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VMFS on FC as principal storage for VI Workload Domains

Contributors kevin-hoke
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In this scenario we will review how to configure a VMFS datastore with Fiber Channel (FC) as principal storage for the deployment of a VI Workload Domain in VCF. Where appropriate we will refer to external documentation for the steps that must be performed in VCF's SDDC Manager, and cover those steps that are specific to the storage configuration portion.

Benefits of Fibre Channel

High Performance: FC provides high-speed data transfer rates, making it ideal for applications requiring fast and reliable access to large amounts of data.

Low Latency: Very low latency, which is crucial for performance-sensitive applications like databases and virtualized environments.

Reliability: FC networks are known for their robustness and reliability, with features like built-in redundancy and error correction.

Dedicated Bandwidth: FC provides dedicated bandwidth for storage traffic, reducing the risk of network congestion.

For more information on using Fibre Channel with NetApp storage systems, refer to SAN Provisioning with FC.

Scenario Overview

This scenario covers the following high level steps:

  • Create a storage virtual machine (SVM) with logical interfaces (LIFs) for FC traffic.

  • Collect WWPN information of hosts to be deployed and create corresponding initiator groups on the ONTAP storage system.

  • Create an FC volume on the ONTAP storage system.

  • Map initiator groups to create FC volume

  • Utilize single initiator-target zoning on FC switches. Create one zone for each initiator (single initiator zone).

    • For each zone, include a target that is the ONTAP FC logical interface (WWPN) for the SVMs. There should be at least two logical interfaces per node per SVM. Do not use the WWPN of the physical ports.

  • Create a Network Pool for vMotion traffic in SDDC Manager.

  • Commission hosts in VCF for use in a VI Workload Domain.

  • Deploy a VI Workload Domain in VCF using an FC datastore as principal storage.

Note This solution is applicable for ONTAP platforms supporting NFS storage including NetApp AFF and FAS.

Prerequisites

The following components and configurations are used in this scenario:

  • An ONTAP AFF or ASA storage system with FC ports connected to FC switches.

  • SVM created with FC lifs.

  • vSphere with FC HBAs connected to FC switches.

  • Single initiator-target zoning is configured on FC switches.

Note NetApp recommends multipath for FC LUNs.

Deployment Steps

Management Domain - Default Cluster

FC Principal storage on initial cluster is only supported with the VCF brownfield import tool. If VCF is deployed with the cloudbuilder tool (till version 5.2.x), only VSAN is supported. Refer converting existing vSphere environment to management domain for more info.

Management Domain - Additional Cluster

The additional vSphere cluster on management domain can be deployed with following options:
* Have additional cluster in vSphere environment and use the VCF brownfield import tool to convert the vSphere environment to Management domain. ONTAP tools for VMware vSphere, System Manager or ONTAP API can be used to deploy the VMFS datastore to vSphere cluster.
* Use SDDC API to deploy additional cluster. The vSphere hosts should have the VMFS datastore configured. Use System Manager or ONTAP API to deploy LUN to vSphere hosts.
* Use SDDC Manager UI to deploy additional cluster. But this option only creates VSAN datastore till version 5.2.x.

VI Workload Domain - Default Cluster

After the management domain is up and running, VI Workload domain can be created:

  • Using SDDC Manager UI. The vSphere hosts should have the VMFS datastore configured. Use System Manager or ONTAP API to deploy LUN to vSphere hosts.

  • Import an existing vSphere environment as new VI workload domain. ONTAP tools for VMware vSphere, System Manager or ONTAP API can be used to deploy the VMFS datastore to vSphere cluster.

VI Workload Domain - Additional Cluster

Once VI workload is up and running, additional clusters can be deployed with VMFS on FC LUN using the following options.

  • Additional clusters in vSphere environment imported using VCF brownfield import tool. ONTAP tools for VMware vSphere, System Manager or ONTAP API can be used to deploy the VMFS datastore to vSphere cluster.

  • Using SDDC Manager UI or API to deploy additional cluster. The vSphere hosts should have the VMFS datastore configured. Use System Manager or ONTAP API to deploy LUN to vSphere hosts.

Additional information

For information on configuring ONTAP storage systems refer to the ONTAP 9 Documentation center.

For information on configuring VCF refer to VMware Cloud Foundation Documentation.