The following blog runs through what could be considered
to make up a complete install of an EqualLogic Array with all possible value
add software components when integrating with VMware vSphere.
The Value Add
Software Components
Below are latest software versions as of January 2013,
and these are all available from https://support.equallogic.com:
- Dell EqualLogic Multipathing Extension Module (MEM) for VMware
vSphere Version 1.1.2
- Virtual
Storage Manager (VSM) for VMware Version 3.5
- Dell EqualLogic SAN Headquarters Version 2.5
Note 1: The
HIT/VMware (or HIT/VE – Host Integration Tools) was renamed the VSM as of
Version 3.5.
Note 2: The ASM/VE
(Auto-Snapshot Manager) is now legacy - last version was 2.0.5
How to Install
the MEM for VMware vSphere 5.X
Note: Below uses
the VMware vSphere CLI method of installation. The MEM can also be installed
using VMware Update Manager or setup.pl script (see the ‘Dell EqualLogic
Multipathing Extension Module Installation and User Guide’.)
1. Download the MEM
2. Unpack the download to reveal the dell-eql-mem-esx5-1.1.2.292203.zip (do not unpack further)
3. Upload the mem…zip
to a datastore which is accessible by the VMware host(s)
Image:
dell-eql-mem-esx5-1.1.2.292203.zip uploaded to datastore1
4. (If not done already)
Download and install the VMware vSphere CLI
5. Run the DOS Command prompt as an administrator and
navigate to the vSphere CLI bin folder with:
cd C:\Program
Files (x86)\VMware\VMware vSphere CLI\bin
6. Put the host in maintenance mode
7. Run the command:
esxcli --server=vmhost01.ace.priv
software vib install --depot /vmfs/volumes/datastore1/dell-eql-mem-esx5-1.1.2.292203.zip
Enter username and password when prompted.
8. Exit the host from maintenance mode (no reboot required)
What the MEM
does
“EqualLogic MEM for
VMware vSphere enables VMware platforms to intelligently leverage EqualLogic
SAN architecture, Storage and Network usage for optimized performance for user
environments.”
How to Install
the VSM
1. Check that the vCenter
Server Managed IP address is configured (vSphere
Client > Administration > vCenter Server Settings > Runtime Settings)
2. Download the VSM appliance
3. vSphere Client
> File > Deploy OVF Template, browse to the VSM-3.5.1.179-GA.ova file
Next > Next > Accept > Accept > Next > … follow
the prompts to deploy and configure the VSM
Hostname:
Timezone Setting:
NTP Servers:
vCenter Username:
vCenter Password:
Default Gateway:
DNS:
Management Network IP Address:
Management Network Netmask:
And check ‘Power on after deployment’
4. Once the VSM has booted, check vSphere Client > Plug-ins > Plug-in Manager > and enable
the ‘com.dell.EqualLogic Virtual Storage
Manager for VMware’
Note: The VSM Plug-in
is a server-side plug-in and does not need to be installed vSphere Client
endpoints.
5. (This bit
requires Java installed!) vSphere
Client > Solutions and Applications > Dell EqualLogic Virtual Storage
Manager
Image: Dell
EqualLogic Virtual Storage Manager icon
And enter the VMware vCenter credentials.
6. From the Groups view, Add PS Series Groups…
Image: Dell
EqualLogic Virtual Storage Manager – Add PS Series Groups…
What the VSM
does
The VSM makes the life of managing EqualLogic Storage in
a VMware vSphere environment very easy. A lot of storage task can be performed
via the vSphere client, including:
Create Datastores,
Create Smart Copy, Clone, Create Smart Copy Replica, Create schedule, Start
Virtual Desktop Deployment Utility, Manage ACL policies, Configure VSM
Properties, Replication …
A right-click of the Cluster
> EqualLogic > Datastores – presents:
- Create Datastores
A right-click of a Virtual
Machine > EqualLogic > Datastores – presents:
- Create Smart Copy
- Create Schedule
- Create Smart Clone
How to Install
SAN HQ
1. Download SAN HQ
2. Double-click on the SANHQSetup32And64.exe to install (accept the prompt to install
.NET 4.0 if not already installed.) Here we ‘Install SAN HQ Server and
Client’.
Image: SAN
Headquarters – Install SAN HQ Server and Client
3. Launch Dell EqualLogic SAN Headquarters and follow the
wizard to add a new PS Series Group to SAN Headquarters for monitoring
Image: Dell
EqualLogic SAN Headquarters – Welcome to the Add Group wizard
What SAN HQ
does
“SAN Headquarters
(SAN HQ) is Dell’s management tool for consolidated performance and robust
event monitoring across multiple virtualized EqualLogic SAN groups. It gathers
and formats performance data and other vital group information for easy
viewing. With SAN HQ, you have the ability to centrally monitor alerts, obtain
historical performance reporting, do trend analysis for capacity planning and
troubleshooting.”
Final Comment
If you want to get the maximum value out of your
EqualLogic and VMware vSphere environment, don’t miss out on these recommended and
free extras!
Thanks
ReplyDeleteIn the latest version of SANHQ there is a feature called SAN Assist that should be enabled to provide better proactive service. It is included in the latest version of SANHQ.
Hi Anonymous, thank you very much for the comment. I'll certainly check out SAN Assist. Cheers!
Delete