SQL Express 2008+
-limited to use a single cpu & 1gb ram (aka performance issues
may occur)
-10gb database limit size; a ceiling may be hit, but thus
far I cannot find any sizing guides from VMware
-VMware recommend maximum for this is 5 ESXi hosts and/or 50
VM’s
Work Abounds:
Option A:
-Install vCenter on standalone server with SQL Express
-VMware Update Manager, install it on vCenter or break out
to separate server with separate SQL Express
-Install VMware View Composer on a standalone server with SQL Express
The idea being that two or three different SQL Express installs to spread the
load around. Hopefully that 10gb size
limit would not be reached.
Option B:
-Use vCenter Virtual Appliance: VMware says it is compatible,
it supports 100 hosts & 3000 VMs.
There might be issues in upgrading infrastructure components down the
road, IE will VCA be compatible w/ View Horizon 6.0? And if not will the upgrade of VCA be
straight forward and not a rip & replace? This option saves a Windows license, saves a
from the 10gb database limit, saves from not having to purchase a full copy of
SQL. This approach is also somewhat new territory,
and hasn’t been widely implemented. Lastly
Update Manger does not function in VCA, the method is to install it on another
Windows server, which again needs to talk to a database either SQL or SQL
Express.
Option C:
-Spend money! Buy SQL
standard and another Windows License. Be sure to limit SQL to not use ALL of the ram
and CPU, also set the recovery mode to simplified data recovery, unless one
wants to deal with all the SQL log files.