vSAN test

[9990374530]

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

[a_p_]

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

[Techstarts]

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/

[9990374530]

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

[TheBobkin]

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

[Techstarts]

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.

[9990374530]

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

[a_p_]

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

[9990374530]

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

[a_p_]

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

[9990374530]

Hi Andre,

Let me check I will get back to you.