Can/How to ESXi 4.0 to an HP ML350 G4p

[AlanSsolutions]

I hope someone can help me out on this....

I have been given an ML350 G4p with 8GB ram in lieu of payment for services. I'm comfortable with witebox Intel servers but am new to HP and VMware. if possible, I would like to virualize a Windows Small Business Server 2008 and a 2nd Windows Server 2008 (both 64bit) onto this hardware. I would appreciate some guidance:

1- Do I install ESX 4.0 or ESXi 4.0?

2- What BIOS update and/or foundation pack(s) do I use? I tried the BIOS update for SBS08 but am having problems seeing the DVD to install the guest OS.

3- Could you point me to a good resource or 2 to start learning VMware for 1 - 4 server environments.

4- Anything else you may think may be helpful.

Thanks,

AlanS

[Josh26]

Hi,

The first thing you do with any HP server regardless of environment is apply the latest HP Firmware updates, which are available from one bootable CD. Have a look at the HP support page for your server.

You would then install the HP version of ESXi, which bundles HP management agents. Get it here:

https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=HPVM06

I'm unsure if the processors in that older model support the VT bit - you will need this ability to run a 64 bit guest. Would suggest checking this out.

[enDemand]

You won't be able to install ESXi 4.0 on an ML350 G4p. The minimum requirement is a G5, as Intel-VT must be available and supported by the chipset and CPU. I think this is due to the 64-bit nature of ESXi 4. Either way, the G4 is not on the HCL for ESXi 4.0 or 4.0U1:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

Note: selected ESXi 4.0 Installable with keywords "ML530" leaving all others at "All"

[cookieme]

You won't be able to install ESXi 4.0 on an ML350 G4p. The minimum requirement is a G5, as Intel-VT must be available and supported by the chipset and CPU. I think this is due to the 64-bit nature of ESXi 4. Either way, the G4 is not on the HCL for ESXi 4.0 or 4.0U1:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

Note: selected ESXi 4.0 Installable with keywords "ML530" leaving all others at "All"

I'm sorry but this is COMPLETELY INCORRECT! If the first poster would have done a search for ML350g4p on the forum you would have found many posts that I have started.

Bottom line. I own an HP ML350g4p and I am running ESXi4. Now this is an unsupported server in that it is not listed on VMware's HCL. However, this does not mean that it does not work only that VMware and HP will not help you if you run into trouble.

I have done extensive testing of the ML350g4p with both ESXi 3.5 Update 4 and ESXi 4 Update 1. Both work. NOTE that what ever version you go with even if you want to go for classic ESX 3 or 4, you will NOT be able to run 64bit virtual machines. Nothing you can do I've done much research and attempted to find a solution. This server can only run 64bit OSs in native mode (not virtual).

My recommendation as you are new to VMware and virtualisation is to go for ESXi 4 and not the classic version. VMware are very slowly going to move from the service console and ESX for the slimmer ESXi 4.

Anyway I hope this clears things up! If you need help regarding firmware updates and other HP related stuff and/ or VMware help with this specific server you can contact me. I can guide you since I have the exact same hardware and also started out without any VMware knowledge until many months ago.

Good luck

P.S. You don't want to install HP's customised version of ESXi if you are going for version 4. It does not provide any benefits as unfortunately the CIM providers (basically things that can speak to your hardware and get health information) do nothing for this particular server. If however you go with ESXi 3.5 U4 then I suggest you download the HP version as those CIMs do provide health info for this server. I have tried this in multiple combinations and this will save you time and sanity :smileywink:

ADDED LAST PART

[Josh26]

I'm sorry but this is COMPLETELY INCORRECT! If the first poster would have done a search for ML350g4p on the forum you would have found many posts that I have started.

Bottom line. I own an HP ML350g4p and I am running ESXi4. Now this is an unsupported server in that it is not listed on VMware's HCL. However, this does not mean that it does not work only that VMware and HP will not help you if you run into trouble.

I have done extensive testing of the ML350g4p with both ESXi 3.5 Update 4 and ESXi 4 Update 1. Both work. NOTE that what ever version you go with even if you want to go for classic ESX 3 or 4, you will NOT be able to run 64bit virtual machines. Nothing you can do I've done much research and attempted to find a solution. This server can only run 64bit OSs in native mode (not virtual).

The original post clearly asked about whether they could run 64 bit virtual servers, they were informed that this processor does not support the VT bit, and therefore the answer is "no".

I don't see what is "COMPLETELY INCORRECT!" about this at all.

[cookieme]

enDemand wrote:

You won't be able to install ESXi 4.0 on an ML350 G4p. The minimum requirement is a G5, as Intel-VT must be available and supported by the chipset and CPU. I think this is due to the 64-bit nature of ESXi 4. Either way, the G4 is not on the HCL for ESXi 4.0 or 4.0U1:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

This is incorrect! Yes, the server does not have Intel-VT (correct) and therefore you cannot run 64bit virtual machines. Nonetheless, enDemand has said that ESXi won't install because the minimum requirement is a G5 with Intel-VT. These statements are just wrong.

So, if you like it is not totally incorrect. Just incorrect. Better?

[enDemand]

Wow...been a while since I've seen a thread like this. But if it makes some feel better..."I was wrong!" Well partially. It wasn't accurate just to say that it won't install on a DL350 G4p. I guess what I should have said was "It's not a supported configuration", which was my intent. I have no clue whether it would install or not...and that wasn't the point of the post. The 2nd part of the response was directed to the question about running 64-bit VMs. Just my opinion, but when someone new to VMware infrastructure asks a question similar to the original post, I think it's the community's responsibility to direct them to supported configurations or at least make it clear that the reply is not supported and generally not recommended for running in a production environment...something that wasn't done in the initial response. With that said, thanks to cookieme for clarifying the situation!

[mrknowitall2042]

[Scott Vessey]

Installing those OSes inside a VM? On what version of ESXi?

[AlanSsolutions]

A big THANKS to each and all of you!!! You've saved me countless hours of wasted time and frustration.

I was under the misconception that VMware did not rely on a VT processor as MS Hyper-V does. Well, live and learn.

Again, Thanks a bundle to you all.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

AlanS

[bbiandov]

HP ML350 G4 works just fine with v4. However no 64 bit hosts :smileysad: