4 replies to this topic

[dr_timoon]

can i make San storage virtual in vmware ?
is this supported in vmware for any version ?
or it's not possible to emulate san storage in vmware and not supported ?

[Haytsches]

Yes you can make a Virtual SAN in VMWARE
Yes it is Supported - but only for TESTING PURPOSES
You can Browse Vmware Market Place for a Virtual Appliance Template to Deploy
ESX boot from SAN will not be possible!

[dr_timoon]

thanks man for the info
and for your explanation
i try a different way and it's work for me
your steps it's themas that work in Vmware Esxi
and i have for now vmware workstation
here is my way to emulate san storage environment

run the next comands in command prompt where you install vmware
cd "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Server"
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -c -s 1Gb -a lsilogic -t 4 E:\cluster_data_share\Disk1.vmdk
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -c -s 1Gb -a lsilogic -t 4 E:\cluster_data_share\Disk2.vmdk
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -c -s 1Gb -a lsilogic -t 4 E:\cluster_data_share\Disk3.vmdk

where 1GB the Size of your Hard Disk
and this Path " E:\cluster_data_share\Disk1.vmdk"
where you will save the storage and the Disks

now the final steps adding the new hard disks
in vmware in the OS add a new hardware (edit virtual machine setting)
add hard disk
and choice use an existing virtual disk
locate the vmdk file
and in the mode
choice Independence
and finally keep the existing format

now open your vmware windows and see in the computer management
you will see that your new add Disks

Enjoy it

[gokulagiridaran]

Hi Bro, where you able to share the disks between two VM's?

thanks man for the info
and for your explanation
i try a different way and it's work for me
your steps it's themas that work in Vmware Esxi
and i have for now vmware workstation
here is my way to emulate san storage environment

run the next comands in command prompt where you install vmware
cd "C:\Program Files\VMware\VMware Server"
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -c -s 1Gb -a lsilogic -t 4 E:\cluster_data_share\Disk1.vmdk
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -c -s 1Gb -a lsilogic -t 4 E:\cluster_data_share\Disk2.vmdk
vmware-vdiskmanager.exe -c -s 1Gb -a lsilogic -t 4 E:\cluster_data_share\Disk3.vmdk

where 1GB the Size of your Hard Disk
and this Path " E:\cluster_data_share\Disk1.vmdk"
where you will save the storage and the Disks

now the final steps adding the new hard disks
in vmware in the OS add a new hardware (edit virtual machine setting)
add hard disk
and choice use an existing virtual disk
locate the vmdk file
and in the mode
choice Independence
and finally keep the existing format

now open your vmware windows and see in the computer management
you will see that your new add Disks

Enjoy it

[Vexpert]

once any kind of virtual san is setup in vmware , setup the datastore in property of each esx host with proper iqn number or you can even use a iscsi initiator on your windows VM to access the store directly.

I will go for freeNAS or ontap emulation as centralized storage for study purpose