Server Storage

[blu60077]

Simple question

I have run low on storage that is used to run my VM environment, Instead of expanding my SAN, (currently using 4 HP 4300's) Is it possible to buy a ner server, lets say an HP DL380, max out the hard drives and RAM and utilize this as a poor mans SAN?

Any advice is appreciated.

[NealeC · Accepted solution]

Hi Blu,

Simple answer yes.

Simply install FreeNas or Openfiler and create iSCSI LUNs and add them to your host or create NFS shares and mount them as datastores on your host.

I don't know HP 4300 systems personally but a quick google says they are not FC so you're still talking networked storage not FC so it might not be quite as poor man...both the options above are free (the DL380 isn't 🙂 )

Good Luck

Chris

[blu60077]

Thank you Chris. I am not sure why I did not come up with Openfiler nyself. When I first learned about VM in college that was how we did our storage. When you mention FC, are you talking about fiber channel?

[NealeC]

Yes, FC is Fibre Channel.  Your array and servers would have fibre cards/adapters in if that were the case but as you're moving from one networked storage solution to adding another then I can't see that you will need any more kit.

Chris