ESXi and ECC

[Chaos_1]

This is what I'm building to run EXSi 4.0 VMWARE.... Is this a good system to put together...?

Intel Motherboard 955X Express chipset BTX (BOXD955XCSLKR)
(D955XCS – ECC/NON ECC) (Chipset - 955X)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor

4GB kit (2GBx2), 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 memory module
CT2KIT25672AA667
(ECC) X2

 

[GhislainG]

An issue is that the D955XCS motherboard doesn't support Core 2 CPUs: http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d955xcs/sb/CS-026571.htm

 

[Chaos_1]

ASUS M4A78-E AM2+/AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 4MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor

4GB kit (2GBx2), 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-6400 memory module (ECC) (X2)

I did a little more research this time....

 

[GhislainG]

I presume that you read this from the HCL: http://www.vm-help.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=881? You'll have to buy at least one Intel or Broadcom NIC because the on-board LAN controller won't work.

 

[Chaos_1]

Actually, I have a Brother-in-law who is a Network Security Enginieer that told me about the VM and how it works... So I started doing research to see what I could build... I think I'm going to need two NIC Cards w/ Crossover... That's what he has... I'm looking to build a VM server and part a t-bite drive into 5 sections to install 2003 server, Linux, XP Pro 64 and Check Point... Each one will have a 200 GB Section and the remainder will be storage...

 

[endif]

I currently maintain an ESXi and ESX 3.5 environment at my office. Have you looked into any of the dell server solutions? They provide a very cheap solution of hardware. It is extremely reliable and the way ESXi works is that it is a lightweight version of ESX that is ran from a flash drive. The dell servers have an internal usb slot within the servers case that the thumb drive is plugged into. You never have to see it or fear that someone takes it.

If you are looking to do this as a side project for home use, then I would check out http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php

This is VMWares hardware compatibility list. If you have any worries about a part, just look it up.

May I ask why you thing you will need a crossover cable? This will only be needed if you want to do VMWare HA, between two servers. This will allow the server to maintain the systems virtual memory on both host in case one fails it will start the server on the second host within milliseconds. This is very nice and has saved my ass plenty of times. If you want to talk more on the subject I will give you my email address and you can bounce questions off of me.

 

[Chaos_1]

The reason for the crossover cable is so that I can install a Check Point Firewall on the same box using to NIC's...