VMware Validated Design: Consolidated Management and Workload SDDC

Abstract

Virtualized data center environments typically use six or more virtual machine (VM) hosts (i.e., physical servers) dedicated to running VMware NSX, vRealize Automation (vRA) appliances, vRealize Orchestrator (vRO) and other management functions.

However, for smaller installation environments (e.g., a seven-host/700 VM environment), it's unrealistic to use six VM hosts solely to handle management duties. WWT and VMware were therefore interested in testing the ability to run 500 and 1,000 virtual machines using just four VM host servers.

Our testing confirmed that using VMware technology, smaller IT environments (e.g., SMBs as well as enterprise DevOps or QA teams) can have a functioning private cloud with just four VM host servers.

Software-defined Data Center

This engagement sought to test a 500 VM design, then scale to a 1,000 VM design using a four-host consolidated management and workload Software-defined Data Center (SDDC).

The design incorporated vR, vRA, vRealize Log Insight and vRealize Business cloud management, with SDS management provided by vSphere, NSX and VSAN. The test was run on a Dell EMC PowerEdge FX converged infrastructure within WWT's Advanced Technology Center (ATC).