VMware vCenter Reviews

Our primary use case for VMware is in our IT environment, specifically within our data center for our Enterprise Application Testing (EAT) server.

The product has improved our system's proactive support for in-built AI tools. It automatically identifies potential issues and helps customers with feedback.

The product's most valuable feature is the ability to clone and snapshot the process for POC.

vCenter's demo functionality needs enhancement. One notable area for enhancement revolves around cost considerations, as introducing features such as DDoS protection or data compression could reduce expenses. We have an infrastructure comprising around 200 VMs that require approximately 20 terabytes of storage for efficient data management. The deduplication and compression features help organizations manage large numbers of servers, streamline operations, reduce storage requirements, and navigate capacity upgrades more seamlessly.

Nowadays, all the products have cloud functionality. Thus, they could introduce a hybrid cloud system and a unified licensing model. We have to buy several SLM licenses for different components, including a demo. Instead, they could include all functionalities in one license.

We have been using VMware vCenter since 2010.

I rate the platform's stability an eight out of ten. Whenever we encounter any technical issues, the support team resolves them.

VMware vCenter is suitable for medium enterprises. We use the product for user acceptance testing and for providing cyber security for product and test environments. Thus, we are using a substantial number of 18 servers in our business infrastructure.

However, Nutanix is more scalable than VMware. We can host as many clusters as required using it.

The initial setup is simple. However, Nutanix has a simpler process.

The platform is highly-priced. It is suitable for medium enterprises. We use the product for user acceptance testing and for providing cyber security for product and test environments. Thus, we are using a substantial number of eighteen servers in our business infrastructure.

However, Nutanix is more scalable than VMware. We can host as many clusters as required using it.

We have evaluated Microsoft Hyper V, Nutanix, and other vendors along with VMware vCenter. Among them, Nutanix is more preferable.

VMware vCenter provides excellent flexibility in terms of managing virtual infrastructure. We can provision services anytime. We can easily create a distribution suite and manage networks. I rate the platform's efficiency for multicluster operations an eight out of ten.

I rate the overall product an eight out of ten.

The tool is helpful because it gives us excellent control, maximizing server usage and resources. We can create numerous virtual machines and servers that host many services. Overall, we have had a very good experience.

The most valuable feature for us is its elasticity. We can easily ramp up resources and bring in more processes for specific workloads, which was a nightmare earlier. This ability to extend resource availability for virtual users is particularly beneficial.

We were able to save data on at least ten on-prem servers. Using VMware vCenter, we reduced our server costs. We could utilize many resources by maximizing the usage of minimal servers.

The tool gave us centralized control over all our virtual machines, which was incredibly helpful. We could easily check our services and had fine-grained control over the environment. This saved us a lot of hassle and ensured we never had any major problems. It’s such a good product that I highly recommend it.

The support for the Linux operating system wasn't great when we used it. 

I have been using the product since 2014.

I rate the tool's stability a nine out of ten. 

I am impressed with the solution's scalability. I rate it a ten out of ten.

VMware vCenter's deployment is easy. It was pretty quick because we were looking at an enterprise deployment. It took us two or three days to configure all the virtual servers.

VMware vCenter is not expensive. 

We have Software Assurance, which helps our licenses get updated and upgraded. We never had to deal with outages or restore backups, as we took backups and never needed to restore any data from the tool.

I would recommend it to anyone and rate it a ten out of ten. It is highly recommended that they use the tool for proof of concepts and then opt to virtualize their environment. They will not regret it.

We utilize VMware vCenter for monitoring hosts, migrating virtual machines, and monitoring server performance.

Our infrastructure management has been greatly enhanced, particularly with features like vMotion being crucial for our operations.

The management and monitoring capabilities have significantly influenced our operational efficiency, proving to be highly beneficial for our needs.

The most valuable aspect for us is the ability to monitor all servers simultaneously and effortlessly move them between hosts. Additionally, adjusting server specifications such as CPU, memory, or storage capacity, whether increasing or decreasing, is incredibly convenient and beneficial for our operations.

The scalability features provided by VMware vCenter supported the growth of our organization.

There are numerous scattered versions of plugins compatible with VMware, which can be challenging to manage. Consolidating these plugins into a unified environment with customizable options to enable or disable features would be highly beneficial. Additionally, the ability to work with hardware beyond the compatibility list would add further value to the platform.

I have been working with it for five years.

The stability is exceptionally high, providing a seamless experience. I would rate it a perfect ten out of ten.

