basic question installing vSphere and vCenter Server for the first time by ourselves

[rschmid]

Hi all,

I have a question about installing vSphere 5.5 and vCenter Server.

(vSphere 5 Essentials and vCenter Server 5 Essentials)

the related documentation says first to install vCenter Server and then ESXi.

Which is the operation system the hardware is going to boot from, ESXi or vCenter Server ?

Its not very clear for me. I thought EXSi is the booting OS.

We are a small company and will have less than 5 ESXi hosts.

Kind regard,

Roland

[SatyS]

yes..you are right.The OS is ESX only.

Please go through these as this will help you.

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-50-install...

http://www.mustbegeek.com/difference-between-vsphere-esxi-and-vcenter/

-SatyS

[john23]

You can use VMware hands on lab.

http://labs.hol.vmware.com/HOL/

This lab has VMware education, in this you will find navigator as well.

You can use the navigator and explore.

-A

[admin]

ESXi is the hyper-visor, upon which you will create your VMs.

In order to easily manage and configure vSphere features we use vCenter Server.

~dGeorgey

[rschmid]

yes..you are right.The OS is ESX only.

Please go through these as this will help you.

http://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-50/topic/com.vmware.ICbase/PDF/vsphere-esxi-vcenter-server-50-install...

Hi,

the setup-guide talks about the possibility tu upgrade an existing ESXi host.
Actually we are running the free version of ESXi, can I upgrade it to Essential ?

Kind regards,

Roland

[SatyS]

By applying license key you can always move to Essential.

-SatyS

[SatyS]

Please go through

vSphere 5 Licensing: vRAM Pricing and Licensing for VMware vSphere - United States

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=201429...

Hope this gives you an idea

-SatyS

[rschmid]

SatyS schrieb:

By applying license key you can always move to Essential.

-SatyS

this means I do not have to reinstall all just enter license key ??

but I would have to upgrade because we are running version 4.1 of ESXi.

Kind regards,

Roland

[SatyS]

If you want to move to Essential,you need to apply license key.But this wont do the upgrade operation.

If you want to move from 4.x to 5.x then you need to perform  upgrade

VMware Product Licensing - United States

-SatyS

[rschmid]

ok, first step applying essential license key.

how about our runnning virtual machines on mentioned ESXi host, do I need another host for our virtual machines

while upgrading to vSphere 5 ?

at least I do not have to reinstall all.

Kind regards,

Roland

[SatyS]

Can you clarify your requirements

-SatyS

[rschmid]

SatyS schrieb:

Can you clarify your requirements

-SatyS

ok

[OscarDavey]

If you have the hardware available to do so, it's cleaner to install a fresh version of the full version, you can then migrate your VMs across from the free version.

Your Oscar