New to VM and looking for direction

[mwinters]

I have an new IBM x3650 with a single Quad Xenon. I wanted to try and use this to virtualize some older hardware (NT 4.0 Servers) while I'm moving their functionality to new servers. I was planning on the new servers to also be virtual on this same box (Server 2003 RC2). Functions are printer server, light database, intranet and a few small use (8-10 user) applications.

ESX is presented as an Enterprise Solution, but I don't think this is really an Enterprise situation. VMWare Server seems to be talked down in these forums in favor of ESX. Is VMWare Server a production system? Wasn't it GSX before which was a production solution?

The other question I had was on licensing. If I did go with ESX, I have a single processor with 4 cores. Does that count as 1 processor for the licensing or 4?

Thank you for your responses,

maw

[VirtualNoitall]

Hello,

VMware Server can be a production system. It wouldn't be mine but the product is solid and has a place in the product line. You can purchase support for it and can setup a Virtual Center 1.4 Server to help manage it.

Currently ESX licenses by sockets and this includes 4 cores on one socket. You could get ESX Starter Edition which will let you run 4 sockets, 8GB of RAM and use local or NFS storage all for a pretty low price tag.

There is a bit of a learning curve with ESX but if you can swing it then it is the superior product. If you can't VMware Server will get the job done.

Hope that helps!

[admin]

The other question I had was on licensing. If I did

go with ESX, I have a single processor with 4 cores.

Does that count as 1 processor for the licensing or

4?

That counts as 1 processor for licensing. However you can only buy ESX in multiples of 2 CPU licenses.

[esiebert7625]

Here's a good licensing guide for ESX...

VMware Infrastructure 3: Pricing, Packaging and Licensing Overview - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_pricing.pdf

Also good additional reading for someone new to VMware...

VMware Infrastructure 3 architecture - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi_architecture_wp.pdf

ESX Server 3.x System, I/O, Storage/SAN, Backup Software Compatibility Guides - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_systems_guide.pdf http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_io_guide.pdf http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_san_guide.pdf http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_backup_guide.pdf

Introduction to VMware Infrastructure - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_301_201_intro_vi.pdf

Tips and Tricks for Implementing Infrastructure Services on ESX Server - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/tips_tricks_infrastructure_services.pdf

Configuration Maximums for VMware Infrastructure 3 - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_301_201_config_max.pdf

File / Print / DNS Servers: Getting Started with Virtual Infrastructure - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/file_print_dns_wp.pdf

Fyi…if you find this post helpful, please award points using the Helpful/Correct buttons.

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Thanks, Eric

Visit my website: http://vmware-land.com

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[oreeh]

Beware that you need two CPUs (not cores!) to have a supported ESX installation.

[esiebert7625]

Also VI3 is only sold in 2 processor increments:

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.

[m_d_sella · Accepted solution]

maw,

We are currently running both VI3 and VMware Server (formerly GSX). Our true production servers are running on the VI3 platform while we run a handful of development servers on the VMware Server platform. When/if needed, we migrate the servers from the development platform to VI3. In your scenario, it may be beneficial to start with VMware Server and if you see decent benefit from virtualization, you can then decide whether or not to pursue VI3 for a more "enterprise" product. We have had good success in regard to stability while running VMware Server on a Linux host. Also, prior to retiring our ESX 2.5 hosts (migration to VI3), 2 of the 3 hosts had 500+ days uptime (excluding scheduled patches). So that vouches for ESX stability. In any case, VMware Server should be fine for production use if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of performance overhead, a few handy features, and potentially a little bit of stability depending on the host platform. And as it is free, VMware Server is a great place to start.

Hope this helps,

Mike