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Running ESX 3.5, XenServer 5.0, and Hyper-V on VMware Server 2.0

PostDateIcon December 10th, 2008 | PostAuthorIcon Author: Rich Brambley

Everybody talks about running VMware ESX on VMware Workstation, but how come we don’t see more about running ESX on VMware Server 2.0? I’ve tried and been semi successful. This post is sort of a “how to” and kind of “need help” post about this topic.

First, Duncan Epping over at yellow-bricks.com made a quick post to remind himself of the configurations necessary to run ESX/ESXi 3.5 on VMware Workstation 6.5. There are numerous other posts about how to do this, but the post ESX in Workstation contains just the basic information to remember. If you’ve never done this before and you need pictures and a good explanation then I recommend the .pdf from Xtravirt.com titled VI 3.5 in a box.

Trying to take this a step further, I have moved the ESX 3.5 VMs I created on Workstation 6.5 to a VMware Server 2.0 running on a 64 bit Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop. I can start the ESX server VMs just fine, but unfortunately I can’t run the VMs (hosted on the ESX VMs). It’s still a convenient option for learning, testing and configuring the latest builds and features even without running VMs.

Using basically the same configuration settings I’ve also been able to install and run Citrix XenServer 5.0 and Microsoft Hyper-V on both VMware Workstation and VMware Server 2.0. Here is a screenshot of my VMware Server Summary tab. Click on it for a larger view.

If anybody else has figured out how to make the full VI 3.5 in a box work with running VMs on Server 2.0 please let me know.

In a shameless act of plagiarism I am copying Duncan’s steps here at VM /ETC for my reference too.

  1. Create Virtual Machine, Custom
  2. WS 6.5 Compatibility
  3. Linux Kernel, other
  4. Number of processors: 2
  5. Memory: 1024
  6. Bridged Networking (change to team later on)
  7. LSI Logic
  8. New disc, SCSI
  9. 6GB, pre-allocated, single file
  10. Customize hardware, remove: soundcard, usb, floppy
    set execution mode to:
    Intel VT-x
  11. Edit .vmx and add the following:
    ethernet0.virtualDev =
    "e1000"
    monitor_control.restrict_backdoor = "true"
  12. Install ESX
  13. Add VM to Team and select “LAN 1? for networking(keep the test vm’s
    completely isolated)

Thanks Duncan!

Related Posts

PostCategoryIcon Posted in vi3, vmware, vmware server | PostTagIcon Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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Newer Comments →
  • http://www.hypervizor.com Hany Michael

    Hi Rich,

    very nice & interesting post! what caught my attention the most is the fact that you were able to install Hyper-V inside the VMware Server 2.0!

    I’ve been trying to do so, but inside VMware Workstation and I couldn’t, so would you please share with me some tips on the required settings, and what hardware you are using?

    thanks a lot.

  • Hany Michael

    Hi Rich,

    very nice & interesting post! what caught my attention the most is the fact that you were able to install Hyper-V inside the VMware Server 2.0!

    I’ve been trying to do so, but inside VMware Workstation and I couldn’t, so would you please share with me some tips on the required settings, and what hardware you are using?

    thanks a lot.

  • http://vmetc.com rbrambley

    Hany,

    To build Hyper-V VMs on VMware Server just loosely follow the instructions for building ESX on Workstation. The key settings are to choose 64 bit Windows 2008 as the OS (even if your VMware Server or Workstation OS is only 32 bit), choose the Intel-VT option, and configure the e1000 NIC.

    As for my hardware details, I have a cheap ECS 7050-MM system with a 64 bit AMD triple core phenom cpu.

    If this turns out to a big interest among vmetc readers and I get more comments about how to make a Hyper-V VM then I’ll create a how to post.

  • http://vmetc.com Rich

    Hany,

    To build Hyper-V VMs on VMware Server just loosely follow the instructions for building ESX on Workstation. The key settings are to choose 64 bit Windows 2008 as the OS (even if your VMware Server or Workstation OS is only 32 bit), choose the Intel-VT option, and configure the e1000 NIC.

    As for my hardware details, I have a cheap ECS 7050-MM system with a 64 bit AMD triple core phenom cpu.

    If this turns out to a big interest among vmetc readers and I get more comments about how to make a Hyper-V VM then I’ll create a how to post.

