What's the easiest virtual storage appliance to use to try/test vSphere 6.0??

[tlyczko]

I now have enough RAM and CPU to set up ESX and VCSA etc. inside VMware Workstation...

Looking to find the easiest available virtual storage appliance whatever to use for storing the hosts and vCenter etc. etc. on.

Must also find, read more on this topic -- I already installed an ESX, very easy...

What I want to do is install a vCenter appliance and have it talk to the host...

I could just make them VMs on my Windows itself too...

Any/all advice would be helpful...

Thank you, Tom

[Anjani_Kumar]

I personally like the Starwind for the storage virtualization purpose in my lab. its really easy to use and understand.

Also you can use the openfiler as its a complete appliance instead starwind which is just a executable.

[CoolRam]

For your envirnoment you can try OpenFiler that will best suite.

[Anton_Kolomyeyt]

Anjali thank you for reference!

Indeed we can create a fully fault-tolerant storage using only two VMware hosts and internally mounted hard disks.

For FREE. Unlimited served capacity. Production use allowed

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-virtual-san-free

Hope to provide an update next week so we'll do a completely pre-built OVF virtual appliance (no more manual installs req'd).

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I personally like the Starwind for the storage virtualization purpose in my lab. its really easy to use and understand.

[Anton_Kolomyeyt]

Just make sure you use NFS and not iSCSI as there are lock ups with IET core being part of OpenFiler. See:

http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=102659...

Commercial (paid) version of OpenFiler uses SCST so is immune to this issue. But not free

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For your envirnoment you can try OpenFiler that will best suite.

[SantiniStorMagi]

Hi Tom,

You may want to take a look at StorMagic SvSAN, simplicity is one of the key benefits of the solution. You can download a 60 day trial direct from the website: http://www.stormagic.com/60-day-free-trial/

If you like, I can arrange a short demo with one of our support team.

Thanks

Steve

[Jimmy15]

Starwind Virtual SAN is the widely used storage solution I noticed.

StarWind Virtual SAN Free

Regards

Pankaj

[VirtualAjay]

Open Filer and Starwind are the two best available products from my experience.