VMware vCenter Server, The Virtual Machine Epicenter
August 28, 2018
VMware vCenter Server, The Virtual Machine Epicenter
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with VMware vCenter Server
VMware vCenter Server is being utilized to virtualize our entire server infrastructure. It addressed the need for our company to grow its IT server resources quickly and effectively. Originally, we started out with a 1U rack server running the free version of VMware and 5 VM's and that was scary having all those eggs in one basket. With VMware vCenter Server managing 3 hosts and 17+ virtual servers, we were able to roll out resources and scale our data stores as business requirements dictated.
One significant business problem that VMware vCenter Server solves is the scalability and migration. We are currently planning an upgrade/rollout to HCI coupled with VMware vCenter Server, which will provide our company with a more powerful set of tools in data migration and datastore expansions.
One significant business problem that VMware vCenter Server solves is the scalability and migration. We are currently planning an upgrade/rollout to HCI coupled with VMware vCenter Server, which will provide our company with a more powerful set of tools in data migration and datastore expansions.
- First and foremost, it provides a platform for us to virtualize our servers and it does it very well. Having the ability to spin up a new server from a template in a matter of seconds is amazing and saves precious time and resources.
- VMware vCenter Server also provides the ability to view performance & statistical data that assists my team in balancing our host environment. Leveraging the vMotion functionality, we can quickly move VMs from one host to another for maintenance purposes, etc...
- VMware vCenter Server also make it easy to add / modify hardware configurations within the VMs setup. Adding RAM, hard drive space, processor cores, etc...is as easy as it gets.
- VMware vCenter Server makes it easy to backup and restore a VM from the console. You can quickly create a backup of any VM and store it during upgrades, etc...for easy roll backs.
- Currently, the HTML 5-based vSphere Client lets you manage the essential functions of vSphere from any browser, however, it would be nice if they would port all management functions over to the HTML 5-based Client.
- Performing updates and upgrades to the infrastructure is a bit challenging for someone that may not be as intimate with vSphere. I think the updates/upgrades should be more integrated into the UI and provide the ability to push to the hosts, etc...
- It would also be nice to have a more robust snapshot management tool to prevent snapshot overgrowth. It would be nice to be able to set a lifespan for the snapshot(s)
- Positive: Prior to our growth, we had 5 physical servers in a rack performing various tasks. The implementation of VMware vCenter Server allowed us to consolidate all 5 servers into a virtual environment and build upon VMware vCenter Server. We quickly grew to over 17 servers in less than 6 months and we able to provide resources in less time and money over purchasing 17 physical servers and having to buy additional racks, battery back ups, etc...
- Positive / Negative: (Only if you don't keep up with maintenance & licensing) We are a relatively small business but we have enterprise class needs for both performance and scalability. VMware vCenter Server is an excellent product in my opinion and having the peace of mind in having technical support, and maintenance upgrades from VMware adds to leveraging the most ROI out of the product.
- In the 5 years I have been using VMware vCenter Server, I have not really found any real negatives that are significant enough to report. I like the fact that we can perform maintenance on the system when needed without my users ever knowing that we are working on it. When you work for a company that runs pretty much 24/7, it's like changing a tire on a moving vehicle and VMware makes it possible.