I have a Poweredge 2950 series II with dual quad core Intel Xeon X5355 processors and was just given a new Poweredge 2950 series III with dual quad core Intel Xeon E5420 processors. I want to do Vmotion between these two machines as they will be ESX hosts ... my problem is the processor compatibility matrix I consulted says Vmotion will fail between these processor types.

Can anyone confirm or deny this? Also I am pretty sure the series II Poweredge won't support the 5400 processors so can I downgrade the series III processors to X5355 to match series II Poweredge thus allowing for Vmotion?

Thanks

@bjacqu03- I'm sure that you've looked at the Dell VMotion Compatibility matrix http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/solutions/vmotion_compatibility_matix.pdf

OPTION #1:
Yes, it is true but only for versions of ESX below 3.5 U2. With ESX 3.5 U2 and above, you can use Enhanced VMotion Compatibility (EVC) to avoid VMotion compatibility issues.

Check this link out: http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1991

Of note: For BC VMotion, apply SSE4.1 mask. (Not supported prior to ESX 3.5. Experimentally supported for ESX 3.5 and later only.)
Where B => With SSSE3. Without SSE4.1 or SSE 4.2.
Models include:
Intel Xeon CPUs based on the Intel Core microarchitecture. For example, Intel Xeon 30xx, 32xx, 51xx, 53xx, 72xx, or 73xx.
And C => With SSSE 3 and SSE4.1. Without SSE4.2.
Models include:
Intel Xeon CPUs based on 45nm Intel Core microarchitecture. For example, Intel Xeon 31xx, 33xx, 52xx, 54xx, or 74xx.

In sum, VMotion should work with the right mask applied and the correct version of ESX.

OPTION #2:
The PE 2950 series III also supports Intel 53xx series processors.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/enterprise/pedge_2950_3/pd.aspx?refid=pedge_2950_3&s=bsd&cs=04 under the TechSpec tab

You should be able to use one of your Intel 5355 from your PE 2950 series II in your PE 2950 series III in a two-host server node with 1-socket populated. Then, you can test VMotion between your two PE2950s and make sure it works.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

That information was perfect thank you very much KongY@Dell ....