Installing ESXi onto a USB stick

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I have been looking for a server that will support ESXi but have given up as there are mixed reports that the ML115 G5 support it or not.

I have a Dell Poweredge T105 and I thought ESXi was supported with version 4 but it comes up with errors after installing it. I've come across a method of installing ESXi on a USB pen and fitting it to the internal USB slot in the T105. Using this method is there any performance issues if I buy a half decent USB pen installing it and running ESXi from the USB pen?

 

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As far as I'm aware there is not much diffrence although someone with more experience could know otherwise once its all fired up I'm lead to beleave that its only really writing small log updates to the USB pendrive, there is even people out there that said they have removed the pen drive once booted and it still runs(no log updates though ofcource), I've got 4 ML115's setup this way.

 

why would you want that?

ive not touched esxi before, nor do i know all of its functionality
however i'm installing it as we speak, just saw this thread and got curious

 

Just to add, What error are you getting?

 

I can't remember the exact error message but the software installs fine and then when you reboot it complains about booting into the drive or can't find a drive. I believe it's related to the SATA controller. Thing is I thought the T105 was on the supported list on VMWares website.

 

Whats your BIOS version?

 

I've recently put together an ESXi lab built from 3 HP Proliant ML115 G5s. I've installed and run ESX 4.0 on both the intergrated SATA controller and the onboard USB - no problems with either.

 

It's the latest BIOS as I checked Dell's website. I think it was 1.32. I think I might try the old USB install method.

 

I am thinking of getting a ML115 xeon and beefing it up with 8-16 GB.

The only thing i have difficulty with is working out how many VMs i can run simultaneously.

I basically want to do my linux+ and MCSE (and beyond) with it , so for the later a domain controllers, backup controllers, few desktop clients xp/vista/7, exchange etc

could any one give me some guide lines?

 

cheers Jim

Nice setup! yeah i would also what to use hyper-v at some point as well. could you please give me more information on the storage you have? I am not so worried about resilience at this stage just a usable setup, to experiment with. I only have a small budget (as i wont to get technet as well), i can always upgrade the storage at a later date. Any recommended for places of purchase?


ESXi USB

I have seen ESXi run from USB sticks, works really nicely and the ML115 G5 has a USB port on the mobo which is highly useful (although you can buy these adapters anyway). Regarding logging, I presume you can also set it up to log to a central SQL server if you had several boxes in a production environment?

For a USB stick take a look at the Xporter XT, they boast about really good r/w times.

 

nahh, i have so much on at the moment i wouldn't get the time to sit it. I'll probably wait until I update my certs to 2K08

 

LOL yeah, the CISCO simulator stuff which is apart of the academy is pretty good, i have only had a little play.

 

I use these as well i did hear that the integrated SATA controller isn't fully supported in terms of RAID 1 as an example, I actually use third-party controllers anyway to get performance e.g. HP E200

You have to be careful of the intel HP Proliant ML115 G5 's HP have started to remove some of the intel-vt compatible cpus from the range for some reason