VMware introduces ESX 3i
Sep/078
One of the cool things VMware showed this week at VMworld is ESX 3i. ESX 3i is the version of ESX that only run on the VMkernel without the service console (the big linux component). This makes ESX 3i a real single purpose OS only (to run virtual machines), reducing its foot print and increasing reliability and security.
ESX 3i will be integrated in server hardware coming from HP, Dell, IBM, FSC, NEC and more. The servers do not need local storage anymore as they boot from internal flash sticks.
The real cool thing I like about ESX 3i is that it has support for SATA disks!! meaning it runs on your notebook 
Jippie!!!! I have successfully tested ESX 3i on my older Dell laptop and it works awesome on my IBM x60. The IBM has a really good SATA controller, that by default is not even supported by Windows XP, but ESX 3i has no problem what so ever with it Also the notebook NICs seem no problem for ESX 3i.
VMware has given all attendees at VMworld a memory stick with ESX 3i on it, so they all can have good fun with it. If you are going to try it yourself, be carefull when you start creating VMFS partitions that you do not accidentally delete your windows partitions.
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6:18 am on September 14th, 2007
Wow I would love to get a hold of one those flash sticks!!!
Is there anyway I could test one of them out??
Thanks for sharing this info!
2:32 pm on September 17th, 2007
Ok, so I have a pen drive from vmworld with ESX 3i on it. I wish to set this up in 2 test environments, anyone know how to clone all the different partitions and files, given that I can only actually see one partition with a single file on it?
6:14 pm on September 18th, 2007
I tried this on my x60, but while it worked, it didn’t see the disk. You implied it did see your disk. Is your x60 a 17065YU that is maybe a year old? Mine is. Maybe yours is newer? My system bios is 2.13. Thanks!
3:49 pm on September 19th, 2007
Figured it out. In the BIOS, the mode for the SATA adapter is Compatible. If that is changed to ACHI or something like that VMware see’s it and it works well!
12:45 am on September 23rd, 2007
Hey Dan,
Anyway you want to share the ESX3i w/ me I would like to test it out also at my highschool.
thanks!
7:51 pm on September 24th, 2007
I have been trying to get my ESX 3i to connect to my Windows-based laptop disks. Please go into detail as to how you connected your ESX 3i to your local disks. I am impressed!
10:33 pm on September 24th, 2007
I didn’t like having to dedicate an entire machine to test ESX 3i beta so, with help from the VMware community, I was about to virtualize it.
To show others how it can be done, I created a 16 minute video titled-
How to run VMware ESX Server 3i Beta inside VMworkstation
http://www.happyrouter.com/esx3ibetavideo
It is available at my website in Flash, Windows Media, and IPOD formats.
Thanks-
David Davis
Video Author of VMware Server & Workstation, found at http://www.HappyRouter.com/vmwarevideo
6:38 pm on February 12th, 2008
Hi, did anyone get ESX 3i fully running on his notebook.
I’m am searching to buy a notebook where LAN and SATA disks are fully supported but didn’t find one yet.
Rob.