How to implement correctly a ESXi 4.1 U1 system

[fasttrack]

Hi guys,

I am going to installa ESXi 4.1 U1, since I am new I need some advise on hot to make the right partitions and their right formats to allow the system work properly.

The information I need for instance:

1) Number of partitions:

2) Type of format (I do not think ntfs)

3) Size of partitions

3) General information about system configuratiom deployment

Another useful info is: the VMs that I will create on which partition are they created? For this partition (that I assume it is not NTFS) I guess it need enough space.

In other word, could you give me some suggestions to implement correctly a ESXi system and any documentation resources will very useful.

Many thanks

[bulletprooffool]

If you build an ESXi key for your install, partition sizing for the ESX install will be handled without any manual requirements from you (suggets 2GB USB)

You will need to allocate a swap partition once installed.

As for Datastore storage sizing, there are several threads on the community - though this generally comes back with the same answer . . it depends on your environment.

Factors to considers

total number of VMs

VM performance requirements

Data duplication requirements

Data Deduplication

whcih ESX hosts have access to which storage

and so on.

Here is an ESXi installation guide:

http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2010/06/vmware-esxi-installation-guide/

Good luck

[AndreTheGiant]

As written, use the ESXi version...

It can also be installed on a flash memory: http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-11349

About the partition of the VMFS datastore, if you have only local storage, you have not too many choice.

Otherwise see: http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-10990

[fasttrack]

Hi

and many thanks for your help.

I would like to installa ESXi on usb drive,

please, could you tell me what is the best usb/flash drive.

Many thanks

[AndreTheGiant]

Kingston are good.

About SD, this depends by your hardware vendor, if you have the SD slot you can buy also the SD card and have support also on it.

Andre

[VirtualSingh]

We use Kingston, 8GB for our ESX hosts. Try to have extra space available on that drive even though full 8GB is not utilized.

Good luck