Re purpose APIC controllers

[a12288]

I have 3 decommissioned APIC-M2 controllers, and like to repurpose / format them as standalone test servers at lab instead of just E-Waste them. Has anyone done this? Thanks.

Leo

[Flavio Miranda · Accepted solution]

@a12288 

 Yes, it is perfect possible. You can install ESXi and virtualize machines on it. You do have some work to do  replacing whatever it is running for another OS but this is not that complicated.

[Robert Burns]

Also keep in mind there is no SW or HW support on these devices when you repurpose them with a different OS image.  Additionally, there's limited support from VMware on these older platforms (Gen2 APICs are based on UCS M4 C-series, which will support up to ESX 7U3).  There's no support (drivers/firmware etc) for ESX 8.

Robert