ISCSI With VMware ESXi And Pure Storage FlashArray

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iSCSI with VMware ESXi and Pure Storage FlashArray: A Comprehensive Guide

Hey everyone, let's dive into setting up iSCSI with VMware ESXi and the awesome Pure Storage FlashArray! This guide will walk you through the entire process, from the initial setup to ensuring everything runs smoothly. We'll cover all the essential steps and configurations to get your virtual machines up and running with high-performance storage. Whether you're a seasoned IT pro or just starting with virtualization, this article is designed to help you get the most out of your setup. So, grab a coffee, and let's get started!

Understanding iSCSI and Its Benefits

First things first, what exactly is iSCSI, and why should you care? iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface) is a network storage protocol that allows you to connect servers to storage devices over a standard Ethernet network. Basically, it lets your ESXi hosts treat storage on a remote array, like the FlashArray, as if it were local storage. This is super useful because it provides a flexible and scalable way to manage your storage resources, and it allows for centralized storage management.

Here are some of the key benefits of using iSCSI:

  • Cost-Effectiveness: You can leverage your existing network infrastructure, which can be more cost-effective than investing in a dedicated storage network (like Fibre Channel).
  • Scalability: Easily add more storage capacity as your needs grow. Just provision more LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) on your FlashArray.
  • Centralized Management: Manage all your storage from a single interface, making it easier to administer and monitor your storage environment.
  • High Performance: With the right configuration and a fast storage array like the FlashArray, iSCSI can deliver excellent performance.

Why Choose Pure Storage FlashArray?

The Pure Storage FlashArray is a fantastic choice for iSCSI storage. It's designed for speed, reliability, and ease of use. It offers:

  • High Performance: FlashArray delivers exceptional performance, with very low latency, which is perfect for virtualized environments.
  • Simplified Management: The FlashArray's management interface is intuitive and easy to use, making storage administration a breeze.
  • Data Reduction: Pure Storage offers impressive data reduction capabilities, including deduplication and compression, which can significantly reduce your storage costs.
  • Resilience: Built-in redundancy and high availability ensure that your data is always accessible.

Okay, now that you've got a grasp of what iSCSI is and why you might want to use a FlashArray, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of the setup process.

Prerequisites and Planning

Before you start, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

  • VMware ESXi Host: You'll need a VMware ESXi host that is properly installed and configured. Make sure it's running a supported version of ESXi.
  • Network Configuration: You need to plan your network configuration. This includes:
    • Dedicated VLAN (recommended) or a separate subnet for iSCSI traffic to isolate it from your general network traffic and optimize performance. If you choose to use a dedicated VLAN, make sure it is configured correctly on your switches.
    • IP addresses: You'll need static IP addresses for your ESXi host's VMkernel adapter, the FlashArray's iSCSI ports, and the iSCSI targets.
  • Pure Storage FlashArray: You'll need a Pure Storage FlashArray that is set up and accessible on your network. Ensure you have the necessary credentials to access the FlashArray's management interface.
  • Storage Capacity: Determine the amount of storage you need and plan for future growth. Create the necessary volumes (LUNs) on your FlashArray based on your requirements.

Step-by-step planning

  1. Network Design: Decide on your network topology. Will you use a dedicated VLAN for iSCSI? If so, configure the VLAN on your switches.
  2. IP Address Planning: Assign static IP addresses to your ESXi host's VMkernel adapter, the FlashArray's iSCSI ports, and the iSCSI targets.
  3. FlashArray Configuration: Log in to the FlashArray's management interface and create the necessary volumes (LUNs) to be presented to your ESXi hosts. Make note of the iSCSI target names (IQNs) and IP addresses.
  4. ESXi Host Configuration: Configure the iSCSI initiator on your ESXi host to connect to the FlashArray.
  5. Testing and Verification: After the setup, test the connection and verify that your ESXi host can see and access the storage from the FlashArray. Perform some basic read/write tests to ensure everything is working as expected.

With these prerequisites and planning steps in place, you're well-prepared to move on to the actual setup process.

Configuring the Pure Storage FlashArray for iSCSI

Let's get the FlashArray ready to serve up some storage. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the FlashArray's firmware version, but the general process remains the same. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Access the FlashArray Management Interface: Log in to the FlashArray's web-based management interface using your credentials. This is usually done through a web browser.
  2. Create a Host: In the FlashArray interface, create a host object to represent your ESXi host. Give it a descriptive name. Associate the host with the iSCSI initiator IQN from your ESXi host. If you have multiple ESXi hosts, create a host object for each.
  3. Create Volumes (LUNs): Create the volumes (LUNs) that will be used for your virtual machines. Specify the size of each volume according to your storage requirements. Consider using thin provisioning to optimize storage utilization.
  4. Create a Host Group: If you have multiple ESXi hosts, create a host group and add the host objects you created in the previous step. Host groups simplify the management of LUN access.
  5. Map Volumes to the Host/Host Group: Map the volumes to your ESXi host or host group. This makes the volumes accessible to the host. Select the volumes you created and assign them to the appropriate host or host group.
  6. Verify the Configuration: Double-check all settings to ensure they're correct. Make sure the iSCSI target IP addresses are correct and that the volumes are mapped to the correct hosts.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your FlashArray is ready to provide storage to your ESXi host. Now, let’s move on to configuring the ESXi side.

Configuring the VMware ESXi Host for iSCSI

Now, let's get your VMware ESXi host talking to the FlashArray. This is where we'll set up the iSCSI initiator.

