Getting started with esxi

[erikthegamer124]

Hello, I'm currently trying to experiment with ESXi on my old pc.I am sure it supports ESXi 6.7. I know I need to server to go onto that PC and I know there is also a windows "client" I can add it. Can someone provide links to the server and the client.

Thanks in advance,

Erik.

[daphnissov]

ESXi on my old pc.I am sure it supports ESXi 6.7.

How are you "sure" this is the case, given that ESXi doesn't even support personal computers?

If you're just getting started with ESXi, a couple things to recommend:

1. Use the free Hands on Labs (hol.vmware.com). It'll give you an instant lab you can repeat as much as you'd like, and all the heavy lifting is done.
2. Run ESXi in a VM on Workstation. More work, and not all systems will allow it, but it'll give you something.
3. Get hardware which is known to run ESXi. Even if it's not on the HCL, many consumer-type boxes do work including Intel NUCs. This is more of an investment and may or may not be right for you.

[erikthegamer124]

Thanks for the help..I didn't know ESXi was that strict. By "sure" I meant that I saw a guy using a 8 year old IBM/Lenovo server. will try the lab feature.Have a nice day. :smileyhappy:

Erik.

[erikthegamer124]

Just so I can try it can you still provide some links please?

[daphnissov]

ESXi is enterprise-class software which requires enterprise-grade hardware (very often). It's not designed as a desktop, consumer piece of software. If you must install it locally, either find old hardware on the HCL or do some searches for compatible (albeit still unsupported) hardware that's cheaper. ESXi free version here.

[Scott Vessey]

Check CPU and IO device compatibility before you do anything else: VMware Compatibility Guide - System Search

Note however that although you can still download ESXi 6.7 for free (as vSphere Hypervisor), the remaining elements such as vCenter Server are only available for evolution on the latest 7.0 version.