Storage

Storage Module 6

Module 2-2

You Are Here

VMware vSphere 4.1: Install, Configure, Manage – Revision A

vSphere Environment

Storage

Introduction to VMware Virtualization

VMware ESX and ESXi

VMware vCenter Server

Networking

Virtual Machines

Operations

Access Control

Resource Monitoring

Data Protection

Scalability

High Availability

Patch Management

Installing VMware ESX and ESXi

Module 2-3

Importance


Storage options give you the flexibility to set up your storage based on your cost, performance, and manageability requirements. Shared storage is useful for disaster recovery, high availability, and moving virtual machines between hosts.

Module 2-4

Module Lessons


Lesson 1: Storage ConceptsLesson 2: IP Storage: iSCSI and NAS/NFSLesson 3: Fibre Channel SAN StorageLesson 4: VMFS Datastores

Module 2-5

Lesson 1:Storage Concepts


Module 2-6

Lesson Objectives


Describe VMware vSphere™ storage technologies and datastores

Describe the storage device naming convention

Module 2-7

Storage Overview


storagetechnology

datastoretypes

VMware® vStorage

VMFSNFS

LocallyAttached

Fibre Channel iSCSI NAS

Module 2-8

Storage Technology Overview


Locally attached storage – Internal or external storage disks or arrays attached to the host through a direct connectionFibre Channel – A high-speed SCSI transport protocol used for storage area networking (SAN): Fibre Channel switches interconnect multiple nodes to form the

“fabric” in a Fibre Channel SAN.iSCSI – A SCSI transport protocol, enabling access to storage devices over standard TCP/IP networks: iSCSI maps SCSI block-oriented storage over TCP/IP.

Network-attached storage (NAS) – Storage shared over the network at the file system level

Module 2-9

Datastores


A datastore is a logical storage unit that can use disk space on one physical device or one disk partition, or span several physical devices.Types of datastores: VMFS Network File System (NFS)

Datastores are used to hold virtual machines, templates, and ISO images.A VMFS datastore can also hold a raw device mapping (RDM), which is used to access raw data.

Module 2-10

VMFS


VMFS: Allows concurrent access

to shared storage Can be dynamically

expanded Can use an 8MB block

size, good for storing large virtual disk files

Uses subblock addressing, good for storing small files

Provides on-disk, block-level locking

Module 2-11

NFS


NFS: Is storage shared over

the network at the file system level

Supports NFS version 3 over TCP/IP

Module 2-12

RDM


An RDM is a mapping file in a VMFS volume that acts as a proxy for a raw physical device.A raw disk can be used for existing data, virtual machine clustering, and storage array snapshots.

Module 2-13

More efficient storage utilization: Virtual disk allocation

140GB Available datastore capacity 100GB

Used storage capacity 80GB

vStorage Virtual Disk Thin Provisioning


Virtual machine disks consume only the amount of capacity needed.A virtual machine sees the full allocated disk size at all times.

You can mix thick and thin formats.

Full reporting and alerts help manage allocations and capacity.

Module 2-14

Uses of Local and Shared Storage


Uses of local storage: Location for installing VMware ESX™ and ESXi Installable Ideal for small environments

Uses of shared storage: Central repository, accessible from multiple hosts Scalable and recoverable implementations Clustering of virtual machines across physical hosts Using VMware vMotion™ to migrate virtual machines Data replication

Module 2-15

Storage Device Naming Conventions


Storage devices are identified in several ways: SCSI ID – Unique SCSI identifier Canonical name – The Network Address Authority (NAA) ID is a

unique LUN identifier, guaranteed to be unique across reboots.• In addition to NAA IDs, devices can also be identified with mpx or t10

identifiers. Runtime name – Uses the convention vmhbaN:C:T:L. This name

is not persistent through reboots.

Module 2-16

Physical Storage Considerations


Discuss vSphere storage needs with your storage administration team, such as: LUN sizes I/O bandwidth Disk cache parameters Zoning and masking Identical LUN presentation to each ESX/ESXi host Active-active or active-passive arrays Export properties for NFS datastores

Module 2-17

Lesson Summary


Describe vSphere storage technologies and datastores Describe the storage device naming convention

Module 2-18

Lesson 2:IP Storage: iSCSI and NAS/NFS


Module 2-19

Lesson Objectives


Describe uses of IP storage with ESX/ESXi Describe iSCSI components and addressing Configure iSCSI initiators Describe NFS components and addressing Create an NFS datastore

Module 2-20

Using IP Storage with ESX/ESXi


ESX/ESXi supports two types of IP storage: iSCSI – Used to hold one or more VMFS datastores NAS – Used to hold one or more NFS datastores

iSCSI and NFS datastores: Are used to hold virtual machines, ISO images, and templates Support vSphere features like vMotion, VMware High Availability, and

VMware Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)

ESX/ESXi supports: Up to 64 NFS volumes iSCSI or NFS over a 10GbE interface iSCSI or NFS in an IPv6 environment (experimental only)

ESX/ESXi supports booting from an iSCSI SAN: ESX hosts: From independent hardware iSCSI ESXi hosts: From software iSCSI and dependent hardware iSCSI

Module 2-21

iSCSI Components


Module 2-22

iSCSI Addressing


iSCSI initiator name:iqn.1998-01.com.vmware:train1-64ad4c29 or eui.1234567890abcdefiSCSI alias: train1IP address: 192.168.36.88

iSCSI target name:iqn.1992-08.com.mycompany:stor1-47cf3c25 or eui.fedcba9876543210iSCSI alias: stor1IP address: 192.168.36.101

Module 2-23

iSCSI Initiators


Module 2-24

Configuring Software iSCSI


To configure the iSCSI software initiator:1. Configure a VMkernel port for accessing IP storage.2. Enable the iSCSI software adapter.3. Configure iSCSI target addresses.4. Configure iSCSI security (Challenge Handshake Authentication

Protocol).

Module 2-25

ESX/ESXi Network Configuration for IP Storage


A VMkernel port must be created for ESX/ESXi to access software iSCSI. The same port can be used to access NAS/NFS storage.

To optimize your vSphere networking setup: Separate iSCSI networks from NAS/NFS networks.

• Physical separation is preferred.• If that is not possible, use VLANs.

Module 2-26

iSCSI Target-Discovery Methods


Two discovery methods are supported: Static Dynamic (also known as

SendTargets)

SendTargets response returns iSCSI qualified name and all available IP addresses.

iSCSI target192.168.36.101:3260

192.168.36.101:3260

SendTargetsrequest

SendTargetsresponse

Module 2-27

iSCSI Security: CHAP


iSCSI initiators use CHAP for authentication purposes. By default, CHAP is not

configured.ESX/ESXi supports two types of CHAP authentication: Unidirectional Bidirectional

• Software iSCSI only

ESX/ESXi also supports per-target CHAP authentication. Software iSCSI only Different credentials for

each target

Software iSCSI properties > General tab

Target authenticates

host.

Host authenticates

target.

Module 2-28

Configuring Hardware iSCSI


To configure the iSCSI hardware initiator:1. Install the iSCSI hardware adapter.2. Modify the iSCSI name and configure the iSCSI alias.3. Configure iSCSI target addresses.4. Configure iSCSI security (CHAP).

Module 2-29

NFS Components


directory to share with the ESX/ESXi host over the network

VMkernel port defined on virtual switch

ESX/ESXi host with NIC mapped to virtual switch

NAS device or a server with

storage

Module 2-30

Addressing and Access Control with NFS


192.168.81.72VMkernel port configured with IP address

192.168.81.33

Module 2-31

Configuring an NFS Datastore


Create a VMkernel port: For better performance and security, separate it from the

iSCSI network.

Provide the following information: NFS server name (or IP address) Folder on the NFS server, for example, /nfs4/Classes/vSICM41A

Whether to mount the NFS file system read-only:• If holding an ISO image library, mount read-only.• If holding virtual machines, mount read/write (default).

NFS datastore name

Module 2-32

Viewing IP Storage Information


Datastores view > Storage Views tab

Hosts and Clusters view > Configuration tab > Storage link

Module 2-33

Unmounting an NFS Datastore


Click the Storage link in the Configuration tab to unmount an NFS datastore.Unmounting an NFS datastore makes the files in the shared folder inaccessible to the host.

Module 2-34

Lab 6


In this lab, you will configure access to an iSCSI and NFS datastore.1. Create a VMkernel port on a standard virtual switch.2. Configure the iSCSI software adapter.3. Configure access to an NFS datastore.4. View iSCSI and NFS storage information.

Module 2-35

Lesson Summary


Describe uses of IP storage with ESX/ESXi Describe iSCSI components and addressing Configure iSCSI initiators Describe NFS components and addressing Create an NFS datastore

Module 2-36

Lesson 3:Fibre Channel SAN Storage


Module 2-37

Lesson Objectives


Describe uses of Fibre Channel with ESX/ESXi Describe Fibre Channel components and addressing Access Fibre Channel storage

Module 2-38

Using Fibre Channel with ESX/ESXi


Fibre Channel SAN LUNs: Are used for VMFS datastores to hold virtual machines, ISO

images, and templates Are used for holding RDMs, which point to a virtual machine’s

raw data Are used for remote booting of ESX/ESXi Support vSphere features like vMotion, VMware HA, and DRS

ESX/ESXi supports: 8Gb Fibre Channel Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

Module 2-39

Fibre Channel SAN Components


Module 2-40

Fibre Channel Addressing and Access Control


Module 2-41

Accessing Fibre Channel Storage


Install one or more Fibre Channel adapters on the ESX/ESXi host. The Fibre Channel adapters are recognized by the host during the

boot sequence.

