3.3 Using External Storage Solutions with PlateSpin Forge

The following sections contain information to help you with the setup and configuration of external storage for PlateSpin Forge.

3.3.1 Using Forge with SAN Storage

PlateSpin Forge supports existing external storage solutions, such as Storage Area Network (SAN) implementations. Both Fibre Channel and iSCSI solutions are supported. SAN support for Fibre Channel and iSCSI HBAs allows a Forge appliance to be connected to a SAN array. You can then use SAN-array LUNs (Logical Units) to store workload data. Using Forge with a SAN improves flexibility, efficiency, and reliability.

Each SAN product has its own nuances and differences that do not migrate from one hardware manufacturer to the next. This is especially true when considering how these products connect and interact with the Forge Management VM. As such, specific configuration steps for each possible environment and context are beyond the scope of this guide.

The best place to find this type of information is from your hardware vendor or your SAN product sales representative. Many hardware vendors have support guides available describing these tasks in detail. You can find a wealth of information at the following sites:

The VMware Documentation Web site .

  • The Fibre Channel SAN Configuration Guide discusses the use of ESX Server with Fibre Channel storage area networks.

  • The iSCSI SAN Configuration Guide discusses the use of ESX Server with iSCSI storage area networks.

  • The VMware I/O Compatibility Guide lists the currently approved HBAs, HBA drivers, and driver versions.

  • The VMware Storage/SAN Compatibility Guide lists currently approved storage arrays.

  • The VMware Release Notes give information about known issues and workarounds.

  • The VMware Knowledge Bases have information on common issues and workarounds.

The following vendors provide storage products that have all been tested by VMware:

You can also learn more about iSCSI by visiting the Storage Networking Industry Association Web site at http://www.snia.org/tech_activities/ip_storage/iscsi/.

3.3.2 Adding a SAN LUN to Forge

PlateSpin Forge supports the use of Storage Area Network (SAN) storage, but before Forge can access an existing SAN, a SAN Logical Unit (LUN) needs to be added to Forge’s ESX.

  1. Set up and configure your SAN system.

  2. Access the appliance host (see Downloading the VMware Client Program).

  3. In the VMware client interface, click the root (top-level) node in the Inventory panel, then click the Configuration tab.

  4. Click the Add Storage hyperlink in the upper right.

  5. In the Add Storage Wizard, click Next until you are prompted to specify datastore information.

  6. Specify a datastore name and click Next in the subsequent wizard pages. When the wizard finishes, click Finish.

  7. Click Storage under Hardware to see the Forge datastores. The newly added SAN LUN should appear in the window.

  8. Quit the VMware client program.

In the PlateSpin Forge Web Client, the new datastore doesn’t appear until the next replication runs and the Application Host is refreshed. You can force a refresh by selecting Settings > Containers and clicking near the appliance hostname.