How to spec hardware for ESX server

[Brainbugg]

Hi There

What's the best way to work out what hardware you require for an ESX server especially if you are doing a server consolidation project.

Is there a formula you can follow?

I would be very grateful if someone could shed some light on this for me.

Thanks

Regards

BB

[acr]

Firstly you could run a capacity Planner excercise which would give you a great senario plan of how your estate could virtualize.

Then use the Hardware Compatability guides to choose your Hardware..

http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/458

[acr]

Your other post

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=99013&tstart=0

[Texiwill]

Hello,

The choice of hardware to use is dependent upon your need. It is better to understand the limitations in many cases.

Blades: usually 2 drives, limited memory, and usually 4 NICS, 2 SAN.. 1-4 CPUs (1-4 cores per CPU)

1U Machines: usually 2-4 drives, limited memory and usually 2 built in NICs. And up to 2 PCI/PCI-e slots for more NIC and SAN/iSCSI. 1-2 CPUs (1-4 cores per CPU)

3U machines: usually 6-8 drives, a fair amount of memory and usually 2 built in NICs and up to 3 PCI/PCI-e slots for more NIC and SAN/iSCSI. (1-2 CPUS (1-4 cores per CPU)

5U machines: usually 4-6 drives, gobs of memory and usually 2 built in NICs and up to 7-14 PCI/PCI-e slots for more NIC, SAN/iSCSI, etc. (1-8 CPUs 1-4 cores per CPU).

If you need 10 Network ports for example, blades and some 1U boxes may not work for you. However the others Will if you invest in some Quad Port PCI/PCI-e cards.

Look at your needs first, write them down and then rule out hardware based on those requirements. If you want to use existing hardware, understand how this hardware will fit into your environment. Use of Capacity Planners is a great tool for determining which physical machines are good candidates, but you need a good networking, hardware plan to implement any of it.

Best regards,

Edward