Hardware Requirements for ESXi 4

[anonimous]

hi

What are minimum hardware requirements for ESXi 4?

Can I test it on a P4 / 1GB RAM workstation with 20GB hard disk and add a NAS 1TB as a datastore?

[DSTAVERT]

The real answer is you need something from the hardware compatibility list. You don't have enough RAM for starters. ESXi needs a minimum of 2GB to install plus additional RAM for guest virtual machines.

[DSTAVERT]

The basic hardware may or may not support ESXi. Embedded components like disk controllers and network cards are often issues for installation. You can check your hardware against the HCL http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php or the http://vm-help.com website whitebox list.

[golddiggie]

ESXi Hardware Requirements (4.0 u2)

Except from page 13...

VMware ESXi 4.0 will only install and run on servers with 64-bit x86 CPU's

Known 64-bit processors

All AMD Opterons support 64 bit.

All Intel Xeon 3000/3200, 3100/3300, 5100/5300, 5200/5400, 7100/7300, and 7200/7400 support 64 bit.

All Intel Nehalem support 64 bit.

2GB RAM minimum <-- you're short on this to start with.

Chances are, your processor won't fly right... Post up the actual processor designation so it can be checked, or look on ark.intel.com to see if it has the correct technologies built into it... You could check your bios to see if it's a 64 bit processor, and to ensure that it has the Intel Virtualization setting that can be enabled on it. If it doesn't, then you have little, to no, chance of getting ESXi 4.x to install onto the system...

VMware VCP4

Consider awarding points for "helpful" and/or "correct" answers.

[DSTAVERT]

We regularly give away older real servers, mostly to students. Most are capable of running ESXi. You may be able to find local companies willing to donate hardware for testing and learning. Places like ebay and craigslist in the US often have very lo cost or free servers capable of running ESXi.

[anonimous]

BTW does ESX 4.0 run on servers with 64-bit x86 CPU's only, I mean like ESXi4?

[Troy_Clavell]

BTW does ESX 4.0 run on servers with 64-bit x86 CPU's only, I mean like ESXi4?

yes, ESX(i)4.x are 64bit hypervisors and require 64bit capable hardware

[DSTAVERT]

ESX and ESXi are both 64 bit only. There is no functional difference between ESX and ESXi.