CA Spectrum for virtualization anyone?

[azn2kew]

Does anyone using CA Spectrum in their environment and how well does it work? Anyone know where to acquire trial demo to see how it works? I've tried google and CA site didn't find it. Please provide your feedback why you like it?

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Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[lamw]

Last time I used Spectrum it was junk ... didn't work well and integration with our paging on-call system was very poor. Monitoring ESX and vCenter was pretty limited and it didn't support any of the MIBs, things could have changed but you would need to test it out. I hate the interface and it was a pretty slow windows application ... not surprised. I would imagine if you're looking for a demo/trial that you just contact CA directly and they can probably help you setup or point you to the trial edition.

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William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

VMware Developer Comuunity

Twitter: @lamw

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[azn2kew]

Thanks William, how long were you last used it? What version if you've recalled, I'll check with CA rep to see about trial demo but sucks not to be able register online and download directly. How would you compare it with vFoglight? I supposed vFoglight is much better the way you described but it seems vFoglight is a little heavy in terms of installation/database/agent but it does pretty good job overall.

Anyone else has any experience withw current release of CA Spectrum please share.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

[lamw]

Last time I touched Spectrum was 2ys ago (2007) and I don't remember the version, my involvement was primarily with the integration of monitoring/health of our VMware environment w/Spectrum and it sucked. I've not use vFoglight, you'll have to do the comparison between it and Spectrum and I'm sure quite a bit has changed from the last time I used it.

=========================================================================

William Lam

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at:

VMware Code Central - Scripts/Sample code for Developers and Administrators

VMware Developer Comuunity

Twitter: @lamw

If you find this information useful, please award points for "correct" or "helpful".

[Troy_Clavell]

I don't know if you are looking for a specific monitoring and reporting tool, but VKernel's Capacity Analyzer is great. It's an easy setup and is agent less. Also, with the Optimization pack, in my opinion it's worth it.

vFoglight is good, but also quite expensive, but unlike Capacity Analyzer collects realtime. Capacity Analyzer is ever 30 minutes.

[azn2kew]

Thanks for the replies folks, if its my solution I would use the most effective products but this client requires both vFoglight & Spectrum since its deployed in their environment already, I just happen not to work with CA Spectrum yet that's why I want to check them out how it works but vFoglight its cool just pricy and heavy as mentioned. Hopefully its going to be much better after 2 years changes/renovation from CA.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant