The VMware HCL provides an easy-to-search online database of hardware that has been tested and is supported in a vSphere environment.
Hardware that is not listed on VMware's Hardware Compatibility List may still work with vSphere. However, if the hardware is not listed on the HCL, it may cause issues in regards to obtaining support from VMware in the event of issues with the environment. Only hardware found on the HCL should be used in vSphere production environments.
Selecting the hardware type, VMware product and version, hardware vendor, device type, and supported features allows a design architect to quickly view and select supported hardware. Details about the supported firmware or BIOS versions, the availability of native drivers, and the requirements for third-party drivers can also be viewed quickly for hardware information on the HCL.