how do I get my DL 380 to see my MSA 1000 when deploying VMware ESX server
Hi all,
I have 2 DL 380 G5 servers and one HO MSA 1000 NAS box. I plan to deploy VMware ESX to both of the physical boxes. I think I know how to do that but my question is this.
If I'm going to be installing ESX, I assume i wont be using HP smart start. If this is the case, how do i get the server to see the MSA 1000?
Daft question? Probably lol
Any help appreciated.
I have 2 DL 380 G5 servers and one HO MSA 1000 NAS box. I plan to deploy VMware ESX to both of the physical boxes. I think I know how to do that but my question is this.
If I'm going to be installing ESX, I assume i wont be using HP smart start. If this is the case, how do i get the server to see the MSA 1000?
Daft question? Probably lol
Any help appreciated.
ASKER
Hello. Many thanks for the advise.
If I may. The HBA controller drivers, readily available to download?
Understanding your point on the HCL, despite not being supported do you think there is a chance that it will connect with ESXi 5 ?
Thank you
If I may. The HBA controller drivers, readily available to download?
Understanding your point on the HCL, despite not being supported do you think there is a chance that it will connect with ESXi 5 ?
Thank you
The HBA fibre channel drivers are included with the OS. (ESXi)
If the HBA fibre channel controller is compatible with ESXi 5.x, it will connect, we use MSA 500, 1000, 1500cs and 1500i here, with VMware vSphere 3.x, 4.x and 5.x. (test and dev - not production!)
They were all rubbish, with many issues with previous versions of VMware vSphere and you need to get the right firmware, and run active/passive.
From a personal point of view, we have now almost retired them because, they are
1. slow
2. noisy
3. need aircon
4. performance is terrible
5. size
6. spare parts
7. electrical costs
and the same can be achieved, with lower cost, high performance, low electric, does not need aircon, ear plugs, using a Synology, Qnap, Netgear cheap NAS!
If the HBA fibre channel controller is compatible with ESXi 5.x, it will connect, we use MSA 500, 1000, 1500cs and 1500i here, with VMware vSphere 3.x, 4.x and 5.x. (test and dev - not production!)
They were all rubbish, with many issues with previous versions of VMware vSphere and you need to get the right firmware, and run active/passive.
From a personal point of view, we have now almost retired them because, they are
1. slow
2. noisy
3. need aircon
4. performance is terrible
5. size
6. spare parts
7. electrical costs
and the same can be achieved, with lower cost, high performance, low electric, does not need aircon, ear plugs, using a Synology, Qnap, Netgear cheap NAS!
ASKER
Hi, I'm just using for training purposes. Can i ask, from the smart array utility, is the set-up of the SAN to the server fairly intuitive that you know of?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks for all your advice, helped a lot
You also realise, that this MSA 1000 SAN, is no longer on the Hardware Compatibility List for any VMware vSphere version since, ESX/ESXi 3.0.
You will need to
1. Install Fibre Channel HBA in the ESXi servers.
2. Note down the WWNN of the HBAs in the Servers.
3. Using the console RS232 interface and special cable, you will need to assign these WWNN to the LUNs.
4. If you do not have the special serial cable, you can do this using HP Smart Start, Array Configuration Utility CDROM, if you BOOT this CDROM on the ESXi server. (obviosuly it will need to boot from cdrom).
this URL here details the commands to use at console/command line
http://lackof.org/taggart/hacking/msa1000-setup/