VMWare Infrastructre - Not the Solution for Single Server Virtualization

This info is targeted to admins who are looking to implement stand alone virtual servers and reduce their hardware overhead.

VMWare ESX Server 3.5 runs like a dream. As an IT Manager I've had no problems with it in 8 month. But, when it comes to managing it, patches and updates, it is a nightmare.

Reviewing VMWare Infrastrcuture Foundation it is quite likely you will not discover that Update Manager, the oft touted automated patch management system, is not available with a stand-alone Infrastructure Server. You must purchase a product called Virtual Center (~$6,000 according to Wesite info), something you'd want if you were centrally managing a number of VMWare servers. Virtual Center is installed on another system and used to provide the central management and Update Manager functionality that is advertised as part of the VMWare Infrastructure Server. (http://store.vmware.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=vmware&id=ProductDetailsPage&productID=83581600)

Without Update Manager, patches and updates must be downloaded manually, managed and installed from the console, while logged on as root.

As an IT person, I'm really tired of mis-leading marketing materials. Why not just be up front about these things?. It makes me wonder why I even bother researching products.

As a stockholder I think this is a questionable business practice that will have a negative impact on the bottom line.

So, caveat emptor, a robust product but a true headache to manage as a stand alone server.