FalconStor Network Storage Server Virtual Appliance (NSSVA) User Guide

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2 FalconStor Network Storage Server Virtual Appliance (NSSVA) User Guide FalconStor Software, Inc. 2 Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 2S01 Melville, NY Phone: Fax: Web site: Copyright FalconStor Software. All Rights Reserved. FalconStor Software, IPStor, TimeView, and TimeMark are either registered trademarks or trademarks of FalconStor Software, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. FalconStor Software reserves the right to make changes in the information contained in this publication without prior notice. The reader should in all cases consult FalconStor Software to determine whether any such changes have been made. This product is protected by United States Patents Nos. 7,093,127 B2; 6,715,098; 7,058,788 B2; 7,330,960 B2; 7,165,145 B2 ;7,155,585 B2; 7.231,502 B2; 7,469,337; 7,467,259; 7,418,416 B2; 7,406,575 B2, and additional patents pending." 51010

3 NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide Contents Introduction Components Benefits Hardware/software requirements NSSVA Specification and requirement summary Virtual machine configuration: Supported Disk Configuration NSSVA Configuration ESX server deployment planning About this document Knowledge requirements Install NSS Virtual Appliance Installation for VMware virtual infrastructure Installing NSSVA via the installation script Installing NSSVA via Virtual Appliance Import from a downloaded zip file Installing the Snapshot Director on the ESX console server Installing SAN client software on virtual host machines Installing Snapshot Agents on virtual host machines NSS Virtual Appliance configuration Basic system environment configuration Configuration and Management Installing and using the FalconStor Management console Account Management Connect to the virtual appliance Add License Keycode Register keycodes Add virtual disks for data storage Add the new virtual disk Add the new device to the storage pool Create a SAN Client for VMware ESX server Assign the SAN resource to VMware ESX server Assign the same SAN resource to two VMware ESX server Enable VMDirectPath I/O in vsphere v Enable the VMDirectPath Option Configure a virtual machine to use a passthrough VMDirectPath PCI device/port.32 Modify a FalconStor Virtual Appliance (for ESX 3.5) to load VMware Drivers Modify a FalconStor Virtual Appliance (for ESX 3.5) to load the NIC/HBA driver..35 NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide i

4 Contents High Availability FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance High Availability (HA) solution Configuring the NSS Virtual Appliance Cross-Mirror failover Power Control for VMware ESX server Launching the power control utility Check Failover status After failover Manual recovery Auto recovery Fix a failed server Recover from a cross-mirror failure Re-synchronize Cross mirror on a virtual appliance Check resources and swap if possible Verify and repair a cross mirror configuration Modify failover configuration Make changes to the servers in your failover configuration Start/stop failover or recovery Force a takeover by a secondary server Manually initiate a recovery to your primary server Suspend/resume failover Remove a failover configuration Replication Overview Replication configuration Requirements Setup Create a Continuous Replication Resource Check replication status Replication tab Event Log Replication object Replication performance Set global replication options Tune replication parameters Assign clients to the replica disk Switch clients to the replica disk when the primary disk fails Recreate your original replication configuration Use TimeMark/TimeView to recover files from your replica Change your replication configuration options Suspend/resume replication schedule Stop a replication in progress Manually start the replication process Reverse a replication configuration Reverse a replica when the primary is not available Forceful role reversal Relocate a replica NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide ii

5 Contents Remove a replication configuration Expand the size of the primary disk Replication with other NSS features Replication and TimeMark Replication and Failover Replication and Mirroring Replication and Thin Provisioning Troubleshooting NSS Virtual Appliance settings Checking the resource reservation Checking the virtual Network Adapter setting Optimizing SCSI software initiator performance Optimizing performance when using a virtual disk on a NSSVA for iscsi devices.82 Resolving slow performance on the Dell PERC6i Cross-mirror failover Appendix A - Checklist A. VMware ESX Server system configuration B. NSS Virtual Appliance system information C. Network Configuration D. Storage Configuration Index NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide iii

