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CMOS

Hello all,

I'd like to build a server that I can use 3 to 5 VMs (maybe more but seems unlikely) on. Primary purpose is to lab/test. I don't really know where to start in terms of hardware; ideally I'd like it to be quiet and consume a minimal amount of power and I'd like the OS to be Win 2012 R2 (I'd start with Hyper-V but may like to try some others). Budget is around $500. Beyond that I'm open to any suggestions/education on hardware.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

gc8dc95

If it is just going to be a basic lab/test environment, then I would build a budget mid-range whitebox.

Something around these specs is plenty to play around:

-i3 processor
-research a system board that fits your needs
-16GB RAM
-SSD would be nice
-HDD for extra storage


Processing power isn't usually a problem. It is the RAM and storage IO that you need to keep under control.

mokaz

CMOS wrote: »

Hello all,

I'd like to build a server that I can use 3 to 5 VMs (maybe more but seems unlikely) on. Primary purpose is to lab/test. I don't really know where to start in terms of hardware; ideally I'd like it to be quiet and consume a minimal amount of power and I'd like the OS to be Win 2012 R2 (I'd start with Hyper-V but may like to try some others). Budget is around $500. Beyond that I'm open to any suggestions/education on hardware.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Hi there,

i've been running ESXi (free licensed vSphere Hypervisor) onto an Intel NUC DC3217IYE device, this coupled with a 256GB SSD from samsung (EVO840 something...). It works like a charm although i'm mainly running "client" alike VMs (W81, Suse desktop stuff like that...) And yes, i've filled the little box with 16GB ram which is its max i think. I've also had to mod the ESXi image in order to inject some ethernet drivers that where missing or de-supported by VMware.

Though really i'm more then pleased with this system, super quiet and running 5 to 6 clients OS easy.

Hope that helps.
regards,
m.

jibbajabba

Could be budget, depending on your eBay findings. I build mine based on the Dell T5500

Lab – Physical Setup « Open902
Lab – vSphere Setup « Open902