Installation guide

Table Of Contents
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All hosts in the cluster must be connected to the vCenter Server system.
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All hosts in the cluster must have advanced CPU features, such as hardware virtualization support (AMD-
V or Intel VT) and AMD No eXecute (NX) or Intel eXecute Disable (XD), enabled in the BIOS if they are
available.
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All hosts in the cluster should be configured for VMotion. See “Host Configuration for VMotion,” on
page 189.
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All hosts in the cluster must have supported CPUs for the EVC mode you want to enable. For specific host
processors supported, see Table 16-1.
Any host added to an existing EVC-enabled cluster must also meet the requirements listed above.
NOTE Hardware vendors sometimes disable particular CPU features in the BIOS by default. This can cause
problems in enabling EVC, because the EVC compatibility checks do not detect features that are expected to
be present for a particular CPU. If you cannot enable EVC on a system with a compatible processor, ensure
that all features are enabled in the BIOS.
Table 16-1 lists the processors supported in EVC Clusters.
Table 16-1. Processors Supported in EVC Clusters
Vendor EVC Mode Processors Supported
AMD AMD Opteron Generation 1 AMD Opteron Generation 1
AMD Opteron Generation 2
AMD Opteron Generation 3
AMD Opteron Generation 2 AMD Opteron Generation 2
AMD Opteron Generation 3
AMD Opteron Generation 3 AMD Opteron Generation 3
Intel Intel Xeon Core 2 Intel Xeon Core 2
Intel Xeon 45nm Core 2
Intel Xeon Core i7
Intel Xeon 32nm Core i7
Intel Xeon 45nm Core 2 Intel Xeon 45nm Core 2
Intel Xeon Core i7
Intel Xeon 32nm Core i7
Intel Xeon Core i7 Intel Xeon Core i7
Intel Xeon 32nm Core i7
Intel Xeon 32nm Core i7 Intel Xeon 32nm Core i7
Create an EVC Cluster
Create an EVC cluster to help ensure VMotion compatibility between the hosts in the cluster.
When you create an EVC cluster, use one of the following methods:
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Create an empty cluster, enable EVC, and move hosts into the cluster.
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Enable EVC on an existing cluster.
VMware recommends creating an empty EVC cluster as the simplest way of creating an EVC cluster with
minimal disruption to your existing infrastructure.
Chapter 16 Migrating Virtual Machines
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