iSCSI SAN Configuration Guide Update 2 and later for ESX Server 3.5, ESX Server 3i version 3.5, VirtualCenter 2.5 iSCSI SAN Configuration Guide iSCSI SAN Configuration Guide Revision: 20090313 Item: EN-000035-01 You can find the most up-to-date technical documentation on our Web site at: http://www.vmware.com/support/ The VMware Web site also provides the latest product updates. If you have comments about this documentation, submit your feedback to:
[email protected] © 2007–2009 VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws. VMware products are covered by one or more patents listed at http://www.vmware.com/go/patents. VMware, the VMware “boxes” logo and design, Virtual SMP and VMotion are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. VMware, Inc. 3401 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 www.vmware.com 2 VMware, Inc. Contents About This Book 7 1 Using ESX Server with a Storage Area Network 11 Understanding Virtualization 12 Network Virtualization 12 Storage Virtualization 12 Storage Area Network Concepts 15 Ports 16 Multipathing and Path Failover 17 Storage System Types 17 Target Compared to LUN Representations 17 iSCSI Naming Conventions 19 Overview of Using ESX Server with a SAN 20 Benefits of Using ESX Server with a SAN 20 Use Cases 21 Finding SAN Configuration Information 21 Basics of Using SAN Storage Systems with an ESX Server 22 Network Configuration and Authentication 22 Sharing a VMFS Across ESX Servers 22 Metadata Updates 24 Volume Display and Rescan 24 Levels of Indirection 24 Data Access: VMFS or RDM 25 Third‐Party Management Applications 26 Discovery, Authentication, and Access Control 26 Error Correction 27 Understanding VMFS and SAN Storage Choices 27 Choosing Larger or Smaller LUNs 27 Making LUN Decisions 28 Tips for Making LUN Decisions 29 VMware, Inc.