VMWare confusion

[Bluecube]

I'm using the free version of ESXi 5.5 with great success. However, I understand that some of its features aren't available through the desktop client and require vSphere Web Client. What package is the Web Client part of and is it just another one click install management tool?

Thanks for any help as I've been finding the vast range of VMWare products difficult to navigate.

 

[DustyMiller]

The 5.5 vSphere vCenter Server that gives access to the vSphere web client, is part of the paid for licence. you can get a 2 month "Free Trial" licence from VMware, but after that you will have to get a paid for licence for vCenter Server.

 

[Gammawolf]

In case it causes any confusion, if just creating virtual machines by default, they will be Virtual Machine Version 8. You can continue to use the free desktop client to manage them. As soon as you click "upgrade virtual hardware" on the vm it will upgrade to version 10, which will require vCenter Server in order to manage and unlock the features. As the poster above said, its a trial or paid for tool only.