NIC card for vmware whitebox

Oakparktech

Need a dual NIC card for my ESXi whitebox. I have Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller (2x).

I couldn't find a NIC here.

ESX / ESXi 4.0 Whitebox HCL

any thoughts?

thank you in advance.

jibbajabba

I got these ones and they work fine (vSphere 5.5)

tprice5

Hows bout the Intel Pro/1000 Quad Gigabit NIC PCI-e ?

SimonD.

I would probably go for the Intel Pro1000 VT (Dell YT674 Intel Pro/1000 VT Quad-Port Gigabit NIC EXPI9404VT | eBay), it's been a great card for my white boxes.

Oakparktech

Hi,

I looked at your NICs and they are all PCI Express. I need a PCI Network card.

Oakparktech

Really appreciate if anyone can direct me to a PCI network card that works on ESxi 5.5 whitebox....

thanks

Asif Dasl

Good luck to finding a PCI card, most multi-NIC cards are PCI-X or regular PCI-E

I use a HP NC364T for my build...

Oakparktech

I looked everyone and could not find a PCI NIC card to use in my ESXi build.
Now I am thinking of building an ESXi whitebox. It would be worth an investment in my goal to learn vmware.

Asif Dasl

Are you building a physical lab or a nested lab? I am just unsure why you are looking for a PCI card unless you are using an old motherboard. VMware is fairly cutting edge stuff so don't expect hardware to be supported forever for future versions, it's somewhat of a moving target having a lab. It's a little easier now than it used to be though.

Two threads worth reading, if you haven't read them already:
http://www.techexams.net/forums/virtualization/102943-need-help-build-virtualization-lab.html
http://www.techexams.net/forums/virtualization/103412-laptops-virtualization.html

Oakparktech

Hi,

I want to use my pc to setup ESXi. I was thinking of buying an HP server but them it will be too load for my apartment.

I don't have experience with vmware and soon will start training at Stanley community college online.

What do you recommend I do. Buy an HP server on ebay? Use my PC for ESXI or run nested lab.



3.60 gigahertz AMD FX-4100 Quad-Core

192 kilobyte primary memory cache

4096 kilobyte secondary memory cache

8192 kilobyte tertiary memory cache

64-bit ready

Multi-core (2 total)

Hyper-threaded (4 total)

16GB RAM

1TB HD*ESXi Boot/ ISO Storage

120GB SSD For VM Disks

Essendon

I have a DL380 G6 I bought off ebay for my nested lab. Works a treat. Beware, only G6 and above will run nested ESXi 5.5, G5 cannot it. FTR, my server has dual quad core proc, 48GB RAM, 1.5TB SAS storage. For the most part, it's great. I have noticed slowness with the setup when multiple VDI desktops are being spun up by View. For VCP level, it's great, no problems at all. If you want to go the desktop route, get an SSD or two for the VM's and you'll do just fine. 16GB RAM's good too, more the better though.

Oakparktech

Goal is VCP level. Where do you have the DL380G6 in the house? I was concerned about noise level in my apartment.

Silly question. Realistically is it practical to run ESXI on a PC white box? Will this take me to VCP level?

Thank you

Essendon

I have my server in the study. No problems with the noise after POST, and POST lasts like 10 seconds. You probably know it already, but higher the temperature in the room, higher the temperature will be inside the server and the server's fans will have to work harder to dissipate the heat. Basic aircon in the hot summer days will be just fine. Just FYI.

It's not what you install ESXi on that determines the level you'd get to, it's what you do with it. That said, yes it's practical. When I got my VCP, I had nested ESXi5.0 installed on EOL HP 7600 desktop or something that I bought from my employer for $50. It sure took me to the VCP.

And please don't say you have a silly question. No technical question's silly. Everyone starts from the basics!