Virtualize a 2TB File Server

[rupeshj]

Good day all

I've been task to virtualize a 2TB File Server. Currently this server is integrated with a Workflow System (AWD) I have the following.

Users: 350 + accessing the server from a Thick Client. 500+ users accessing the file from a web interface.

Systems: I have 7 + Server creating new image files per minute.

Can anyone help or guide me in the right direction regarding best practices

[pauljawood]

Hi,

I would first ask that is the data on the file server being backed up. If you can arrange the down time then I would suggest an outage over a night in which the servers (OS) drive is P2V. Once the servers are virtual then create disks on the new virtual servers and restore the file server data back to the new location.

Is the storage SAN based that the file server uses or is it DAS ?

If you found this helpful then please leave some points.

[rupeshj]

Yes. We are currently backing up the server using Netbackup however we tested this on Monday and we found the it will taken 2 week to restore. The current storage unit is a IBM DS6800 with SATA Disks.

[AndreTheGiant · Accepted solution]

But data are already on a SAN?

In this case, if the LUN is smaller than 2 TB - 512B, you can make a P2V of the system disk and then attach the data disk as a RDM.

Andre

[rupeshj]

Hi Andre.

We the company is planning to buy a replacement storage system with in the next 6 month. Can I use vmdk inplace of RDM.

[AndreTheGiant]

You can use vmdk instead of RDM.

But make a P2V of 2TB data will require more time

Andre

[runclear]

Have you considered using Double-Take? We used this to do p2v many of our file servers..

-

---

VCP[3] | VCP[4]