Objective 2.3 - Configure vSphere Resource Management to Support Horizon Desktop Pools

This Post will cover Objective 2.3 of the VCAP-DTM Deployment Exam

Tools and References for Objective 2.3

Skills and Abilities:

In the vSphere Web Client navigator, select a parent object for the resource pool (a host, another resource pool, or a DRS cluster).
Right-click the object and select New Resource Pool.
Type a name to identify the resource pool.
Specify how to allocate CPU and memory resources.

The CPU resources for your resource pool are the guaranteed physical resources the host reserves for a resource pool. Normally, you accept the default and let the host handle resource allocation.

Shares - Specify shares for this resource pool with respect to the parent’s total resources. Sibling resource pools share resources according to their relative share values bounded by the reservation and limit.
Reservation - Specify a guaranteed CPU or memory allocation for this resource pool. Defaults to 0.
Expandable Reservation - When the check box is selected (default), expandable reservations are considered during admission control.
Limit - Specify the upper limit for this resource pool’s CPU or memory allocation. You can usually accept the default (Unlimited).

Based on your plan for the resources and networking architecture of the cluster, use the vSphere Client to add hosts to the cluster.
Right-click the cluster and click Edit Settings.

The cluster's Settings dialog box is where you can modify the vSphere HA (and other) settings for the cluster.

Host DRS Group:

Browse to the cluster in the vSphere Web Client navigator.
Click the Manage tab.
Click Settings, and click DRS Groups.
In the DRS Groups section, click Add.
In the Create DRS Group dialog box, type a name for the group.
Select Host DRS Group from the Type drop down box and click Add.
Click the check box next to a host to add it. Continue this process until all desired hosts have been added.
Click OK.

VM DRS Group:

Browse to the cluster in the vSphere Web Client navigator.
Click the Manage tab.
Click Settings, and click DRS Groups.
In the DRS Groups section, click Add.
In the Create DRS Group dialog box, type a name for the group.
Select VM DRS Group from the Type drop down box and click Add.
Click the check box next to a virtual machine to add it. Continue this process until all desired virtual machines have been added.
Click OK.

VM - Host Affinity Rules:

Browse to the cluster in the vSphere Web Client navigator.
Click the Manage tab.
Click Settings and click DRS Rules.
Click Add.
In the Create DRS Rule dialog box, type a name for the rule.
From the Type drop down menu, select Virtual Machines to Hosts.
Select the virtual machine DRS group and the host DRS group to which the rule applies.
Select a specification for the rule.

Must run on hosts in group. Virtual machines in VM Group 1 must run on hosts in Host Group A.
Should run on hosts in group. Virtual machines in VM Group 1 should, but are not required, to run on hosts in Host Group A.
Must not run on hosts in group. Virtual machines in VM Group 1 must never run on host in Host Group A.
Should not run on hosts in group. Virtual machines in VM Group 1 should not, but might, run on hosts in Host Group A.

VM - VM Affinity Rules:

Browse to the cluster in the vSphere Web Client navigator.
Click the Manage tab.
Click Settings and click DRS Rules.
Click Add.
In the Create DRS Rule dialog box, type a name for the rule.
From the Type drop-down menu, select either Keep Virtual Machines Together or Separate Virtual Machines.
Click Add.
Select at least two virtual machines to which the rule will apply and click OK.
Click OK.