Wednesday 25 July 2012

Using a Netgear ReadyNAS as a datastore for ESX/I

Using a Netgear ReadyNAS as a datastore for ESX/I



There are two methods of connecting the ReadyNAS via ESX to use as a datastore. First, we are going to show how-to using the NFS protocol. Then, will we show connecting via iSCSI as well.

Method 1 : ReadyNAS NFS share as a Datastore
Method 2 : ReadyNAS iSCSI target as a Datastore



Method 1 : ReadyNAS NFS share as a Datastore

FrontView: Enabling the NFS protocol

  • Go to the Services->Standard File Protocols tab.
  • Enable NFS by clicking the check-box beside it, then clicking Apply.
 

FrontView: Enable NFS for the share

  • Go to the Shares->Share Listing tab.
  • Click on the NFS icon beside the share you will be using (‘esx’ in our case).
  • Be sure Read/Write access is enabled, clicking Apply if needed.
  • Additional security settings can be applied here, such as root privilege.


vSphere: Add the new NFS datastore

  • Open up the vSphere client.
  • Navigate to the Configuration tab, and select the Storage option under the Hardware section.
  • Click on Add Storage in the upper-right corner.
  
  • For Storage Type, select the Network File System option. Click Next.
  • Fill in your ReadyNAS details; IP/Hostname, Share Name.
  • Choose a name for your datastore to be referenced in ESX. Click Next.
  • The next page will display the summary. If everything looks good, click Finish.
  • If no errors occurred (invalid hostname/share, permissions), you should now see your ReadyNAS share displayed in the vSphere client.

 

vSphere: Using the new datastore

  • Now that the ReadyNAS is connected to your ESX server, you can now create new Virtual Machines, and store their files directly on the ReadyNAS!

Method 2 : ReadyNAS iSCSI target as a Datastore

FrontView: Enabling the iSCSI service

  • Go to the Volumes->Volume Settings tab.
  • Click on the iSCSI tab.
  • Select the checkbox for Enable iSCSI support if it is not already enabled, then click Apply.

 

FrontView: Create an iSCSI target

  • On the same iSCSI tab, click the Create iSCSI Target button.
  • Enter a target name and capacity (‘test’ in our case, with a capacity of 5GB).
  • When finished, click Apply and wait for the target to be created.

  • Additional security settings can be applied here, such as CHAP authentication (username/password auth) and IQN access control lists (required for Persistent Reservations).

 

vSphere: Configure iSCSI HBA

  • Open up the vSphere client.
  • Navigate to the Configuration tab, and select the Storage Adapters option under the Hardware section.
  • Select the iSCSI Software Adapter (vmhba33 in our case), then click the Properties button in the section below.
  • In the Properties window, click on Configure, then select the checkbox to Enable the service. Click OK.
  • In the same Properties window, select the Dynamic Discovery tab.
  • Click the Add button, and type in the IP/hostname of your ReadyNAS.
  • Fill in any CHAP information here if specified, then click OK, Close.
 
  • The server will then ask you to rescan the bus, select Yes.
  • If no errors occurred, you should now see your ReadyNAS iSCSI targets displayed in the vSphere client.

 

vSphere: Add the new iSCSI datastore

  • Now that the ESX server can talk to the ReadyNAS iSCSI target, we will create a datastore on the target.
  • Navigate to the Configuration tab, and select the Storage option under the Hardware section.
  • Click on Add Storage in the upper-right corner.
  • For Storage Type, select the Network File System option. Click Next.
  • Select the recently created target. Click Next.
  • This next page reviews the target layout. Click Next.
  • Enter a name for the datastore. Click Next.
  • This next page lets you select the formatted block size, here we will leave the defaults. Click Next.
  • You are now shown a review confirmation page. Click Finish if everything looks good.


vSphere: Using the new datastore

  • Now that the ReadyNAS is connected to your ESX server, you can now create new Virtual Machines, and store their files directly on the ReadyNAS!

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