6 NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide Introduction FalconStor Network Storage Server Virtual Appliance (NSSVA) for VMware Infrastructure 3 and 4 is a pre-configured, production-ready virtual machine that delivers high speed iscsi and virtualization storage service through VMware s virtual appliance architecture. It provides enterprise-class data protection features including application-aware, space-efficient snapshot technology that can maintain up to 64 point-in-time copies of each volume. The FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance can also be used as a costeffective virtual iscsi SAN solution by creating a virtual SAN on a VMware ESX server and turning internal disk resources into a shareable pool of storage. If the FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance is deployed on a single VMware ESX server, that server can share storage resources with other servers in the environment. This is accomplished without the need for external storage arrays, SAN switches, or costly host bus adapters (HBA). Internal data drives are detected by the software and incorporated into the management console through a simple GUI. At that point, storage can be provisioned and securely allocated via the iscsi protocol, which operates over standard Ethernet cabling. To enable high availability (HA), the FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance can be deployed on two VMware ESX servers that can share storage with each other as well as additional VMware ESX servers. In this model, each NSS Virtual Appliance maintains mirrored data from the other server. If one of the servers is lost, all virtual machines that were running on the failed server can restart using the storage resources of the remaining server. Downtime is kept to a minimum as applications are quickly brought back online. Thin Provisioning technology and space-efficient snapshots further decrease costs by minimizing consumption of physical storage resources. The Thin Replication feature minimizes bandwidth utilization by sending only unique data blocks over the wire. Built-in compression and encryption reduce bandwidth consumption and enhance security, without requiring specialized network devices to connect remote locations with the data center or DR site. Tape backup for multiple remote offices can be consolidated to a central site, eliminating the need for distributed tape autoloaders and associated management headaches and overhead. NSSVA is supported under the VMware Ready program for virtual appliances. It is a TOTALLY Open solution for VMware Infrastructure that enables a virtual SAN (vsan) service directly on VMware ESX servers. The local direct attached storage becomes a shared SAN for all ESX Servers on the iscsi network. The ability to convert direct attached storage within an ESX Server opens the door for small to medium enterprises to initially deploy VMware Infrastructure without the added expense of a dedicated SAN appliance and to enjoy the broader benefits of VMware s business continuity and resource management feature. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 1

7 Introduction Additionally, most businesses, small and large, seek out VMware s advanced enterprise features VMware VMotion (live migration of a running virtual machine from one ESX server to another), HA (High Availability auto restart of virtual machines), and DRS (Distributed Resource Scheduling moving virtual machine workloads based on preset metrics or schedules). Components NSSVA consists of the following components: Component NSS Virtual Appliance FalconStor Management Console Snapshot Agents SAN Disk Manager Description A virtual machine that runs FalconStor NSS software. This virtual appliance delivers high speed iscsi and virtualization storage service through VMware s virtual appliance architecture: a plug-and-play VMware virtual machine running on VMware ESX server. NSSVA is a TOTALLY Open virtual storage array and a VMware Certified Virtual Appliance. The Windows management console that can be installed anywhere there is IP connectivity to the NSS Virtual Appliance. Collaborate with Windows NTFS volumes and applications in order to guarantee that snapshots are taken with full application level integrity for fastest possible recovery. A full suite of Snapshot Agents is available so that each snapshot can later be used without lengthy chkdsk and database/ consistency repairs. Snapshot Agents are available for Oracle, Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes /Domino, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2 Universal Database, Sybase and many other applications. Host-side software that helps you register host machines with the NSS virtual appliance. Benefits High Availability Using FalconStor s NSSVA virtual SAN appliances in an Active/Passive configuration enables VMware users to deploy a highly available shared storage environment that takes advantage of VMware Infrastructure enterprise features for better manageability and resiliency. FalconStor NSSVA highly available virtual storage configuration supports iscsi target failover between NSSVA virtual appliances installed on the initial two ESX Servers which is required to gain VMware HA and DRS features. VMware VMotion support requires only a single NSSVA on one ESX Server in an ESX Server cluster. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 2

8 Introduction MicroScan Replication In the branch or remote office, VMware Infrastructure and FalconStor NSSVA can help to reduce operational costs through a server and storage consolidation to a central data center. FalconStor s MicroScan Replication option with built-in WAN acceleration completes remote office server and storage consolidation IT strategies by providing highly efficient replication of branch or remote office data to your central data center. MicroScan Replication also reduces the amount of information replicated by ensuring that data already sent to the central data center is not sent more than once, thereby reducing traffic on the WAN. VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) support Cross-Mirror failover Microsoft VSS compliant FalconStor NSSVA also supports VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) through integration with FalconStor MicroScan replication. FalconStor NSSVA, combined with VMware Infrastructure, provides a complete highly available virtualization solution for most small to medium enterprise as well as large enterprise environments that are focused on consolidation and virtualization for remote office branch offices. FalconStor NSSVA supports Cross-Mirror failover, a non-shared storage failover option that provides high availability without the need for shared storage. Used with virtual appliances containing internal storage. Mirroring is facilitated over a dedicated, direct IP connection. This option removes the requirements of shared storage between two partner storage server nodes and allows swapping data functions from a failed virtual disk on the primary server to the mirrored virtual disk on the secondary server. The disks are swapped back once the problem is resolved. FalconStor NSSVA supports Microsoft Windows Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS), which provides the backup infrastructure and a mechanism for creating consistent point-in-time copies of data known as shadow copies. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 3