It is scalable given that I have sufficient hardware resources. If I decide to add more hardware, I can do so easily, but it's essential to select the appropriate hardware services before making any purchases. We have more than one hundred and fifty users. I would rate it seven out of ten. It is continuously in use, running throughout the entire day.

Previously, we utilized hardware, primarily within a Microsoft environment. However, we transitioned to VMware due to its capability to move servers without downtime. This flexibility makes it incredibly user-friendly and adaptable.

Our deployment was done by a third-party system integrator. The process was completed within a few hours.

In terms of return on investment, VMware proves to be cost-effective, especially when considering the long-term perspective. Evaluating its cost-effectiveness requires a considerable duration due to its long-term impact.

The pricing is significantly high. I would rate it ten out of ten.

I would recommend it to others considering implementation, particularly if they have a sufficient budget. However, for those with budget constraints, there are alternative solutions, including open-source options, albeit not as comprehensive as VMware. Overall, I would rate it eight out of ten.

We use the product for managing a large-scale virtualized infrastructure, specifically overseeing ten ESXi hosts. It helps us upgrade the databases for all the hosts through one console. It includes virtual machine creation to packet updates, and with additional tools like vCenter Lifecycle Manager, we can effortlessly handle patches and host migrations.

The product's emphasis on high availability and DRS aligns with our priorities, making vCenter an integral component in our virtualized environment.

They could provide an easier way to learn NSX and troubleshooting processes for the product.

The platform is 200% stable.

We have not contacted the technical support team thus far. We have not encountered any significant issues or bugs in our production environment. We have been managing the product easily over the past six to seven years.

The initial setup is easy. If someone were to approach me for guidance, I am confident that, given their interest and willingness to learn, I could teach them how to install and manage the product. It would probably take around typically within one or two days for the process.

However, learning and troubleshooting NSX may be more complex due to a perceived lack of proper educational materials and documentation.

The product is expensive. From my experience, the per-core licensing model adds to the overall cost. They offer different licensing packages, including standard and enterprise. One notable aspect is the potential hidden costs associated with a few features. Using distributed switches or advanced tools may incur unexpected expenses. It's essential to thoroughly understand the licensing structure to avoid such hidden costs and ensure alignment with the organization's needs.

I advise others to create an account on the VMware Partner Portal, where they can access trial versions of vCenter. Utilize the 60-day trial period to explore and test the hypervisor. Later, make a purchase decision depending on the budget and business use cases.

I rate it a nine out of ten.

Our primary use case for this solution is for infrastructure services, specifically SFTP.

The most valuable features of vCenter are its monitoring capabilities and operational tools for managing virtual machines. These tools help us efficiently monitor performance, manage networking, and handle provisioning tasks.

Enhancing the product's capabilities on the backend could be beneficial. We worry about potential changes in licensing costs and structures. They could work on the pricing models. 

In the platform's next release, they could improve browser-based management capabilities, allowing full functionality without requiring a client agent. It would enable users to perform all management tasks using popular browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Safari.

We have been using VMware vCenter in our environment since 2012.

The product's stability is generally satisfactory. However, ensuring compatibility with other components, such as the text server, is crucial to maintaining stability.

I rate the product stability as seven out of ten.

We have 200 VMware vCenter users in our organization. It is highly scalable. However, automation is needed to enhance scalability further. While we can manage scalability manually, automated capabilities would be more efficient.

I rate the scalability a seven out of ten.

We contact VMware for support whenever we require assistance, and they promptly address our queries. The response time varies depending on the issue's complexity, but we typically receive a response within an hour.

Neutral

Before choosing VMware vCenter, we considered that if the licensing model was unsuitable, we might switch to alternatives like OpenStack or other virtualization solutions. However, ultimately, vCenter was the primary option we chose.

The initial setup can be straightforward, particularly with simplified configuration options. However, integration with other systems and services may require additional effort to ensure seamless operation. Depending on the complexity of the infrastructure, setup time can vary from a day to potentially more than a week, especially when extensive configuration and preparation are needed.

I rate the process a seven out of ten.

The implementation typically involves coordination between networking teams, support teams, and potential vendors. Depending on the scale and complexity of the deployment, expertise from multiple domains may be required. For larger deployments with complex networking, storage, and VMware configurations, the involvement of experienced vendor teams or in-house experts is essential. It ensures efficient deployment and ongoing maintenance.

The ROI depends on deployment size, whether on-premises or in the public cloud. Moving to the cloud can save costs by reducing hardware investment, administrative overhead, and electricity expenses, particularly for larger deployments.

