VMware Cloud Community
LLCard
Contributor
Contributor
‎12-10-2013 12:32 PM

Does VMWare ESX 5.x support Windows 2012 hosts?

Can we have VMWare hosts with windows 2012 server OS? 

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7 Replies
admin
Immortal
Immortal
‎12-10-2013 12:37 PM

Hi,

Yes Windows Server 2012 is fully supported for ESXi 5.5/5.1 and ESXi 5.0 U1 and ESXi 5.0 U2.

The below KB should confirm the same.

VMware KB: Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012 Operating System does not boot or install on ESXi or ESX

Thanks,
Avinash

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schepp
Leadership
Leadership
‎12-10-2013 12:37 PM

Hi,

you can check here: VMware Compatibility Guide: Guest/Host Search

it says Windows Server 2012 is supported from ESXi 5.0 U1 to 5.5

and Windows Server 2012r2 is supported from ESXi 5.0 U2 to 5.5

Regards

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a_p_
Leadership
Leadership
‎12-10-2013 12:37 PM

Welcome to the Community,

according to http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=software&testConfig=16, Windows 2012 is supported with ESXi 5.0 Update 1 (plus a patch) and later.

André

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LLCard
Contributor
Contributor
‎12-10-2013 01:31 PM

Thanks for the responses.

I was not real clear on my first question.  I guess what I meant is can we run ESX 5.x on top of a host installed with windows Server 2012. 


What I mean by Windows 2012 host is a server installed with windows 2012 server serving as a VMWare host.

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a_p_
Leadership
Leadership
‎12-10-2013 01:36 PM

ESXi is an operating system, which - unless you run e.g. a test lab - has to be installed directly on the hardware.

André

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wwan
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
‎12-10-2013 02:17 PM

You might want to read this so that you are aware of the e1000e issue  - https://communities.vmware.com/message/2315652

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admin
Immortal
Immortal
‎12-12-2013 08:34 AM

Support for Windows 2012 has been introduced on ESXi 5.0 U1, with the following support considerations:

  • Installation of patch ESXi500-201209001 (a.k.a. 5.0 Patch 04) is required on ESXi 5.0 U1
  • Snapshots, checkpoints and VMotion actions for virtual machines with Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 are incompatible between hosts running ESXi 5.0 Update 1 or ESXi 5.0 Patch 03 (ESXi500-201207001) with host running later versions of ESXi ( ESXi 5.0 Patch 04, ESXi 5.0 Update 2, ESXi 5.1, etc.). Please refer to KB-2033723 for more information.
  • The Guest OS Customization feature in vCenter does not support Windows 8 or Windows Server 2012 in vSphere 5.0.
  • Installation instruction can be found here http://partnerweb.vmware.com/GOSIG/Windows_Server_2012.htm
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