karl wrote:Hi All
I'm just about to enter the realm of VM for medium business. I'm going to start testing using Native SAN for Hyper-V and 2 nodes. I haven't even purchased the node hardware yet and thought I'd ask for some recommendations before I do.
The system will need to cater for the following VMs:
1 x DC - Windows 2012 or Windows 2008r2 (trying to make up my mind)
1 x Exchange 2010 (will be running a DAG with a site over a VPN/WAN link)
1 x SQL 2008 (very light weight box, just human resources and accounts - 8 users)
1 x File Server (company data, all excel, documents, powerpoint and the alike)
1 x Print Server and Additional light weight software
In the production environment, I'm likely to only hit 2-4TB of data. The current network is full 1Gbps switched and only 100 users.
So, what sort of hardware (main vendor such as IBM, Dell or HP please) do you guys recommend? It'll save having to buy an additional 2 switches and SAN boxes to run if it all works the way it says it does on the tin. Fingers crossed on the StarWind Hyper-V software.
Advice is very welcome
Karl,
I have sucessfully deployed, and have had very little trouble with Natve-SAN.
Overall I've been very happy with the product.
I build, and recommend Starwind Native-SAN to lots of folks. It's really a shame people just don't know this product exists.
Or they DO NOT think it's possible to get great performace with 1st Microsoft as a Storage Device, Second Hyper-V, and 3rd running with a GUI. All are wrong wrong wrong, and still wrong.
I will let you read everything but will say when I live-migrate over my 10Gig link i get at least 8Gb on the link, yes it's FAST!
I'm using a mixture of Dell, and 3rd party parts, all parts have at least a 3yr NBD, or Best effort delivery warranty.
I've had a total of 3 problems with my system, which as of last month has been in production for over a year, other than patching reboots it's set it and forget. (WOW lots of 3's in that statment).
Problems:
A. Misconfigured ISCSI, using it with Hyper-V, and it was a mess. (Starwind support fixed me up, my mistake lack of understanding).
B. Started out with RAID1, had to switch to RAID0 due to HUGE Disk Queue Length. (Once again my mistake lack of understanding).
C. A Bad memory chip from Crucial, Dell MBoard detected failed chip, I move VM's in the cluster over to good node, took server offline, swapped out with replacement from Cruical which we got in 1 day, they did advance delivery with a CC.
This project was started to improve uptime to key business applications, particular a SQL server, yes x64SQL is running VM with 32GB of RAM on the same Native-SAN, I also have 5 W2K3 Terminal servers, and mix of x32/64, the Procs, and Disk Queue Length's YAWN.
First let me start with a minor rant, then I will share with you in detail what I built.
1. There should be a dedicated forum section just for Native SAN, I've requested this from sales, and still nothing.
The reason I say this is there is no other product out that that does what Native SAN does, It's not native ISCSI,Native DAS, or VSA. It's a Hybird product, which from what I can tell in the overall market, its very unique.
My point is that Starwind created a product that has different aspects vs what you commonly see in the market space, and the discssion could be different in terms of design considerations, support, performance.
That's my rant, on with the story.
2. Support if you have made it this far, I can tell you pay for support, not that you will need it, but the Starwind build cycle is crazy.
I evaluated 5.7, and purchasesd version 5.8, and since then version 6.x has arrived followed by 8.0, only the Lord knows what happen to 7.
[IMO] They are a young-mature company not a start-up in the sense of OMG how are we going to make payroll, or pay the rent, but in the sense that we need to keep getting better, stronger, faster, to grow market share. Because we are small we need to build out a strong product set to compete, with WELL funded established players.
Last on support the product is pretty simple, which I know sounds cliche to say but it does just work. However you need to understand how you lay things out, and you need to understand especially with Native SAN, Windows, Clustering, Hyper-V, and Networking mainly ISCSI.
If you DO NOT have a clear understanding of these products, or features STOP now, do not pass go.
