Count VMs based on multiple tags

[ksl281]

Hi,

We currently have 5 tag categories with several tags within each of the categories, defining our backup jobs.

Backup_Location:
Backup_dk
Backup_de
Backup_pl
Backup_nl
Backup_Job:
Backup_v1
Backup_v2
Backup_v3
Backup_v4
Backup_Retention:
Backup_7_days
Backup_14_days
Backup_21_days
Backup_31_days
Backup_domain:
Backup_production
Backup_test
Backup_dmz
Backup_Configuration:
Backup_Disabled
Backup_Custom
Backup_Enabled

Due to limitations in our backup product, we have to have an maximum of 200VMs in each backup job.

So the idea was to find all VMs that have the same value in Backup_Location, Backup_Retention, Backup_domain and Backup_Job , and then count the number of VMs within each of these, to find the Backup_Job tag, with the least amount of VMs in it.

We therefor tried to use Get-VM -Tag Backup_dk,Backup_7_days,Backup_production , but it seems that the -Tag parameter dont handle multiple tags that well - it throws an error, yet it returns values.

Ive tried several other things (foreach inside foreach, Get-TagAssignment, etc), but its not an ideal option, and therefor takes few minutes to execute, due to the large number of VMs.

So what is the best way to solve the "math problem"? 

Any inputs would be much appreciated! 🙂 

[LucD]

Something like this?

Get-Tag -Name Backup* -PipelineVariable tag | 
ForEach-Object -Process {
    New-Object -TypeName PSObject -Property @{
        Tag = $tag.Name
        VMNr = (Get-VM -Tag $tag.Name).Count
    }
}

[ksl281]

Hi,

Almost! 

I need all VMs that have the same values in these categories:

Backup_Location, Backup_Retention, Backup_Domain 

And then find the Backup_Job tag, with the least number of VMs, that has the 3 tags above defined.

[LucD]

What do you mean by "same values in these categories"?

These categories have different tags.