Should we boot ESXi from SD card or boot from SAN?
Should we boot ESXi from SD card or boot from SAN?
What is the pro and cons?
What is the pro and cons?
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We've been rolling out ESXi on USB or SD card since 2004, with no issues.
ESXi is designed to run from flash, and if you purchase from some vendors, Dell or HPE it will come ready pre-installed on SD card or SD cards.
Interesting that you ask, because I was just going to write an Article to BOOT a recent Lab install from SAN.
WHY - because I don't have a Server with USB Flash drive or SD card access. But we would normally consider these options today, unless we were rolling out Blades. (when they have no local storage)
ESXi is designed to run from flash, and if you purchase from some vendors, Dell or HPE it will come ready pre-installed on SD card or SD cards.
Interesting that you ask, because I was just going to write an Article to BOOT a recent Lab install from SAN.
WHY - because I don't have a Server with USB Flash drive or SD card access. But we would normally consider these options today, unless we were rolling out Blades. (when they have no local storage)
ASKER
Do we really SD mirroring or just one SD or USB slot is enough?
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we've never had a USB or SD card fail since 2004!
If you use good quality SD cards or MicroSD cards e.g. SanDisk etc
Backup the ESXi configuration if you need to and keep on file, so you can restore if need be
If you use good quality SD cards or MicroSD cards e.g. SanDisk etc
Backup the ESXi configuration if you need to and keep on file, so you can restore if need be
ASKER
Thanks but booting from SAN is it the old way? What you both said it's look like the new preferred method is boot from SD or USB because of the facility to do and maintenance.
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ASKER
I have M.2 SSD.
Boot from M.2 SSD and boot from SAN SAS SSD, which one is faster?
Boot from M.2 SSD and boot from SAN SAS SSD, which one is faster?
why does it make a difference which one is fastest ?
after the contents is read, ESXi runs from memory.
At a guess M.2.SSD maybe, but based on throughput BOOT from SAN.
after the contents is read, ESXi runs from memory.
At a guess M.2.SSD maybe, but based on throughput BOOT from SAN.
ASKER
I'm just curious:-)
When you said: based on throughput BOOT from SAN
Could please explain?
When you said: based on throughput BOOT from SAN
Could please explain?
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Thanks
It's supported and recommended to use a flash drive or preferably SD card as many technicians would tell you. It's cheaper, easier to maintenance and if the SD card fails, it's easier to replace just the SD card than bother with SAN.
Cons and Pros
https://www.nakivo.com/blog/run-esxi-from-usb-flash-drive-guide/
Other discussions on this topic:
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2164473-where-are-you-storing-your-esxi-os
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/807600-installing-esxi-5-5-on-sd-module-vs-raid-hard-drives