would on VMWare Server. The hardware is supported as far as I can understand. I would not be running a ton of machines on it, a Linux host, a couple of WIndows servers and a couple of WIndows workstations and thats it.

I understand that the downloadable version is either installed on the disk system, or put on a USB disk. Which is preferred approach and what are the pros and cons ?

Thanks for any insight !

[joboo12]

I'm currently using VMWare Server 1.0, and I'm now considering either upgrading to Server 2.0 or moving to ESXi (Free). Few things that I couldn't find an answer though.

Does the free ESXi include the Windows based management client (Infrastructure client) or does that need to be purchased separately ?

Yes, Once you install ESXi and configure network connectivity you can browse to the host via Web Browser and there is a link to download and install the Client software

Can i move my existing virtual machines to the ESXi environment easily ? I believe they have IDE drives defined currently.

Although I have not perfomed this type of conversion I have read a few articles/Post on the subject. Here are a few links that may help:

http://communities.vmware.com/message/409759#409759

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1046404#1046404

Would a HP ML350 G5 with 10G memory and 4 x 146 Gb RAID 5 configuration (15k disks) yield more performance in ESXi that it would on VMWare Server. The hardware is supported as far as I can understand. I would not be running a ton of machines on it, a Linux host, a couple of WIndows servers and a couple of WIndows workstations and thats it.

I would think so.. But would ultimatley Depend on how much resources(CPU,Memory) you allocate to each VM.

I understand that the downloadable version is either installed on the disk system, or put on a USB disk. Which is preferred approach and what are the pros and cons ?

I would install to a local Disk Array and stay away from the USB disk. Installable version is not supported by VMWare. I would stick with the HCL.

Thanks for any insight !

[kruiseri]

I'm a bit confused here, you are saying that ESXi Installable version is not supported by VMWare, however it is on several VMWare HCL lists.

Did you actually mean that putting it on a USB stick is not supported ?

[joboo12]

Sorry for the confusion. I meant to say VMWare does not support the installation of ESXi installable on a USB stick.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

It is not supported to extract the Installable version to a USB flash drive. It is supported on servers on the HCL when installed to a hard drive.