So, I have taken up the task of understanding what VMware is all about.
To do so, I have purchased a HP Proliant ML115 G5 server to install VMWare ESX 4i onto. My choice of what server to buy was after some research from the internet; especially from TechHead. The website also has very good links to other sites which provide very good advice on how to go about setting up a VMWare server and also understanding the whole concept of Virtualization.
I bought the server from ebuyer. Extra memory modules to pump the existing 1GB module that comes with the server to 6GB was obtained from Maplins in Northampton. The sever also comes with 160GB SATA hard drive. I have added a 1TB hard drive to this.
The server arrived in very good condition at work. I had plans of driving down to work over the weekend and picking it up, but on second thoughts, i decided to take it home with me on the train. It wasn’t such a difficult task as I though it would be. When I got to the train station in Wellingborough, I just took a cab home.
The kit has been unboxed, setup and VMware ESX4i has been installed and running. I initially did the install on a USB memory stick, but ditched that process and run the install from the ISO image which I burnt to disk.
Thanks to some friends who have already taken the VMware course, I am able to follow the VMware process from the course books they have lent me.
Unfortunately I didnt take pictures of the unit boxed and unboxed, so I have had to pinch pictures of it from the web, so credits to the person who these pictures were pinched from.
I still have some other VMware related applications to install, but first of all, I will install Windows 2003 Enterprise Sever. Hopefully I will get that done tonight and update you in the not too distant future.
Kokrokoo 
Hi
We are buying the same server to a virtualized environment.
I would like to ask, what network card you used to install Vmware ESXi?
The card that brings the server is HP NC105i, that works?
Thanks in advance
Hello Alejandro. I am sorry for the delay in responding to your question. The network card I currently use is the one that came with the server when I bought it, and it works fine.
Hello,
I am in the process of setting up Vsphere home lab with HP ML115 G5 server and I need your help in understanding the whole setup details. Can you please share your HCL details as I can purchase all the similar hardware and start setting up the lab.