Home ESXi Server (Spec)

tntcoder

tntcoder

tntcoder

Soldato
Joined
7 Apr 2004
Posts
4,212
Hi,

I'm hoping someone can spec me a cheapish home server that fits the hardware compatibility requirements for running VMWare ESXi. Also having enough juice to run at least 4 VMs.

Would this do? http://www.techhead.co.uk/new-hp-proliant-microserver-a-decent-vsphere-lab-server-candidate

And am I correct in wanting ESXi over VSphere? I think VSphere is for multiple distributed boxes isn't it?

Also can anyone give me an idea of how much it would cost to run said box 365/24/7 headless and at average work loads. I think I pay about 17p per kwh for the first 900 per year than its < 10p.

Thanks :)
 
Last edited:
ecksmen said:
TBH its impossible to suggest specs by just saying 4vms. What will those VMs be doing, will the be CPU / disk intensive?

My home install is fairly rubbish spec wise, nothing more than an old desktop pc.

1.8GHz Dual Core
8GB Ram
4 HDDs.

Uses about 90watts when I last measured.

I have a DC (overkill but usefull none the less), a file server (windows 7 so I can make use of desktop software like mozy at home). Then a few test servers, at the moment I have 4 server TS farm. Test has its own resource pool given the lowest resources and the Live (DC01 & FS01) have a resource pool with high.

No point in going for the compatibility list - its not going to be production working environment. If I upgrade my system I'll be looking at the 6core AMD chips and 16GB with a lot of drives. Spindles help!
Click to expand...

Nice thanks, How do you get ESX running on a standard box if you don't follow the HCL? Or have you just brought a supported disk controller :confused:

VM load wise, 3 out of the 4 i want to run will be doing absolute minimal work, while the 4th will be doing folding style CPU intensive work.
 
Ok thanks guys, ive pretty much decided on the following spec, where the motherboard is rated to have basically full compatibility for an ESXi whitebox :) Seems like more bang for the buck when going custom.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz
ASUS P5Q-VM DO - motherboard - micro ATX - iQ45 - LGA775 Socket
2TB HDD
MicroATX Case + 500w PSU
8gb 667mhz DDR2 RAM

= £400


One last ESXi question, if i set all that up on the single 2tb HDD - is it trivial to add in a second hard drive at a later date for new VMs to utilize? Not bothered with RAID.
 
Ok brilliant thanks, will go with a few smaller drives instead, that makes sense. I wasn't aware you could distribute a VM's storage space over multiple drives, pretty cool.

Christmas project sorted :D Just hope I won't get too badly screwed on electric bills!
 
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