Some beginner's questions...

Software-based VM-centric and flash-friendly VM storage + free version

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sudo
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Nov 25, 2024 9:52 am

Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:02 pm

Hi everyone 👋🏻

I'm taking my first steps with Starwind vSAN on Proxmox (KVM) and followed this tutorial. Currently still far from any best practices, but for a first impression, it's enough. Later I want to build a 3-node cluster for my homelab. However, I have some questions for understanding.

I received an NFR one year license for a 2-node cluster, but since I want to rely on a 3-node system, vSAN free is probably more suitable for me. I found some different information regarding the functionality of vSAN free compared to the paid version and am a little confused.

According to the white paper and the statements here in the forum, the administration of vSAN free is only possible via Powershell.

But if I look at this landing page, it says that a Web UI and also CVM is available in KVM. Does this mean that on KVM/Linux (therefore also Proxmox) the administration and deployment VM is available and can be used even with vSAN free license?

What exactly is true or am I misunderstanding the information?

A second confusion concerns the network.

In a Proxmox cluster, besides the management network and the actual VM traffic, there is also a network for Corosync and Replication. For vSAN (apart from the Mgmt) I need a data/heartbeat and a replication network also. Now I wonder if I can combine those networks?

A replication network with the biggest bandwidth as a Linux bridge, that I share with Proxmox as well as with vSAN VM? And the same for Corosync and Data/Heartbeat?

I'm just not sure how this is best set up and would be happy, if someone had me tips or maybe even an example from practice.

Thank you in advance.

Best,
sudo
yaroslav (staff)
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Posts: 3424
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:11 am

Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:54 pm

Web UI of CVM Free restricts only LUN creation.
Now I wonder if I can combine those networks?
Strictly speaking, you cannot combine iSCSI or Sync with any type of traffic. They are also to be separate. Mixing traffic imposes performance and stability concerns for the system.
And, no teaming and VLANs please for these two.
This script can be helpful https://forums.starwindsoftware.com/vie ... NT8#p37208.
The guide covers the ProxMox part well. VSAN part might be confusing but you are welcome to ask here if you have more questions.

P.S.
received an NFR one year license for a 2-node cluster
You can reach out to the person who shared the key with you if you have technical questions.
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