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What are the different versions of ESXI 3.5, 4.1 and 5.0

Hi,
I want to learn VMWARE, and I have downloaded a trial version of VMWARE Workstation 7.1.4. . I installed it on my Dell laptop. It will expire in 30 days.

I want to install free ESXI on my vmware workstation 7, but I don't know which ESXI versions or types that I should use. Can you please explain in details what the different between ESXI 3.5, 4.1, and 5.0? ? Which ESXI version should I download and install on my vmware workstation for learning and practicing the vmware skills?

My Dell laptop details information below.
DELL Latitude E6500
It has 4gb of RAM
Intel Core 2 dual P8400, 2.26GHZ 2.27GHZ
WIndows 7 32bit.

Thanks,
Sririta

artisticsoul

Download and install VMware vSphere Hypervisor 5.0(ESXi 5.0), it is the latest version.
There are many upgrades and features that make the 3.5, 4.1 and 5.0 versions different.

RickEpnet

Download the 5.0 and start with a 2 or 4GB partition. Install the OS then add another drive to the VM and use that as your datastore.

I am not sure if you will be able to install ESXi on a notebook that is running Windows 7 32Bit. ESXi is 64 bit.

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Luciano Patrão

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

ESXi 5.0 is the latest version that was released on 24 August 2011.

All versions are very similar ESXi 3.5, ESXi 4.x and ESXi 5.0, I would stick with the latest version, as it supports more Guest Operating Systems.

VMware Workstation or VMware Player are ideal environments for learning VMware ESXi, many VMware Admins build VMware Labs using VMware Workstation or VMware Player (for FREE) on laptops.

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coolsport00

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sririta

ASKER

Thanks Guys for the information. I was thinking about install Windows 7, VMWARE Workstation 7, ESXI 5 and other OS onto the USB stick, so I can use it to practice or carry it to work. Do you think 4GB usb stick is good enough for this learning curve purpose?

coolsport00

Hmm...I haven't tried that, but I guess you could use a USB (E: drive?) as your datastore. I would get a 8GB USB if you can. I think that should suffice for you...

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

A 4GB USB Flash drive will be okay to install ESXi 5.0, but do not try running Virtual Machines from an USB flash drive or External USB hard disks, it's slow and unusable.

Unless it's a new USB external disk with a SSD inside!