6Solution Guide
Integrated Management and Health Monitoring
Tightly integrated with the Dell PowerEdge platforms, VMware ESX Server 3i
uses the standards-based Common Interface Model (CIM) to monitor
(graphically) the PowerEdge server on which it is running and provide up-to-
date system health information. This information is available for one or more
servers within the Virtual Infrastructure Client (VI Client) and includes the
following data: internal storage array, physical and logical drive health, and
analog system parameters, such as cooling fan speeds and system board
ambient temperature readings. The ESX Server 3i kernel also supports SNMP
alerting, a widely adopted management protocol. SNMP support allows you
to integrate your PowerEdge systems into your existing management
infrastructure.
In addition, VMware’s software is now able to take advantage of power
monitoring capabilities offered by Dell PowerEdge servers. You can monitor
instantaneous power usage and input voltages, as well as cumulative power,
max current and max power usage since last reset.
For more information about systems management with VMware ESX Server
3i on Dell PowerEdge servers, and a comprehensive management guide
greatly expanding on the architecture, out-of-band management, and
baseboard management controller (BMC) capabilities of this solution, please
visit www.dell.com/vmware.
Enhanced security
With a service console based on a hardened Linux® distribution, ESX Server
software already helps provide a secure virtualization environment.
ESX Server 3i further enhances security by eliminating the service console
altogether, which simplifies the process of securing the IT infrastructure by
reducing the number of open network ports and preventing other programs
that can compromise security from being installed.
Reduced Patch Management
Removal of the service console in ESX Server 3i simplifies patch
management, reducing VMware support costs, simplifying IT processes and
maintenance scheduling, and improving host security.