Dell 2.12 manual Understanding Dell Configurations, Raid

Understanding Dell Configurations

For this release, Dell has qualified a base server configuration for use with ESX Server 2.1.2 software. A single server can be used in a "stand-alone" mode, or one or more servers can be connected to a shared SAN through a switch. VMotion technology is available when two or more servers share a common SAN. VirtualCenter may be used to manage servers in any of these configurations, and is required to initiate VMotion events.

NOTE: USB devices are not supported with ESX Server 2.1.2 software default installation and configuration. Even if USB is enabled in the BIOS, the

ESX Server 2.1.2 software will disable it by default. If you need to use USB with ESX Server 2.1.2, see the VMware knowledge base article 1326 - Using USB When ESX Server Disables It.

The following tables list Dell's recommended configurations. Table 1-1 shows the common baseline configuration. For standalone configurations, add the contents of Table 1-2 to that of Table 1-1. For SAN-attached configurations, add the contents of Table 1-3 to that of Table 1-1.

Table 1-1. Base ESX Server System Hardware Configuration

Device	Configuration	Configuration	Configuration
Class
Server	PowerEdge 6650	PowerEdge 2850	PowerEdge 1850
Processor	Four Intel Xeon	Two Intel Xeon	Two Intel Xeon
	Processors	Processors	Processors
RAM	16 GB	8 GB	8 GB
	(recommended)	(recommended)	(recommended)
RAID	PowerEdge	PowerEdge	PowerEdge
Controller	Expandable Raid	Expandable Raid	Expandable Raid
	Controller 4, dual	Controller 4e/Di	Controller 4e/Si
	channel	(Dual Channel	(Single Channel
	(PERC4/DC)	Integrated)	Integrated)
Networking	Two Integrated	Two Integrated	Two Integrated
	Network Ports	Network Ports	Network Ports
	Add-On NIC	Add-On NIC	Add-On NIC

Deployment Guide

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