Calmly pickup the phone, SCREAM this is why I want Linux, no I'm just kidding!
Really my advice is to find a resource, and get educated about the products or features, and have them help you select h/w based on what they need to operate. There is TONS of stuff on Microsoft's site, Starwind, and Microsoft MVP sites.
Why do I say this, as I mentioned before Starwind is not a HUGE company, they have a very small focus from a support aspect.
Mainly is Starwind service running, is ISCSI function, and that's about it.
They are not your Windows / Hyper-V troubleshooters, if you misconfigure your cluster, or Live Migration etc...you are out of luck.
Because they will ask, and in their defense is Starwind running, YES, do you have ISCSI targets YES, well we have provided the service / function you wanted, your misconfigured Os/Hypervisor falls on you.
So bottom line understand all aspects of the design so you ensure a good implementation. Do not lose sleep over should I have used Dynamic memory, some of that tweeking, will happen as you build out your VM farm.
3. H/W specs I will share with you the parts I used, and what I would change if I could do it all over.
Below are the specs, what I basically ended up with was the following.
1. x2 Dell r720.
2. x6 Seagate 3TB 6gb/sec SATA (RAID0).
3. x24 8GB RAM I think a CL=9 rating.
4. x1 H2K8R2 (Free Non-Gui).
5. x1 W2K8R2 (GUI) w Hyper-V installed.
6. All Intel Network adapters.
8. DRAC-7 Remote Access Card.
7. Cat 6 cables for 10 GIG connections.
8. 3yr 5x10 NBD Support from Dell.
9. RAID controller with Battery backup.
10. Yes I purchased NON-DELL memory, and HD for prodcution to save $$$$.
Do overs:
1. First build was RAID 1 "mirroring was too slow".
Per Starwind support we had to rebuild into RAID 0 or 10. We did 0 because boss was not buying anymore drives, was like HA/FT go.
2. Would get Sdcard for Drac-7 so you can store ISO images.
3. Would go with a pair of SSD for some performance "luns".
4. Would build smaller Luns not one giant roughly 2TB lun, sync is WAAAAYY to long.
5. Would rebuild everything using Paid-GUI version of Windows, Free does work in the non-gui working on Intel networking is a pain.
Also the VOSE license becomes an issue with as you get x2 VOSE included in 2012 STD, Free you don't have any rights to load a Microsoft VM unless you purchase a VOSE, or Windows 2012 license. Which in the case of trying to purchae VOSE license, Microsoft basically is being well Microsoft.
Dell R720:
3 yrs - 5x10 NBD Support
Intel Ethernet I350 DP 1Gb Server Adapter
Intel Ethernet X540 DP 10GBASE-T Server Adapter
iDRAC7 Enterprise
Intel Ethernet X540 DP 10Gb BT + I350 1Gb BT DP Network Daughter Card
PERC H710 Integrated RAID Controller, 512MB NV Cache
Intel Xeon E5-2620 2.00GHz, 15M Cache, 7.2GT/s QPI, Turbo, 6C, 95W, Max Mem 1333MHz
4GB RDIMM, 1600 MHz, Standard Volt, Dual Rank, x8
DVD+/-RW, SATA, INTERNAL
Dual, Hot-plug, Redundant Power Supply (1+1), 750W
Power Cord, NEMA 5-15P to C13, 15 amp, wall plug
DECLINED CRITICAL BUSINESS SERVER OR STORAGE SOFTWARE SUPPORT PACKAGE-CALL
3rd Party add-ons:
Crucial Memory 8 CL=9 GIG Sticks Total RAM = 192GB
Seagate Constellation ES.2 QTY=3 (3TB Drives, with RAID0 = 3TB Useable)
At this point being my first posted I'm exhusted and wait to answer any questions.
BTW I use Veeam for backing up the FARM it's another product that just works.
Shout out to:
Max
Joe
Jack
Anatoly
Richard
Jason M (No longer there)
Go Vikes!
