Question

VMWare ESX VMDK Files / Backing up / SAN / NAS

Asked by: ppapasav

I'm very new to VMWARE and have some basic questions:

1. I would like to have a RAID array on computer A and replicate it to computer B in another facility while also maintaining backups locally.

I understand companies such as IOMEGA make a device such as the IX4-200D NAS - Can you actually run a VMDK file on the NAS (assuming you connect it in iSCSI mode) or is that just a place to put the images?

Also, when backing up an image, does VMWARE completely overwrite the remote image or does it just send the changes?

The Iomega has rsync built in and allows you to sync it over a WAN pretty effortlessly with another IX4-200 or similar ... so either if we use it for a repository for images or as the actual drive we run the applications from, It would be nice over the WAN --

That being said, can we only use a SAN for working storage where the VKMD files are run from?

Finally, has anybody tried to import a Windows 2003SBS server using the Windows2003 import utilites from VM?

Ok - thanks!

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Asked On
2009-11-12 at 17:26:44ID24896378
Tags

VMWare

,

ESX

,

SAN

,

NAS

,

VMDK

Topics

VMware

,

Disaster Recovery

,

Storage Technology

Participating Experts
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: paulsolovPosted on 2009-11-12 at 18:00:13ID: 25810804

1. I would like to have a RAID array on computer A and replicate it to computer B in another facility while also maintaining backups locally.

--You would need to have some type of replication software to do this

I understand companies such as IOMEGA make a device such as the IX4-200D NAS - Can you actually run a VMDK file on the NAS (assuming you connect it in iSCSI mode) or is that just a place to put the images?

--You can run actual VMs on the NAS provided they are configured as VMFS datastores via iSCSI or NFS shares

Also, when backing up an image, does VMWARE completely overwrite the remote image or does it just send the changes?

--Depends on your backup software.  VMWare may do backups via VDR which is VMWare's backup package that is available with certain type of licenses.  

The Iomega has rsync built in and allows you to sync it over a WAN pretty effortlessly with another IX4-200 or similar ... so either if we use it for a repository for images or as the actual drive we run the applications from, It would be nice over the WAN --

--This may work well, I haven't used this NAS but have used SANs with replication and they work well most of the time

That being said, can we only use a SAN for working storage where the VKMD files are run from?

--You can use SAN or NAS as stated above

Finally, has anybody tried to import a Windows 2003SBS server using the Windows2003 import utilites from VM?

--I have virtualized several SBS Servers to VMWare using VMWare's free vConverter, works well.

 

by: ppapasavPosted on 2009-11-12 at 19:32:47ID: 25811176

Thank you for your responses - You have pretty much answered everythig - Just a few quick clarifications if possible

Images:
When you backup an Image, and let's say it's a mysql or exchange server, would all the OS and data files be part of the VMDK or do some people separate these?

Also, when you do a "snapshot", i assume that's not the same as writing out an entire VMDK file ? Is that just storing the system state?

The ultimate goal is to be able to replicate a not-so-busy system and am wondering which solutions seem to be the most stable and work the best. Thanks again -

 

by: paulsolovPosted on 2009-11-12 at 19:42:14ID: 25811220

Images:
When you backup an Image, and let's say it's a mysql or exchange server, would all the OS and data files be part of the VMDK or do some people separate these?

--If you backup an exchange server or sql servers you need to make sure that you either use a backup solution that can quesce the databases/application or shutdown the services or VM.  A VM-Aware backup solution can bckup the VM but may not backup the application itself due to the quescing issue. It all depends on the method used for backup


Also, when you do a "snapshot", i assume that's not the same as writing out an entire VMDK file ? Is that just storing the system state?

--doing a vmware snapshot is not doing a backup..do not think of it as a backup.  It is a point in time placeholder that allows you to go back to the previous location.  Think of it as a differential backup.  A vmware snapshot creates another vmdk file in addition to the original.  If the original dies you don't have a way to go back

The ultimate goal is to be able to replicate a not-so-busy system and am wondering which solutions seem to be the most stable and work the best. Thanks again -

For replication take a look at Vizioncore or Veeam vReplicator solutions  (cheaper cold replication) or realtime online replication via Doubletake or CA's Wansync.  All solutions require the not free ESXi or full blown ESX

 

by: JannieSAPosted on 2009-11-12 at 21:10:02ID: 25811514

Another solution that seems to proof itself quite nice is Xtravirt Virtual SAN, VMware has it as a downloadable appliance on there website, but PHDVirtual have bought XVS

http://www.phdvirtual.com/download?task=view.download&cid=10

It will turn your local storage (or attached) into a Virtual SAN and sync it with the remote ESX. allows you to do some pretty cool stuff - haven't tested it in vSphere 4 though.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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