vSphere Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) is a feature of VMware’s vSphere virtualization platform that automatically balances computing workloads across multiple servers in a data center to optimize resource utilization and minimize downtime. It monitors the resource usage of virtual machines and dynamically adjusts the distribution of workloads to meet the resource demands of each virtual machine, ensuring that all virtual machines receive the resources they need to run optimally.
vSphere 7 DRS works similarly to previous versions of vSphere, with some enhancements and improvements to the underlying algorithms and processes. The core objective of vSphere 7 DRS remains the same: to automate the distribution of workloads across multiple hosts in a vSphere cluster in order to optimize resource utilization and minimize downtime.
In vSphere 7, DRS has been updated to provide even more accurate and effective resource allocation recommendations based on advanced algorithms that take into account factors such as CPU, memory, storage, and network utilization. The goal is to ensure that all virtual machines receive the resources they need to run optimally and prevent any single virtual machine from monopolizing resources.
Additionally, vSphere 7 introduces new features such as improved support for multi-cloud deployments, enhanced support for virtual machine disk encryption, and improved integration with Kubernetes. These enhancements help to further improve the overall performance, availability, and security of virtualized environments running on vSphere 7.
It’s worth noting that the exact details of how DRS works in vSphere 7, may vary based on the specific configuration and requirements of a given environment, and the features and functionality of vSphere 7 DRS may continue to evolve over time as VMware releases updates and new versions of the platform.
HA and DRS best practices:
Here are some best practices for using vSphere High Availability (HA) and Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS) together:
- Cluster size: To ensure optimal performance and availability, it’s recommended to use a cluster of at least three hosts, although more hosts can be added as needed.
- Resource balancing: It’s important to ensure that DRS is configured to balance resources effectively and that the appropriate automation level is set. This will help to prevent resource contention and ensure that virtual machines receive the resources they need to run optimally.
- Storage configuration: Make sure that shared storage is properly configured and that virtual machines are stored on shared storage that is accessible by all hosts in the cluster. This is critical for ensuring that virtual machines can be restarted on other hosts in the event of a failure.
- Network configuration: Make sure that the network configuration is optimized for vSphere HA and DRS. This includes properly configuring VMkernel ports, network switches, and network adapters to ensure that traffic is properly routed and that the network is reliable and scalable.
- Monitoring: Regularly monitor the performance of the vSphere HA and DRS cluster and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the cluster is functioning optimally.
- Test configurations: Regularly test the vSphere HA and DRS configurations to ensure that they are functioning as expected and that virtual machines are being restarted correctly in the event of a failure.
- Plan for capacity: Ensure that there is enough capacity in the vSphere HA and DRS cluster to accommodate future growth and changes in resource utilization. This includes regular monitoring of resource usage and making changes to the cluster configuration as needed.
These best practices are meant as general guidelines and the specific requirements of an environment may vary. It’s important to carefully consider the specific needs and requirements of an environment before implementing vSphere HA and DRS.
Patching and DRS best practices:
Here are some best practices for patching vSphere 7 environments that use DRS:
- Plan ahead: Plan the patching process in advance, including the schedule for downtime and the order in which hosts will be patched. This will help to minimize downtime and ensure that the patching process goes smoothly.
- Use Maintenance Mode: Use vSphere Maintenance Mode to temporarily evacuate virtual machines from a host before patching, and to ensure that virtual machines are restarted on other hosts in the cluster. This will help to minimize downtime and ensure that virtual machines are protected during the patching process.
- Test the process: Before implementing a patch, test the process in a non-production environment to ensure that the patching process goes smoothly and that the vSphere environment remains available and stable after the patch is applied.
- Evaluate dependencies: Make sure to evaluate any dependencies that may be affected by the patch, such as other components in the environment or third-party software.
- Monitor performance: Monitor the performance of the vSphere environment after the patch is applied, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that the environment is functioning optimally.
- Document changes: Document all changes made to the environment during the patching process, including the patches applied and any configuration changes that were made. This will help to ensure that the environment remains stable over time and that the patching process can be repeated if necessary.
- Update disaster recovery plans: If necessary, update disaster recovery plans to reflect any changes made to the environment during the patching process.
By following these best practices, organizations can ensure that their vSphere 7 environments remain stable and available even after applying patches, and can minimize downtime and disruption during the patching process.
Best practices, DRS and Network:
- Network design: Design the network infrastructure to ensure that virtual machines have access to the network resources they need, including sufficient bandwidth and low latency. This may involve using multiple network adapters, network switches, and VLANs, depending on the specific requirements of the environment.
- VMkernel ports: Properly configure VMkernel ports to ensure that traffic is properly routed and that the network is reliable and scalable. This may include creating separate VMkernel ports for different types of traffic, such as management, vMotion, and storage.
- Network I/O Control: Use Network I/O Control to ensure that virtual machines receive the network bandwidth they need, even when network resources are congested. This feature allows administrators to prioritize network traffic based on the specific requirements of each virtual machine.
- Load balancing: Configure load balancing to ensure that virtual machines receive the network resources they need, even when network traffic is heavy. This may involve using load balancing algorithms, such as Route based on IP hash, to distribute network traffic across multiple physical network adapters.
- Virtual switches: Use virtual switches to provide isolation and security for virtual machines, and to simplify the management of network traffic. This may involve using vSphere Distributed Switches to provide a centralized management interface for network traffic.
- Network security: Ensure that the network infrastructure is secure and that virtual machines are protected from network-based threats. This may involve using network security features such as firewall rules, VLANs, and virtual switches with security policies.
With these best practices, organizations can ensure that their vSphere 7 environments have reliable and scalable networking, and that virtual machines receive the network resources they need to run optimally. Additionally, these best practices can help to improve the security and stability of the vSphere environment and ensure that the environment remains available and responsive even under heavy network traffic.
Best practices, DRS and storage:
- Storage design: Design the storage infrastructure to ensure that virtual machines have access to the storage resources they need, including sufficient capacity, performance, and availability. This may involve using multiple storage arrays, storage networks, and storage protocols, depending on the specific requirements of the environment.
- Storage DRS: Use Storage DRS to automate the management of storage resources, including storage capacity and performance. This feature allows administrators to balance storage capacity and performance across multiple datastores in a vSphere cluster.
- Storage I/O Control: Use Storage I/O Control to ensure that virtual machines receive the storage performance they need, even when storage resources are congested. This feature allows administrators to prioritize storage traffic based on the specific requirements of each virtual machine.
- Storage vMotion: Use Storage vMotion to migrate virtual machines and their virtual disks between datastores without downtime. This feature allows administrators to optimize storage utilization and performance, and to respond to changes in the storage environment.
- Data protection: Ensure that virtual machines and their virtual disks are protected from data loss, including data loss due to hardware failure, human error, or other events. This may involve using data protection features such as snapshots, backups, and replicas, depending on the specific requirements of the environment.
- Storage profiles: Use storage profiles to automate the placement of virtual machines and their virtual disks on the most appropriate datastores based on their storage requirements. This feature allows administrators to ensure that virtual machines receive the storage resources they need to run optimally.
These best practices can ensure that vSphere 7 environments have reliable and scalable storage, and that virtual machines receive the storage resources they need to run optimally. Additionally, these best practices can help to improve the availability and performance of the vSphere environment, and to ensure that virtual machines and their data are protected from data loss and other events.