VMware has released the latest version of its legacy ESX 2.x product, ESX Server 2.5.4.
One of the main features of this update is to add support for newer hardware and servers that weren't compatible with the previous ESX Server releases. This new server and hardware update is because of the hardware refresh that is going on right now in the industry with new chipsets, processors and SAS drivers/controllers.
From the release notes:
Guest Operating Systems
Support for the following additional guest operating systems:
- Free BSD 4.11
- Novell Open Enterprise Server Support Pack 2
- Red Hat Linux Enterprise Server 3.0 Update 8
- Red Hat Linux Enterprise Server 4.0 Update 4
- Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 with Update Roll-up 1
Note: The Red Hat hugemem kernel is not supported in ESX Server 2.x. For information, refer to KB article 8964517.
A VMware Tools update is available for FreeBSD guest operating systems. For installation instructions, please refer to the ESX Server 2.x Administration Guide at http://www.vmware.com/support/pubs/esx_pubs.html.
Systems Support: Support for the following additional systems based on the Xeon 5000 and 5100 series of processors such as:
- IBM x3650 Server
- IBM x3500 Server
- HP Proliant DL580 G4 Servers
- HP Proliant ML570 G4 Servers
- Dell PowerEdge 2900 Servers
Note: The interim workaround documented in KB article 2085 is no longer applicable for Sun Fire X4100 and X4200 servers with ESX Server 2.5.3. Please upgrade to ESX Server 2.5.4.
Devices: Support for the following additional devices:
- Broadcom 5706 PCI-X NIC
- Broadcom 5715 PCI-E NIC
- Broadcom 5708 on-board NIC
- Broadcom 5714 on-board NIC
- Intel Pro/1000 PT Single Port NIC
- Intel Pro/1000 PT Dual Port NIC
- IBM ServerRAID 8K controller
- Dell PERC 5/i
- LSI SAS controller (PC-E) LSISAS1064E
- LSI SAS controller (PCI-X) LSISAS1068
Thanks to Richard Cardona for the news.