Getting started with ESXi at home

I have been using ESXi in a corporate setting for years, but I've never been the one to set it up from scratch. I have a few, hopefully simple questions. I'll give my specs, and then ask.

The system is a i5-2400 with 32 GB of memory. I have a 1 TB drive set aside for storage.

1. Can I install ESXi to a flash drive, like FreeNas?

2. If no, can I install ESXi to a small SSD?

3. Is there a set of instructions or a walk through to show me what's involved with the install?

4. Do I need multiple NICs?

5. I am not concerned with storage or backup. I have a NAS to keep files on. I mainly want this set up to run multiple VMs for testing and learning, so performance isn't an issue for me. Would my setup handle 2-4 VMs?

Maybe a better question would be, is this doable, or would I be better off just running Windows Server with Hyper-V?

1. Yes - very common
2. USB install possible - use SSD for VM storage
3. Official: https://pubs.vmware.com/vsphere-60/...center-server-60-installation-setup-guide.pdf
4. Multiple NICs not needed for simple virtualization, but as your lab grows or you decide to dive deeper into vsphere suite you may wish to add NICs.
5. Again, for simple virtualization you can use local storage for speed or utilize your NAS - or even both if desired.

Clarify testing and learning ...VMware suite of products or something within the VMs (operating systems, apps, etc.)

Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was hoping for. As for the testing, it would be both...practice and learning of ESXi, but also of the OSes I'd be virtualizing, such as a Linux machine. That's the main reason I am leaning towards ESXi, aside from the fact we use it at work, is that I may want to run Linux guests, and it seems easier to do on ESXI than Hyper-V.

I just finished a basic setup at home for the same reason. I was just an end user. My role is changing and I wanted to get in front of it.

If you're like me. I just jumped in and looked up info as I needed when I got stuck.

Networkz101 already covered your direct questions.

For number 5, with your added comment, it shouldn't be an issue as long as whatever you build is reasonably sized. Not recommended to build any vms larger than your physical core number is. If HT is enabled, you can dig into some of them but obviously don't expect the performance of a physical.

For work, we have 40core blades (w/HT) and the teams have built some 32 core beasts. but it's been recommended to get different physical to support what they need. We would recommend (from the capacity team I'm on) to not build over a 20core.


Sorry for the long answer. short answer- Yes. As long as you aren't hammering mutiple vms at once. and have realistic expectations on your performance.

Just FYI, sorry if you already know.
You will need a key to manage from vsphere or reinstall every couple months due to eval period. If you decide to add another "host", you'll want to look at doing a vcenter server for management which would be another key.

I do have a key, because I wanted to be able to use vSphere to manage the host. Thanks for the info!

Note that you can join VMUG (vmware users group) and for about $200/yr, get keys for vcenter server, vsphere enterprise plus, etc...

Good to know. I'll have to look in to that. Thanks!

Unless you feel like modifying the install, you won't be able to use your consumer storage. ESXI has a non-infinite list of supported storage technologies.
You'd need a SAS HBA or to modify your install media. Either can be non-trivial depending on your skill level.

mwarps said:

Unless you feel like modifying the install, you won't be able to use your consumer storage. ESXI has a non-infinite list of supported storage technologies.
You'd need a SAS HBA or to modify your install media. Either can be non-trivial depending on your skill level.

Click to expand...

Huh? ESXi can utilize the SATA controller of pretty much any MB chipset just fine. There's no need to install a separate HBA.

Your hardware should be fine depending on load.

I have a I5-2400s, 24 GB RAM and a few local drive.

I have like 10 VMs running fine on that:
Zone minder camera system with 6 camera 24/7 recording and analyzing video feeds. (Heavy CPU and disk)
NewzNab (heavy SQL and disk load)
OpenVPN server.
Unifi WiFi controller.
2 DNS servers.
Killing floor 2 game server.
Privoxy webfilter server
FreePBX server
Email server

Even with all of that it runs fine.