In the context of resource management in vSphere, what does 'reservation' refer to?

In vSphere, a 'reservation' specifically refers to a guaranteed allocation of a certain amount of CPU or memory resources to a virtual machine. When you set a reservation for a VM, you are ensuring that the VM has a minimum amount of the specified resources available to it, regardless of the current load on the host or the demands of other VMs. This is particularly important in environments where resource contention may occur, as it allows critical applications running on those VMs to maintain performance levels even during peak usage times.

By establishing a reservation, administrators can effectively manage resource allocation, ensuring that high-priority applications receive the necessary resources to function optimally. This proactive approach to resource management enhances overall system reliability and performance.