A SAN for Virtual Machines

[Lee_K_81]

We're currently using VMWare ESXi on a single server. Its currently running 8 virtual servers but getting nowhere near it's capacity - except for storage.

My idea (before it gets shot down by SLT) is for a SAN to hold the VMs, allowing us to add further hosts later.

Looking for suggestions on what I should put in a proposal. I'm looking for decent equipment, but finance is exceptionally tight!

Suggestions on iSCSI, FC or SAS direct attach (minimum of 3 hosts to make it interesting). Guess I'm after a shopping list, item by item!

Thanks

Lee

[apaton]

Look in the Hardware forum for the Sun storage S7000.

Ideal for iSCSI and NFS for ESX, but also does CIFS for windows - plus loads more.

A must see product.

Andy

[Lee_K_81]

Look in the Hardware forum for the Sun storage S7000.

I was reading about _Ric's experience with them but they're around £7k. Does the s7000 include everything thats needed? or are further switches, etc needed

[apaton]

You do need Gigabit switch or at least a Gigabit VLAN on current equipment dedicated to iSCSI.(best practice).

CIFS (Windows shares) can be on your normal network, but Gigabit switch cant hurt!

7110 comes with 2TB or 4TB RAW storage options.

But all software is included, I would also recommend having a Sun support contract.

Andy

[Dos_Box]

Give ICT Direct a buzz. I seem to recall seeing some storage units there the other day. I may be wrong, but it can't hurt!

ICT Direct - computer hardware for ict in education - primary, secondary, special needs schools and colleges

[Theblacksheep]

You do need Gigabit switch or at least a Gigabit VLAN on current equipment dedicated to iSCSI.(best practice).

Not just best practice, but a massive security risk without it.

[robknowles]

Hello,

We have an EqualLogic PS4000XV here - very nice, but might be too expensive if you are on tight budget. This is iSCSI Based and connected to 3 hosts.

Otherwise, have a look at the Dell MD3000i - we have one connected to 4 Dell Servers for our VMware View 3 install and that works fine. Again this is iSCSI Based.

Definitely get a dedicated GBits/s Switch - two if you can afford it for redundancy, with each one connected to a gbits/s port on each server.

Rob

[apaton]

Not just best practice, but a massive security risk without it.

You would be surprised on how many people haven't!
I've seen open LUN's (No masking), no CHAP password etc...

Andy

[keithu]

How about this:
EtherDrive VMware ESX

[cookie_monster]

Quote:
Originally Posted by apaton
You do need Gigabit switch or at least a Gigabit VLAN on current equipment dedicated to iSCSI.(best practice).

Not just best practice, but a massive security risk without it.

Especially if you use NFS which had even less security then iSCSI, iSCSI has a CHAP password and only one unit can connect to the LUN so your Xen/VMWare box will block any other connection attempts. NFS can share it's storage you need at least a VLAN and seperate IP network.


It might be worth contacting Cutter to ask if there's any more offers coming up, we got a very good deal on matching grant. It was way under £7k for a 2TB 7110.

[Lee_K_81]

How about this:
EtherDrive VMware ESX

Could be interesting do they have a UK disributer?

[Tallwood_6]

QNAP Systems, Inc. ( TS-809U-RP Turbo NAS ) - Quality Network Appliance Provider
also worth a look if money is really tight.

Could also look at building your own and use sanmelody open filer etc.

Also got iSCSI IP-SAN Storage Servers which is with looks very good value for money.

[keithu]

Could be interesting do they have a UK disributer?

We've got one on order from these guys: Solid State Disks Ltd ? UK Flash Memory Distributor & Data Storage Specialist?s

[Domino]

Hp msa2000 enclosures with a fibre controller's fairly cheap, depending on how much disk you're looking at.

[Lee_K_81]

Hp msa2000 enclosures with a fibre controller's fairly cheap, depending on how much disk you're looking at.

Had been looking at those, but it depends how you define fairly cheap. Might have a further look in the morning!