Many companies have standard VM configurations that they deploy when new virtual resources are requested. These configurations are, typically, predetermined resource tiers, which allow the admins to place correlating workloads. While this method does allow for a semblance of workload rightsizing, it usually is not granular enough to ensure no virtual resources are wasted or over-utilized. This is because not all workloads are created equally. They all have different resource demands at different times. Even if you have the same applications installed, their resource demands can differ based upon if and how they are being utilized.
There are tools out there that can help determine, across the entire virtual infrastructure, how each workload is consuming resources. From there, an administrator can make an intelligent decision on how to better allocate the resources. This could be the increase of allocated virtual CPUs, or the reduction in allocated memory. One must keep in mind, though, that the demand for virtual resources could be very dynamic. It is important to take this into context when making right sizing decisions. You may have a workload that is only 20% utilized for a large portion of the time but every Friday, that work workload could spike its usage to 80% utilization.
Most administrators have to use different tools to discern how virtual resources are being utilized and then make changes to the environment. SolarWinds Virtualization Manager includes a feature called Virtualization Sprawl to help administrators better understand and take action on over-utilized or underutilized virtual resources. From one screen, administrators can see VMs in categories of underallocated vCPUs, overallocated vCPUs, underallocated memory, overallocated memory, and more. For each identified VM, management actions can be taken to change the resource allocation.
The more administrators can consolidate the tools they use to manage their environment, the more simplistic the tasks can become. Using a tool like Virtualization Manager, allows an administrator to gain full insight into the virtualization environment. This includes how workloads are utilizing virtual resources and taking the actions needed to right size the resources allocated to the workloads in use.
Most administrators have to use different tools to discern how virtual resources are being utilized and then make changes to the environment. SolarWinds Virtualization Manager includes a feature called Virtualization Sprawl to help administrators better understand and take action on over-utilized or underutilized virtual resources. From one screen, administrators can see VMs in categories of underallocated vCPUs, overallocated vCPUs, underallocated memory, overallocated memory, and more. For each identified VM, management actions can be taken to change the resource allocation.
The more administrators can consolidate the tools they use to manage their environment, the more simplistic the tasks can become. Using a tool like Virtualization Manager, allows an administrator to gain full insight into the virtualization environment. This includes how workloads are utilizing virtual resources and taking the actions needed to right size the resources allocated to the workloads in use.
What other tools are out there to help get the job done?
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