Best method for OpenFiler: NFS or iSCSI?

[richard6121]

I'm doing a proof-of-concept using a box running OpenFiler as my NAS. I know that iSCSI is the usual way to utilize OpenFiler for VMware purposes.

I'm wondering if NFS is also acceptable. Does it have issues with HA?

[java_cat33]

Hi - NFS is suuported for HA.

[Texiwill]

Hello,

I use both. iSCSI however has better overall security than NFS does, if that makes any difference. For your Proof of concept you may wish to try both. In my demo environment I use OpenFiler and iSCSI over NFS but I have used both in the past. If your end solution will be iSCSI or FC-SAN then I suggest using iSCSI over NFS.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

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[Jasemccarty]

I believe ISCSI is also supported for HA.

Jase McCarty

http://www.jasemccarty.com

Co-Author of VMware ESX Essentials in the Virtual Data Center

(ISBN:1420070274) from Auerbach

[TurinTurambar · Accepted solution]

Hi richard,

I've used the two options with openfiler, the two works well. Main differences :

- iSCSI could double the troughput (near to 70MB/s).

- iSCSI uses block level blocking approach (NFS file level), so its better for many concurrent operations against FS.

- also iSCSI supports VMFS filesystems and RDM (NFS does not).

- you can boot an ESX server from iSCSI LUNs (if you use hardware initiatior).

- NFS its easier to deploy and easier of share between differente operating systems.

So ... iSCSI its better for production environments and NFS as a large storage for ISOs, templates, backups more portable and easy to manage.

Both support HA/DRS, VCB, VMotion and VM booting.

Hope helps.

ciao