A customer of mine asked me about setting a low cost ESXi server for them, and another customer may benefit from an ESXi server. On Thursday I purchased the parts to build one and begin building one.
This was going to be a whitebox single processor so the licensing would be free. It would have 2 cores but licensing is based on sockets.
So first stop was to Fry’s where I got
- USB thumb drives (only needed one but got more) $12.99
- DDR3 8GB 1333 RAM $89.99
- AMD Athlon II X2 255 3.1Ghz Processor $64.99
- ASUS M4A785T-M
I also purchased a 500GB Hard drive which I later returned because I already had one.
Next stop was RePC where I purchased a 450 Watt Power Supply for 17.95 and some drive bay panels (not really needed, got wrong on anyway).
I also previously purchased a USB plug which was on a bracket. I removed the bracket and zip tied it internally. If I recall, that part cost less than $2.00
I already had a case, and it is appropriate too, because it was beige, old school case.
I also had a CD player, but I am going to remove it when I am done and after I find an appropriate Drive Bay Cover. If I were to by the CD drive and case, that would’ve added another $20 or $30 to the cost. I was going to use a new case I purchased, but it was not white 🙂
The final part was something I have had difficulty finding, and that is a NIC compatible with ESXi. Luckily, my buddy Rob, introduced my to a small hidden used shop. It is an interesting place. I did pay for 2 dual Gigabit NIC for a total of 4 ports. But unfortunately, when I got home, I realized one was a 100MB version.
Anyway, paid $48.00 hopefully I can get a refund on the other one, I did have another Single Port Gigabit card so I was able to use that.
The interesting note regarding these cards is that they use a PCI-X format which is longer than the standard 32PCI you find at store. But they will work, you will not get 64bit bandwidth, but it still works. Also your motherboard needs to be able to accommodate the extra length
I may have missed something big, but I don’t think so, stuff like a keyboard and monitor and stuff were not added to the cost because normally one does not sit in front of this machine.
Here is the total cost
Whitebox ESXi Cost Breakdown
Before Taxes, $370.65
One thing to note is that I do have 2 more slots free to increase memory another 8GB.
Today was a semi rest day, slowly but surely I am increasing my running distances and walking the rest. I think I did 1.25 miles and walked 1.75.
What the hay, I weighed in for the heck of it. It is right after dinner and wearing long sleeve and sweat pants.
Weight: