VMFS partitioning in ESX 3.01

[jpmfresno]

I'm setting up ESX 3 on a server with some local storage and fiber attached to an IBM DS3400 array (12x146.8gb 15k).

I have a vmfs partition on local server that i use for esx and as utility. I have a single vmfs on the DS3400 that will store about 10 vm's. A couple of the vm's have 200Gb vmdk's (file, Domino).

Any concerns or advice on the single vmfs partition for the vm's? Or is it fairly typical?

Thanks in advance

[esiebert7625 · Accepted solution]

Check out this thread...

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=36725&start=0&tstart=0

Also remember if you want larger then 256GB virtual disks you need to create a block size larger then the default 1MB when creating your VMFS volumes.

These are good links also:

SAN Configuration Guide - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_esx_san_cfg.pdf

SAN Conceptual and Design Basics - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/esx_san_cfg_technote.pdf

SAN System Design and Deployment Guide - http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_san_design_deploy.pdf

Choosing and Architecting Storage for your Environment - http://download3.vmware.com/vmworld/2006/adc0135.pdf

Vmware Infrastructure 3, HP StorageWorks best practices -http://h71019.www7.hp.com/ActiveAnswers/downloads/VMware3_StorageWorks_BestPractice.pdf

fyi...if you find this post helpful, please award points using the Helpful/Correct buttons...thanks

Message was edited by:

esiebert7625

[Dave_Mishchenko]

Typical would be creating a LUN size of 300 - 500 GB and keeping the number of VMs between 10 to 15 per LUN.

One important thing to note is that if you plan to have any VMDK files large than 256 GB then you'll need to format the partition with a block size of larger than the default of 1 MB.

[jpmfresno]

Great resources...thanks

[jpmfresno]

I'm going to create the two 500gb LUNs and go that way. Thanks