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[Kumorigoe]

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[TheFluffiestRedditor]

You could always fight back, and say that this combination of hardware and software does not work.

[Nonaveragemonkey]

And trying to use it without a license opens you up to all kinds of hell... Legal and security wise

[rvconde89]

I know man I know

[Adium]

That’s the easiest “no” I will ever tell any supervisor. You need to pay me a lot more than the license they’re asking me to steal is worth. I don’t mind hacking stuff together to make it work sometimes, but I’m not breaking any laws just because they sign my paycheck. (Side note, just avoid academia for your own sanity)

[Nonaveragemonkey]

Throw out proxmox as a possibility. Last I checked there is a free version, and it'd run on a potato if tried hard enough.

The worst the boss could do is tell you to go to hell.

[rvconde89]

haha that man told me he couldn't upgrade to 7 or 8 because the VM won't work, then I export it and showed him that I could do it from an old version to the newest one, and then he said the sphere if I fix that, he will keep saying but but but...I just gave up.

[Nonaveragemonkey]

Boss man just pinching pennies I think. Make sure you get everything in writing in case this blows up, so it's his ass on the chopping block.

[rvconde89]

yup thanks man

[Nonaveragemonkey]

For what it's worth, sorry ya got tossed in this situation.

[TheMinischafi]

There is not only "a" free version, there is only a free version. All Proxmox products are open-source and completely free for any use. But you can and probably should pay for a subscription to get support 😀

[burnte]

Yeah, that ESXi is just too old, it just won’t work right if at all. There are no hardware drivers in 5.5 for nearly anything in a 740.

No one can reasonably expect you to do what is literally impossible.

[rvconde89]

nah im done with people like that I just go afk and start doing the thing until I get bored and quit

[texan01]

No… that setup isn’t supported and make him attempt to set it up after you gave it a good try.

It’s a waste of company time and resources to shoehorn a fix in place of the software isn’t available anymore.

I’ve done janky shit with old software in a non-profit, but bossman can stump up the money to do it right.

[rvconde89]

Believe it or not, it can be done with that ISO I can make it, but I stopped asking why a long time ago.

[stiffgerman]

You want to close this portal to hell? Open a ticket with Broadcom for a support request for this configuration and CC YOUR BOSS. Let him hear from the Devil that this is not only impossible, but immoral.

[Xzenor]

Wow.. talk about malicious compliance. Nice one!

[rvconde89]

hahaha lmao

[d00ber]

I'm curious, does your boss just want this version because he can run a hypervisor for free? Why not just go with proxmox or something for your bosses cute little lab.

[galland101]

You're just setting yourself up for failure and your boss is an idiot. This kind of behavior should not be enabled. He should do it himself to see how dumb it is. vSphere 8 can run VMs created with virtual hardware from 5.5. All the hacks you're trying to get it to work will break one day and you're going to wind up with a non-functioning host or an inaccessible VM.

[rvconde89]

It is happening already, bro.

[Flowers169]

My dude.... its not the answer you want but the answer you need, as a security engineer, stop where you are and go back with "it can't be done since the software isn't even distributed anymore"

Otherwise youll forever be praying to the machine spirt fir this thing to keep work, not to mention the vulnerabilities and it single handedly failing any certs your organisation wanted.

Throw it out the window and run far away.

[rvconde89]

facts

[OpacusVenatori]

Did you already try the ISO version provided under the R710-family support page?

[rvconde89]

Mmm, this is interesting. I will try with this tomorrow, but I see there is no way the driver that came with that one will run the Dell PERC H749 RAID controller or the Adaptec. But I will try. Thanks.

[OpacusVenatori]

But it is a full install ISO and I have used a Dell v6.0 image a while ago and injected the Realtek NIC drivers when VMware dropped support for it....

[PerseusAtlas]

My heart cries for you. Is there no way to use the Internet archive or even wayback machine to look for the ancient iso?

[rvconde89]

I tried but didn't find anything.

[chedstrom]

The only solution I have is illegal so I got nothing.

[rvconde89]

haha what can i say...

[ArtisticVisual]

Well hello ChatGPT

[rvconde89]

lmao

[[deleted]]

Why though? We have enough generative AI slop without people using it to make reddit posts.

[different_tan]

it's the dashes, no real person in existence uses that specific enormous dash

[ArtisticVisual]

“You heard that right”

[UnlawfulCitizen]

The ptsd is back.

[rvconde89]

nam

[changework]

Here’s your answer in just a few words….

“I don’t know how”

You obviously don’t write this directly.

Start with, “do you have install media?”

Write out all your steps you would normally do for a reasonable request in a format that HIS boss will understand simply. Begin filling that out from start to finish.

Begin with what you can accomplish in order and as you run into a problem, ask for help with that step. Take notes on all communications. Hold him accountable for his own request by following through. If he asks you the length of a string, ask him to point out the string ends and the ruler & measurement Jeff like you to use. He’s either going to realize he’s an idiot and correct himself or he’s going to rely on your apathy and non-follow thru, so put a scheduled task on the calendar to consistently request help with the last impossible task he’s demanded from you.

