Difference between cpu.usage and cpu.utilization counters for HostSystem object

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

This article provides information on the differences between the cpu.usage and cpu.utilization counters for the HostSystem object.

Environment

VMware vCenter Server 5.0.x
Virtual Disk Development Kit 1.0.1
VMware Virtual Disk Development 1.2
Virtual Disk Development Kit 1.1.1
Virtual Disk Development Kit 5.0
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
Virtual Disk Development Kit 1.2
VMware vCenter Server 5.1.x
Virtual Disk Development Kit 5.1
Virtual Disk Development Kit 1.1.0
VMware vCenter Server 4.0.x
Virtual Disk Development Kit 1.2.1
Virtual Disk Development Kit 1.2.2

Resolution

The counters for the HostSystem object provide this information:

• cpu.utilization - Provides statistics for physical CPUs.
• cpu.usage - Provides statistics for logical CPUs. This is based on CPU Hyperthreading.

Additional Information

For related information, see:

• Hosts in the vSphere API and SDK Documentation
• CPU Counters in the vSphere API and SDK Documentation
• VMware vSphere Blog - What is the difference between PCPU Used and PCPU Utilized?