VM /ETC

I was surprised to discover that the ability to estimate the size needed for the VMware VirtualCenter (VC) database was built in to the VirtualCenter Management Server Configuration options in VC 2.5. This means that the next time you are asked by your DBA “How big a database does VC need?” you can answer that question from the convenience of your VI Client.

Just point the VI Client at your VC 2.5 server and then use the Administration MENU (not the administration button). Select VirtualCenter Management Server Configuration. Then click on Statistics.

Here’s a screen shot from a VI Client pointed at a VC 2.5 Update 3 server.

The number of hosts and the number of Virtual Machines in the image are the default values, but when you change these numbers to match your environment the space required and number of rows are instantly updated. The estimates are also based on the Statistics Intervals configured just above the Database Size section. If you adjust the Interval Duration, Keep For, or Statistics Level it also impacts the size of the calculated database.

If you do not have a VC server yet VMware provides a VC database calculator in excel spreadsheet format. You can download it at http://www.vmware.com/support/vi3/doc/vc_db_calculator.xls.

This is very handy information to have whether you are planning for virtual infrastructure, upgrading or migrating VC, or just consolidating / redesigning your Oracle or SQL servers.

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