VMware FC virtualization! When???

[Mikky83]

Hello,

Can anyone tell me when vmware plan to create Fibre Channel virtualization. I mean on virtualization with virtual fc adapter like virtualization on Network adapter, not NPIV. I need this information for tape library support on vSphere for LAN free (SAN) backup on VM's. I can't use consolidated lan free backup bacause customer use RDM disks!

[idle-jam]

Have a look at: VMware VMDirectPath I/O

that's the nearest you can go.

[Mikky83]

Thanks for answer, unfortunelly customer HW, IBM x3850 M2, don't support VT-d.

[kjb007]

That's still the best answer you're likely to find.  VMware is very tight lipped on new features, so you won't hear of them on the forum.

For what it's worth, without Direct access to a PCI slot, how would you virtualize your FC without using NPIV?  There's not much chance of a VM taking direct control of an ESX host's HBA.  Maybe you're thinking of enhancing the NPIV to give wider accessibility to tape devices?

-KjB

[idle-jam]

unfortunately you will need to bear with agent based backup over network, or using vcb/vadp image level snapshot backup.