Can I run 3 ESXi hosts (vSphere essential) without vCenter server?

[whjang]

Hi.

I'm under considering to buy vSphere essential license.

We have 3 target host and each have 2 physical CPUs.

I'm bit confuse and curious some policy and limitations.

I have 2 questions.

1. Can I activate 3 vSphere(ESXi) hosts with vSphere essential license and not using vCenter server?

2. Can I allow allocate vCPU to VM more than 8 cores with vSphere essential license?

Thanks.

[DhirajChopra · Accepted solution]

1. Can I activate 3 vSphere(ESXi) hosts with vSphere essential license and not using vCenter server?

Yes , you can use license to activate 3 ESXIhosts without vCenter . but its run as standalone and no advance feature activated as features are provided via vCenter only.

2. Can I allow allocate vCPU to VM more than 8 cores with vSphere essential license?

VMware 7.x License come with 6 CPU, The maximum number of virtual CPUs that you can assign to a virtual machine is 768. The number of virtual CPUs depends on the number of logical CPUs on the host, and the type of guest operating system that is installed on the virtual machine. Please check more details in VMware support documents. : https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vSphere/7.0/com.vmware.vsphere.vm_admin.doc/GUID-13AD347E-3B77-4A6...

[whjang]

Thanks for your quick answer!

It is very helpful to my decision.

Thank you again.

Best regards.

[scott28tt]

Why NOT use vCenter Server if you have the licence for it anyway?

[whjang]

Hello.

Because we don't have extra Host for vCenter server. (Hosting VM is more crucial than management)

AFAIK it is possible ESXi + vCenter on same host, but I want to use separately.

We're planning to buying new Host for vCenter server.

So we will using without vCenter server until buying new Host.

[scott28tt]

vCenter runs in a VM on one of your ESXi hosts, as the vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA).

I see no reason NOT to use it if you've bought it.

[DhirajChopra]

I agreed with VMware response, You have 6 CPU licenses with one VC, you must use VC to take advantage of all available features. vCentre can manage Resources management to utilize maximum hardware benefits . you have option to shutdown VC any time if you face any performance issues on prod VMs due to lack of recourses.

Good Luck.

[whjang]

Thanks for your suggestion @scott28tt, @DhirajChopra 

I understand advantages and I'll try to use vCenter on VM until we have management host.

regards.