cheap hardware configuration for virtualization

[KayouMT]

Hi,

I'm trying to build cheap hardware configuration at home for practicing miscellaneous virtualization technologies : Active Directory, VLAN, Subnet, VmWare, SAN, NFS, NAS, ...

I started with three "small old" machines : IBM Thinkcentre, Dell dimension 2400, Dell Lattitude D630 laptop. I installed Vmware ESX 3.5 on the ThinkCentre, Active Directory on Dimension 2400. It seems to work.

But ; according to VmWare discussions I did have since couple of days ; It's gonna be hard for the ThinkCentre to run couple of virtual machines. And, anyway, It seems not to exist in the environment a data storage mechanism detectable by the VmWare server.

I'm thinking to acquire some cheap hardware stuff for making my lab work ; one or a combination of the options below :

- cheap server with enough CPU and SATA disks for running VmWare ESX
- external storage, detectable by VmWare (example : NAS)
- cheap server for NFS storage

My Question : What would be the better and more realistic combination of option(s) for me ? If possible, tell me technical specifications of the hardware(s) you suggest me.

Thanks in advance for any help !

[WebMaster]

Hello KayouMT,

Thanks for posting and welcome to Virtualization.net.

Small old machines may not work so well with vmware. What is your budget for this lab setup? I would suggest buying old server like SC400 from eBAY with 3060 CPU which would come with SATA drives, etc.

For a NAS/NFS you can build your own if you have an old PC laying around with SATA drives and install OpenFiler or FreeNAS. This would give you NFS and iSCSI capability for the lab.

Moreover, please see our blog about building a home lab:

Building Home Virtualization Lab on a Budget | Blog & Tutorials

[KayouMT]

Thanks Webmaster for your answer.

I found the following link : VMware Compatibility Guide - Search the VMware Compatibility Guide.

If I find old hardware in HP Proliant, Dell Poweredge or IBM X366, it's gonna to do the job. Towers in those models are listed as supported by VmWare.

[kainrage]

KayouMT,

I prefer the following config for testing 3 to 5 vms at a time.
- 6 core amd processor - one core for each vm and a spare one for hypervisor or host sytem
- 12 to 16 gb for ram ( 2-3 gb per vm )
- couple of HDD ( Sata Raid 0 config )
- Not sure of NAS / NFS storage
Almost every post i have read people recommend for more Memory vs more Processor.

Hope it helps.
Kain