VMware ESXi on DL380 G7

[Mario N.]

I received a new DL380 G7 and I need to install VMware ESXi on it.
On page 22 of the QuickSpecs (see http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c02171016.pdf ) I read that "VMWare (ESX3.5/i ) is not supported in this configuration".
Does it mean that there is any limiotation on the VMware ESXi support?
What version of VMware ESXi should I install?
Can I use the version I can download from the VMware site or should I use any other version (from which site)?
Regards
Marius

[Taha Tungekar]

Hi Mario,

ESX/ESXi 3.5 will not be supported on G7 range of servers.

You can install ESXi 4.0 / 4.1. To ensure that all the required agents are available, download the ESXi from HP Software Depot:

https://h20392.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=HPVM06


You may also need, the driver CD for your LOM cards:

http://downloads.vmware.com/d/details/esx_esxi41_serverengines_dt/ZHcqYmRAaGViZHdlZQ


and the ESXi Offline bundle for 4.1:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/SoftwareDescription.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&prodTypeId=3709945&prodSeriesId=4194735&swItem=MTX-b1e26ec0bb424456bfa03a7f04&prodNameId=4194638&swEnvOID=4091&swLang=13&taskId=135&mode=5

This includes most of the drivers and the required providers.

To inject network drivers after ESXi 4.0/4.1 has been installed, you have to use the vSphere CLI. Sample commands to inject drivers can be found here:

http://www.vmware.com/support/vsphere4/doc/drivercd/esx40-net-igb_400.1.3.19.12-1.0.4.html

-Taha

PS: Do not forget to assign points for this answer.

[Jags_21]

HI Mario,

The DL 380 G7 is very much supportedd with ESX/ESXi installable 3.5 U5, you can find the links below which states supported both from HP and VMware

HP:
http://h71028.www7.hp.com/enterprise/us/en/servers/4x-servers.html

VMware:
http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?action=search&deviceCategory=server&productId=1&advancedORbasic=advanced&maxDisplayRows=50&key=dl+380+G7&release[]=-1&datePosted=-1&partnerId[]=-1&formFactorId[]=-1&filterByEVC=0&filterByFT=0&min_sockets=&min_cores=&min_memory=&rorre=0

It doesnot matter if you download the software from HP or Vmware except for ESXi (the HP ESXi image as the HP System Home Management integrated or if you are using the vmware ESXi image you can still download and install the HP offline bundle)

Only it depends on the drivers for specific device card which you are going to use on the server, so make sure the adapter is compatible with ESX/ESXi 3.5 U5

Regards,
Jagadish