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esxi build

A

akode

n00b
Joined
Apr 4, 2012
Messages
41
Posted last week about buiding a new esxi box on a budget. I do have shared storage so i dont need hdds right away. After doing some research I have decided I might be best off spending a little extra and getting a server board along with a xeon. This will leave me more options like running a better all in one setup at some point in time. So I figured i would fork over a little extra cash and buy all the basic parts and hold off on the raid controller and expander (since i have storage already) until i gather more funds. heres what i have so far,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182253
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117286
4X http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=W1333EB8GM&show=r

comes in at just under 700, after psu and case would like to keep it under 1000 if possible.

looking for recommendation on PSU and case(tower) that can hold 8+ hdds.

thanks in advance for any help
 
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I have read a bunch of posts on various forums and reviews on newegg from people using this board along with the same cpu for esxi. According to VMware.com no supermicro mb are certified, unless im looking in the wrong place.
 
What is your intended goal with this build? What kind of VMs are you going to be running, and for how many users?
 
this will be a home server used to continue learning vm,sql,windows admin, linux admin etc.
will also be used to serve media/docs to 5-6 devices throughout the house (not all at same time)

all-in-one napp-it setup
1 io-napp-it vm serving up nfs datastore back to esxi, and media streaming throughout house)
2-3 windows 2008r2 or 2012 (AD, MSSQL, Sharepoint)for testing
5-6 linux vms (various centos, ubuntu vms including nagios, etc)
2-3 windows xp/7/8 vms (testing/development)
 
I have a very similar setup. There's a much better board for your purposes though:

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-X9SMII

It's basically the same board but the 2nd revision of it. The biggest difference: both NICs are supported in ESXi whereas your board above has one that is and one that isn't. I have one and it works flawlessly with the RAM you mentioned and is running ESXi 5 like a DREAM. I opted for the E3-1240 V2 but I've used the E3-1230 V2 and it's awesome.

No recommendations on a case since I got a deal on a 24 bay Supermicro case I had to modify for my sanity (due to noise). However, I've REALLY had good luck with the Seasonic X-series power supplies. I've got an X750 powering mine now and it runs quite well. If you watch for deals on them, you can get the X750 for about $120 shipped on sale. Alternatively, Corsair's AX-series are very similar to the Seasonic but have a longer warranty. If you're going to run this 24x7, make sure to get a gold-certified power supply if not platinum. Your power bill will thank you.
 
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akode said:
I have read a bunch of posts on various forums and reviews on newegg from people using this board along with the same cpu for esxi. According to VMware.com no supermicro mb are certified, unless im looking in the wrong place.
Click to expand...

Regarding the 1st generation X9SCM-F motherboard, the Supermicro 5017C-TF server is listed by SM as using the board. The VMware HCL has an SYS-5017C-MTRF listed for 5.0 and 5.0 U1. I'm not versed in Supermicro's nomenclature, but you have to admit it's awfully close.

http://www.supermicro.com/products/system/1U/5017/SYS-5017C-TF.cfm
http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=server&productid=22008&deviceCategory=server&partner=105&releases=168&keyword=5017C&page=1&display_interval=10&sortColumn=Partner&sortOrder=Asc
 
Thanks billiam29,
Im pretty confedent this will work, now i just need to find a nice tower case for it and ill be set, this is my first full DIY build so im learning as i go.
 
The good part about server boards: dual-CPU capable, and some come with dual Intel NICs
The bad part about server board: ECC RAM which costs more

I'd save the $ and get a regular board, regular RAM, an i5/i7 instead of a Xeon, and if needed, just plop a used Intel NIC in there
 
So what you posted is the same exact parts I am (except I only have 2x8GB. Fixing that next paycheck :)

Yes whoever said that one nic isn't supported is right however this is easily remedied with Chilly's driver. However if the board he posted works then I might opt for that one instead!
 
aaearon said:
So what you posted is the same exact parts I am (except I only have 2x8GB. Fixing that next paycheck :)

Yes whoever said that one nic isn't supported is right however this is easily remedied with Chilly's driver. However if the board he posted works then I might opt for that one instead!
Click to expand...

what case/psu are you using?
 
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I definitely should have provided more feedback when I posted my case and PSU but was in a rush.

Case: Out of the box there are only space for 2 drives (+3 more through use of Lian Li part that goes in the two 5.25 bays). This was poor planning on my part as when I ordered the build I never thought about the idea of using napp-it/zfs. Obviously when I decided to go that route thats when I had to order the part to give me three extra bays.

The case in general is cramped and a tight fit. Definitely wish I would have sprung for a power supply that was modular. The case kinda felt cheap over all (maybe its just the aluminum I'm not used to) and one of the side panels, the holes for the screws don't line up. All in all considering I paid 109 for it I wish I would have gone for something less cosmetic and more functional.

PSU: Again I didn't plan to stick 5 drives in there so I didn't spec accordingly. From all the PSU calculators (dunno how accurate they are) I should be fine with my set up. Again for the case/PSU combo wish I would have gone modular.
 
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