New to VMware

[Sanm2009]

Hi All

 

I am new to VMware and was wondering if someone can explain their licensing model. I am looking at using VMware Hypervisor on a server and then run 2 or 3 virtual servers on the same server.

 

I can't see seem to workout which VMware product I would need.

 

Would it be VMware vSphere Essentials Kit or do they offer a standalone hypervisor?

[FN-GM]

They offer ESXi for free for a standalone box. It has a memory limit though. have a look.

 

Free VMware vSphere Hypervisor, Free Virtualization (ESXi) | VMware United Kingdom

[Davit2005]

There is nothing stopping you running VMWare standalone without vCenter server and administering each host from vSphere client directly. It depends on what functionality you need/want.

 

For instance, I administer 21 hosts with 90+ VM between them, the use of Host Profiles, vMotion, clones\templates, central updating control, HA policies etc. would be hard to live without.

[pantscat]

They offer ESXi for free for a standalone box. It has a memory limit though. have a look.

 

I think the memory limit has been removed now. It's well worth a look if you're only planning to use a single VM host.

 

If you're thinking about expanding - Essentials Plus is the one to get, that'll allow up to three hosts and includes vMotion which is most useful.

[FN-GM]

I think the memory limit has been removed now. It's well worth a look if you're only planning to use a single VM host.

 

If you're thinking about expanding - Essentials Plus is the one to get, that'll allow up to three hosts and includes vMotion which is most useful.

 

You can always upgrade from free to Essentials plus. All you need to do is change the product key via the GUI.

[denon101]

That's what I did here. When I also added my SAN. Worked perfectly.

[Arthur]

It has a memory limit though.

No it doesn't.

 

http://techhead.co/vmware-vsphere-5-5-physical-host-maximums

Edited November 6, 2014 by Arthur

[Sanm2009]

Is it possible to remote into the free Hypervisor?

[FN-GM]

Is it possible to remote into the free Hypervisor?

 

How do you mean exactly?

[pantscat]

You can use the vSphere client or SSH... if that's any use?

There's no web client though unless you have a vCenter server.

[Davit2005]

Is it possible to remote into the free Hypervisor?

 

If it's the same as all the other ESXi versions then you simply install the vSphere client on a PC (unfortunately no MAC version yet). If you setup a server you can use a web browser for management (Windows or LINUX but this too is limited from a MAC OSX).

 

You can also use powershell for management if you really like.

[bossman]

@Sanm2009:

 

Have you looked at Xenserver 6.2.0 its free under open source licensing but if you want HA and Xen-motion (equivalent to V-motion) the cost is $500 per socket per year which gives you all the access to support and any updates for that year.

 

I don't know how this would fare against the VMware price model but for us running 3 hosts in pool = $3000 per annum

 

Just a thought

[Sanm2009]

How do you mean exactly?

 

I mean remote desktop?