Thanks to one of my blog readers, Keino-Paul from NYC, I have an opportunity to share with you tested hardware configuration for VMware vSphere 5.1 build 799733 which can be used as a pretty cheap HomeLaB config. Hardware specs: HP proliant microserver N40L 6GB RAM (max is 32GB, 2×16), 2 memory banks on motherboard. If you are interested in heaving 32GB these modules has been...

Few days ago I had discussion with one of my colleagues about possibility to migrate VM’s between vSphere clusters. I was trying to persuade him that is possible and I did that operation hundreds times, unfortunately unsuccessfully. I decided to write blog article to resolve all doubts. Yes, you can migrate VM’s between vSphere clusters (even between different versions) as long as below conditions are met: vSphere clusters must...

Today, third part, this time ESX(i) host has 10 pNIC’s (1Gbps) on Standard Switches (vSS) Scenario #1 – 10 NIC’s (1Gbps – 2 x quad port adapters and 2 on-board ports) – standard Switch for each type of traffic In  scenario I have to design network for 5 different type of traffic. Each of the traffic has different vLAN ID which will help to utilize all NIC’s for more than one traffic, optimize pNIC utilization and have network secured. mgmt...

As you already know, if you have ESXi5 free installed on host with more than 32GB of RAM, after upgrade to U1 you might get into trouble with license, see that post http://vmwaremine.com/2012/03/24/esxi-5-free-version-update-1-license-problems/ If you got that error, you can rollback Update1 from your ESXi host.  Access over remote console cards such as IMM, iLO, DRAC or direct attached screen: Reboot server Press Shift+r when the screen...

Many beginner admins have a problem with upgrading ESXi5 free or standalone servers. In general, there are 3 ways: Upgrade using ISO Upgrade using PowerCLi Upgrade using ESXi command line I will quickly describe how to upgrade or patch ESXi5 free or standalone server using ESXi command line. Download zip ( update-from-esxi5.0-5.0_update01.zip ) upgrade package from VMware site Upload zip to ESXi server or to datastore which ESXi has access...