Virtual SAN (vSAN) is a software-defined storage solution that simplifies storage management for virtualized environments. vSAN allows for the pooling of storage resources from multiple servers into a single shared datastore, providing high-performance storage for virtual machines. Before deploying vSAN, there are several prerequisites that need to be met to ensure a successful deployment. In this blog, we will discuss these prerequisites in detail.
Hardware Compatibility
Before deploying vSAN, it is important to ensure that your hardware is compatible. VMware maintains a Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) that lists all of the hardware components that have been certified to work with vSAN. This includes the storage controllers, network adapters, and disks that will be used to create the vSAN datastore. It is important to check the HCL to ensure that all of your hardware components are compatible with vSAN.
Network Requirements
vSAN requires a dedicated network for communication between the hosts in the vSAN cluster. This network is used for vSAN traffic, such as data replication and synchronization. It is important to have a reliable network with sufficient bandwidth to ensure optimal performance. The network must also support multicast traffic, as this is used for vSAN cluster communication.
Storage Controller Configuration
The storage controller is a critical component of the vSAN deployment, as it is responsible for managing the physical disks that will be used to create the vSAN datastore. Before deploying vSAN, it is important to configure the storage controller correctly. This includes configuring the RAID level, disabling any non-essential features, and setting the cache mode to write-through.
Disk Groups
vSAN uses disk groups to pool the storage resources from multiple disks into a single shared datastore. Each disk group consists of one cache device and one or more capacity devices. The cache device is used to store frequently accessed data, while the capacity devices are used to store less frequently accessed data. It is important to configure the disk groups correctly to ensure optimal performance.
Licensing
vSAN is a licensed product, and a license key must be obtained before deploying vSAN. There are several different license options available, including Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise. The license key must be applied to each host in the vSAN cluster to enable vSAN functionality.
Host Configuration
Before deploying vSAN, each host in the vSAN cluster must be configured correctly. This includes configuring the network settings, configuring the storage controller, and configuring the disk groups. Each host must also have sufficient resources, including CPU, memory, and network bandwidth, to support the vSAN workload.
vSphere Configuration
vSAN is a component of VMware vSphere, and it must be configured correctly within the vSphere environment. This includes configuring the vSAN cluster, configuring the vSAN datastore, and configuring any necessary storage policies. It is important to follow best practices when configuring vSAN to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Conclusion
vSAN is a powerful storage solution that can simplify storage management for virtualized environments. Before deploying vSAN, it is important to ensure that all of the prerequisites are met. This includes hardware compatibility, network requirements, storage controller configuration, disk group configuration, licensing, host configuration, and vSphere configuration. By meeting these prerequisites, you can ensure a successful vSAN deployment that provides high-performance storage for your virtual machines.