Though vmware does not support accessing vmware server using VI client, it does work with some limitations. I like vmware server, so i don't have dedicate the server ESXi, this lets you the server for other tasks. Unfortunately the vmware server will run out of support, and it is unlikely that vmware would spend resources to try to make the vmware server GUI any better. Here is how to access to vmware server using vSphere client
Note: You will not able to edit settings of a VM from VI client, you would able to view the VM, do poweron/off operations and view the guest Console.
1. Download VMware vSphere client from vmware site. The version of the software that was tried out is VMware-viclient-all-4-1.0-258902
2. Install the vSphere client on a windows machine
3. Run the vSphere client, and specify IP as full http URL that is used to access vmware server web console like, https://10.209.106.15:8333 and username and password for vmware server access
4. You should see a installer prompt to install compatible client support clients, run the installer, which will restart the vSphere client
5. After vSphere client restarts, enter the vmware server name again and accept the security warning
6. You should now be able to see the vmware server host in vSphere client. You can do poweron/off operations on any of the virtual machines, but you might not be able to edit settings of the virtual machines. VMware should complain about incompatible version. You will able to see the guest console by going to the 'Console' tab. http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1008180 provides vmware comment on this issue