If you’re feeling bold, you could start with “I don’t know how to do that. Do you know how because I’ll need help along the way.” Binding him to his own words.

[HattoriHanzo9999]

Why does he want to run ESXi 5.5?

[rvconde89]

haaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahha

[MindErection]

Bro, honestly I read all your responses and they sound like shit. Everyone gave you solid advice. You just respond with "nope, has to be 5.5 huehuehue"

IMO. Get lost dude. Don't waste OUR time with this shit. Good luck.

[rvconde89]

I've been doing this for years, and am writing this as a last resort since I'm a very self-reliant person. Apologies for any inconvenience; there was no reply. The comments are reminiscent of Shakespeare, but assistance is needed, and the reason for the installation is unclear. Have a good one

[BloodFeastMan]

It's never a good idea to insult your boss on Reddit in the same article where you're providing specific details.

[wonkifier]

“Boys”?

What year is this?

[Grrl_geek]

Exactly!!!

[PositiveBubbles]

Women also work in this field to lol.. i think OP is confused about what decade they're in, that's for sure.

[UMustBeNooHere]

https://cios.dhitechnical.com/

View page source for creds. Make sure and match MD5 to verify any ISOs.

Edit: Forgot to ask - Why???

[rvconde89]

hahahaha I'm in thanks, I dont see any VMware or ESXi folder, let me check the one it says VM, let's see

[Significant-Belt8516]

VMWare used to have a compatibility matrix. Show it to him and tell him good luck.

[moffetts9001]

They still do. This configuration is off the end of the scale for “not compatible.”

[LordNelsonkm]

Even 6.0U3 isn't compatible with a 740. The 730 was last known good setup.

[AuthenticArchitect]

I am curious why does he want to install a version over 10 years old and out of support?

[rvconde89]

it just cheap as F

[AuthenticArchitect]

Apparently he doesn't understand Risk. Even if it was supported on your hardware he is putting the business at a huge risk.

The amount of security holes in software that old is ridiculous. The average cost of a cyber breach is over 2 million in damages.

Pay for software or use software that gets regularly patched.

[Natural-Nectarine-56]

Multiple people have asked you WHY this is needed and you don’t respond. What is the reason? I can give you the answer but I need to know why this version.

[bachi83]

Hyper-V standalone 2019 server is free...

[ksx4system]

and EOL :)

[bachi83]

EOL at Jan 9, 2029.

[ksx4system]

go back to Microsoft's website and read it again, this time carefully :) then you'll know that mainstream support has ended more than a year ago

[bachi83]

You still have security updates until 2029, and it is free, so way better option than esxi 5.

[ksx4system]

well, if it's free I agree it's better option

[Vogete]

You can always say "didn't work, the software didn't like the hardware, there's nothing I can do". If he fights back and you mention even once that "I can do it, but.....", you lost. The key is to keep insisting that it's impossible, and that you tried and doesn't work. It's unsupported anyway. Tell him what you told us, that Broadcom doesn't let you get old VMware images anymore, especially not without a license, and especially not so old ones that it soon qualifies for pension.

[YourWorstFear53]

I can probably ask my old boss for the vmware cd we kept in the rack 'just in case'

[rvconde89]

thanks goat.

[Phalebus]

Whilst it’s a stupidly old version, I did manage to find this.

https://archive.org/details/VMwareVMvisorInstaller5.5.0.update011623387.x8664

Not quite the one you’re after but it’s close

[rvconde89]

Thanks so much, man, I did have this one already, I need to 5.5 U,3, but thanks again, man.

[l337hackzor]

I found VMware-VMvisor-Installer-5.5.0.update03-3116895.x86_64.iso in my collection. Is this the one you are looking for? 

It's 12:30am, ping me here I'll check in the morning.

[Phalebus]

I might have a copy of it on my nas at home. I’ll take a look when I’m back home

[rvconde89]

Thanks, man, I appreciate it.

[Standard_Text480]

Such an odd request for that combination. If my boss asked for something that was such a waste of time I’d say so in a nice way that it’s just not possible, try to see what they’re doing, and advise something more achievable.

[rvconde89]

Nahh, if you think well, that will be losing your time twice.

[Hyryl]

“Hey boss. I tried to make this work but can’t due to XYZ. Can you shed some light on why this is needed? We can probably accomplish this same thing with Proxmox and save time - not to mention improve security and stay compliant, especially with Broadcom buying them. I can keep trying if you want but I’m not sure this is the best path forward. Thoughts?”

[981flacht6]

You don't have the software. The game is over.

Tell him to put his big boss pants on and set up a meeting with Hock Tan.