9 Introduction Three Versions NSSVA is available in the following three versions: NSSVA Standard Edition Includes two TB of storage (upgradable to four TB). Supports up to 10 clients. Includes the following client application support: VMware Application Snapshot Director Storage Replication Adapters for VMware SRM* SAN Client Application Snapshot Agent *Supported in pilot environments only. NSSVA Standard Edition trial NSSVA lite (free iscsi SAN) Edition Includes all of the features of the standard edition for a 30 day period. Can be upgraded to the standard edition Does not include high availability, mirror, or replication. Five client limit. Two TB storage capacity. Can be upgraded to the standard edition. Does not include the following client application support: VMware Application Snapshot Director Storage Replication Adapters for VMware SRM SAN Client Application Snapshot Agent For advanced configuration of high availability, refer to the documentation link that is included in your registration . NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 4

10 Introduction Hardware/software requirements Component NSS Virtual Appliance FalconStor Management Console VMware ESX Server hardware Compatibility 64-bit processor Requirement NSSVA supports the following VMware ESX Server platform: VMware ESX Server 3.5 Update 5 VMware ESXi 3.5 Update 5 VMware ESX Server 4.0 Update 1 VMware ESXi 4.0 Update 1 All necessary critical patches for VMware ESX server platforms are available on the VMware download patches web site: support.vmware.com/selfsupport/download/. A virtual or physical machine running any version of Microsoft Windows that supports the Java 2 Runtime Environment (JRE). FalconStor Virtual Appliances for VMware are supported only on VMware certified server hardware. To ensure system compatibility and stability, refer to the online compatibility guide search.php?action=base&devicecategory=server. To download the Systems Compatibility Guides: For ESX Server 3.5 and ESX Server 3i, go to resources/techresources/1032 For maximum virtualization and iscsi SAN service, NSSVA uses 64-bit system architecture. To verify 64-bit virtual machine support, download the VMware utility below and execute it on the ESX server to see if the CPU supports 64-bit: dcpiqghkymrazq== NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 5

11 Introduction Component Requirement Cross-mirror failover Each server must have identical internal storage. Each server must have at least two network ports (one for the required crossover cable). The network ports must be on the same subnet. Only one dedicated cross-mirror IP address is allowed for the mirror. The IP address must be n.n. Only virtual devices can be mirrored. Service-enabled devices and system disks cannot be mirrored. The number of physical disks on each machine must match and the disks must have matching ACSLs (adapter, channel, SCSI ID, LUN). When failover occurs, both servers may have partial storage. To prevent a possible dual mount situation, we strongly recommend that you use a hardware power controller, such as IPMI. Refer to Power Control for VMware ESX server on page 42 for more information. Prior to configuration, virtual resources can exist on the primary server as long as the identical ACSL is unassigned or unowned by the secondary server. After configuration, pre-existing virtual resources will not have a mirror. You will need to use the Verify & Repair option to create the mirror. BIOS VT Support 2000 MHz CPU resource reservation 2 GB Memory resource reservation The VMware ESX server must be able to support hardware virtualization for the 64-bit virtual machine. To verify BIOS VT support: Link to VMware knowledgebase to run the esx command. search.do?language=en_us&cmd=displaykc&externalid= NSSVA reserves NSS resources of 2000MHz for storage virtualization, iscsi service, Snapshot, and replication processes, ensuring sufficient resources for the VMware ESX server and multiple virtual machines. The specifications are: Two Dual-core 1.5 GHz 64-bit process One Quad-core 2.0 GHz 64-bit process NSSVA reserves 2 GB of memory resources for storage virtualization, iscsi service, Snapshot, and replication processes, ensuring sufficient resources for the VMware ESX server and multiple virtual machines. The specifications are: 500MB for VMware ESX server system 2 GB for FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance More memory for the other virtual machines running on the same ESX server NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 6

