In case you missed it, VMware recently updated its compatibility guides for the VMware ESX Server product:

HCL: Storage Compatibility Guide for ESX Server 3.x

VMware ESX Server 3.x has been tested and deployed in a variety of storage area network (SAN) environments. This guide describes the combination of HBAs (host bus adapters) and storage devices currently tested by VMware and its storage partners.

HCL: Systems Compatibility Guide for ESX Server 3.x

VMware ESX Server is tested for compatibility with a variety of major guest operating systems running in virtual machines. Additionally, VMware ESX Server is tested for compatibility with currently shipping platforms from the major server makers in pre-release testing. Our goal is to support a variety of storage and network adapters used as standard options for these platforms as they come to market.

HCL: I/O Compatibility Guide for ESX Server 3.x

VMware ESX Server Software delivers high performance I/O for PCI-based SCSI, RAID, Fibre Channel, and Ethernet controllers. To achieve high performance, these devices are accessed directly through device drivers in the ESX Server host, and not through a host operating system as with VMware Workstation and GSX Server products.

VMware certifies that specific systems and components are compatible with ESX Server software. Through the VMware Preferred Hardware Partner Program, ESX Server software works with leading server vendors to ensure that appropriate configurations of their current and future server products are certified.

HCL: Backup Software Compatibility for ESX Server 3.x

This is not an exhaustive list of all backup software packages and versions that are compatible with ESX Server software, but it represents those servers that VMware or its partners have tested with the current release of ESX Server software.

Posted by David Marshall on January 1, 2008 08:36 AM