Another Dell attached storage question

[MikeCampabello]

I'm new to VMware and we're doing a install. I searched around but nothing quite fits my questions. Maybe this isn't possible but I figured I'd ask. I read that the MD1000 only supports "basic connectivity" (not supporting VMotion features) not 100% knowing what that means combined with not knowing enough about how VMotion works. I have a question that may have a simple answer.

We are going to be installing VMware ESX 3.5 onto two Dell 2950s with MD1000s at two seperate locations. Both sites currently connect via a Cisco VPN (pix 506e).

My question is will VMotion work accross a VPN as a fault tolerance since they are two seperate md1000s on two seperate networks? We were recommended to purchase double take for virtual systems, and did buy it, but I'm just curious on how the two can or if they will even work together.

Any help getting me to understand this is very much appreciated.

[kjb007]

VMotion requires shared storage, which you've already stated it is not. For two separate locations with two separate storage, there has to be some sort of replication between the two, but you're still not using live move. This would be a DR/COOP type of scenario.

The MD1000 is direct attached storage, and not a SAN, so it is not storage that can be shared by multiple hosts, which is the main requirement for VMotion.

So, for a DR scenario, you can replicate one storage device to another, and bring up ESX at your 2nd site with vm data that was replicated from the one site, but they won't both be active at the same time and be able to fail to each other, as I believe you are trying to accomplish.

-KjB

[TomHowarth]

Mike welcome to the forums

without shared storage you can not utilise VMotion, you could investigate LHN Virtual Storage Applicance. this allows the creation of shared storage form Local Storage. couple this with SRM and you may have a solution.

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Tom Howarth

VMware Communities User Moderator