12 Introduction Component Storage Network Adapter Requirement NSSVA supports up to 2TB of storage for iscsi storage provisioning and snapshot data. Additional storage can be added in 1 TB increments. Storage is allocated from the standard VMware virtual disk on the local storage or the raw device disk on SAN storage. NSSVA also supports Storage Pools, into which you can add different sized virtual disks. The system allocates resources for storage provisioning or snapshots on demand. NSSVA is pre-configured with two virtual network adapters that manage your multiple path iscsi connection or dedicated cross-mirror link. For the best network performance, the ESX server needs two physical network adapters for one-to-one mapping to the independent virtual switches and the virtual network adapters of NSSVA. In addition, the ESX server may need extra physical network adapters for Virtual infrastructure management, VMware VMotion, or physical network redundancy. Two physical network adapters for one-to-one virtual network mapping to FalconStor NSSVA. Optional physical network adapters links to one virtual switch for physical network adapters redundancy. Optional physical network adapters for virtual center management though the independent network. Optional physical network adapters for VMotion process though the independent network. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 7

13 Introduction NSSVA Specification and requirement summary Virtual machine configuration: Spec VM Configuration Reservation CPU Two virtual processors 2000 MHz Memory* 2 GB 2GB Disk Network 28 GB Two virtual network adapters Minimum ESX server hardware requirements Spec CPU Memory* Disk Network ESX Server Configuration Two Dual-core 1.5 GHz 64-bit processor OR One Quad-core 2.0 GHz 64-bit processor Using ESX requires specific hardware and system resources. If you are using ESX 4, refer to the VMware Online Library for specific ESX hardware requirements: vsp40/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#href=install/ c_esx_hw.html 2 GB Up to 4 TB free storage space Two physical network adapters Note: *Memory requirements may vary depending upon your usage. Recovering a volume using more than 300 GB of TimeMark data may require additional RAM. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 8

14 Introduction Supported Disk Configuration Disk Type Local Disks SAN Disks* Raw SAN Disks Vm Configuration Format using VMFS (or use an existing VMFS volume). Create.vmdk file to provision to NSSVA. Virtualize the disk and create an NSS SAN resource (do not use SED). Once the ESX servers detect the NSS disk over iscsi, you can use it as a RAW disk RDM (virtual or physical) or as a VMFS volume (recommended). Format the SAN disk using VMFS (or use an existing VMFS volume on the SAN). Create a.vmfs file to provision to NSSVA. Virtualize the disk and create an NSS SAN resource (do not use SED). Once the ESX servers detect the NSS disk over iscsi, you can use it as a RAW disk RDM (virtual or physical) or as a VMFS volume (recommended). Create Raw Device Mapping (RDM) in virtual mode to provision the NSSVA. Virtualize the disk and create an NSS SAN resource (do not use SED). Once the ESX servers detect the NSS disk over iscsi, you can use it as a RAW disk RDM (virtual or physical) or as a VMFS volume (recommended). Create Raw Device Mapping (RDM) in virtual mode to provision the NSSVA. Reserve the disk for Service - enabled use and create an NSS SED resource. Do not preserve the device Inquiry String so that the disk displays as a FalconStor disk instead of a VMware virtual disk later. Once the ESX servers detect the NSS disk, you must use it as a RAW disk RDM (virtual or physical). Do not use VMFS format in this configuration. Note: *Assigning an iscsi ARRAY s LUN directly to a NSSVA s iscsi Initiator is not supported. The physical iscsi array s LUN must be provisioned to the ESX servers iscsi Initiator and disks then configured per the instructions described in the guide. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 9

15 Introduction NSSVA Configuration ESX server deployment planning The FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance is a pre-configured and ready-to-run solution installed on a dedicated ESX server in order to function as a storage server. NSSVA can also be installed on a ESX server that runs other virtual machines. To deliver high availability storage service, NSSVA can be installed on a second VMware ESX server that will function as a standby storage server with redundant cross-mirror storage. Dedicated NSSVA When NSSVA is installed on a dedicated ESX server no other virtual machine runs on the system. Dedicated High Availability NSSVA When NSSVA is installed on two dedicated ESX servers; they can be configured for Active/Passive high availability. Shared NSSVA When NSSVA is installed on an ESX server on which other virtual machines are installed or will be installed, NSSVA will share the CPU and memory resources with other virtual machines and still offer storage services for the other virtual machines on the same or the other ESX servers. Shared HA NSSVA When NSSVA is installed on two ESX servers on which other virtual machines are installed or will be installed, NSSVA will share the CPU and memory resources with other virtual machines. The two NSSVAs can be configured for Active/Passive high availability. About this document This document provides step-by-step procedures for installing and using the NSSVA in a VMware ESX 3.5, 4, ESXi 3.5, and 4 environment. The following topics will be covered in this document: Installation on the virtual appliance Configuration of the virtual appliance Host-side software installation Protection of servers High availability Replicating data for disaster recovery purposes NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 10

