Opinions on a new ESXi Host

[tonybourke]

My current ESXi host is a Dell Inspiron 531 with 3 GB of RAM and a AMD Athlon 5000+ (dual core, 2.6 GHz). Yeah, it's a little cramped in there.  It's stock hardware except for the Intel PCI Server NIC that was required to get ESXi on the host. 

So I'm going to replace it with a new ESXi host.  I'm looking for suggestions.  Here are my requirements:

• I'll be booting from a 4GB flash drive. It's a great way to boot.  Simple, easy, no moving parts. 
• Lots of RAM.  Doesn't need to be ECC, just needs to be a lot.  I'm thinking i7 with 6 memory slots.  I can do 24 GB of RAM for about $150-180 from Newegg.
• It has to be QUIET.  So most server hardware is out.  My data center is my laundry room, and I don't want it sounding like I've got a jet engine in there.
• I'd prefer hardware RAID, but given that most server hardware is out, I'm probably going to be stuck using multiple virtual disks and software RAID.
• I'm not against using an external RAID array, either eSATA or NAS via iSCSI or NFS. 

Any suggestions/opinions on hardware?

[a_p_]

I'd prefer hardware RAID, but given that most server hardware is out, I'm probably going to be stuck using multiple virtual disks and software RAID.

Software RAID is not supported and does not work with ESX(i). For best disk performance get a hardware RAID controller with battery-backed write-cache which allows write-back operation.

To find hardware which is known to work with ESX(i), take a look at the Whitebox lists (e.g. http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php or http://ultimatewhitebox.com/)

Good luck

André

[idle-jam]

André advise is the best, you definitely need a raid card with battery backed write cache. in addition to that you could look for option like openfiler which will turn existing (if any) server with good storage performance into an iSCSI shared storage.

alternative you could look out for cheap iSCSI/NAS like bufallo, iomega, synology that are certified for ESXi4.

[tonybourke]

André Pett wrote:

I'd prefer hardware RAID, but given that most server hardware is out, I'm probably going to be stuck using multiple virtual disks and software RAID.

Software RAID is not supported and does not work with ESX(i). For best disk performance get a hardware RAID controller with battery-backed write-cache which allows write-back operation.

To find hardware which is known to work with ESX(i), take a look at the Whitebox lists (e.g. http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php or http://ultimatewhitebox.com/)

Good luck

André

Hi Andre,

Thanks for the response. 

As I stated, I'm building a home system.  Chances are, a hardware RAID controller isn't an option (too pricey).  When I say software RAID, I mean in the guest VMs.  I create two identical sized disks on two different data stores, and use the guest VM to create a RAID 1 array in them.  I'd prefer not to do that though, so like iSCSI on a drobo might be a better option. 

I appreciate you posting that list.  However, I keep seeing that known hardware list posted everywhere, and while it's handy in some cases, it's not very helpful when looking for a new piece of hardware (you have no idea if a piece of hardware is $40 or $4,000, or if it's even available on Newegg/Tigerdirect). I find a controller on Newegg, and I can't match it up to anything on that list (even though it may be there). To be honest, I hate that list.

By the way, I found an Intel Pro 1000 PT PCIe on eBay for about $40, and it's a great ESXi NIC.

What I'm asking is if anyone has specific recommendations for good, cost effective hardware. 

Tony

[DSTAVERT]

The real problem is that ESX(i) is not designed for desktop products. Server hardware has a relatively long build life. A server model built today will have the same components if built 1 year from now. Desktop products have very short build cycles and can have different internal components (chips etc) from day to day let alone month to month. What someone recommends today may not work tomorrow.

Motherboards are seldome a real issue. It is the embedded controllers NICs etc. What you are wanting to do is difficult at best. I would ask the same question at the vm-help website.

[tonybourke]

David Stavert wrote:

The real problem is that ESX(i) is not designed for desktop products. Server hardware has a relatively long build life. A server model built today will have the same components if built 1 year from now. Desktop products have very short build cycles and can have different internal components (chips etc) from day to day let alone month to month. What someone recommends today may not work tomorrow.

Motherboards are seldome a real issue. It is the embedded controllers NICs etc. What you are wanting to do is difficult at best. I would ask the same question at the vm-help website.

It's all x86.  I'm doing it now with a Dell Inspiron, and it's working fine.  It's just crampt because of the memory issue.  As I said before, it needs to be cost effective (I'll spend around $1,000, but I'm not spending $10,000) and quiet. 

It's all possible with desktop grade gear.  I'm not looking to run a Fortune 500 off it, I'm just doing dev work, a few network appliances, etc.  I'd just rather buy hardware others have used successfully rather than stab around in the dark.

[DSTAVERT]

I am not saying it isn't possible. The suggestion has been made several times to check the vm-help website where there is lots of information about unsupported hardware.

[DSTAVERT]

If you have money to spend I would call Dell, HP etc and ask them to configure a supportable configuration. You can absolutely find something that will support ESXi and with a little effort either a replacement quiet power supply or some sound isolation.

[tonybourke]

I'd been concentrating on the HCL on the vm-help site and I'd ignored the forum section, but the forum section is perfect for what I'm looking for.

http://www.vm-help.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=13

Thanks all

Tony

[idle-jam]

great that you found something useful. yes the forum is a gem! i wish you all the best in getting your whitebox up and running.

[DSTAVERT]

Good luck.

[harryj]

First off, why not put 8 GIGs of RAM in your 531?

Where are you going to get 24GB of RAM for $180?  You must mean $280.

Otherwise, your best bet is a ASUS X58 Sabertooth($199) with a Core I7-950($199) from Microcenter and a dual port Intel NIC from EBAY ($80).  Add a cheap video card and storage of your choice.

If you want to go cheaper, the $95.99 AMD Athlon II X4 CPU/MSI MB bundle from Microcenter will hold 16GB of RAM.

[tonybourke]

harryj wrote:

First off, why not put 8 GIGs of RAM in your 531?

Where are you going to get 24GB of RAM for $180?  You must mean $280.

Otherwise, your best bet is a ASUS X58 Sabertooth($199) with a Core I7-950($199) from Microcenter and a dual port Intel NIC from EBAY ($80).  Add a cheap video card and storage of your choice.

If you want to go cheaper, the $95.99 AMD Athlon II X4 CPU/MSI MB bundle from Microcenter will hold 16GB of RAM.

I wish I could put 8 GB in the 531.  However, it's only supported to 4GB.  I could buy a 8 GB kit and try it (it should work), but that's a $150 gamble.

And you're right, I meant 12 GB.  There's a 12 GB kit on Newegg for $150. 

I like the 6 DIMM slot i7 boards.  You can get 1/3 more RAM that way. 

I'll check out the ASUS X58. 

[harryj]

My Vostro 200 and Inspiron 530 both only "support" 4GB, but I've got 8 in the 4 I have, all running great.

The Sabertooth X58 is regarded as the most stable of the X58 desktop motherboards.  I have my I7-950 OCed to 3.7 Ghz.

My Athlon II X4 on the MSI bundle from MC is OCed to 3.6 Ghz.  Lotsa nice performance for little scratch.

[admin]

Must admit my standard deployment now is 24 core's with 256 GB RAM and the problems I am having since moving from ESX 4.1 (Classic as the Yanks call it) to ESXi have been very, very painful indeed.  I have so many - as in 1000's of VM's global..... I'm holding back until ESXi 5.x before on - but NetApp have been Awsome...