HPE Nimble Storage HF40

[Enriquef]

Hi guys,

We've implemented HPE Nimble Storage HF40 managed by VMware. Additionally, we're migrating from Exchange 2010 to Exchange 2016, these are VM machines.

We found this information: 

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Exchange 2016 Considerations > Resilient File System

Resilient File System

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 introduced the new Resilient File System (ReFS). ReFS has built-in integrity checks and error correction, is highly scalable, and supports native tier optimizations. If Exchange is deployed with ReFS, the data integrity features must be disabled. ReFS is supported only on volumes that house database files, log files, or content index files.

When ReFS data integrity features are enabled, they protect data that is stored on basic disks, or JBODs. However, HPE does not recommend using ReFS for HPE Nimble Storage arrays, which have built-in data protection and other enhancements such as adaptive flash, inline compression, replication, and deduplication.

Best Practice: ReFS is designed for JBOD deployments. HPE does not recommend using it for HPE Nimble Storage arrays.

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But, I would like to know if this information is obsolete/old because is referenced to Windows 2012. The disk is directly managed or attached to Windows Server.

On our scenario, the Nimble Storage is directly manage by VMware hosts.

My question: Can we format the VMware virtual disk in ReFS format? Because ReFS is better than NTFS to Exchange DBs & Logs. Exchange Server storage configuration options | Microsoft Learn

It's supported and recommended by HPE & VMware?

Thank you!

[Vipin_S]

When ReFS data integrity features are enabled, they protect data that is stored on basic disks, or JBODs. However, HPE does not recommend using ReFS for HPE Nimble Storage arrays, which have built-in data protection and other enhancements such as adaptive flash, inline compression, replication, and deduplication.  And it is not dependand on how the hosts connected to Nimble. So ReFS is not advised here to use

Please refer below link for more information.

https://infosight.hpe.com/InfoSight/media/cms/active/public/tmg_HPE_Nimble_Storage_Deployment_Considerations_for_Microsoft_Exchange_Server_doc_version_family.whz/aej1495211590737.html#:~:text=When%20ReFS%20data%20integrity%20features,compression%2C%20replication%2C%20and%20deduplication.

[Enriquef]

Thank you so much Vipin_S

Regards,

[Sunitha_Mod]

Hello @Enriquef,

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