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qsnow
Contributor
Contributor

Using local Storage for ISO/CD images

We are in the process moving all our data from an old SAN to a new SAN. Currently all our ISO images are on a shared SAN lun. I was thinking about moving those ISO images to the local storage on our ESX Servers (we have 7 ESX 3.5 servers). Is anyone using the local storage across multiple ESX servers for these images and if so how are you keeping them in sync? I'd prefer to not have to manually copy an image to all servers everytime. A script of some sort or sync job would be nice.

Thoughts?

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Ken_Cline
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You should investigate the LeftHand Networks Virtual SAN Appliance. It allows you to turn your local storage into shared storage. It will also keep multiple instances of data synchronized. LeftHand is now owned by HP, so if you have a relationship there, it may be helpful.

Ken Cline

VMware vExpert 2009

VMware Communities User Moderator

Blogging at: http://KensVirtualReality.wordpress.com/

Ken Cline VMware vExpert 2009 VMware Communities User Moderator Blogging at: http://KensVirtualReality.wordpress.com/
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azn2kew
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Champion

Besides Lefthand's Network VSA, you can also use other freebies to do the same thing such as Openfiler, FreeNAS, Starwind IET, or Fedora Core IET and hosted repositories for .iso and other images as well. You can even standup a cheap NFS on a VM and use it as well. I would use openfiler has other protocols you can use as well. www.xtravirt.com has a good guide how to implement it via virtual machine.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!! Regards, Stefan Nguyen VMware vExpert 2009 iGeek Systems Inc. VMware vExpert, VCP 3 & 4, VSP, VTSP, CCA, CCEA, CCNA, MCSA, EMCSE, EMCISA
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azn2kew
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SANmelody from Data Core is pretty sweet too.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!! Regards, Stefan Nguyen VMware vExpert 2009 iGeek Systems Inc. VMware vExpert, VCP 3 & 4, VSP, VTSP, CCA, CCEA, CCNA, MCSA, EMCSE, EMCISA
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AntonVZhbankov
Immortal
Immortal

As for me, it's not a good idea. One time you forget to disconnect ISO and your VM won't move from this ESX.

Create VM on one ESX, create big VMDK on local storage and place all the ISOs on shared folder on this VM.


---

VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

EMCCAe, HPE ASE, MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4/5, VMware vExpert XO (14 stars)
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qsnow
Contributor
Contributor

Why would you create a VM to store the ISO as opposed to just shoving them on a SAN LUN then?

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AntonVZhbankov
Immortal
Immortal

I place all the ISOs on Windows file server and set CD on all VMs to client. When I need to use ISO, I connect it from VI client. After I close VI client connection is dropped and VM is free to move.

If you use SAN to store ISOs then:

#) this datastore must be accessible from all ESX servers.

I have three different clusters + standalone host. One cluster uses it's own FC link, and not connected to all others.

#) You can create NFS datastore for ISOs.

If you do not have hardware NFS NAS, then you have to set up NFS as file server. So you have file server anyway. I already used NFS as ISO storage and decided to move to Windows file server.

Connections to NFS are persistent - ISO will be mounted until you manually disconnect it. Some time something would happen or another administrator will reboot server. But you CD is mounted, and as Murphy's Law says exactly this VM will have "Boot from CD" set first.


---

VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

EMCCAe, HPE ASE, MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4/5, VMware vExpert XO (14 stars)
VMUG Russia Leader
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azn2kew
Champion
Champion

If you have problem with monitoring your CD/ROM connected device, using existing tool to automatically query and disconnect those VMs that are connected and you're safe to VMotion. Everyone has different options, we just want to give you plenty of options to explore and everyone of them should be valid for your .iso storage. Quick easy as mentioned, created a VM and shared it among them or virtual appliance.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!! Regards, Stefan Nguyen VMware vExpert 2009 iGeek Systems Inc. VMware vExpert, VCP 3 & 4, VSP, VTSP, CCA, CCEA, CCNA, MCSA, EMCSE, EMCISA
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AntonVZhbankov
Immortal
Immortal

Stefan, I have no problem with monitoring mounted ISOs. I stated my reasons not to use NFS or SAN to store ISO files.

Maybe one more reason - I do not want to duplicate hundreds of gigabytes, and sometimes I need an access to these files from my desktop, standalone ESXi's (which I do not want connect permanently even to readonly NFS). Some people from my department also need an access to centralized file storage. After all windows file server suits my needs best.


---

VMware vExpert '2009

http://blog.vadmin.ru

EMCCAe, HPE ASE, MCITP: SA+VA, VCP 3/4/5, VMware vExpert XO (14 stars)
VMUG Russia Leader
http://t.me/beerpanda
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Texiwill
Leadership
Leadership

Hello,

I use one 'host' as a master and 'rsync over SSH' to each other host from there. You can even set this up as a nightly half day cron job. Outside of this there is no other option but to use a file server of some sort....


Best regards,
Edward L. Haletky
VMware Communities User Moderator, VMware vExpert 2009
====
Author of the book 'VMWare ESX Server in the Enterprise: Planning and Securing Virtualization Servers', Copyright 2008 Pearson Education.
Blue Gears and SearchVMware Pro Blogs -- Top Virtualization Security Links -- Virtualization Security Round Table Podcast

--
Edward L. Haletky
vExpert XIV: 2009-2023,
VMTN Community Moderator
vSphere Upgrade Saga: https://www.astroarch.com/blogs
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/Texiwill
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azn2kew
Champion
Champion

Anton, If you have problem with monitoring your CD/ROM connected device (this applies to everyone) just to mentioned the tool in case no one aware of it. It's not indication you are having problems managing your CD/ROM connected device so dont' get me wrong, we're all giving valid solutions to the users and thanks for give me more options to experience as well.

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!!

Regards,

Stefan Nguyen

VMware vExpert 2009

iGeek Systems Inc.

VMware, Citrix, Microsoft Consultant

If you found this information useful, please consider awarding points for "Correct" or "Helpful". Thanks!!! Regards, Stefan Nguyen VMware vExpert 2009 iGeek Systems Inc. VMware vExpert, VCP 3 & 4, VSP, VTSP, CCA, CCEA, CCNA, MCSA, EMCSE, EMCISA
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