I am looking to redo my current ESXI Box that I use for learning and home systems.
Please help me with some ideas.
--Purpose---
I would like to build a shared storage server for vmware that is capable of moving data at around at least 4Gbps and has the capability to service 2 hosts.
-- My Plan--
Decouple the Integrated Storage from my current ESXI Whitebox and move it to a standalone storage server
Build 1 More ESXI Host for a total of 2 for HA redundancy.
The storage Server will be at least 15 - 20 feet away from the ESXI Hosts (Laundry Room Apt Closet).
--Requirements--
1. Able to move Data at at least 4Gbps but faster is welcomed
2. Must be Directly Connected Shared Storage
3. Semi Affordable if possibly (I cant afford a $2000 FC Solution lol)
4. Quietish if possible (no loud switches or GF might beat me lol)
--Questions--
1. Does anyone know if it is possible to do Fiber Channel on the cheap (with Sata drives not FC Drives) ? Most home setups here seem to use Infiniband (which sounds great) but not sure about long cables.
I would probably skip the FC Switch and and just use Point to Point Connections for each host.
2. Can a Windows Server with Fiber Channel HBA serve up raw storage to Vmware?
3. What OS is recommended for the FC Backend if I didn't use Windows. I have used Freenas before which was great but it was not able to manage the RAID Controller I had at the Time (an Adaptec 5805).
4. If there is a recommendation besides Fiber Channel what would you recommend. I am trying to stay away from ISCI and only use directly connected solutions.
--Current Setup--
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhFarcJDQ74UdG9oQXpjZlV6Z0xLb0lMZW1oS3pjaVE
ESXI Server + Integrated Storage:
3.4 GHz Xeon 1245V2
32 GB RAM
8 3TB WD RED's
2 Intel 520 240GB
2 Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
LSI 9265-8I Raid Controller
External Storage:
Synology DS1812
8 4TB Seagate HDD (don't remember model off top of my head)
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Please help me with some ideas.
--Purpose---
I would like to build a shared storage server for vmware that is capable of moving data at around at least 4Gbps and has the capability to service 2 hosts.
-- My Plan--
Decouple the Integrated Storage from my current ESXI Whitebox and move it to a standalone storage server
Build 1 More ESXI Host for a total of 2 for HA redundancy.
The storage Server will be at least 15 - 20 feet away from the ESXI Hosts (Laundry Room Apt Closet).
--Requirements--
1. Able to move Data at at least 4Gbps but faster is welcomed
2. Must be Directly Connected Shared Storage
3. Semi Affordable if possibly (I cant afford a $2000 FC Solution lol)
4. Quietish if possible (no loud switches or GF might beat me lol)
--Questions--
1. Does anyone know if it is possible to do Fiber Channel on the cheap (with Sata drives not FC Drives) ? Most home setups here seem to use Infiniband (which sounds great) but not sure about long cables.
I would probably skip the FC Switch and and just use Point to Point Connections for each host.
2. Can a Windows Server with Fiber Channel HBA serve up raw storage to Vmware?
3. What OS is recommended for the FC Backend if I didn't use Windows. I have used Freenas before which was great but it was not able to manage the RAID Controller I had at the Time (an Adaptec 5805).
4. If there is a recommendation besides Fiber Channel what would you recommend. I am trying to stay away from ISCI and only use directly connected solutions.
--Current Setup--
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhFarcJDQ74UdG9oQXpjZlV6Z0xLb0lMZW1oS3pjaVE
ESXI Server + Integrated Storage:
3.4 GHz Xeon 1245V2
32 GB RAM
8 3TB WD RED's
2 Intel 520 240GB
2 Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
LSI 9265-8I Raid Controller
External Storage:
Synology DS1812
8 4TB Seagate HDD (don't remember model off top of my head)
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