Is this any good for virtualisation?

Forums › IT Pro and developers › Is this any good for virtualisation?

Divers

70 posts

Master Geek

#68535 24-Sep-2010 08:49

Hi

I have a server that is a Pentium4 3.4 GHz (single core) and has 4GB ram with 2 x 200GB HDD's.

Is this suitable to handle virtualisation or do I need a dual core CPU? It is also a few years old obviously.

Divers Group
Wholesalers of Ex Lease IT items to New Zealand for over 20 years.
Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch

sampler

468 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 126

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#383916 24-Sep-2010 09:21

Great as a test server, will run 2-3 lots of linux (under some load) without issues, beyond that it will struggle with much else if they are cpu intensive to any level.

Citrix Xenserver would be your best bet if your new to the concept. It will run on that level of harware.

VMware wont be happy at that cpu level but will work, its very fussy with "non server" level hardware so that would be the problem. Kloxo would also work, however it needs a level of knowledge which can be an uphill battle to start with.

However depending on the functions you need from the server, you might just want to look at loading freenas for you fileshares etc.

Cheers

Lee

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#383917 24-Sep-2010 09:25

Single thread CPUs might struggle with hosting virtual environments. Also probably doesn't have any virtualisation assisted hardware, making it even worst. IF you just want to see how it works, sure. For serious production? Not a chance.

Also moved this to correct forum.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Divers

70 posts

Master Geek

#383924 24-Sep-2010 09:35

Ok thanks for the info. It isnt for me, it is for someone who is a student learning this stuff. They were after a server that would do them and I was hoping this might do the job.

Divers Group
Wholesalers of Ex Lease IT items to New Zealand for over 20 years.
Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch

gehenna

8667 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3883

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#383927 24-Sep-2010 09:37

The free ESXi server might be a better bet since there is no host OS to use up many resources. You'd have to check whether the hardware is compatible with ESXi though.

Divers

70 posts

Master Geek

#383928 24-Sep-2010 09:43

Would this be any better for them?

HP Proliant ML370 G3
Intel Xeon 3.2 dual core
4GB ram
2 x 18.2GB HDD's

Divers Group
Wholesalers of Ex Lease IT items to New Zealand for over 20 years.
Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch

raab

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#383930 24-Sep-2010 09:46

If it doesn't have Intel VT or the AMD equivalent then XenServer won't run Windows VM's

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

sampler

468 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 126

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#383931 24-Sep-2010 09:47

Much better than the first. Being HP its internal hardware will be more compatable with VMware (ESXi).

As others have said, not good for "production" but will do well as a basic entry level server for testing/learning.

magu

Professional yak shaver
1599 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 7

Trusted

BitSignal

Lifetime subscriber

#383934 24-Sep-2010 09:48

Easy to tell if it's good for virtualization or not:

Go to http://ark.intel.com and find the CPU you have on the target server. Look for VT-x. If it has, it should work fine. If it hasn't, XenServer will complain a lot (and the VMs will struggle) and ESXi won't even install.

Assuming, of course, you're only dealing with Intel procs.

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

amanzi

Amanzi
1354 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 331

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#383946 24-Sep-2010 10:10

You'll also need a lot more storage than just 2 x 18GB drives.

Divers

70 posts

Master Geek

#383952 24-Sep-2010 10:17

I can upgrade it to 2 x 72GB hdd's for him. No problems

Divers Group
Wholesalers of Ex Lease IT items to New Zealand for over 20 years.
Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch