Hi,
I am trying to build vSAN test environment in my lab wherein I have only single piece of Hardware (Dell Server). Below is my idea, please let me know if t works or not:
Configuration:
++ Dell Hardware with 32GB RAM
Idea:
To configure vSAN, a minimum of three ESXi 5.5 hosts, all contributing local disks (1 SSD and 1 HDD)
++ First, I will install windows server 2016 on Dell server
++ On top of that I will install Desktop windows OS so that I can install Workstation and top of that install 3 esxi host for vSAN cluster.
Will this above idea successful? If yes, I will then proceed to make hybrid connection (My on prim lab to AWS cloud)
Regards
PK
Setting up such a lab with only 32GB RAM may be a challenge. However, it may be possible.
What type/model is your Dell server? To avoid unnecessary overhead (Windows, VMware Workstation) you may consider to run ESXi on the host, and setup the test lab on that.
André
Personally I will not go with Windows 2016 and above.
If you have not seen this link, it is worth
https://www.altaro.com/vmware/how-to-setup-vsan-using-a-nested-environment/
Hello,
This link is seriously worth for vsan testing in nested environment.
Few things I would like to clarify:
>> Once I done with vsan nested configuration I would like to create hybrid link mode and migrate few VMs to AWS cloud.
So, basically I would be achieving VMC on AWS here and I don't think we would require any AD/DNS server.
Regards
PK
Hello 9990374530
With regard to what a.p. mentioned regarding 32GB being adequate - this should be sufficient, I have run similar 6.7 3-node nested configurations with 32GB in Workstation
A few things to note:
- Absolute minimum to be able to create Disk-Groups on the nodes is 4GB, any less than this and it either won't be able to create them or they may go offline with out of memory conditions - I would advise going with 6GB as minimum.
- If you are aiming to add more than 1 Disk-Group per host or (relatively) larger Disk-Groups, the hosts will require more than 4GB
- If you are planning on running a vCenter on the vSAN nodes then this will add a lot more required RAM (minimum to function is 10GB).
- *Likely* won't be able to use many other products here - last time I checked, NSX required ~30GB as minimum.
Bob
Also, have a look at this. New homelab hardware arrived! – driftar's Blog
It is (very) expensive.
But it will give you some ideas for the future.
Hi Preetam,
As per the link below I have created the nested VSAN environment but now the challenge is how can I further create VM's on top of nested/virtualized esxi hypervisor??
https://www.altaro.com/vmware/how-to-setup-vsan-using-a-nested-environment/
I want to now create virtual machine created on an L1 hypervisor.
Regards
PK
Make sure that the ESXi VMs have "Virtualize Intel VT-x/EPT or AMD-V/RVI" enabled in their "Processors" settings, and that "Promiscuous Mode" is allowed in the physical ESXi host's VM port group settings to which the virtual hosts are connected.
André
Hi Andre,
Thanks for your reply!
I will try the same and get back to you. By doing this configuration, can we create VM's on top of nested esxi VM's?
Regards
PK
By doing this configuration, can we create VM's on top of nested esxi VM's?
Yes, that's what the settings are for. However, don't expect high performance for the nested VMs.
André
Hi Andre,
Let me check I will get back to you.