Fileserver with local storage

[aelus]

For a smaller site we want to implement a virtual file server based on ESXi 3.5. The VM-Host can only access local storage (RAID-5). Is there any posibility to split the array into a datastore for the virtual guests and the ESXi itself and a "raw" partition (non-virtualized) which can by accessed by the virtual fileserver? I read about these solutions only in connection with external SANs... or by using a virtual appliance Xtravirt XVS which is not supported by VMWare.

Is there any simple solution for my fileserver?

Thanks in advance!

[Ken_Cline]

You should be able to partition your local storage and use each partition for a different purpose.

Is there a particular reason you want to use a raw partition (RDM) for the fileserver? I've found that a .vmdk on a VMFS volume works quite well...

Ken Cline

Technical Director, Virtualization

Wells Landers[/url]

VMware Communities User Moderator

[aelus]

Only for performance issues. Isn't it a problem, virtualize the filesystem?

[Ken_Cline · Accepted solution]

Only for performance issues. Isn't it a problem, virtualize the filesystem?

The performance difference between RDM and VMFS is negligible. The only reasons I go with RDM are typically:

- - I need to cluster the VM

- - I need to use SAN-based utilities with the LUN that the storage resides on.

Ken Cline

Technical Director, Virtualization

Wells Landers[/url]

VMware Communities User Moderator

[mreferre]

Keep it simple.

As Ken said there is no penalty that you can perceive.

Massimo.

[wjk940]

How do you give the fileserver > 256GB, which seems to be the limit for a .vmdk?

[JRink]

You have the change the block size of the LUN to 2MB, 4MB, or 8MB, which provides for larger VMDK files.

Unfortunately, once a LUN is created you cannot go back and change the block size.

JR