VMware Esxi Host - Hardware Recommendation

[superaz300]

Hello Guys

 

I am wanting to build a computer for VMware Esxi where I can get about 8 VMs on the one host, it's a home project to mess about with Active Directory, Citrix, Exchange and SCCM. I work in a school as an apprentice, I'm 17 but I've being working with servers from 9. I don't really have the money to buy a HP server or some kind so I was thinking of building this from scratch. My idea is to use Freenas for the storage as I have purchased 4 western digital Red 4 TB drives, and point it as an iSCSI target on Esxi.

 

I have spent the last few weekend installing CAT 6 in my house, all going to a NETGEAR Managed Gigabit switch so speed shouldn't be a problem with the network.

 

Any ideas for the sever hardware?

 

Thanks

 

James

[newpersn]

Speak to @ictdirect.

 

I think you struggle to find home kit cheap that will run 8vms (3gb ram for each vm.). Most have motherboard or cpu limit of 16gb or 32gb.)

[Davit2005]

I've got a Lenovo TS140 at home with the Xeon chip and 32GB Ram, only because it is very low power consuming as I have it on all the time. You will struggle to find a compatible RAID card that works with ESXi and the motherboard bui I think off my there is a LSI (there are details in the video below).

 

Most of the time with VM's it is RAM you need more than CPU I find.

 

You will either need to plug a compatible NIC in to get ESXi installed and then install the drivers in ESX afterwards or build a custom image though.

 

There is a link here of what someone done with their TS140 and he has found a compatible RAID card https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHUYPRf75U4

[superaz300]

Thanks for these fantastic replies, I will look into the Lenovo Davit2005, please keep them coming

[Arthur]

Most have motherboard or cpu limit of 16GB or 32GB)

H170 and Z170 motherboards support upto 64GB RAM using 4x16GB DDR4 DIMMs (although 4x8GB is still cheaper at the moment). e.g.

 

• Motherboard
  
  • Asrock Pro4S - £71.00 (onboard NIC is an Intel I219V which is supported by ESXi)
    

  [*]RAM

  • Kingston 32GB (4x8GB) HyperX Fury - £113.99
    
  • Corsair 32GB (2x16GB) Vengeance LPX - £186.30
    

  [*]CPU

  • Intel Core i3 6100 - £94.96
    
  • Intel Core i5-6500 - £169.98
    

DDR4 RAM is dropping in price quickly so it's worth keeping an eye on the RAM deals on HUKD since it is possible to pick up some bargains.

 

http://i.cubeupload.com/vgHCux.png

 

^ I purchased this last month. It usually costs ~£443.

[Oaktech]

What about this...

 

http://www.ict-direct.co.uk/servers/server-hardware/refurbished-hp-proliant-dl380-g5-2u-server-32gb.html

 

It's a real actual server...

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

What about this...

 

http://www.ict-direct.co.uk/servers/server-hardware/refurbished-hp-proliant-dl380-g5-2u-server-32gb.html

 

It's a real actual server...

[PotNoodleTech]

For home learning I would go for something like Hp Z400/600/800 workstation from ICT direct. The rack mount servers are extremely noisy usually, so it depends if you're going to be home learning in you're garage, or in you're bedroom with the missus complaining about the noise!

[Arthur]

It's a real actual server...

You forget these...

 

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000VDX18E

[superaz300]

Thanks for these amazing replies guys, keep them coming. In actual fact I have designed a large shed as my server room which has Air Conditioning installed and is where the Cat 6 panel is. I'm not bothered about the noise as its outside. I might look at ICT DIRECT. Thanks

[Oaktech]

You forget these...

 

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000VDX18E

 

Suffering is part of the learning process