Thoughts on personal virtual server environment?
 

Hey folks,

Quick background. I'm a master's student right now but i'm really into virtualization. I got my VCP and have used Autolabs as well as some great books to get there. I built everything on my desktop PC which served me well but I would like to get more into vCloud Director and start taking virtualization to the next level. I don't have the kind of money needed to invest in actual servers but I've been thinking of building out the following (roughly $2700), and would like your input as to if you think I'll be able to achieve success with vCD and other virtualization learning labs on the following:

* (2)x Micro ATX desktops each with the following:
* 40gig SATA HD's (just to house ESXi)
* 32 Gigs DDR PC1600 G.Skill Ram
* I7 - 2600k quad-core Processor
* Generic CPU Cooler
* 350 watt PSU
* No CD-Drive (I have an external usb drive I will use to setup these machines)

NAS:
* Synology DS1512+
* (5) Western Digital Red WD20EFRX 2TB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/

Router:
* TP-LINK SafeStream TL-R600VPN Gigabit Broadband VPN Router


What are your thoughts? I figure with 2 desktops running the previously mentioned specs I figure I can run between 16-18 VM's with roughly 4GB ram each while accessing their data via iSCSI off of the NAS. Is this a safe assumption?

If you were in my shoes would this be a direction you'd consider taking as well? Any thoughts, ideas, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!