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kjhorizon
Contributor
Contributor

New implementation of vmware, deciding between cx3-10c and equlogic iscsi

We are new to the virtualization technology and getting several very different recommendations on what to use. We are implementing 4 physical with 8 virtual servers and a SAN. Our quotes for the EQL PS3600 and emc cx3-10c are about the same. I have heard rumors that vmware might have some issues on fibre channel but can't find any confirmation. Anyone know which technology it runs better on? Any opinions or the fibre versus iscsi question?

Thanks

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ToddMuirhead
VMware Employee
VMware Employee

We have only just recently begun testing ESX with iSCSI, but have been using CX series fibre channel with ESX for about four years. Specifically with the CX-600, CX-700, and CX3-80. Started with Broacde silkworm fibre switches but we are now using McData 4700. Have used both Qlogic and Emulex HBAs. I haven't had any problems with fibre channel and ESX.

The nice thing abou the CX3-10c (where c stands for Combo - both fibre and iSCSI) is that you can do either fibre or iSCSI.

We haven't had any problems with iSCSI either (although we have only been testing with it for a few months) and it is easier to setup than fibre channel.

Thanks -- Todd

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boydd
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Like above - I've used ESX with FC for about four years also. The combo unit form EMC would give you the luxury of running Prod off of FC for reliability and Test/Dev off of ISCSI for cost savings. I might be a little biased though.

DB

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christianZ
Champion
Champion

I assume the Emc box used with iscsi protocol won't outperform the Equallogic box (for more results check this:

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/73745), but It seems that the systems with fc can perform better that these with iscsi (using esx hosts, esx serves fc

more effective than iscsi; that should be changed with 3.5)

Don't forget you get all feature inclusive with EQL (snapshots r/w, volume copy, replication, thin provisioning) and the iscsi infrastructure is much inexpensive as the fc one. If you haven't any San for now, than it could be simpler to configure the iscsi one (the EQL administration is very intuitive).

The other side is the expanding of EQL - when the 16 disks shouldn't be enough, you will have to get a new EQL box - with EMC you will have to get only new disks shelves.

You can find here many discussions about it (search e.g. for equallogic).

Just my thoughts.