Geographically Dispersed Hosts Managed by One Virtual Center?

[edawg]

We currently have 4 ESX hosts, configured in a VMware cluster(DRS, HA enabled), running v.3.02 Enterprise being managed by Virtual Center 2.0. We are going to be adding 4 additional ESX hosts at a different datacenter that will be configured in a different VMware cluster. Are there any reasons we should not manage both clusters with the same VC server? Obviously one VC server would be preferred due to the costs savings, but I want to be sure I am not sacrificing any technical advantages by going with a separate physical sever, SQL database running VC.

Thank you in Advance,

Erik

[SRuff]

There's no real advantage to running a dedicated VC for each cluster, VC is just that a centralized management console for your VI environment, datacenters/clusters, that's what it's made for. You only really need to start looking at another VC instance when you get to the high limit of ESX hosts or VM's that VMware suggests (100 ESX hosts and/or 1,500 VM's). I manage 5 datacenters, 8 clusters and 20 ESX hosts with a single instance of VC.

[edawg]

Thank you very much. You will save me alot of money. On another note. If I need to pull one host out of a cluster and add it to a second cluster is that a problem, assuming I migrate all the VM's off the host first?

[aguacero]

That's not a problem. Definitely move the VMs if you are intending to keep the VMs with the cluster instead of the esx hosts.

[SRuff · Accepted solution]

Not a problem at all, easiest option is to put the host in "maintenance mode" this will vmotion all of the VM's to other hosts in the cluster and not allow them to be moved back (while in maintenance mode). Then you can remove it from the cluster.