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VMware View Architecture Planning Guide
ESX swap file
ESX suspend file
RAM Sizing for Specific Monitor Configurations When Using PCoIP
If you use PCoIP, the display protocol from VMware, the amount of extra RAM that the ESX host requires
depends in part on the number of monitors configured for end users and on the display resolution.
lists the amount of overhead RAM required for various configurations. The amounts of memory listed in the
columns are in addition to the amount of memory required for other PCoIP functionality.
Table 4-1. PCoIP Client Display Overhead
Display
Resolution
Standard
VGA
SVGA
720p
UXGA
1080p
WUXGA
QXGA
WQXGA
When you consider these requirements, note that virtual machine configuration of allocated RAM does not
change. That is, you do not need to allocate 1GB of RAM for applications and another 31MB for dual 1080p
monitors. Instead, consider the overhead RAM when calculating the total physical RAM required for each ESX
server. Add the guest operating system RAM to the overhead RAM and multiply by the number of virtual
machines.
RAM Sizing for Specific Workloads and Operating Systems
Because the amount of RAM required can vary widely, depending on the type of worker, many companies
conduct a pilot phase to determine the correct setting for various pools of workers in their enterprise.
A good starting point is to allocate 1GB for Windows XP desktops and 32-bit Windows Vista and Windows 7
desktops and 2GB for 64-bit Windows 7 desktops. During a pilot, monitor the performance and disk space
used with various types of workers and make adjustments until you find the optimal setting for each pool of
workers.
32
This file, which has a
percent of a virtual machine's RAM. The size of the swap file is equal to the
unreserved portion of guest RAM. For example, if 50 percent of guest RAM is
reserved and guest RAM is 2GB, the ESX swap file is 1GB. This file can be stored
on the local datastore on the ESX host or cluster.
This file, which has a
logoff policy so that the virtual desktop is suspended when the end user logs
off. The size of this file is equal to the size of guest RAM.
Width, in Pixels
Height, in Pixels
640
480
800
600
1280
720
1600
1200
1920
1080
1920
1200
2048
1536
2560
1600
extension, is created if you reserve less than 100
.vswp
extension, is created if you set the desktop pool
.vmss
1-Monitor
2-Monitor
Overhead
Overhead
2.34MB
4.69MB
3.66MB
7.32MB
7.03MB
14.65MB
14.65MB
29.30MB
15.82MB
31.64MB
17.58MB
35.16MB
24.00MB
48.00MB
31.25MB
62.50MB
Table 4-1
4-Monitor
Overhead
9.38MB
14.65MB
28.13MB
58.59MB
63.28MB
70.31MB
96.00MB
125.00MB
VMware, Inc.
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