Is anyone using this SAN with ESX3? Would be interested in your feedback regarding this device.
We're using the 8300 w/ SVC. What specific info are you searching for?
Best practice for VMware, backups, recovery ?
I need a little more info... But FWIW, here's a bit of our config:
\* 8 VMFS3 datastores configured 4x300GB and 4x600GB
\* 10 IBM Blades split into 2 farms for 72 VMs
\* Booting from SAN
\* Paths are fixed
\* Using VCB and esxRanger for VM backups and recovery--only a handfull of the VMs have a backup client installed.
\* Flash copy enabled, but performed on standalones only
\* No Metro-mirroring done (yet)
This might be helpful on the SVC. Procedure from IBM on VI3 support on SVC:
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Process to Obtain Support for SVC with VMware ESX 3
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We are announcing that, pending full GA-level support in VMware ESX 3, IBM and VMware have agreed to an RPQ process to support SVC with VMware ESX 3 configurations.
Support for our joint customers will be granted on a per customer per configuration basis through the IBM SVC RPQ process. No "general" or "blanket" approvals will be granted. VMware will participate with the SVC team in the RPQ process for the approval of each customer request and will have the RPQ approval number and customer name for their records.
At this time, RPQ approvals will be given only for SVC configurations with VMware ESX 3, Windows 2003 guest hosts, and QLogic HBAs. Other guest OS versions and HBAs will be added to the supported configurations as testing is completed: we will issue further flashes to keep you informed.
Configuration restrictions will be listed in the RPQ approval notice, which will also direct customers to the appropriate place to pick up the VMware ESX 3 patches to use until GA-level support is available.
Until GA-level support is available from VMware, all customer service for SVC configurations with VMware ESX 3 should be requested via the IBM Support Center, using the customer's approved RPQ number even if the customer believes the problem is with VMware ESX and not with SVC.
Customers will be expected to migrate to the final VMware product version that contains all fixes for use with SVC within 90 days of its GA. The GA of this support will terminate the interim RPQ support described above. VMware tell us that they expect GA-level support to be available in early 3Q2007. VMware has made this migration a requirement for continued customer support following their GA release.
Account teams should use the SVC RPQ process to request support for exact configurations of SVC with VMware ESX 3 including specifically the guest OS version and HBA. Existing RPQs for SVC/VMware support do not need to be resubmitted: they will be processed and account teams will be contacted if more information is needed.
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Dave
