Access to Lun from Virtual Center Server

[skydoyle]

Hello, we decided to use our Virtual Center Server (HS21 blade) as the backup proxy. This system is a Windows 2003 server.

My question is if I want to write my VCB backups to a SAN (as the output device). We created a new Lun (on the SAN) and updated the borcade switch to include this servers name.

But we can't see the LUN from the Windows side. I'm sure were missing a step or 2.

[RParker]

Did you remember to add it to the mapping for the LUN? Did you install the San Surfer utilities? Did you follow the instructions precisely for setting up a VCB?

The san surfer utilities will pick up the LUN, but if you followed the instructions, it won't AUTO mount the LUN, you have to do it manually via the san surfer utils, and then manually assign a drive letter... I wouldn't do this from your VC, you should use a separate server for this, because if your VCB proxy has a problem it will also hang your VC. Not a good idea.

There is a reason you keep VC, VCB, and SQL DB ALL separate from each other....

[Texiwill]

Hello,

If you followed the instructions within http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35/esx_3/r35/vi3_35_25_vm_backup.pdf then you have disabled automatic assignment of drive letters so you will not 'see' the LUN via normal means. If you can not see the LUN via your WIndows SAN software then you either have a presentation or zoning issue.

I do as you are doing and everything works out quite well with no issues whatsoever.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[skydoyle]

Rparker, thanks for the response..we have successfully run VCB..although it seems that you have to enter most of the switches regarless what you type in the config file. So not sure why the config file is there?

Were looking at the mapping again and into San Surfer utilitie.

[skydoyle]

Texiwill, what is the Windows San software your referring too?

Thanks

[Texiwill]

Hello,

My SAN came with something specific for Windows. A dashboard of sorts for MPIO and a client to use to see LUNs. In addition, my HBA came with software to view available LUNs as well.

I use vRanger with VCB else you have to setup all the switches yourself. Perhaps in a .bat file.

Best regards,

Edward L. Haletky

VMware Communities User Moderator

====

Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.

CIO Virtualization Blog: http://www.cio.com/blog/index/topic/168354

As well as the Virtualization Wiki at http://www.astroarch.com/wiki/index.php/Virtualization

[ccandia]

SkyDoyle,

I am considering the possibility of using a server for virtual center as a backup proxy as well. I am curious if you can provide any information in terms of pros and cons of using the virtual center server as the backup proxy as you have decided to do. Are there any performance issues, support issues, etc. Do you know of any discussions, articles, papers, etc that speak specifically to using the virtual center server as a backup proxy (I have done a few searches and not found anything yet)?

Any input is appreciated,

Thanks.

[AndreTheGiant]

Old version of VC and VCB was not supported in the same machine (there was a service conflict). Now can work together.

Anyway I prefer have them in two different server (VM for VC, and phisical for VCB + backup software).

Andrea