5.7

Determine the Size of Your Environment
In VCM, the term “managed machines” refers to the servers and workstations that VCM manages, and
from which VCM collects data. If you use VCM for Microsoft Active Directory (AD), this total should also
include AD objects that you plan to have in your environment in the next 12 to 24 months.
VCM hardware requirements are recommended based on whether your environment contains 1–1000,
1001–2000, 2001–5000, or more managed machines. To determine the number of managed machines on
which to base your collector size, consider the number of vCenter Server instances, Windows servers and
workstations, Linux or UNIX machines, and virtual machines that you are licensing. Identify any other
VCM components that you are licensing.
To determine your total number of managed machines, enter data for your enterprise in the sizing
worksheet. In the following example, an enterprise environment contains machines and objects that
represent 1377 managed machines.
Product Description Anticipated Number of Managed
Machines in the Next 12–24 Months
VCM Windows Servers 92
vSphere/ESX/ESXi Servers 5
Virtual Machines 50
Linux or UNIX 100
Mac 100
Windows Workstations 920
VCM for
Active
Directory
Divide total number of AD objects by 100 to
determine the approximate "machine count" for
your AD environment.
10,000 AD Objects/100 = 100
managed machines to
accommodate VCM for AD
Total Managed Machines: 1377
Table 1–2. Sample Sizing Worksheet
Use the blank worksheet to calculate and record the managed machines in your environment.
vCenter Configuration Manager Installation Guide
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