====== Hypervisors Should Be Installed On Flash Media ======

In general, virtualization hypervisors load and run from memory.  There's no need for them to be installed on a hard drive when they can be installed on a flash drive.  This may also speed up boot times.

===== VMware vSphere =====

VMware vSphere has installation directly onto a USB drive as a standard installation option since at least version 5.

===== Microsoft Hyper-V =====

  * Microsoft Technet: [[http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj733589.aspx| Run Hyper-V Server 2012 From a USB Flash Drive]] (references 2008R2 directions as valid for 2012) \\ http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj733589.aspx
  * Microsoft Technet: [[http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee731893(WS.10).aspx|Deploying Microsoft Hyper-V Server 2008 R2 on USB Flash Drive]] \\ [[http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee731893(WS.10).aspx]]

===== Low-Profile USB "thumb" drives =====

[[http://www.verbatim.com/prod/usb-drives/everyday-usb-drives/netbook-usb-drive-sku-97463/|Verbatim Stor 'N Stay]] \\ http://www.verbatim.com/prod/usb-drives/everyday-usb-drives/netbook-usb-drive-sku-97463

{{:verbatimstorenstay.jpg?200|Verbatim Store 'N Stay}}

[[http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=ct4gbufdjnr000| Crucial Gizmo Jr]](([[http://community.spiceworks.com/topic/post/988574|John773's enthusiastic recommendation]])) \\ [[http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=ct4gbufdjnr000]]

{{http://images.crucial.com/images/resources/detail/moreimages/large/drives/gizmo_jr/gizmo-jr_cap.gif}}

[[http://www.sandisk.com/products/usb/drives/cruzer-fit/| SanDisk Cruzer Fit]] \\ [[http://www.sandisk.com/products/usb/drives/cruzer-fit/]]

{{http://www.sandisk.com/assets/product/usb-usb-sdcz33-032g.jpg}} 


===== Other articles to check out =====

  * [[http://www.techhead.co.uk/why-run-vmware-esxi-from-a-memory-stick-or-sd-card|Why run VMware ESXi from a memory stick or SD Card?]] \\ http://www.techhead.co.uk/why-run-vmware-esxi-from-a-memory-stick-or-sd-card
  * [[http://www.vreference.com/2011/02/10/stateless-diskless-and-feckless/|vReference: Understanding ESXi – stateless, diskless, feckless]] \\ http://www.vreference.com/2011/02/10/stateless-diskless-and-feckless/
  * [[http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-11349|ESXi installation - Flash memory vs Hard disk]] \\ http://communities.vmware.com/docs/DOC-11349