Powerpath VE required or not

Question

Hi All,

We've a ESXi 4.1 hosts in our environment we intend to purchase VNX for block through iSCSi. What we need to understand is Powerpath VE required on ESXi? also i believe we dont need Powerpath to be installed on VM's ?Do we really need to purchase it, if yes what are the advantages?

Appreciate all inputs.

regards,

Samir

Storagesavvy · Accepted Answer

No software needs to be installed on ESX in order to connect to VNX or CLARiiON. There are optional components that enhance the manageability of the solution though. ESX even has built-in ability to self-register with CLARiiON and VNX storage arrays. The basic requirement is that the ESX host can see the storage (connected and zoned as necessary) and the LUNs are masked to the host (Storage Groups in Unisphere).

-Virtual Storage Integrator provides visibility of EMC storage from the vSphere level (free download from Powerlink)

-PowerPath/VE enhances ESX/EMC enviroments by providing adaptive load balancing of paths to the storage (requires a license)

-VMWare Site Recovery Manager SRAs are available if you are replicating data array-to-array and using VMWare SRM for DR

sasamir1 · Answer

We've in total 4 esxi hosts

kenn2347 · Answer

You dont install Powerpath inside a VM.

I dont think Powerpath is required. You still can use the native failover policies and it will work fine. PowerPath/VE just gives you somea dded functionality.

CXGuru1 · Answer

Hello,

Do you have different option, if you want perfomance and I/O load balance and convert your array active - active you need power path and ALUA (ESXi Round Robin) and avoid Lun thrasing in the futher. If you attach ESX host to VNX without power path is support but you need in ESX path policy set MRU. But i recommend use power path and VSI (Virtual storage Integrator) on the ESX can you admin and see more option from storage side.

sasamir1 · Answer

Thanks Kenn and CXguru. Is there are any reference guides or recommendations on using PP/VE on ESX or ESXi as a reference? regards, Samir

dynamox · Answer

http://www.emc.com/collateral/software/white-papers/h6533-performance-optimization-vmware-powerpath-ve-wp.pdf

http://www.emc.com/collateral/software/white-papers/h6340-powerpath-ve-for-vmware-vsphere-wp.pdf

Storagesavvy · Answer

Correct.. A couple points..

PowerPath/VE is only supported on ESX 4.x and higher. ESX 3.5 does not support PPVE.

PowerPath/VE is installed on the ESX host, no version of PowerPath is installed in the guest.

PowerPath/VE is NOT required but can/will increase overall performance of the VMWare environment vs. MRU, Fixed, RoundRobin policies.

With ESX 4.1 and Clariion/VNX systems running recent versions of FLARE, you can use ALUA (mode 4) and RoundRobin to some level of load balancing.

Without PPVE - If a single path is overloaded and latency increases, RoundRobin will not redirect IO’s to alternate paths, and all IO will be affected. With PPVE – PowerPath load balances IO across multiple paths and redirects IO away from paths that are overloaded.

PowerPath/VE improves overall utilization of the VMWare Host HBAs and Storage array front end ports and simplifies path management since it’s all automatic.

The EMC VSI plug in is fantastic and free so you should always install it. VSI can help manage paths and is aware of PowerPath/VE when installed.

sasamir1 · Answer

Thanks Richard and Dynamox. Richard, Any reference white paper from you abstracted such good information? Also any additional benefits on PP/VE with vCenter? regards, Samir

kelleg · Answer

If you're planning on using iSCSI, be sure to check out Primus emc245445 for best practices when using iSCSI. Also, see Primus emc254967 for information about the ESX host agent - there is a section just for VMware.

glen

sasamir1 · Answer

Hi All, A basic question what all components are required to be installed on ESX 4.x for connectivity to VNX5300? regards, Samir

kelleg · Answer

Please remember to mark the question as Answered when you get the correct or best answer. Also, please award points to the person providing the best answer. glen

sasamir1 · Answer

Thanks All.

CLARiiON

Powerpath VE required or not

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