Module 2-42

Viewing Fibre Channel Storage Information


The Storage Views tab provides information about all SCSI adapters and NAS mounts.

Module 2-43

Viewing Fibre Channel Storage Maps


target

HBA

LUN

Module 2-44

Lesson Summary


Describe uses of Fibre Channel with ESX/ESXi Describe Fibre Channel components and addressing Access Fibre Channel storage

Module 2-45

Lesson 4:VMFS Datastores


Module 2-46

Lesson Objectives


Create a VMFS datastore Increase the size of a VMFS datastore Delete a VMFS datastore

Module 2-47

Using a VMFS Datastore with ESX/ESXi


Use VMFS datastores whenever possible: VMFS is optimized for storing and accessing large files. A VMFS can have a maximum volume size of 64TB. NFS datastores are great for storing virtual machines. But some

functions are not supported. Use RDMs if your virtual machine:

• Is performing SAN snapshotting• Is clustered to a physical machine using Microsoft Cluster Service

(MSCS)• Has large amounts of data that you do not want to convert into a

virtual disk

Module 2-48

Creating a VMFS Datastore


To create a VMFS datastore, use the Add Storage wizard: Select the storage type, Disk/LUN. Select an available LUN.

Specify a datastore name. Specify the datastore size: use full or partial LUN.

Module 2-49

Viewing VMFS Datastores


Storage link in the Configuration tab

Storage Views tab

Module 2-50

Browsing Datastore Contents


Right-click the datastore in the host’s Summary tab or click the Storage link in the Configuration tab.

Module 2-51

Managing Overcommitted Datastores


An overcommitted datastore occurs when there are many thin-provisioned virtual disks that use close to their maximum allotted disk space.Actively monitor your datastore capacity:

Alarms assist through notifications:• Datastore disk overallocation• Virtual machine disk usage

Use reporting to view space usage.

Actively manage your datastore capacity: Increase datastore capacity when necessary. Use VMware Storage vMotion to mitigate space usage issues

on a particular datastore.

Module 2-52

Increasing the Size of a VMFS Datastore


Increase a VMFS datastore’s size to give it more space or possibly to improve performance.Two ways to dynamically increase the size of a VMFS datastore: Add an extent (LUN). Expand the datastore

within its extent.

Module 2-53

Comparing Methods for Increasing VMFS Datastore Size


Add an extent to the datastore

Expand the datastore within the extent

Virtual machine power state On On

Newly provisioned LUN Yes No

SAN administrator tasks Add one or more LUNs (extents).

Increase the size of the LUN.

LimitsA datastore can have up to 32 LUNs (extents), each up

to 2TB.

A LUN can be expanded any number of times, up to

2TB.

Module 2-54

Before Increasing the Size of a VMFS Datastore


In general, before making any changes to your storage allocation: Perform a rescan to ensure that your host sees the most

current storage. Quiesce I/O on all disks involved. Note the unique identifier (for example, the NAA ID) of the

volume that you want to expand.

Module 2-55

Deleting a VMFS Datastore


Deleting a VMFS datastore permanently deletes the pointers to the files on the datastore, so the files cannot be retrieved.

Module 2-56

Multipathing with Fibre Channel


Multipathing allows continued access to SAN LUNs in the event of hardware failure. It also provides load balancing.

Module 2-57

Multipathing with iSCSI Storage


Hardware iSCSI: Use two or more hardware

iSCSI adapters.Software or dependent hardware iSCSI: Use multiple NICs. Connect each NIC to a

separate VMkernel port. Associate VMkernel ports

with iSCSI initiator.

Module 2-58

Managing Multiple Storage Paths


Multiple paths can exist to a datastore on the host.To modify storage path information, click the datastore’s Properties link.

Module 2-59

Configuring Storage Load Balancing


Path selection policies exist for: Scalability:

• Round Robin – A multipathing policy that performs load balancing across paths.

Availability:• MRU and Fixed

Module 2-60

Pluggable Storage Architecture


For unique performance and

fault-tolerant behavior

To accommodate specific storage

arrays

For more complex I/O load-balancing

algorithms

Module 2-61

Lab 7


In this lab, you will work with VMFS datastores.1. Review your shared storage configuration.2. View VMFS datastore information.3. Change the name of a VMFS datastore.4. Create a VMFS datastore.5. Expand a VMFS datastore to consume unused space on a LUN.6. Remove a VMFS datastore.7. Extend a VMFS datastore.

Ask your instructor which LUNs contain VMFS datastores that should not be removed or reformatted.

Module 2-62

Lesson Summary


Create a VMFS datastore Increase the size of a VMFS datastore Delete a VMFS datastore

Module 2-63

Key Points


Use VMFS datastores to hold virtual machine files. NFS datastores are useful as a repository for ISO images. Shared storage is integral to vSphere features like vMotion,

VMware HA, and DRS.

Storage

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