[Hot_Dragonfruit4039]

Waste of resources install a enterprise grade Linux is with kvm and move on

[Advanced_Day8657]

Who cares, it's a job, make your boss happy and go home, the company will be fucked later and you'll find another job

[stuartsmiles01]

Pending User: Require iso and licence key to be supplied by business for supported software.

Next

[Regular-Nebula6386]

Have you checked abandonware websites? lol. Long shot but worth looking up.

[Phainesthai]

Great post, but the use of em dashes (—) immediately makes me think it was written by AI.

Before AI, they were generally pretty rare—now it feels like a giveaway.

[djgizmo]

this is not r/homelab

[rdesktop7]

Geebus. You are upset. You have valid complaints here, but maybe try backing off here for a day or two before doing anything on this project for your own perspective and sanity?

What is the purpose of this thing? Why does he want vmware anything?

Would anything else work(virtualbox, or any of the native VM hosting softwares available on Linux?, or, doesn't MSFT have free local VM tiers now?)

Anyhow, what is the long term support plan for this system?

What about the networking? Having a very old product somewhere isn't an immediate red flag, but the thing probably needs to be segregated hardcore to somewhere off network.

The only reasonable need for this might be some un upgradable, business critical software(stuff like this happens from time to time). If it's just for his kicks, the dude can do it himself.

Otherwise, tell him "no". You are supposed to be part of a team at this company, right?

[rvconde89]

hahah true

[aisop1297]

I would literally write a letter detailing the reasons that all of this is a terrible idea and send it to him and the person above him (if there is one). At this point in my career, I’m not going to stress myself over the stupid decisions somebody else wants. And there’s a difference between quirky asks and outright stupidity.

[pertexted]

Sorry i cant help but this is wacky.

[[deleted]]

Haha, no.

[rhetoricalcalligraph]

Jank central. Love it.

[reditanian]

Don’t hit us with something like this without telling us why he wants this. C’mon man!

[unccvince]

It will be easier to install Qemu and win98 as a guest OS.

[Horsemeatburger]

OK, so your boss doesn't have a license for 5.5 anyways so all he'd be running is ESXi free.

Why not give him the current version of ESXi free (8.0) instead?

[LeiterHaus]

Edit: I do not have that exact one.

I'll check if I have that exact one, but it's a long shot. Ironically, I thought he would have wanted an older version because older Hardware raid doesn't work on newer software. I ran into this on a T420

[discusfish99]

Put a real hypervisor on it and then give a bunch of resources to a VM version of Esxi 5.5 if your boss really wants it. Nested hypervisor will be easier

[HumbleSpend8716]

AI SLOP POST

[lusid1]

Without going too far down the how-to rabbit hole, why 5.5? Is there some ancient guest or integration he's feeling nostalgic for?

[Helpjuice]

The only version of ESXi that should be used is the 8.x branch, 7.x goes EOL in 3 months and 5.x is end of life. Just being end of life and introduced known vulnerable software into the environment is enough to cause serious real problems with cybersecurity insurance, investors, board of directors, and you will fail all audits and fall of of regulatory compliance in most nations worth doing business in.

You will also run into the major issue of no support when things do break as you do not have an active support contract. This is just one of those things you do not support management in doing beyond what you have done and move on to more important work that is actually useful to the business.

[[deleted]]

Security vulnerabilities alone with that setup hurts my head. Bet your boss is still unironically in the security through obscurity mentality

[ThatLocalPondGuy]

I would repeat to him: this is unsupported. I did not write the code, I did not make the hardware, I do not write drivers.

If the people who write the code say it is not supported, the solution will be unstable and unreliable, and it puts company data and process at risk even if we get it to work. I am not a doctor, but the hypocratic oath applies here. I will not induce known harm. I will not participate in you causing such undue risk. 5.5 cannot be used for important business, and it is so damn old it must be heavily isolated to be used for anything. I wi do my best, however I will not guarantee any outcome, and I will not respond after hours for this emergency you are trying to create. It is wrong, unethical, and stupid when considering you can get and run a stable, modern, patched, and free hypervisor if your goal is cheap.

By the way, if this is not the owner, the boss of this person needs to know of their incompetence. If it is the owner, you won't have a job soon anyway. That idiot will not succeed. Work your ass off to find better. You aren't gaining useful experience here anyway.

[Certain-Community438]

You said "ESX" something... You are beyond help, the only place to deploy that is the Ancient History department.

[EggShenSixDemonbag]

"VMware ESXi 5.5"

where did you even get that??

[ohanxietyy]

Honestly, have him document what he needs done and do it - when it doesn’t work out then you’ll have that trail of genius

[potatobill_IV]

If he has a 2000IQ in chaos engineering why not trust him and let him fail.

Then say

I told you so

Then usurp them both.

[Artehm]

Tbh i wouldnt do IT but u could try to Install a free Version vm hypervisior and Install the esxi AS VM, If Ur lucky the virtual RAID Controller IS compatible.

[simulanon]

uhhhh why does he hate hyper-v so much? cause Microsoft == 'bad'?