Virtualization of SQL

Hey SQL guys and girls,

At what point would you not want to virtualize your SQL? Im currently brushing up on my SharePoint 2010 and was wondering in a real world situation when would having an actual server for SQL be better than using a virtual box.

Id personally assume if you have a massive company where its being hit hard all the time it would be better to have an actual box and maybe back up to a Virtual one. Has anyone had to do the pros and cons in their job, and if so what did you choose to do?

Regards

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Comments

RobertKaucher

I would check Brent Ozar's blog. He has some very good guidelines on SQL Server virtualization. I'll try to find some links to post for you.

blargoe

Speaking from the VMware point of view, there are a couple of cases in which I wouldn't virtualize SQL:

If the system requirements are very high, such that you wouldn't be able to run many more VM's on the host(s), then it might not be cost-effective to virtualize SQL Server

If you require Microsoft Failover Clustering, it is a pain in the butt to virtualize and maintain in VMware.

Performance-wise, at least in VMware, you'll do fine virtualizing SQL Server, assuming you have the appropriately sized hardware.