characterstics of vmware server as compared to esx server

[vmstor1]

characterstics of vmware server as compared to esx server (including features).

can any one please post an answer to this question or point me to a link to the document.

Thanks in advance

[weinstein5]

Major difference VMware Server is a hosted application relying upon a preinstalled O/S for scheduling processor/memory to the hyperviwor - ESX server is installed directly on the hardware and only the VMkernel (the Hypervisor) is responsible for managing the scheduling processor/memory providing better performance of the virtualized environment -

[azn2kew]

VMware server is a free version of basic for test and home use learn how basic virtualization works. ESX 3.x is made for enterprise environment where using HA, DRS, VMotion is the key and these provide high availability and redundancy for enterprise environment. ESX 3.x also has VCB, Update Manager, Storage VMotion as well. VMware server like I've mentioned its basic free entry level of home use and test environment. Hope that helps you can read more details on www.vmware.com

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems LLC.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[adolopo]

ESX, unlike Server allows you to put your VM's on a (VMFS) flat filesystem, which is basically like having "train tracks" under you Virtual Machines.

-D

[Texiwill]

Hello,

Just to clarify, VMFS-3 (for VI3) is not a flat filesystem but hierarchical.

ESX also has the concept of virtual switches that aid in separating Service Console (Host in VMware Server), vMotion, Storage, traffic from Virtual Machine Traffic. This makes protecting your investment quite a bit easier.

Security for VMware Server is based solely on the Host Operating System. Security for VI3/ESX is based upon a tightly coupled environment. It is much easier to secure an VI3/ESX Server with its built in firewall and network separation.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education. As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[adolopo]

Opps...my bad, meant to say "Clustered FS"....so used to spouting out Flat, I suppose.

-D

[pbd]

It is a little old but I found this document a useful summary of the differences.

Server is used in a number of places where ESX may be considered overkill - even to support 'production' just not to enterprise scales.