  1. Access the ESXi Host Client: Log in to your ESXi host using the VMware Host Client. You can access it through a web browser by entering the IP address or hostname of your ESXi host.
  2. Configure Networking: If you are using a dedicated VLAN, ensure that the appropriate VLAN is configured on the vSwitch or virtual distributed switch (vDS) that you will be using for iSCSI traffic. Create a VMkernel port for iSCSI traffic. Go to the “Networking” section and create a new VMkernel adapter. Select “iSCSI” as the service. Configure the adapter with a static IP address on the same subnet as your FlashArray's iSCSI ports. Note the IP address and the vmk port number; you’ll need these later.
  3. Configure the iSCSI Software Adapter: Go to the “Storage” section in the Host Client, then select “Adapters.” You should see the “iSCSI Software Adapter.” If it’s not there, you might need to enable it. Click on “Configure iSCSI.”
  4. Enable the iSCSI Initiator: Click on “Enabled” to enable the iSCSI initiator. If prompted, confirm the change. In the “Dynamic Discovery” tab, enter the IP address of the FlashArray's iSCSI target. Click on “Add” to add the target.
  5. Configure iSCSI Initiator Settings: Under the “iSCSI Initiator Details,” you can configure advanced settings such as authentication (CHAP) if you desire. Be sure to align these with your FlashArray’s settings. Under “Network Configuration,” ensure that your VMkernel adapter is correctly selected.
  6. Rescan Storage Adapters: Once you've configured the iSCSI adapter, click on “Rescan” in the “Storage Adapters” section. This will scan for new storage devices connected through iSCSI.
  7. Verify the Connected Storage: Go to the “Storage Devices” section. You should see the LUNs (volumes) you created on the FlashArray listed there. This confirms that your ESXi host can see the storage.

With these steps completed, your ESXi host should now be connected to the FlashArray via iSCSI, and you should be able to see the available storage resources. Now you can create datastores and start using the storage for your virtual machines.

Creating Datastores and Virtual Machines

Now that you've got your ESXi host connected to the FlashArray and can see the storage, it's time to create datastores and get those virtual machines running!

  1. Create a Datastore: In the Host Client, go to the “Storage” section, and click on “New Datastore.” Select “VMFS” as the datastore type. Give your datastore a name and select the LUN (volume) you want to use. You can also specify the datastore's capacity and format. The wizard will guide you through the process.
  2. Create Virtual Machines: Now, you can deploy your virtual machines on the newly created datastore. Go to the “Virtual Machines” section and click “Create / Register VM.” Follow the prompts to create a new VM. Select the datastore you created earlier to store the VM's virtual disks. Choose your desired operating system, resource allocation, and networking configuration.
  3. Install the Operating System: After creating the VM, install the operating system. You can upload an ISO image or connect to an installation media source.
  4. Configure and Test the VM: Once the OS is installed, configure the VM according to your needs. Test the VM by installing applications, transferring data, and performing other tasks to ensure everything is working correctly.

Optimization Tips

  • Multipathing: Enable multipathing to provide redundancy and improve performance. Use the appropriate path selection policy (PSP) for your environment. Pure Storage typically recommends the Round Robin path selection policy.
  • Jumbo Frames: Consider enabling jumbo frames (MTU 9000) on your network and the iSCSI VMkernel adapter to increase the payload size, potentially improving performance. Ensure that jumbo frames are supported and configured end-to-end on your network devices.
  • Storage vMotion: Utilize Storage vMotion to move virtual machine storage between datastores without downtime.
  • Monitoring: Monitor the performance of your iSCSI connection, datastores, and VMs using the vSphere Client. Keep an eye on latency, throughput, and other metrics.
  • Regular Updates: Regularly update your ESXi host and Pure Storage FlashArray firmware to benefit from the latest features, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful planning and setup, you might run into some issues. Here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them.

  • Connectivity Issues: If your ESXi host can't connect to the FlashArray, check the following:
    • Network Connectivity: Verify that the ESXi host can ping the FlashArray's iSCSI IP addresses. Check the network configuration on both sides.
    • Firewall Rules: Ensure that there are no firewall rules blocking iSCSI traffic (port 3260).
    • iSCSI Configuration: Double-check the iSCSI initiator settings on the ESXi host and the target settings on the FlashArray.
  • Storage Not Visible: If you can't see the storage (LUNs) on your ESXi host:
    • LUN Mapping: Make sure the LUNs are mapped to the correct host or host group on the FlashArray.
    • Rescan: Rescan the storage adapters on your ESXi host after making changes to the FlashArray configuration.
    • Multipathing: If you're using multipathing, ensure that it's configured correctly and that all paths are active.
  • Performance Issues: If you experience poor performance:
    • Latency: Check the latency on your iSCSI connection. High latency can indicate network congestion or storage bottlenecks.
    • Throughput: Measure the throughput of your storage. You might need to optimize your network configuration or the FlashArray settings.
    • Queue Depth: Adjust the queue depth settings on your ESXi host and the FlashArray to optimize performance. Experiment with different settings to find the best configuration for your workload.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

  • Logs: Check the logs on both the ESXi host and the FlashArray for any error messages or warnings that can help you diagnose the problem.
  • Network Monitoring: Use network monitoring tools to analyze the iSCSI traffic and identify any potential bottlenecks or performance issues.
  • Contact Support: If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to contact VMware or Pure Storage support for assistance.

Conclusion

Setting up iSCSI with VMware ESXi and the Pure Storage FlashArray is a powerful way to provide high-performance, scalable storage for your virtualized environment. By following these steps and best practices, you can create a reliable and efficient storage solution. Remember to carefully plan your configuration, monitor your performance, and troubleshoot any issues that arise. You'll be well on your way to maximizing the benefits of virtualization. Good luck, and happy virtualizing!

This comprehensive guide should help you get started with your iSCSI setup. If you run into any snags or have further questions, feel free to ask. Cheers!