Hello There. How much memory does VSAN ESA consumes based on one NVMe disk per host. Especially in a home lab with limited memory not running nested just a bit concerned. Thank you
This is a very interesting topic and I’m still new to all of the benefits that VMware are releasing, however, I’m having a hard time seeing the benefit from the vsan addition. As a commenter has posted before me, it requires flash drives in order to make this efficient. Personally, at home I’m running on traditional sata ssd’s which works fine but my question is how can I visualize and quantify this improvement. Are there tests on my system that can give me a baseline for speed performance before and after? If you have to have something like nvme flash drives and then put vsan on top isn’t it kind of like adding a cherry on top of a sundae? It’s already quick but just slightly quicker?
I am using NFS datastores on SSD's in my NAS or on a spinning raid 6 storage pool on the NAS (for less important stuff.) I suppose I should be doing this better, I just don't know how. Do you have a video on the basics of setting up a SAN properly? I am a VMUG advantage member.
Is it possible to upgrade to ESA, from existing OSA Configuration if the esxi nodes have already identical drives capacity and model for caching tier and capacity tier as well?
Manol, I believe it will be. VMware is sure to allow upgrades from OSA for traditional configurations. It is my understanding it will allow upgrading from existing configurations that align with the OSA. I also had confirmed it will be possible to bypass the checks for the new ESA to run this on lab hardware without 25 Gbps networking and certified hardware which will be great.
I am not sure, will there be an upgrade path for this without extracting the data completely. It really depends the low level file system it uses. If it is same (which I am nearly sure not) then it could be possible with redistribution of data. Or maybe if you have %50+ free capacity the online transition may be happen depending on your host count and requirements.
Onur, that is interesting to know. I have only played around briefly with Nutanix in a few lab scenarios. So far, it seems like VMware has been able to deliver on besting previous vSAN versions with each new release. I am keeping my fingers crossed vSAN 8 is as good in the real world as it looks on paper.
@@VirtualizationHowto The important question i've yet to find a definitive answer is how do you upgrade to vSAN 8 from previous versions ? And even if it's possible... You have different size and performance ssds and now they all live happily ever after in the same pool ? Or you're screwed buy a new "compatible" set of disks ?
@@onur6020 Hi Onur, as I read from vmware documentations, drives and some host components needs to be identical. it is not something like you can run the new ESA on any hardware (of course there will be ways to install on unsupported platforms). The reason is write mechanism is changing. that's why It requires all NVME environments. they are trying to eliminate the caching and SCSI overhead on the write and read operations. You are right about the Nutanix, but in my opinion, they are trying to make something similar to Netapp Solidfire instead of Nutanix.
It looks like it requires 25 gig connectivity and specific TLC and QLC flash devices. These will probably need to be on the hardware compatibility list. I am hoping there will be low-level ways to disable these checks to run Express Storage Architecture using unsupported hardware for home lab purposes.
@@VirtualizationHowto This is going to be hard on home lab users as 25 gig gear is still expensive. Even in the used market. I have several 25 gig SFP+ cards but the 25 gig network switches are expensive currently so can only run them at 10 gig via MikroTik switch.
Magic, thanks for the comment! I think the layer added improves performance due to the all new file system. Also, as described in the video, other processes have been moved to more efficient locations in the storage stack, like compression and encryption.
Sounds like ESA has some cool new features! I hope I get to check it out soon.
Hello There. How much memory does VSAN ESA consumes based on one NVMe disk per host. Especially in a home lab with limited memory not running nested just a bit concerned. Thank you
I have a question. Do we need a Raid Controller or card for ESA AF-2/4/6?
This is a very interesting topic and I’m still new to all of the benefits that VMware are releasing, however, I’m having a hard time seeing the benefit from the vsan addition. As a commenter has posted before me, it requires flash drives in order to make this efficient. Personally, at home I’m running on traditional sata ssd’s which works fine but my question is how can I visualize and quantify this improvement. Are there tests on my system that can give me a baseline for speed performance before and after? If you have to have something like nvme flash drives and then put vsan on top isn’t it kind of like adding a cherry on top of a sundae? It’s already quick but just slightly quicker?
@shpongle64, thank you for the comment. Create a topic over on the VHT forums here: www.virtualizationhowto.com/community and let's discuss.
I am using NFS datastores on SSD's in my NAS or on a spinning raid 6 storage pool on the NAS (for less important stuff.) I suppose I should be doing this better, I just don't know how. Do you have a video on the basics of setting up a SAN properly? I am a VMUG advantage member.
Is it possible to upgrade to ESA, from existing OSA Configuration if the esxi nodes have already identical drives capacity and model for caching tier and capacity tier as well?
Manol, I believe it will be. VMware is sure to allow upgrades from OSA for traditional configurations. It is my understanding it will allow upgrading from existing configurations that align with the OSA. I also had confirmed it will be possible to bypass the checks for the new ESA to run this on lab hardware without 25 Gbps networking and certified hardware which will be great.
There is no upgrade path ( OSA TO ESA) you will need to build out a new cluster and then migrate the workloads.
I am not sure, will there be an upgrade path for this without extracting the data completely. It really depends the low level file system it uses. If it is same (which I am nearly sure not) then it could be possible with redistribution of data. Or maybe if you have %50+ free capacity the online transition may be happen depending on your host count and requirements.
With aditional price or in Enterprise licence ;)
Michal, guessing enterprise :)
It pains me to admin that vSAN is now taking the Nutanix road. Ditching the cache drives and make all disks into both cache and capacity.
Onur, that is interesting to know. I have only played around briefly with Nutanix in a few lab scenarios. So far, it seems like VMware has been able to deliver on besting previous vSAN versions with each new release. I am keeping my fingers crossed vSAN 8 is as good in the real world as it looks on paper.
@@VirtualizationHowto The important question i've yet to find a definitive answer is how do you upgrade to vSAN 8 from previous versions ? And even if it's possible... You have different size and performance ssds and now they all live happily ever after in the same pool ? Or you're screwed buy a new "compatible" set of disks ?
@@onur6020 Hi Onur, as I read from vmware documentations, drives and some host components needs to be identical. it is not something like you can run the new ESA on any hardware (of course there will be ways to install on unsupported platforms). The reason is write mechanism is changing. that's why It requires all NVME environments. they are trying to eliminate the caching and SCSI overhead on the write and read operations. You are right about the Nutanix, but in my opinion, they are trying to make something similar to Netapp Solidfire instead of Nutanix.
Why can't it work with current hardware ???
It looks like it requires 25 gig connectivity and specific TLC and QLC flash devices. These will probably need to be on the hardware compatibility list. I am hoping there will be low-level ways to disable these checks to run Express Storage Architecture using unsupported hardware for home lab purposes.
@@VirtualizationHowto This is going to be hard on home lab users as 25 gig gear is still expensive. Even in the used market. I have several 25 gig SFP+ cards but the 25 gig network switches are expensive currently so can only run them at 10 gig via MikroTik switch.
Hey handsome
adding more layers cannot increase performance. and then intelligently used=no data when needed
Magic, thanks for the comment! I think the layer added improves performance due to the all new file system. Also, as described in the video, other processes have been moved to more efficient locations in the storage stack, like compression and encryption.