Which version of ESXi should i use?

So i am working on building my lab and plan on using ESXi. I was curious as to which version i should use? Any pros/cons regarding any of the versions?

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blargoe

I don't think you'll have much of a choice on which version if you're getting an evaluation copy, you're probably getting the latest version (5.1).

aaron0011

5.1 gives you the latest features and is plenty stable. I've had it in production for 3 months now running a variety of the advanced features with no problems.

EV42TMAN

if you're using a dell r720 server don't run updates for 5.1 on it. it will knock out your network adapters. I found that out the hard way....

slinuxuzer

5.1 enterprise plus for sure, unless you have a need to test something specific in a lower revision.

pinkydapimp

Well, i plan to run the free version. Does that limit my options? I believe certain versions only give you an evaluation correct?

Also, are there major differences in version 4 and 5? Is it worth running 4 to learn it, then upgrading to learn how to do that as well?

dave330i

If you're using eval version, you're limited to 5.1.

pinkydapimp

dave330i wrote: »

If you're using eval version, you're limited to 5.1.

ok thanks. that eval version doesnt expire correct?

dave330i

pinkydapimp wrote: »

ok thanks. that eval version doesnt expire correct?

Eval is good for 60 days.

pinkydapimp

dave330i wrote: »

Eval is good for 60 days.

isnt there a completely free version?

aaron0011

pinkydapimp wrote: »

isnt there a completely free version?

As a basic standalone hypervisor the eval will continue to run after 60 days. No advanced features though.

EV42TMAN

the free version of esxi 5.1 limits the host to 1 cpu and 32 gigs of ram and is only good for one host. you won't get any of the advanced features but if you only have one host you can use the advanced features anyways. if you're going to run more then 1 cpu or want the advanced features then you'll need VMware Online Store - Product Information

scott28tt

What are you planning on using your lab for?

blargoe

I was wrong about not being able to get the 4.1 free version, you can register for a free license key for that version. The only reason I could think of going with 4.1 over 5.x would be the memory limitation that was imposed in 5.x free edition, (32GB, I think). If that isn't a problem for you, I would just go with 5.1.

pinkydapimp

scott28tt wrote: »

What are you planning on using your lab for?

Im going to be using it to host a bunch of VMs(2008 server, exchange, sharepoint, unix....) and play with them.

pinkydapimp

blargoe wrote: »

I was wrong about not being able to get the 4.1 free version, you can register for a free license key for that version. The only reason I could think of going with 4.1 over 5.x would be the memory limitation that was imposed in 5.x free edition, (32GB, I think). If that isn't a problem for you, I would just go with 5.1.

I read somewhere that you cant clone VMs in 5.1, is that a limitation in 4.1? Any way around the cloning limitation?

sratakhin

You can clone VMs in 5.1.

blargoe

You can't clone anything unless you're using vCenter Server to manage everything (which you won't be, unless you're paying for a license or are using a 60-day vSphere evaluation). There are ways to manually copy the VM files to another folder and edit them to create a copy of your VM, though, but it's kind of a pain if you have to do it very much.

dave330i

Needed to grab a fresh copy of vCenter for VCAP-CID prep and it seems vCenter eval isn't available for download at this time. Best I can tell, it'll be part of the VMware vSphere with Operation Management which isn't ready.

jibbajabba

dave330i wrote: »

Needed to grab a fresh copy of vCenter for VCAP-CID prep and it seems vCenter eval isn't available for download at this time. Best I can tell, it'll be part of the VMware vSphere with Operation Management which isn't ready.

It sure is available on its own

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=vmware-vsphere-ops&lp=1

And once signed up / logged in

Just noticed one thing when looking at those screens myself - I remember the vSphere client being less than 80MB in size .. now its 300+ ... impressive.

ScreenHunter_34 Feb. 19 16.44.jpg

ScreenHunter_35 Feb. 19 16.44.jpg

ScreenHunter_35 Feb. 19 16.45.jpg

dave330i

jibbajabba wrote: »

It sure is available on its own

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/evalcenter?p=vmware-vsphere-ops&lp=1

And once signed up / logged in

Just noticed one thing when looking at those screens myself - I remember the vSphere client being less than 80MB in size .. now its 300+ ... impressive.

My bad. It was vCenter eval license key I couldn't find. Not sure why I thought vCenter server itself wasn't available.

jibbajabba

vCenter and full ESXi doesn't need a key - 60 days eval without any keys