vCenter Essentials - 3 Host Limit (not 6 CPU)
vSphere Essentials is a package that is for the SMB. At present there is a promotional offer (Until June 15, 2010) reducing the price from $995 to $495.
In this package you receive vCenter and 3 ESX host licenses (up to 6 CPU Licenses)
Of course this a basic package - with only the basic features - no HA, Vmotion etc.
This is ideal for a small business starting out.
I tried today to see if the limit is actually 6 CPU’s or 3 hosts.
Here I have an Essentials License with 3 ESX hosts - but each of them only have 1 Physical CPU
Trying to add the 4th host I got this
What I did find strange though was that it did take up an extra CPU from my license
The new host was disconnected but still taking up a CPU license
After removing the Host - it went back to the correct state
What did I learn from this experience?
- The limit is 3 ESX hosts - not the amount of CPU’s
- This is still an amazing package for a lab setup!!