16 Introduction Knowledge requirements Individuals deploying NSSVA should have administrator level experience with VMware ESX and will need to know how to perform the following tasks: Create a new virtual machine from an existing disk Add new disks to an existing virtual machine as Virtual Disks or Mapped Raw Disks Troubleshoot virtual machine networks and adapters Although not required, it is also helpful to have knowledge about the technologies listed below: Linux iscsi TCP/IP NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 11

17 NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide Install NSS Virtual Appliance Installation for VMware virtual infrastructure The FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance supports generic VMware ESX server 3.5, ESXi 3.5, ESX server 4, and ESXi 4. You can choose one of the easy installation methods according to your ESX server version. Installation script for VMware ESX server 3.5, and 4 The generic VMware ESX server provides the local console and SSH remote console connection for management. You can launch the NSSVA installation script on a local or remote console to install NSSVA. Virtual Appliance Import for VMware ESX server 3.5, ESXi 3.5, ESX server 4, and ESXi 4 The latest VMware ESX server 4 and hypervisor ESXi supports virtual appliance import execution from a VMware Infrastructure Client. If the VMware ESXi server does not support local and remote console, you will only be able to use the virtual appliance import method to install the NSSVA into the system. Before installation, you must ensure that the CPU supports 64-bit operating systems and is compatible with the VMware ESX system and the system BIOS can support Virtualization Technology (VT). To verify 64-bit virtual machine support: Go to details/processor_check_5_5_dt/dcpiqghkymrazq== To verify BIOS VT support, go to search.do?language=en_us&cmd=displaykc&externalid= Installing NSSVA via the installation script To launch the NSSVA installation script on the ESX server console, log into the console with root privileges and follow the instructions below to complete the installation. 1. Upload the FalconStor-NSSVA.zip file to the VMware ESX server/root folder using the SCP tool. 2. Execute the unzip command to extract the package to the FalconStor-NSSVA folder. 3. Start the NSS Virtual Appliance installation by executing the following command:./falconstor-va/nssinstall from the unzip path. The installation script performs several system checks and continues installing if the following requirements are met: NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 12

18 Install NSS Virtual Appliance System memory on the ESX server must be at least 2 GB. The ESX server must be a supported 64bit virtual machine. The ESX server must have the BIOS VT function enabled. 4. Enter the number of the VMFS volume where you will be installing the NSS Virtual Appliance system. The installation script copies the system image source and extracts it to the specified volume. The NSS Virtual Appliance is then registered onto the ESX system. Note: For NSSVA Lite: While extracting the NSS virtual appliance system, you will be asked to enter your login credentials for the target. (i.e. Please enter login information for target vi:// ) Installing NSSVA via Virtual Appliance Import from a downloaded zip file 1. On the client machine, unzip the NSSVA.zip file and extract the package to any folder. For example, create a folder called FalconStor-NSSVA. 2. If not already active, launch the VMware Infrastructure/vSphere Client and connect to the ESX server with root privileges. 3. Select File --> Virtual Appliance -->Import (VI client)/ Deploy OVF template (vsphere Client). 4. For the Import Location of the Import Virtual Appliance Wizard, click the Browse button on the Import from file option. Then select the folder to which you extracted the package (i.e. the FalconStor-NSSVA folder), expand the folder, and select the file: FalconStor-NSSVA.ovf in the FalconStor-VA folder. The Virtual Appliance Details checks the virtual appliance information for FalconStor NSSVA. 5. Click Next to continue the import. The Name and Location displays the default appliance name: FalconStor- NSSVA. You can change the name of the virtual machine. This change will not be applied into the actual appliance name. 6. On the Datastore list, click on the datastore containing at least 26 GB of space for the NSSVA system Import. 7. For Network Mapping, select the virtual machine network of the ESX server that the NSSVA virtual Ethernet adapter will link to. 8. On the Ready to Complete screen, review all settings and click Finish to start the virtual appliance import task. The virtual appliance import status window displays the completion percentage. It usually takes five to 10 minutes to complete this task. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 13

