Understanding Performance Metrics

Hosts and the vCenter Server system use data counters to collect statistics for CPU, memory, disk, network, system, and storage metrics. You can view real-time statistics and historical statistics when the vSphere Client is connected to a vCenter Server.

Each counter collects data for a different statistic in a metric group. For example, the disk metric group includes separate data counters to collect data for disk read rate, disk write rate, and disk usage. Statistics for each counter collected are rolled up after a specified collection interval and are displayed in a performance chart for the object selected in the vSphere Client inventory.

You configure the amount of statistical data to collect by setting a level for each collection interval. The level determines the number of data counters used during the interval. For information about how to configure statistics collection, see the vSphere Client Help.

For information about how statistics are collected and archived in the vCenter Server database, see the Basic System Administration guide.

Subtopics

Data Counters

Collection Levels

Collection Intervals

Data Availability