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Best practice on install ESXi

Hi,

I'm trying to build vmware for a client of mine. I want to know what is the best practice way to have ESXI installed.

I have HP ML 350 G8 server with 48gb of ram and 5 300gb hard drives. i will configure raid 5. But the question is should i create a smaller logical drive for the ESXi and use the rest of the space for datastore? or should i create one logical drive and have the ESXi install to it?

SOLUTION

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

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RickEpnet

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RickEpnet

Just as a second to the Raid 10. Faster and you can lose more than one drive as long as they are not part of the same set. You take a pretty big performance hit with raid 6 if you can stand the performance that would be the way to go. If you are using the Enterprise SAS drive you should be in good shape but if you are using the Midline SAS or the SATA then you need the extra redundancy,

jli168

ASKER

I have sas 10k rpm 300gb drives. SD card is a good idea. I will look into it.

How about if i just do raid 5 or 6 and create a 10gb logical drive for the EXSi and the rest for datastore? Would you guys recommend it?

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

I would not waste any space on the SAS drives for ESXi install.

it can later give issues if you want to expand the datastore.

Install on SD card

RickEpnet

I think we both agree use the SD card. And if you get the HP brand you know you are getting a good card and one made work well with VMware.

jli168

ASKER

RickEpnet and Hanccocka - you both have point i will get SD card ESXi. Thank you for the help.