We have purchased monthly licenses for the platform. There are additional costs involved. We pay per user, but we are still determining if the new licensing model will be more expensive or cheaper.

I rate the pricing a five out of ten.

VMware vCenter has notably enhanced our virtual environment management by improving operational efficiency and troubleshooting various platform issues.

It has significantly impacted our organization by facilitating troubleshooting and monitoring processes. However, we seek a more equitable licensing model based on resource usage to better align with our needs. It would ensure fair pricing and optimize resource allocation, enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Before installing VMware vCenter, users should consider the potential challenges of integrating new services and weigh the cost-effectiveness of on-premises versus cloud solutions. Evaluating pricing and scalability is crucial, as opting for public cloud alternatives may incur higher expenses. Therefore, assessing the overall price-performance ratio and scalability options is essential for making an informed decision about installing vCenter.

I rate the product a seven out of ten.

We use the solution for backup.

The most valuable features of the solution are virtualization and ease of backing up the virtual and on-premises servers.

The solution’s pricing could be improved.

I have been using VMware vCenter for five years.

I rate the solution’s stability an eight to nine out of ten.

I rate the solution an eight or nine out of ten for scalability.

The solution's technical support is very good compared to other virtualization tools. We used to get a response within ten days. We should have premium licensing to get support. I feel that the cost of the support is higher.

Positive

On a scale from one to ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy, I rate the solution's initial setup an eight out of ten.

The solution's deployment process is very straightforward. For a small environment, the solution can be deployed within a day. The solution's deployment time depends upon the environment. For a smaller environment, the deployment and configuration can be completed within one or two days.

On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten.

The user administration is straightforward, and the restore is quick and easy. All software has bugs. VMware vCenter is one of the standards of virtualization in the market for on-premises. I would recommend the solution to other users. After its merger with Broadcom, the solution's license price has become costlier, and the previously available customizations are no longer available.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

The product has broad use cases. Our customers use it for mission-critical production environments, general hosting, or for private cloud environments,

It's a very good tool for centralized management. It is a powerful tool, but it's a very basic tool. We can leverage its full power only when we include other tools like vROps. The solution is feature-rich, but it is not rich enough. We have to buy more VMware products to make it more valuable.

The product is strong in host profiles and standardization. It is much easier to manage than Hyper-V. The high availability has contributed to the efficiency of our operations. I rate it a nine out of ten. It is really good. As a basic tool, it is fine.

We have to buy more VMware products to leverage the centralized management. It doesn't come with Network Insight and vROps. The only challenge we're currently having is Broadcom buying VMware. It will be a big challenge because we don't know what is changing from a licensing perspective, from perpetual to subscription. Many of our customers are planning to migrate away due to the uncertainty.

I have been reselling the product for 20 years.

The tool is stable enough.

The scalability is adequate. Many customers do not scale beyond the limits of the tool. Our customers are small, medium, and large businesses.

The technical support is not the best. Other partners are more responsive.

Neutral

The tool is easy to deploy if someone has the right skills. If someone has skills, it's pretty easy. One person is enough to deploy the solution. It is easy to maintain.

The return on investment is pretty good.

The solution is expensive. The price could be improved. Our customers pay for monthly and annual licenses. With Broadcom buying VMware, everything is going to be subscription-based. The license and support costs are typically bundled together.

The product is on par with Prism Central. However, Prism Central is a little bit less complex.

The vendor must bundle more software into vCenter. Network Insight and vROps must not cost us additionally. It should be bundled with the solution. Overall, I rate the product an eight out of ten.

We use the product to manage different hosts.

The product's technical support services could be better.

We have been using VMware vCenter for three years. At present, we are using the latest version.

I rate the platform's stability an eight out of ten.

We can add many hosts to the vCenter, and it performs well. I rate the scalability a nine out of ten.

The technical support team needs improvement.

For the deployment, we utilize the vSphere hypervisor system. It takes an hour to complete.

I rate the process a ten out of ten.

The platform has reasonable pricing.

The platform is very effective for managing virtual infrastructure. It has improved our virtual infrastructure and virtual machine deployment in several ways. It provides a centralized platform for managing hosts and enables seamless VM migrations using vMotion.

The monitoring feature is the most valuable part of our daily operations. We have also seen improvements in troubleshooting and performance monitoring, especially when hosts encounter issues. Overall, it's beneficial for maintaining optimality.

It has enhanced our virtual environment management. Specifically, it has improved our ability to create and manage virtual machines efficiently.

The product is good, stable, and easy to deploy. I rate it an eight out of ten.