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I am running an ESXi Vsphere Client Version 6.0.0 but with all the different documentation and changes I have trouble to understand my limitations. From the official documentation I see that my limit for physical CPU should be unlimited but I can only give a VM up to 8 vCPU.

From other sources I read that I have a limit of 2 physical CPU in the free version. I see that the memory limitation is gone, which I am happy about.

Is there any document or anything which gives me actual limitations? It seems that VMware is hiding it a bit ;) , at least I coudln't use google efficently to gather the correct info here.

I am only interested in the Hardware limitations, not the limits for creating failovers etc.

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3 Answers 3

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Those two stats you mention are different; it's 8 virtualised CPUs per VM and 2 physical CPU sockets that they're talking about - not the same thing. BTW if you're going with the free version have a look at THIS great new ESXi add-in that gives you a vCenter-like interface into your host via a web client - it's really new and really useful :)

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  • hey chopper, yes I know the difference between vCPU and sockets. I just need to know if the limit for physical cpu is really 2 or higher? meaning can I use 3 sockets in the free version? with 8 vCPU per machine I am happy. Nov 13, 2015 at 15:19
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    The c# client is way better than vcenter's web interface, why anyone would want to force a web client on the standalone esxi and get the worst of both worlds is mystifying.
    – JamesRyan
    Nov 13, 2015 at 16:13
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    @JamesRyan Because that's what VMware is forcing on us.
    – ewwhite
    Nov 13, 2015 at 16:49
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    First of all the 6.0u1 web client is WAY faster and more capable than the .net client, plus of course it works without Windows, that web client is a free thing they've just done to give people (mostly the ones not paying them a penny of course) something they didn't have. That said start saying goodbye to the .net client, it's going VERY soon.
    – Chopper3
    Nov 13, 2015 at 19:35
  • vSphere thick-client (C# client) is still here in 2017, lol. Feb 2, 2017 at 22:00
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Free version Hypervisor (Esxi) Version 6.0

  • 2 (physical) CPU limit
  • No Ram limit (removed since 5.5)

Hypervisor Spec

  • Number of cores per physical CPU: No limit
  • Number of physical CPUs per host: No limit
  • Number of logical CPUs per host: 480
  • Maximum vCPUs per virtual machine: 8

http://www.vmware.com/ap/products/vsphere-hypervisor/gettingstarted.html

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    yes but what happened to the 2 (physical) CPU limit in version 6 ? Is it removed or still there? Nov 13, 2015 at 15:20
  • nop only the ram :P
    – Froggiz
    Nov 13, 2015 at 15:21
  • It is hard to find the official post, but on an installed Esxi in the Summary tab the CPU limit is wrote
    – Froggiz
    Nov 13, 2015 at 15:48
  • The ram limit was removed in 5.5 too
    – JamesRyan
    Nov 13, 2015 at 16:10
  • Yup i just read it, it is VMware who announced it for each version after 5.1. Post has been edited to be more revealent.
    – Froggiz
    Nov 13, 2015 at 16:32
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When you apply the ESXi 6 free license, it appears :

Product : VMware vSphere Hypervisor Licenced 6 for 2 physical CPUs ( unlimited cores per CPU)

Product features:

Up to 8 -way virtual SMP

Extracted from: http://www.sysadmit.com/2016/03/vmware-esxi-gratuito-limitaciones.html

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