This is my ESXi5 lab that I built to study for the VCAP5-DCD and VCAP5-DCA.  It was built to simulate VMware training labs and a typical smaller production environment.  I built it for $880.00, and I know it can be done cheaper if you do a bit of research and catch sales.  Alternatively, you can do this on a laptop stacked with memory and specific processors.

 

I am in the process of building this out.  Come back soon!