6.5.1

Table Of Contents
Monitoring Inventory Objects with
Performance Charts 1
The vSphere statistics subsystem collects data on the resource usage of inventory objects. Data on a wide
range of metrics is collected at frequent intervals, processed, and archived in the vCenter Server database.
You can access statistical information through command-line monitoring utilities or by viewing
performance charts in the vSphere Web Client.
Counters and Metric Groups
vCenter Server systems and hosts use data counters to query for statistics. A data counter is a unit of
information relevant to a given inventory object or device. Each counter collects data for a dierent statistic
in a metric group. For example, the disk metric group includes separate data counters to collect data for disk
read rate, disk write rate, and disk usage. Statistics for each counter are rolled up after a specied collection
interval. Each data counter consists of several aributes that are used to determine the statistical value
collected.
For a complete list and description of performance metrics, see the vSphere API Reference.
N Counters that are introduced in later versions might not contain data from hosts of earlier versions.
For details, see the VMware Knowledge Base.
Collection Levels and Collection Intervals
Collection levels determine the number of counters for which data is gathered during each collection
interval. Collection intervals determine the time period during which statistics are aggregated, calculated,
rolled up, and archived in the vCenter Server database. Together, the collection interval and collection level
determine how much statistical data is collected and stored in your vCenter Server database.
Data Availability
Real-time data appears in the performance charts only for hosts and virtual machines that are powered on.
Historical data appears for all supported inventory objects, but might be unavailable during certain
circumstances.
This chapter includes the following topics:
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“Performance Chart Types,” on page 8
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“Data Counters,” on page 8
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“Metric Groups in vSphere,” on page 9
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“Data Collection Intervals,” on page 10
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“Data Collection Levels,” on page 11
VMware, Inc.
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