I would like to start learning a bit about virtualization.
Probably I'am going to try VMware or XEN, but my concern is about the server that Im gona use for testing .

HP ProLiant DL380 G5 2U RACK 2x XEON DUAL-CORE 5130 2x 2.00 GHz / 8 GB DDR2 ECC/144 GB SAS/2xOPTICAL
this one, second hand, I can afford for the moment.
Is it a good choice for virtualization
and my second question is: In this server can I add two more HDD ( WD red edition 1TB SATA ) and set them in raid so I will have 1TB at the end... does it supports what I want to do.

My goal is to create 3-4 virtual machines to I can install windows XP on all of them. My client have 3 old desktops running accounting software on XP. The Desktops are Pentium 4 3Ghz, 1Gb Ram, 120 HDD and the software installed on them is running fine for his needs. So I want to create those tree in one physical machine using virtualization.

I believe that this server is OK for my task, but need a second opinion cause I have never been dealing with virtualization before!

We've DL380 G6's that run Citrix XenServer just fine, from memory the G5 should be fine for your purposes.

You may have issues adding additional HDDs. Again, from memory, the DL380s only have the hotswap drive backplane so you'll need suitable cradles to hold your disks.

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So the hardware and the raid controller support SATA disks, I need just to make sure I have everything to fix the additional HDDs physically to the server with proper cradles!!! Right?

SAS / SATA use the same backplane so yes, if you can mount the drives you shouldn't have any problems.

Last Question.
What would u advice me to use as host OS.
I am planning to try each of those:
1. VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) - I saw its free for use, of course with limitations....
2. XEN on ubuntu
then I will decide which is better and easyer for me. (Im a newbie )
Is ubuntu a good choice

I think they have fixed esxi to support more hardware. It was a stinker and only ran a small subset.

If I were new, I'd consider using a different vm maybe. It's really up to you but does xen support windows? I think you fall back to an emulated vm. I'd go with vmplayer to be most easy or virtualbox.

I'd use Opensuse or Centos for the host. Ubuntu LTS isn't bad but seems to be slightly lacking in enterprise level support.

I might go with kvm too.

It is slightly possible that your system doesn't fully support vt-x or what intel calls it.


I had an old Dell server somewhat like that. It ran sever stuff great. Not so much for workstation but that won't be a bad second hand choice.

ECC memory is a bit slow but if you want dependability then go with enterprise level stuff.

According to "Intel Virtualization Technology List" XEON DUAL-CORE 5130 does support VT-x, so I believe it's Ok.
Cause I am really a newbie talking about virtualization a have a backup plan like to install OS like Windows or Linux and use Virtual BOX that I have been using before.
I will do my best to install and try VMware vSphere Hypervisor (ESXi) and XEN only for training, cause I believe any of those two works better and fast than Virtual BOX installed on Windows or Linux
For the last couple of days Ive red a lot.
ESXi is and independent platform, so no host OS is needed which I believe makes it better, I might be wrong, but I will give myself a shot in the name of training

I assume it supports it but the chipset outside cpu needs to be able to support it also.

ESXI does have a barebones OS really, not sure why they market it like they do. Easy enough to play with choices now before you get it up and running. Proxmox is also a choice if you want a similar choice.

I'd run a few choices to see what you like.

Backing up virtual machine clients has two ways for the most part.
One is simply copy the virtual hard drive on client power off state.
Two is any normal clone/copy process that a real computer might use.
Three is a live state backup that some VM hosts can do. Some can move vm's across wan/lan even in live state to different hardware even.

My personal preference for virtualisation is Citrix XenServer as the host. We have that on around 20 production servers with close to 80 CentOS guests between them.