Virtualization, what it is possible and hardware requirements
I would like to make the most of the power of hardware and software like VMware/HyperV for multi purpose appliactions. One important role of the h/w and s/w would be to provide the ability to install various operating systems both 32 and 64 bit so my business can learn and support various products without having to invest thousands of dollars on multi platforms. Another requirement is the ability to run Windows 2008 Small Business server full time to run my business as well as a desktop with say Windows 7. So I am picturing a reasonably powerful 64 bit workstation (say HP WX505PA) with support for dual display, lots of memeory and disk space. Can I use a VMware product or MS HyperV to do this? Assuming the workstation had a dual network card, can I toggle from server to desktop without having to reboot? I would also like the flexibility of running a dual monitor setup so I can achive icreased productivity. I know there is always going to be limitaions and my request probably sounds like a shopping list but have I exceeded realistic bounadires. Your comments would be apreacited.
Dave Baldwin
I would never do development work on the same machine as a production server that was used for business purposes.
i would recommend VMware VSphere for this with at least 2 servers and a SAN, but as you say you wouldn’t want to invest thousands of dollars so then the ESXi would suit your purpose.
Remember that you get what you pay for, there is no redundancy i having one server running everything. If this server fails then your company doesn’t have the core system that w2k8 SBS provides.
Remember that you get what you pay for, there is no redundancy i having one server running everything. If this server fails then your company doesn’t have the core system that w2k8 SBS provides.
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Thank you for the links with comparison, it seems like no brainer - VMware has so many benefits of MS Hyper-V. Toni, I understand the point about redundancy but I am prepared to live with this in the short term. At least I have the opprotunity to experience the capabilities of VMware without breaking the bank.
Lordrt, do I need server class hardware to achive my aims? Can you recommend entry level specs for what I need to do? I have a ML350 Xeon 2.8 Tower server. Can I use it with ESXi?
Lordrt, do I need server class hardware to achive my aims? Can you recommend entry level specs for what I need to do? I have a ML350 Xeon 2.8 Tower server. Can I use it with ESXi?
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Just another couple of points, and please remember I use both systems and I am not trying to push either.
1. The link you posted is for Windows 2008 hyper-v vs ESX server, not ESXi which has more limitaitions. http://www.itcomparison.com/Virtualization/VMwareESX4vsMshypervr2/VMwareESX4vWindows2008R2HyperV.htm is for the latest versions of each.
2. Be wary of hidden costs with both systems.
1. The link you posted is for Windows 2008 hyper-v vs ESX server, not ESXi which has more limitaitions. http://www.itcomparison.com/Virtualization/VMwareESX4vsMshypervr2/VMwareESX4vWindows2008R2HyperV.htm is for the latest versions of each.
2. Be wary of hidden costs with both systems.
Yes you can use a ML350 with ESXi.
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That's great! Though I did come across VMware notes (on their download link) that I will need a server capable of 64bit. Not sure if the ML350 falls in this category? This could be a good starting point for me (testing with ML350).
As to the dual monitor aspect: I would like to be able to move applications and spread my self out - e.g. outlook on one screen while running other appliactions on the other. I can't recall the axact name that Microsoft gives this feature but you can move your mouse from one screeen to another.
Can you enlighten me about hidden costs?
Can ESXi do what i need ?
As to the dual monitor aspect: I would like to be able to move applications and spread my self out - e.g. outlook on one screen while running other appliactions on the other. I can't recall the axact name that Microsoft gives this feature but you can move your mouse from one screeen to another.
Can you enlighten me about hidden costs?
Can ESXi do what i need ?
Indeed you can use ML350, vms do not usually require too much resources to work, unless of course a high volume of traffic and processing is being done on the server or the vm itself
Also a list here for some of the hardware compatible (with ESX/ESXi 4.0) :
http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php
http://www.vm-help.com/esx40i/esx40_whitebox_HCL.php
As I am currently having issues with a VMWARe box with an overheating CPU, remember that if the box goes faulty, it takes a load more down with it. Maake sure you can accept that.
Concerning your dual monitor option then this is done if you have like I said previously two ports on your graphic card(new NVidia/Ati cards have this) or motherboard (if GPU is embedded) whereby you can have a normal VGA socket + one or two HDMI sockets to enable two or more monitors to be connected to same CPU.
To enable this once you have connected to your two monitors, right click on desktop -> Properties (if using Windows) and under Settings tab set the configuration as desired. (If you want to extend the taskbar on both monitors, use apps like Multi-Mon or Ultramon... these tools also allow advance customization for the taskbar and the display on the two monitors)
To enable this once you have connected to your two monitors, right click on desktop -> Properties (if using Windows) and under Settings tab set the configuration as desired. (If you want to extend the taskbar on both monitors, use apps like Multi-Mon or Ultramon... these tools also allow advance customization for the taskbar and the display on the two monitors)
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Thank you for your comments and I appreciate some have gone the 'extra mile' (liquidnetworks). I will try ESXi with ML350 and will report back ASAP.
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Tried ML350 (actually a G3) and realised it wont run. I get error during initial setup: booting: mbi=0x00100d8, entry = 0x00100212
Conclusion: ML350G3 is not 64 bit. and is a must for ESXi. to run.
Obviously I have find compatible hardware and try out ESXi.
Conclusion: ML350G3 is not 64 bit. and is a must for ESXi. to run.
Obviously I have find compatible hardware and try out ESXi.
ASKER
As always, the best thing is to try for myself (I can then validate coments).
I have a bit of learning and experimenting to do but I feel a lot more confident about virtualization after getting your feedback.
Thank you all.
I have a bit of learning and experimenting to do but I feel a lot more confident about virtualization after getting your feedback.
Thank you all.
ah i forgot about the 64bit part, hopefully u'll manage to get the required hw to make this work :)