Host memory usage

[StageCoach20111]

Looking at the memory usage for my cluster, if I select the cluster and choose the hosts tab, I get a value under "% memory" column for each host.

Then, if I select the hosts one at a time and look at their summary page, I get a value for "memory usage".  I want to use as much memory as possible without risk.

1.  What is the difference in these two figures

2.  What are the guidelines for how much RAM should be used based on these two metrics

3.  Which of these metrics should guide when I'm considering whether to overcommit RAM and how much I can overcommit

[MauroBonder]

Hi Stage,

Check out it http://virtualfuture.info/2009/09/vmworld-2009-understanding-%E2%80%9Chost%E2%80%9D-and-%E2%80%9Cgue...

this can help you

and this is a official documentation http://www.vmware.com/files/pdf/techpaper/vsp_41_perf_memory_mgmt.pdf

[StageCoach20111]

It appears as though in the context of the article it is actually looking at this from the perspective of the virtual machine, whereas I'm looking at it from the perspective of the ESX(i) host itself.  Same concepts apply I assume - so when I have the cluster node selected , and I choose the "hosts" tab so that I can view all ESX(i) hosts in the cluster - and I see the "% memory" column, what is represented?  The total "host memory usage" of all VMs on each ESX(i) host?  What does the  "memory usage" field signify on the ESX(i) host itself?  The total "guest memory usage" of all VMs on that ESX(i) host?

[MauroBonder]

see the "% memory" column, what is represented?

% of memory usage in host in total of all vm´s are using.

  What does the  "memory usage" field signify on the ESX(i) host itself?  

it´s same of %memory column, but in summary you see it in MB metric

see too http://communities.vmware.com/thread/62628