virtual CPU performance

[AllenU]

Hi,

I have a server running ESXi. There is two phyiscal CPUs which are quad core on each. I have deployed only one guest OS with 4 virtual processors. I am now facing bottleneck on running sql 2005 standard. I checked the performance in VI and found that it only utlizies 4 core. Is there any methods to use all? Is buying a ESX license help??

[Troy_Clavell]

vSphere4 can use up to 8vCPU's, but just because you can doesn't mean you should. My advise would be to drop the vCPU count to 2 or even 1 and you may see better performance.

...also, ensure you are using the correct HAL

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309283

[epping]

what guest OS are you using ? What version?

example windos xp supports 2 cpus (virtual or physical) and windows 2008 enterprise supports 8.

[AllenU]

Why it is so strange to decrease the amount of processors in order to gain performance??? Sorry for wondering about this point.

[AllenU]

I am using windows 2003 standard

[Troy_Clavell]

maybe this will be useful

http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vsmp_best_practices.pdf