VMware ESX Desktop Hardware Compatibllity?

[HecDTec]

Has anyone tried to use VMWare ESX 3.5 on desktop chipsets like Intel P35, X38,X48 or Nvidia 600 or 700 series? I want to learn how to use Infrastructure 3 on Desktop hardware? I can't afford a server just to study vmware.

 

[yinan]

ESX is very picky about what it will successfully install on. They do this to ensure stability in the Enterprise. It wont even install well on all server hardware . I bought a dell Poweredge 2900 and it wont install on that.

 

[quikah]

You have a couple possible "maybe it will work" options. I haven't tried any of this myself.

1. Get a SCSI adapter and NIC from the ESX HCL and a SCSI disk. This should work in my mind, but it is possible that there is something else that would cause issues.
2. Install it as a VM in workstation and/or server 2.0 beta (not sure about this). There are a few catches to this, you must use workstation 6.0 (server 2 beta MAY work also), ESX 3.5 doesn't work on Intel CPUs in a VM and you need to modify the vmx file with some special flags. This has info: http://communities.vmware.com/thread/86877 As far as I know AMD quadcore WILL work with ESX 3.5 in a VM. there are a few other threads on vmware communities discussing this.

 

[clarkey01]

works on the dell 690 @ work

 

[tranceport]

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi35_systems_guide.pdf

This pdf will show you the minimum requirements to install. Likely the only issue you may have is not having a scsi controller.

 

[ktwebb]

Works on a 2900. You might have an HBA that's not on there. It would have to be a specific piece of hardware, probably one you didn't get with a standard order from Dell. But it will definitely work on a poweredge 2900.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
Works on a 2900. You might have an HBA that's not on there. It would have to be a specific piece of hardware, probably one you didn't get with a standard order from Dell. But it will definitely work on a poweredge 2900.

2900 here too -- works.

 

[tomt4535]

I actually installed it on an old P4 2.8ghz i had with an onboard intel SATA controller. It just worked, I didnt do anything crazy to make it work. Some SATA controllers do work, check the hardware compatiblity guides, they are very detailed.

I have a lab server here at work that is a Dell 2950 with SAS drives and it works fine.

 

[dclive]

Works great on Dell Inspiron 530 quad; requires aftermarket supported NIC (Intel pro 1000gt is best).