Best Practices When Deploying VMware vSphere on the HP ProLiant DL980 (updated October 2012)

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 Configuration of the DL980 server is limited by maximums specified by VMware. For more information, see the white
paper “Configuration Maximums, VMware vSphere 4.1”:
vmware.com/pdf/vsphere4/r41/vsp_41_config_max.pdf
 All VMware configurations must conform to the specific devices listed in the VMware Compatibility Guide. This guide is
updated frequently to reflect devices currently certified for support by VMware and HP, and is published on the
VMware website:
vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php
In the future, major releases of vSphere will only support the ESXi architecture. Therefore, VMware recommends that
when deploying vSphere 4.1 you should start transitioning from ESX to ESXi. To understand the differences between
ESX and ESXi and to learn more about the ESXi architecture and how to migrate, go to the VMware ESXi and ESX Info
Center:
vmware.com/go/upgradetoesxi
Before deploying the vSphere virtualization solution, review the following VMware knowledge base articles:
vSphere 4.1 version
 Installing ESX 4.1 and vCenter Server 4.1 best practices
vSphere 5.0 version
 Installing ESXi 5.0 best practices
 Installing vCenter Server 5.1 best practices
vSphere 5.1 version
 Installing or upgrading ESXi 5.1 best practices
 Installing vCenter Server 5.1 best practices
In addition, to ensure you receive the latest functionality and software enhancements, see VMware’s vSphere Product
Support Center for self-service resources:
vmware.com/support/product-support/vsphere
Implementing proof-of-concept
As a matter of best practice for all deployments, HP highly recommends that you implement a proof-of-concept using a
test environment that simulates your planned production environment as closely as possible. Appropriate performance
and scalability characterizations can only be obtained in this manner. For assistance with designing and creating such a
proof-of-concept, contact your HP Services representative or HP partner.
Summary
Featuring HP PREMA architecture, the DL980 delivers the balanced scaling, self-healing resiliency, and breakthrough
efficiency needed to overcome the challenges of today’s most demanding x86 environments. This top-of-the-line server
builds on the advanced performance and reliability of Intel Xeon processors and alignment with industry-standard
operating environments such as vSphere.
Whether you are virtualizing large, data-intensive workloads or consolidating a significant number of smaller workloads,
the scalability and resiliency of an HP ProLiant DL980 server running vSphere 4.1 or vSphere 5.x delivers an ideal
virtualization platform upon which you can deploy with confidence.