virtuEs.IT

… sharing my IT Quests

Archive for category Storage

XenServer 5.6 FP1 – Config NIC settings & Multipathing

May 2

Posted by admin in HowTo, Hypervisors, Storage | 10 Comments


During the installation of your XenServer, you only configure basic settings for your management Network Interface Card (NIC). Further, and maybe even more complex, configuration of your NICs can be set with the XenCenter GUI or with the xe CommandLine Interface (CLI).
The xe CLI can be run locally at the command prompt of the XenServer Console within XenCenter or you can use the ex.exe, which is part of the XenCenter installation and allows and administrator to remotely manage a XenServer from the command prompt of the Windows desktop. With the CLI you can also easily script some of the common tasks to perform on a XenServer.

This post contains additional xe CLI examples that are used for NIC settings on your XenServer.

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Windows Server 2008 iscsicli.exe CommandLine Interface

Apr 6

Posted by virtuEs in HowTo, Management Tools, Scripts, Storage | 5 Comments


The easiest way to connect to you iSCSI storage LUNs from Windows Server 2008 is by using the iSCSI initiator GUI. With the GUI you can easily make a connection with your iSCSI Storage by giving the ip-address and dynamically discover the LUNs (or Volumes) it has to offer. With the Windows Server 2008 R2 Core edition, you can start the GUI with iSCSICPL.exe.
In case you do not have the option to use the GUI (Core Server or when scripting the configuration), you can use the CommandLine Interface (CLI) Windows Server 2008 has to offer by default.

The iscsicli.exe command of Windows Server 2008 allows you to use the Microsoft iSCSI initiator without the GUI. Making it the perfect tool for scripting the iSCSI connections (Hyper-V Server shared storage). If you know the ip-address of your iSCSI storage and the IQN of the LUN you want to use (though it can be found with the command), you are all set to set up the connection and use your shared storage.

 

This post offers step-by-step instructions for the iscsicli.exe command.

 
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Configure a NFS Share on the Iomega StorCenter

Mar 7

Posted by virtuEs in HomeLab, Hypervisors, Storage | 2 Comments


The only NAS experience I’ve had so far has been with a Linksys NAS, providing nothing more than SMB protocol fileshares. The SMB fileshare protocol makes the Linksys sufficient enough for file sharing in a home network but definately not a NAS device suitable for a Virtualization environment.
Obviously I needed more Storage protocol options, like NFS and iSCSI to run some real simulations. And even though I’ve read about different Virtual Storage solutions, like the Celerra VSA, I still wanted to buy new NAS hardware. Hence I decided to buy the Iomega x2-200d StorCenter, which provides iSCSI and NFS protocols as well as the (traditional) CIFS. And along with a fair price and official XenServer and VMware certified status it makes up for a great homelab NAS.

Eager to try out the many options, I started to play with the StorCenter, without setting up my entire network first (no VLANs configured so far). First up was a try-out of the NFS and iSCSI options the StorCenter has to offer.

 

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My First Homelab

Feb 28

Posted by virtuEs in * News *, Hardware, HomeLab, Hypervisors, Quests, Storage | 2 Comments


A couple of weeks ago I started my first IT Quest. Reading on numerous blogs about the homelabs most of the Virtualization Experts have installed I figured it was the first big step for me to take as well. After all a XenServer certification isn’t worth much in my opinion if you don’t get the hands on experience to really know what you are consulting about. And I’d rather not be depended on the test facilities at the clients I’m consulting.

So to keep my knowledge up-to-date and learn even more new tips and tricks, I’ve bought two whiteboxes, a NAS and a 8-port Managed Switch. All the ingredients for my First Homelab experience. (Thankfully collected from the Expert blogs I’ve read.

 

The hardware specs

I decided to use my savings for the new motorcycle (didn’t hear a complaint from my partner on that one) to buy the good stuff right away. So here’s the specs for the hardware that from now on will be known as my first Homelab.

 

The configuration of each whitebox is:

  • ASUS V Series V7-P5G43M (Towermodel)
  • 1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 / 2.66 GHz ( 1333 MHz ) – LGA775 Socket
  • 2 x OCZ Platinum Dual Channel – SDRAM – 4 GB ( 2 x 2 GB ) – 8 GB total
  • 1 x Intel PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter
  • 1 x ASUS DVD E818A6T – DVD-ROM – 18x – Serial ATA
  • 1 x WD Caviar Black WD6401AALS – 640 GB – SATA-300 – 7200 tpm -buffer: 32 MB

 

Additional Hardware:

  • 1 x Iomega StorCenter ix2-200 Network Storage – NAS – 2 TB
  • 1 x Cisco Small Business Smart Switch SLM2008 – Switch – 8 ports
  • 1 x Laptop, provided by my employer, to be used as the management console.

So I’m all good to go for the next IT Quests to come …

The following sources have be read prior to ordering my own homelab configuration:
Gabes Virtual World » My new whitebox ESX home lab
NTPRO » A VMware High-Availability Cluster at Home
Yellow Bricks » My homelab

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