ESX 3i embedded on Servers

[jerome27]

Hi there,

Need your help with the list of different server vendors that have ESX 3i embedded on their hardware.

Thanks!

[Dave_Mishchenko]

The intent is that 3i embedded with ship from a number of manufacturers (ESX Server 3i will ship pre-installed into select server hardware available from Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, IBM, and NEC.), but at this time only the 2950 III from Dell and RX330 S1 from Fujitsu are supported - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_systems_guide.pdf

[jerome27]

Hi Dave,

What do you mean by only two servers are only supported? How about the other servers that has 3i embedded on their servers?So it means it will not work?Does those servers have their list that they have ESX embedded?

Thanks.

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Other manufacters will need to certify their servers for 3i embedded. This can take same time and each model of server has to be certified. ESX 3i Installable for example, is only certified (in the HCL) for a limited number of servers as well, but it working fine on a larger number of "unsupported" servers. If you have a perferred vendor, it would be best to talk with your rep to find out which models they plan to certify. It may be that they already have certain models in the testing process for certification.

[jerome27]

Hi Dave,

Ok I'll do that, now what's the difference between the embedded 3i from the installable?which one is more commonly used or which on is better than the other?

Thanks again!

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Embedded with run from a flash drive that is internal to the host, which installable will require a hard drive for it's install (it uses 750 MB for its install). So in that sense embedded has an advantage in that you can deploy a server with no hard drive (storage would be SAN, iSCSI, NFS). Otherwise, I'm not aware of any code or performance differences

[mreferre]

Installable is available off the VMware web site, has its HCL etc etc etc. Similar in concept to standard ESX 3.x.

Embedded is the same code but that will come pre-installed on a system that you buy. The intent is that the embedded it will have a level of integration / support (with the server) that is higher than the "generic" Installable.

Most of the details still need to be outlined.

Massimo.

[mreferre]

> which installable will require a hard drive for it's install (it uses 750 MB for its install).

Dave, for the sake of the discussion, it should be noticed that (TECHNICALLY) you could install the "Installable" version on Solid State Drives and Flash options (that we -IBM- currently use on some selected blade models). What's on the HCL is another point..... (important yet).

Massimo.

[jerome27]

Hi there,

Thanks for the info.

[phenrichs]

HI ALL!

It is absolutely possible to run it from a USB drive. This also allows you to simulate an embedded version as the physical HDD will be for the vmfs storage only and not partitioned for ESX.

Here is a link to the post containing the instructions I followed.

NOTE: I used ultraiso instead of izarc and it worked fine. Has been up with no problems for nearly one month now.

http://communities.vmware.com/blogs/Knorrhane/2008/01/21/installing-esx-3i-on-usb-stick

Hope this helps.

Also I have it on good authority that Dell is pushing for a release of embedded hardware for late Feb or early March, HP says they WILL have it but wont give me any date range.

[mreferre]

True,

I have done that personally to hang out a few keys to customers. However I think this is a totally unsupported scenario for production environments ... more of a proof-of-concept if you will based on a "hack".

As far as I understand the only officially supported 3i USB implementation will come from the OEM's with 3i embedded .... 3i installable won't support being installed on USB keys.

Massimo.

[Jae_Ellers]

Here are some linkies for HP, Dell, Fujitsu

http://blog.mr-vm.com/2008/02/esx-3i-embedded-availability-imminent.html

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[jerome27]

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for your response on my queries.

Regards,

Jerome