vSphere Storage - ESXi 5.1 - Documentation - VMware
vSphere Storage - ESXi 5.1 - Documentation - VMware
vSphere Storage - ESXi 5.1 - Documentation - VMware
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<strong>vSphere</strong> <strong>Storage</strong><br />
The device parameter is the path to the head extent device on which VMFS5 was deployed. Use the<br />
following format:<br />
/vmfs/devices/disks/disk_ID:P<br />
Understanding NFS Datastores<br />
<strong>ESXi</strong> can access a designated NFS volume located on a NAS server, mount the volume, and use it for its storage<br />
needs. You can use NFS volumes to store and boot virtual machines in the same way that you use VMFS<br />
datastores.<br />
<strong>ESXi</strong> supports the following shared storage capabilities on NFS volumes:<br />
n vMotion<br />
n <strong>VMware</strong> DRS and <strong>VMware</strong> HA<br />
n ISO images, which are presented as CD-ROMs to virtual machines<br />
n Virtual machine snapshots<br />
When you work with NFS storage, the following considerations apply:<br />
n The maximum size of NFS datastores depends on the support that an NFS server provides. <strong>ESXi</strong> does not<br />
impose any limits on the NFS datastore size.<br />
n If you use non-ASCII characters to name datastores and virtual machines, make sure that the underlying<br />
NFS server offers internationalization support. If the server does not support international characters, use<br />
only ASCII characters, otherwise unpredictable failures might occur.<br />
NFS Datastores as Repositories for Commonly Used Files<br />
In addition to storing virtual disks on NFS datastores, you can also use NFS as a central repository for ISO<br />
images, virtual machine templates, and so on.<br />
To use NFS as a shared repository, you create a directory on the NFS server and then mount it as a datastore<br />
on all hosts. If you use the datastore for ISO images, you can connect the virtual machine's CD-ROM device to<br />
an ISO file on the datastore and install a guest operating system from the ISO file.<br />
NOTE If the underlying NFS volume, on which the files are stored, is read-only, make sure that the volume is<br />
exported as a read-only share by the NFS server, or configure it as a read-only datastore on the <strong>ESXi</strong> host.<br />
Otherwise, the host considers the datastore to be read-write and might not be able to open the files.<br />
Using Layer 3 Routed Connections to Access NFS <strong>Storage</strong><br />
When you use Layer 3 (L3) routed connections to access NFS storage, consider certain requirements and<br />
restructions.<br />
Ensure that your environment meets the following requirements:<br />
n Use Cisco's Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) in IP Router. If you are using non-Cisco router, be sure<br />
to use Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) instead.<br />
n Use Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize NFS L3 traffic on networks with limited bandwidths, or on<br />
networks that experience congestion. See your router documentation for details.<br />
n Follow Routed NFS L3 best practices recommended by storage vendor. Contact your storage vendor for<br />
details.<br />
n Disable Network I/O Resource Management (NetIORM).<br />
n If you are planning to use systems with top-of-rack switches or switch-dependent I/O device partitioning,<br />
contact your system vendor for compatibility and support.<br />
158 <strong>VMware</strong>, Inc.