SQL Express 2005 limits with linked mode vCenter servers

[chrishartmann]

Hi,

We have an issue at the moment whereby we have reached the 4GB limit for SQL Express 2005 and wish to move the database to a dedicated SQL server. However, one of my colleagues has advised he has read somewhere that with linked vCenters the recommended figures of 5 hosts and 50 guests for SQL Express are increased signifcantly (he believes around ten fold).

Is anyone able to confirm/deny this and if confirming point me in the direction of supporting documentation? I have searched, but am only able to find information reinforcing the above figures.

Thanks,

Chris.

[julienvarela · Accepted solution]

Hi,

VMware recommand SQL Express for small environnement, the limit is for 5 Hosts and 50 Guest. If you have a linked vcenter environnement you will have a second database for this vcenter. So this vcenter will able to have 5 hosts and 50 guest too.

But you first database will not increase the limit, you still have the same.

You can have more information here : VMware KB: Installing vCenter Server 5.0 best practices 

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express is intended for use with small deployments of up to 5 hosts and/or 50 virtual machines.

It is for vsphere 5 but the limitation is the same on v4.

Julien.

[chrishartmann]

Hi Julien,

Thanks for the quick response. This confirms what we already believed to be correct.

Many thanks,

Chris.