  • Vaibhav

    I am interested in running Hyper V on Vmware workstation. Could you please post on how yore got it to work. Thanks.

  • Vaibhav

    I am interested in running Hyper V on Vmware workstation. Could you please post on how yore got it to work. Thanks.

  • S. Richards

    Hi, could you explain how you got hyperv running in vmware workstation??

  • S. Richards

    Hi, could you explain how you got hyperv running in vmware workstation??

  • SB

    Bullshit, don't believe you have gotten hyper-v to function within a vm. To just have a machine named hyperv doesn't prove shit. Post steps or be accepted as a fraud…

  • http://vmetc.com rbrambley

    SB,

    O' Ye of little faith. Do you disbelieve that 64bit Server 2008 will run in a VM too? Is it really that much of a stretch to assume Hyper-V can run after that? I'll put together a table post of sshots for installing Hyper-V in a VM, but in the meantime check out the images in my post http://vmetc.com/2008/10/21/frustrated-with-ins…. Do you think I am really that good with Photoshop? Beliieve me I do not have the time nor the energy …

  • http://vmetc.com rbrambley

    SB,

    Check out my new post showing the build and install of Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 Beta in a VMware Server 2.0 VM. http://vmetc.com/2009/01/29/installing-hyper-v-…

  • Pingback: Installing Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 Beta on VMware Server 2.0 | VM /ETC

  • GC

    Hello,

    I have not moved on to VMWare Server 2.0 due to how new it is. I am very happy thus far with VMWare Server 1.0.8.

    I will try, but would like to know, is it possible to run ESX (Xen and Hyper V) on VMServer 1.0.8? Hope so as I have had a very reliable VMWare Server for years now and dont want to mess with anything that has worked this well.

    Thanks!

  • http://vmetc.com rbrambley

    GC,

    I have never tried using VMware Server 1.08, but if you have a 64 bit host then I can't think of why it wouldn't. If you get around to trying it out let us know.

  • GC

    Hello,

    Just tried right now. The install went fine on VMWare Server ESX 1.0.8. After that, it reboots as normal. I get a

    TSC: 1397756 cpu0: 1600 No Variable MTRRS; Assuming ESX is running in a VM.

    The ESX OS continues to load however. Not sure if I should add something in the .vmx file to load? Anyways, after a long while the screen turn pink with a bunch of error codes (Just like a BSOD for windows)

    Ultimately I was trying to avoid buying another server (have WAY too many computers, and now unemployed) so it looks as if I should just “upgrade” to VMWare Server 2.X and try the methods mentioned above. Or, “downgrade” to Workstation 6 to test the ESX on Workstation 6 method.

  • GC

    I just upgraded to VMWare Server 2.0 and installed ESX 3.5 (UP3) but ESX fails to start, just stays at 95% and a black screen.

    Time to move onto Workstation 6 and try the proven method

    :(

  • http://vmetc.com rbrambley

    GC,

    The stall at 95% happened to me once too. I seem to remember it being
    related to the virtual NIC not being the e1000 adapter. Using
    Workstation is definitely a well documented process. Once you get the
    details of making it work there come back to VMware Server and simulate
    as much as you can. You won't be able to start up a VM like on
    Workstation though.

    *Rich Brambley*
    rbrambley@gmail.com

    VM /ETC <http://feeds2.feedburner.com/%7Er/vmetc/%7E6/2>

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  • Pingback: Using VMware Server 2.0 For VI 3.5 In A Box | VM /ETC

  • John

    I have a workstation running windows xp pro 64bit OS.. on top of that i have vmware workstation 6.5.. on it I built up a netapp sim which runs in ubuntu, as well as an esxi server.. on my esxi server i have a small vm running dsl…
    its possible to run a vm inside a vm.. dont look for any huge perf though.. even with the dsl its still very slooooooooooooooooooow…

  • John

    I have a workstation running windows xp pro 64bit OS.. on top of that i have vmware workstation 6.5.. on it I built up a netapp sim which runs in ubuntu, as well as an esxi server.. on my esxi server i have a small vm running dsl…
    its possible to run a vm inside a vm.. dont look for any huge perf though.. even with the dsl its still very slooooooooooooooooooow…

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