How much RAM do you need for virtualization?

More VMs per physical server
means more memory is needed

On average, IT managers are running about 29 VMs per physical server

More memory means better QoS (quality of service)

Over 60% of IT managers said the amount of memory they allocated per VM was “very” or “extremely” important – for nearly every major virtualized server app

More memory means improved ability to handle unpredictable workload demands

Nearly a third (32%) of IT pros said unexpected/unpredictable workload demands are a challenge their organization currently faces

1 in 2 IT pros are using more than 64GB per VM for demanding applications

While IT managers are using a lot of memory, it’s usually not enough – and won’t be enough to meet tomorrow’s exponentially growing workloads

Only 46% of IT pros say the amount of memory they have installed is sufficient for their current workload needs

Nearly half of all IT managers (47%) plan to upgrade their RAM within the next year

Preparing for your future server workload

There’s no doubt that virtualized workloads will grow. The only question is ... by how much? And in what ways? Only you know enough about your company to accurately estimate how much DRAM you’ll need. However, one thing is certain: you’ll likely need more than you’re using today, since tomorrow’s bigger workloads will require more memory.

The bottom line: Install enough RAM to deliver optimal QoS today and tomorrow

Server memory is a long-term investment that’s never just about today’s workload. It’s also about foreseeable future workloads because memory is often the limiting factor. Get as much as possible out of your IT budget by identifying high-growth, business-critical applications and then installing future-proofed 32GB modules to deliver optimal QoS and scalability at a typically lower price than that of multiple lower-density modules.