Vault server in a virtualized environment

citrin · Post by **citrin** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:06 am

We're considering running Vault server in a virtualized environment (probably Microsoft Virtual Server). Has anyone had any experiences, positive or negative, in doing this?

alovhaug · Post by **alovhaug** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:22 pm

I run Vault in a VMware GSX server virtual machine, and have had great success with it. This has been my configuration for the last couple of years. (Currently both the guest and host operating systems are Windows 2003 Server.)

However, I will note that my environment is probably not like yours, as I am working as a single user. If you were likely to have any problems, I'd expect them to relate to performance with large repositories and many users. (I'm not saying you will have problems, only that those would be the areas I'd be mindful of.) My Vault database back-up is currently about 250 MB, which is hardly large, and as a single user I'm not really taxing it that much.

I will be interested in hearing if others are using this configuration and if they find it successful.

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:08 pm

I've had lots of luck with VMware, but it will depend heavily on what you are using, the size of the database and if it's on the same machine as the SQL server, what else is running, etc. VMware Workstation, which is what I use, has high amounts of overhead. When I get large databases in to put on those environments, they can really get bogged down. If I try to run more than 4 servers at once, I max my computer resources and my entire machine will lock up. I know VMware server, has less overhead and directly accesses the hardware independently of the operating system it sits on, whereas VMware Workstation goes through the operating system hosting it.

Basically, it can be done. You need to be careful in planning depending on what system you are using. You may need more computer resources for some virtual environments.

I have a 2.6 gHz processor and 4 GB RAM.

We do have some recommendations for getting the best Vault performance that may help get the most out of your setup. That article can be found here: Recommendations for optimal Vault performance