ESX Cluster Configuration

[LPhilippe06]

Looking to build a cluster of 3 ESXi servers (vsphere 5) to manage a 35 virtual servers environment

(HA and Fault Tolerant)

Currently have 5 possible candidates for ESX Server: (See Attachment)

1 IBM 3550 M4 - IBM 3650 M4 - 3 IBM 3650 M3

Server	Processor	Memory
IBM-3650 M3	2 x 2.53 Ghz Quad-core Xeon - E5630	24 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)
IBM -3650 M3	1 x 2.40 Ghz Quad-core Xeon - X5690	4 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)
IBM- 3650 M3	CPU - 1 x 2.40 Ghz Quad-core Xeon - E5620	4 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)
IBM- 3650 M4	CPU - 2.60 Ghz Xeon 8-Core Xeon E5	128 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)
IBM-3550 M4	CPU - 2.3 Ghz 6-core Xeon E5	8 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)

I want to be able to use the newer servers: the IBM 3550 M4; IBM 3650 M4

Questions:

Suggestions on how can I maintain good processing ratio all across the board for performance and reliability?

Which memory can I use all across the board to have maximum performance?

Can I alter memory speed clock to achieve compatibility across all host?

If you need any additional info; please let me know.

[jrmunday]

Suggestions on how can I maintain good processing ratio all across the board for performance and reliability?

You can configure your cluster as a fully automated DRS cluster - this wil dynamically balance the workload based on the threshold level you set (I use level 3).

[sparrowangelste]

with only 35 vms and 3 hosts he might be buying vsphere standard, so no DRS

[mcowger]

The systems on that list with 4 and 8GB of RAM are useless as virtualization hosts...cross those off your list.

The one with 24GB is borderline.

The best choice is the

IBM- 3650 M4

CPU - 2.60 Ghz Xeon 8-Core Xeon E5

128 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)

It has a decent # of CPUs and memory.  3 of those would easily run 35 average VMs.

[LPhilippe06]

I am going to upgrade the memory on these servers to at least meet the minimum requirements VMWare require. 

[sparrowangelste]

matt's suggesstion is still the best since that unit has the highest density processing (8core 1Pcpu) vs the others

and its also has the highest ram capacity (768gb m4 vs 288?GB m3 )

[LPhilippe06]

Would you build a 3 host cluster with these below machines.  How would you beef up the M3?

IBM- 3650 M3	CPU - 1 x 2.40 Ghz Quad-core Xeon - E5620	1066 MHz 4 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)
IBM- 3650 M4	CPU - 2.60 Ghz Xeon 8-Core Xeon E5	1600 MHz 128 GB DDR3   (RDIMMs)
IBM-3550 M4	CPU - 2.3 Ghz 6-core Xeon E5-2630	1333MHz 8 GB DDR3 (RDIMMs)

[mcowger]

Machine #1 and Machine #3 are worthless, as they dont have enough memory.  To make them worth while, they need at least 96GB ea (in order to handle the failure scenario of losing the large 128GB machine while still running their own workloads.

--M