Advise on (very) big guest

[fajarpri]

Hi all,

I have a situation where I need to create a very big guest (file server) above 2TB HDD.

In the forum I see some issue regarding creating > 2TB datastore, and it's not supported from my NAS to create LUN > 2TB either.

So, my plan is:

1. Create few 1TB LUN

2. Create few 1TB datastore

3. Create the guest with HDD spread on those datastore(s).

Is it a good way? What's the catch if not?

Thank you.

Fajar.

[sakibpavel]

Are you using Vhphere 5 or Esxi 5?

Sakibpavel

[Mouhamad]

Hello,

This is pretty the best solution for your scenario, I've been running the same for the last 3 year on a 10 TB fileserver. However it's better to have these LUNs as RDMs and not datastores.

I see here that your limitation is not from ESX, its from your NAS vendor, you cannot have more than 2 TB.

FYI: vSphere 5, you can have up to 64TB RDM physical LUN.

Regards,     

[fajarpri]

Hi thanks.

I'm with ESXi 4.1

I cannot use it as RDM because it's an iSCSI LUN.

On 2nd thought, I have few more setup alternatives:

1. Combined those LUNs into one (big) datastore.

2. Or, create a guest and let the guest access the LUNs by itself.

I have tried both methods, but I cannot tell if there is any advantages for any of them, except that it's easier if I use method #1.

What do you think?

[a_p_ · Accepted solution]

I cannot use it as RDM because it's an iSCSI LUN.

RDMs usually work with FC as well as iSCSI LUNs.

1. Combined those LUNs into one (big) datastore.

Although it is possible to create an extended datastore with up to 32 extents (~64TB), I would not recommend it. You are still limited to 2TB minus 512 bytes virtual disks on a datstore. IMO this adds complexity for later upgrades.

2. Or, create a guest and let the guest access the LUNs by itself.

That's what I would do. In case of Windows you could - depending on your needs - setup a DFS or - if necessary - create a software RAID (something that I would not really recommend).

André

[christianZ]

Hi,

what nas are you using there?

Could your nas do iscsi or you are using only nfs?

As Andre said the  spreading idea isn't the best here.

Reg

Christian

[fajarpri]

Hi Christian,

I'm using netapp with iSCSI.

I have decided to follow Andre's suggestion.

I'm accessing the LUNs directly from the guest and combine them using LVM.