The installation, configuration and running of Capacity Planner isn’t really very hard. There we go, that completes this item. Hold on, I missed out the part where I mention setting this up in a lab isn’t very hard.

Enter the real world… The real world with multiple Active Directory domains, firewalls, an internet proxy (or two), tightened security policies, low privalige domain accounts…

The phrase “Every day’s a school day.” is rather apt for a Capacity Planner installation and here are a few of my learning curve discoveries that now seem etched on my brain.

Discovered machines per Collector – 500, 250 or 100?

VMware Capacity Planner documentation recommends a maximum of 500 per collection machine, I’d halve that figure then consider if it needs scything again especially if the network latency in a Branch Office infrastructure slows down connection / authentication / data transmitting. Plan your collections around the infrastructure model.

Capacity Planner Service Account

Avoid a System or Local account to run the Capacity Planner service. It’s not to say that it won’t work but in certain circumstances (which I’ve yet to replicate) the local account has been seen to be presented to a server even though a global account has been specified. This was evidenced by reviewing the Windows Security Event Log.

Internet Access through a Proxy

Even though you’re logged in with a domain account that is able to connect to the internet simply leaving the internet access setting to “Same settings as browser” doesn’t always work.

Getting to the outside world isn't always straightforward

VMware KB article 1004878 discusses this. You’ll need to enter your proxy server information.

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(NOTE – there’s no option for PAC files)

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VMware KB articles worthy of note

KB1004878 – Troubleshooting network settings causing a data synchronisation error

KB1005653 – Troubleshooting access rights, policies, and permissions preventing data collection

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That’s it for the moment until another real world experience warrants an update.