Alletra MP and ESXi via iSCSI

[IMPI-Ced]

Hi,

i'm trying to find some best pratices about connecting Alletra to ESXi with iSCSI. I have two Alletra nodes.

I you have docs about that i could then read by myself, but i'm unable to find such a specific doc

My question are about

   -Alletra :

      * how do i configure interface pairing (i know i have to pair each interface on controller 1 to the corresponding on controller2) ?

      * should both data interface pairs use same network or no or not important ?

      * how will synchro/fail over work between both nodes ?

   - ESXi :

      * should i put both iscsi vmk on same switch (yes if reply above was "same network") ?

  Any tip will be appriciated

thanks

Ced

[support_s]

System recommended content:

1. HPE GreenLake for Block Storage: VMware ESXi Implementation Guide | Configuring the host for a Software iSCSI connection

2. HPE GreenLake for Block Storage: VMware ESXi Implementation Guide | Setting up the switch and initiator

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[buzzsubash]

Hi,

Here is a link to a PDF file that talks about Ethernet best practices and deployment considerations. For topology, please start reading from page 12, and there are few diagrams that represents single/multiple subnet and switch configurations.

https://infosight.hpe.com/InfoSight/media/cms/active/public/HPE_Nimble_Storage_Deployment_Considerations_for_Networking.pdf

Please let me know if you have any questions.

[IMPI-Ced]

Thanks to both of you for such a quick reply, i'll take a look and tell you

Have a nice day

[IMPI-Ced]

@buzzsubash 

Hi,

i did read the 3 links... but with embedded links for other docs and me beeing curious, it was about 15 docs i read

This is really interresting and i have some info about my needs, but also some questions

Today i have two rooms, each have two switches and each will have one Alletra MP.

Switches are all connected, no problem with that and i have one subnet (vlan) dedicated to storage, only one.

What i understood (please tell me if i misunderstood) :

   - Alletra is active/passive regarding controlers

  - i'll use the scenario "one subnet two switches" for both Alletra

  - on esx i should use the same virtual switch, with port binding (it seems to be a prerequisite to have multipathing)

My remaining questions

   - docs about real-time replication of both Alletra (while navigating into GUI i found some menu pertaining to that but i'd like to read more before going forward)

  - can i avoid to use switch for this replic? I have direct fiber (20m) that goes from one room to the other. I was told by whole seller that's ok but i also read into docs that direct connect isn't supported (for initiator/target, nothing about replic)

  - port 1 & 2 are marked as iSCSI, that ok, but 3 & 4 are sometimes referred as NVMe/TCP, i thought they was for replic? (in my Alletra it is written "IP" on these interfaces.

Many thanks for your valuable help

have a nice day

Ced

[veeyarvi]

Hi Ced,

Let me try to answer the below questions. I am not sure whether you are looking for replication using FC ports or over IP.

- docs about real-time replication of both Alletra (while navigating into GUI i found some menu pertaining to that but i'd like to read more before going forward)
>>
The UI user guide has step by step instructions on Creating and managing remote copy - https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=sd00004645en_us&page=GUID-935774E8-1A97-472A-B336-8A6424F3623A.html&docLocale=en_US
If you are more familiar with CLI, please refer HPE GreenLake for Block Storage: Configuring and managing data replication using Remote Copy and the CLI -
https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=sd00002425en_us&page=GUID-8CA81634-5591-4747-B32B-C2296729D4F8.html

- can i avoid to use switch for this replic? I have direct fiber (20m) that goes from one room to the other. I was told by whole seller that's ok but i also read into docs that direct connect isn't supported (for initiator/target, nothing about replic).

>> For RCFC, direct connect is not supported as per SPOCK - https://h20272.www2.hpe.com/spock/utility/document.aspx?docurl=Shared%20Documents/hw/greenlake_block/HPE_GreenLake_for_Block_Storage_Support_Matrix.pdf&title=HPE%20GreenLake%20for%20Block%20Storage%20Support%20Matrix&user=Vivek%20R%20V page 7

- port 1 & 2 are marked as iSCSI, that ok, but 3 & 4 are sometimes referred as NVMe/TCP, i thought they was for replic? (in my Alletra it is written "IP" on these interfaces.
>> If we use the 4 port HBA in slot 4, you can use the ports 3 and 4 of the same for RCIP connectivity (while ports 1 and 2 reserved for iSCSI). The slot 4 can also be used for FC/NVMe connectivity when installed with the appropriate HBA - this may be the confusion.

Regards,

Veeyaarvi

[IMPI-Ced]

Hi Veeyaarvi,

many thanks for that, i'll go ahead and read some more docs

About protocol, i'll use iSCSI. Then can i use port 3&4 for that and connect them directly ?

Thanks and have a nice day

[veeyarvi]

Hi Ced,

The direct connectivity is only supported for FC Hosts. It is not yet supported for iSCSI and NVMe host connectivity.

Regards,

Veeyaarvi

[IMPI-Ced]

Ok, thanks for such a quick reply,

this is a bad news for me, as i was told that it would be ok, and i have fiber betwwen the two rooms that are direct

During my tests period, can i connect ports 3&4 from both Alletra directly, crossing the fiber ?

Once in production, i'll have switch to plugged it, but this will be more complicated during tests

thanks !

[veeyarvi · Accepted solution]

Hi Ced,

The ports 3 & 4 of HBA in slot 3 can be used for Remote copy over IP and can be connected directly between arrays.

Regards,

Veeyaarvi

[IMPI-Ced]

Thanks for your reply and this is good news !

I realize that my question was unclear.

I'll use iSCSI port 1&2 to "talk" with ESXi, obviously all of these connected to a switch

I'll use IP port 3&4 for RCIP using direct cabling

If all of thisis ok, that's great

thanks !

[IMPI-Ced]

Thanks to all of you for docs and advises

I'll now mark it as resolved and if needed i'll open a new thread

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @IMPI-Ced, 

We are glad to hear your concern has been addressed.