CPU Allocation

[TazH]

Hi Guys,

I have a quick question that i'm finding difficult to find answers for. Relatively new to VMware.

Given a number of physical machines to be virtualised as part of a consolidation project onto VMware VI3, how do you know how many VCPUs to allocate to the physical machine to be virtualised?

Memory and Disk Space are some what easier in terms of giving them more or less same as when the machines where physical.

Any help or a point to the right documentation would be great

Thanks

TazH

[esiebert7625]

In general, one vCPU per VM unless it absolutely needs more. You'll find that most VM's work well with one and adding more can actually slow it down. Unless you have a CPU hungry application on the VM I would start with one and add another if needed.

Here's some links...

ESX Server 2 Best Practices Using Vmware Virtual SMP - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsmp_best_practices.pdf

To vSMP or not to vSMP - http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=298150&#298150

ESX Server 3 Ready Time Observations - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx3_ready_time.pdf

A Performance Comparison of Hypervisors - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/hypervisor_performance.pdf

ESX Server CPU Scheduling - http://www.vmware-tsx.com/download.php?asset_id=39

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Thanks, Eric

Visit my website: http://vmware-land.com

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[VirtualNoitall]

Hello,

The best tool for helping you with performance questions like this is perfmon, or your favourite performance analysis tool. You need to look at each machine and analys it's average and peak loads and then use that info to config your virtual machine and then to place it on the right host ( if you use DRS then it doesn't matter too much what host you put it on )

[TazH]

Thanks guys... will do some work into this. Its difficult to convince people that vrtualisation is good solution.

[VirtualNoitall]

Hey,

"Its difficult to convince people that vrtualisation is good solution. "

There are lots of good posts on here, plenty of good info on the VMware website, and even more searchable on the web. Gather as much info as you can, get as knowledgeable as you can, and then put together your sales pitch.

I put together a powerpoint presentation, had spreadsheets that compared costs for virtual vs physical, a benefits document to outline the value add that virtual provides and then started talking to anyone who would listen. I had to start with my own team and get them on board and then started moving up the org chart.

We are still fighting with small pockets in our organisation but most have come around and now are singing it's praises.

Good luck!