Compare against Microsoft or Citrix
Networked Storage Types
Improved vSphere Editions Selection
1. Number of applications
The number of applications to be virtualized can be approximated by the number of virtual machines (VMs) you plan to deploy.

2. Virtualization host type
The virtualization hosts are the servers on which you will install the hypervisor and that you will use to run your virtualized applications
The server price on the left does not include shared storage (HBAs, SAN switches, disk), networking infrastructure (switches), electricity, cooling,
or space costs.
Server B is a more powerful server so will typically run more virtual machines than Server A.
Server A - ($5,000 – 2 socket, dual-core processors, 16 GB RAM, 3-5 network adapters)
Server B - ($8,000 – 2 socket, quad-core processors, 32 GB RAM, 4-6 network adapters)

3. Networked Storage Type
Type of shared storage that you plan to use for your virtual machines virtual disks
Fiber Channel SAN - assumes disk cost of 5$/GB (cost for HBAs and SAN switches are additional and included in the total cost for storage).
iSCSI SAN - assumes disk cost of 3$/GB .
NAS - assumes disk cost of 3$/GB.

4. Compare to vendor
Citrix - compare cost per app of VMware vSphere 4 and vCenter Server vs. Citrix XenServer with XenCenter and Citrix Essentials Enterprise.
Microsoft - compare cost per app of VMware vSphere 4 and vCenter Server vs. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V and System Center.

5. Software Licensing
Essentials Plus - all-in-one solution for small offices (up to 3 hosts) to consolidate application with a low up-front investment. Includes high availability and data protection with de-duplication .
Standard - Create a solid foundation for consolidation of applications to slash hardware costs while accelerating application deployment.
Advanced - protect business-critical applications against planned and unplanned downtime to provide superior application availability.
Enterprise - eliminate downtime, protect data and automate resource management.
Enterprise Plus - deliver the full benefit of VMware vSphere and transform your IT infrastructure into the next generation of flexible, reliable IT services.

6. Management deployment
Virtualization management software (VMware vCenter, Microsoft System Center, Citrix Essentials) can be deployed either on physical servers or in virtual machines. Most customers choose to deploy virtualization management on physical servers. However, for some smaller deployments, running management components in virtual machines can enable some additional cost savings.
Physical - Virtualization management software (VMware vCenter, Microsoft System Center, Citrix Essentials) can be deployed either on physical servers or in virtual machines. Most customers choose to deploy virtualization management on physical servers. However, for some smaller deployments, running management components in virtual machines can enable some additional cost savings.
Virtual - VMware vCenter and all Microsoft System Center or Citrix Essentials components will be run in virtual machines. Management components will be run as virtual machines on each vendor’s hosts. Required databases will also be run in virtual machines.

7.Electricity
Low - 0.8 $/kWh (-20% of U.S. national average)
Average – 1.0 $/kWh (U.S. average)
High – 1.2 $/kWh (+20% of U.S. national average)
Using an Uninterruptable Power Supply can increase the power cost of your datacenter.

8.Real estate
Low - fully burdened datacenter real estate cost of 248 $/sqft. per year (-20% of U.S. average)
Average - fully burdened datacenter real estate cost of 310 $/sqft. per year (U.S. average)
High - fully burdened datacenter real estate cost of 372 $/sqft. per year (+20% of U.S. average)
“Fully burdened datacenter real estate” cost includes facilities capital cost for space build-out, power and cooling equipment capital cost, and factors in weighted depreciation