Fusion

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  • 1.  Which Macbook Pro for running 5-6 Virtual Machines?

    Posted Jul 22, 2013 07:21 PM

    I am considering buying a Macbook pro to built a Virtualization lab. I have two solutions in mind but need some expert advise on which one shall i go with.

    I'll be running 5-6 virtual machines concurrently. (2 ESXi hosts + DC + vCenter + Netapp storage Simulator + Windows 7).

    What configuration should i go with:

    1. Macbook pro Retina 15 with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. All virtual machines booting from same SSD.

    2. Macbook pro 15 non retina with 16 GB RAM and two SSD's (one regular SSD + one SSD in Optical Drive Bay). This way i'll divide the virtual machines to boot from two different SSD's.

    Will the Second configuration help with the load? or the Retina Macbook Pro with one SSD be good to take up running all virtual machines?



  • 2.  RE: Which Macbook Pro for running 5-6 Virtual Machines?

    Posted Jul 22, 2013 07:55 PM

    Welcome to the Community - 512 GB will be a little lite in disk storage so I would go with your second configuration as it seems it wil have more storage - I would see if you could get at least 1-2 TB drive to store your VMs -



  • 3.  RE: Which Macbook Pro for running 5-6 Virtual Machines?

    Broadcom Employee
    Posted Jul 22, 2013 08:27 PM

    On the flip side...

    Be warned that we've seen some users report severe performance issues with VMware Fusion when using 3rd-party optical-bay adapters (MCE OptiBay, OWC Data Doubler, etc.) to install additional drives in a MacBook Pro.  The MacBook Pro is not a generic laptop, and is not designed with the same level of hardware, software and firmware flexibility as a regular PC (or even laptop), so it's best to not change its internal components if you can avoid it.

    There are many users who use that same configuration without any problems, and I was unable to reproduce the problem in my testing here, but there are also a number of customers (I think we're now up to ten or fifteen or so) who have encountered this problem and reported it to us, and, if it happens, we're (as yet) entirely unable to do anything about it – It's actually a problem with the modified hardware that happens to have a particularly negative effect on Fusion.

    Good luck!

    --

    Darius



  • 4.  RE: Which Macbook Pro for running 5-6 Virtual Machines?

    Posted Jul 22, 2013 11:36 PM

    And just to extend on Darius' comments, some MBP models can't handle a SATA III device in an optibay - it just won't even boot.

    I regularly run VM's on an external drive via USB 3 - works just fine (especially with a SSD).  So I'd go with your first config, and I absolutely would recommend the 16GB of RAM.  The Retina also has a newer processor in it than the regular ones. 

    FWIW, Apple is expected to bump the retina MBP to the new Haswell processors soon...but soon could be anywhere from tomorrow to October.



  • 5.  RE: Which Macbook Pro for running 5-6 Virtual Machines?

    Posted Jul 23, 2013 10:54 PM

    Thanks to all for your valued suggestions.

    I'll go with MBP Retina once they are updated with Haswell processors.

    I'll divide the load via external SSD as a USB3/Thunderbolt connector.



  • 6.  RE: Which Macbook Pro for running 5-6 Virtual Machines?

    Posted Jul 23, 2013 11:45 PM

    From the update on MacRumors, it looks like October may be when we'll see the updated machines.

    Watch out for thunderbolt external pre-built drives - most of them only have 5400 RPM drives in it.  Which makes absolutely no sense - it's like putting a VW beetle engine in a Ferrari.