I'm trying to determine if there's any value to buying the paid vCenter vs using the free ESXi that we've been using for years.
We are a small site, we don't use iSCSI or a SAN. We still buy servers with the data disks directly in each server. With that in mind, it doesn't seem like the paid versions of VMware really offer any benefits other than consolidating all the separate vSphere client logins into a single "dashboard" screen.
The free ESXi 5.x now supports 2+ TB disks and 32+ gig memory and unlimited CPUs, so don't need paid to get that capability...
The only real hassle with the free vSphere client is remembering on what host server the VMs are located, though that is resolved with an advanced tech known as "sheet of paper taped to side of administrator's monitor"...
Fake example:
Host 10.0.1.10 - root / ican'tbelieveit'snotvodka
- Domain controller YODA / 2008 R2
- Squid web cache / Ubuntu 15 LTS
- VMA 5.0.0.2 / APC powerchute using SOAP
Host 10.0.1.12 - root / ican'tbelieveit'snotvodka
- Domain controller LEIA / 2008 R2
- File server SLEEPY / 2008 R2
- Antivirus server DOC / 2008 R2
- Database server GRUMPY / 2008 R2
- VMA 5.0.0.2 / APC powerchute using SOAP
Host 10.0.1.16 - root / ican'tbelieveit'snotvodka
- Domain controller C3PO / 2008 R2
- File server HAPPY / 2008 R2
- VMA 5.0.0.2 / APC powerchute using SOAP