VMware

Tips for Searching the VMware Compatibility Guide

Here are some tips for finding information in the online compatibility guide.

Using Key Word Search

To search for an exact text string, enclose the text in quote marks ("Dual-core Intel Xeon"). The field is not case-sensitive.

There are two wildcards you can use in fields that allow user input, such as the Key Word Search field.

  • Underscore (_) represents any single character
  • Percent (%) represents zero or more characters

Search Examples

Suppose you want to research which Storage Virtual Devices are compatible with ESX 4.0, assuming any partner and firmware version are acceptable.

  1. Click the Storage/SAN tab.
  2. Select ESX 4.0 in the Product Release Version field.
  3. Select Storage Virtual Device (SVD) in the Array Type field.
  4. Click Search.

Alternatively, suppose you want an EMC LP series Fibre Channel array.

  1. Click the IO Devices tab.
  2. Enter EMC LP in the Key Word Search field.
  3. Click Search.

Viewing Results

Scroll down to view the search results. To display more details:

  • Click the model information for hardware
  • Click the supported release for software

FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently-asked questions.

Q - What information is available from the documentation topics listed in the upper right corner of the Web site?

A - A documentation topic appears for each tab in the search area. The topic for the selected tab expands to show you more information. For example, you can view information that has become available in the past week (What's New), an Introduction to the contents for this tab, and other key information. To print the complete content for the selected tab, select the Download option.

Q - What is the difference between Basic Search and Advanced Search?

A - Basic Search and Advanced Search act as a toggle. The default is Advanced, which allows you to make choices in the search fields to refine your results. Basic Search retrieves all results, though both features allow you to refine your search using key words. NOTE: Advanced Search is not available for the Other Documents or Help tabs.

Q - Using Advanced Search, can I select more than one value per field?

A - Yes. Hold down the Ctrl key to make multiple selections. Hold down the Shift key to select adjacent values.

Q - I used Key Word Search, but my search results are not what I expected. What happened?

A - You may have typed a word or number that is not recognized by the search engine for retrieving results. In this case, you may get the wrong results, or even no results. Try again using selections in the Advanced Search fields to define the scope of your search.

Q - Where can I see an explanation of the footnotes or KB links that appear in the supported releases results?

A - Scroll to the bottom of the search results to see an explanation for the footnotes and links to the Knowledge Base articles cited in your results.

Q - What is the difference between Print, Save/View as PDF, and Export as CSV/Excel?

A - Print sends the results to your printer exactly as it appears on the Web site. Save/View as PDF launches a PDF of the results, formatted for printing as it appears in the complete downloaded compatibility guide. Export as CSV/Excel exports the information to a spreadsheet that includes URLs for the product details.

Finding More Information

Here are some information and support resources.

Quick Links

VMware Knowledge Base

VMware support articles & product documentation.

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