I currently have 1 server running ESX 4.1, That as 4TB of storage. This server is used to store replications from our other 2 ESX servers.
The server is running out of storage at the minute, I would like to add more storage to it.
One of the ways I'm considering is buying a Dell MD1200.
My issue is I'm not sure how it works or how you would configure it.
My server is a Dell R710, so I will need a PERC H800A. Then I can connect the MD1200directly to the server.
Will ESX just pick this up, once I start the server back up? or what do I need to do, to get the ESX server to find the attached storage?
Hope this makes sense and that someone can explain a bit more to me.
I am expecting some gear to arrive over the next few days to do just that. I will let you know!
Looking at your post I'm getting precisely the same gear to connect to precisely the same server!
You need a RAID controller with external SAS connectors.
The right models are PERC5/e or PERC6/e
Andre
I have got mine configured. I needed to install dell open manage on my esx server so I could manage the MD1200.
I needed a PERC H800A adapter also.
Jobs done.
Good.
PS: if you found some posts helpful then please leave some points ![]()
Andre
Andrew M schrieb:
You need a RAID controller with external SAS connectors.
The right models are PERC5/e or PERC6/e
Andre
The PERC 5 and 6 Controllers are only needed when working with legacy stuff like the MD1000 or MD3000. All newer and current JBODs/Raid Arrays need the new Hxxx Controllers. Take a look to http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/products/pvaul/topics/en/us/raid_controller?c=u... which shows a compatibilty matrix and a description of all models.
Since the MD12x0 is a JBOD you need a controller with RAID Logic and as general you can configure the thing by pressing CRTL+P when the Host is booting. Keep an eye open when your Host have more than one controller installed.
1. Create a Diskgroup with the Disks and Raidlevel of your choice and than several virtual disks with a maximum size of 2TB-512Bytes. Take a look into the Adv. Settings for Stripsize and Caching mode
2. Initialize the Raids
3. Assing one Disk as a global Hotspare
Yes, you can do some of the steps by using OMSA but it goes much faster when you do it in the BIOS of the controller. OMSA is great for monitoring and simple changings without the need of reboot the Host.
Regards
Joerg