19 Install NSS Virtual Appliance 9. Click Close when the completion percentage reaches 100% and the import window displays Completed Successfully. Note: When using OVF import for installing the NSSVA Lite version, you will need to manually add a 100 GB data disk in order to launch the Basic environment configuration. Installing the Snapshot Director on the ESX console server The Snapshot Director for VMware must be installed on the ESX console server. You must be root (or root equivalent) in order to install the Snapshot Director. 1. Copy the installation files to the local drive of the ESX console server. client software (i.e. ipstorclient-x.xx-x.xxx.xxxx.rpm) gets installed first. Snapshot Director (i.e. asd_vmware-x.xx-xxxx.xxxx.rpm) gets installed second. 2. Type the following command to install the client software: rpm -ivh --nodeps /mnt/cdrom/client/linux/ipstorclient-x.xx-x.xxx.i386.rpm The client will be installed to the following location: /usr/local/ipstorclient It is important that you install the client to this location. Installing the client to a different location will prevent the client driver from loading. 3. Install the Snapshot Director software. # rpm -ivh asd_vmware-x.xx-xxxx.i386.rpm Note that during installation, several firewall ports will be opened to allow for snapshot notification and command line communications. Note: The ASD is not available in the NSSVA Lite or Trial version. Installing SAN client software on virtual host machines FalconStor SAN Client software must be installed on each virtual host machine. It runs silently in the background, requires no configuration, and is used to initiate snapshots. 1. Navigate to the NSS Agents zip file that you copied earlier to a Windows machine. 2. Extract the file from the uploaded zip file. 3. Select Install Products --> Install SAN Client If the installation does not launch automatically, navigate to the \Client\Windows directory and run ISinstall.exe to launch the client install program. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 14

20 Install NSS Virtual Appliance During the installation, the Microsoft Digital Signature Warning window may appear to indicate that the software has not been certified by Microsoft. Click Yes to continue the installation process. 4. Accept the license agreement. 5. When done, click Finish. Notes: If you are running Windows Server 2003 SP2 on the virtual machine and the firewall is enabled, you need to open TCP ports 11576, 11582, and for the SAN Client. The SAN Client is not available in the NSSVA Lite or Trial version. Installing Snapshot Agents on virtual host machines Installation of the Snapshot Agents has the following requirements: You must be an administrator or have administrator privileges in order to install. SAN Client software must already be installed on the virtual machine. If you install a snapshot agent for an application (such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL, or Oracle), you must install the Windows filesystem snapshot agent. (Snapshot Agent for Microsoft Exchange) The Snapshot Agent has to be installed on the same virtual machine where the Exchange Server is running. Your Exchange Server must be started before installing the agent. (Snapshot Agent for Microsoft SQL) The Snapshot Agent has to be installed on the same machine where the SQL Server database is running. Your SQL Server must be started before installing the agent. (Snapshot Agent for Oracle) Your Oracle database must be started before installing the agent. Oracle archive logging must be turned on. (Oracle 8i only) Make sure the required library %ORA_HOME%/precompile/ lib/orasql8.lib is present in the system. If the file is not present, reinstall the Oracle client software and select Programmer as the installation type. To install a FalconStor Snapshot Agent on a Windows system: 1. Navigate to the NSS Agents zip file that you copied earlier to a Windows machine. 2. Extract all of the files to a temporary installation directory. 3. Launch the selected Snapshot Agent setup program. 4. When prompted, review the License Agreement and agree to it to continue. After accepting the license agreement, the installation program will install the Snapshot Agent into the same directory where the SAN Client is installed. 5. When done, click Finish. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 15

21 Install NSS Virtual Appliance The SAN client automatically starts the Snapshot Agent for you. In addition, it will be automatically started each time the client is restarted. Note: The Snapshot Agent is not available in the NSSVA Lite or Trial version. NSS Virtual Appliance configuration Basic system environment configuration Before starting NSSVA, it is recommended that you first add a virtual disk to NSSVA for data storage. Refer to Add virtual disks for data storage on page 22 for detailed instructions. Then return to this section to continue configuration. The first time you log into the NSSVA console, the FalconStor Virtual Appliance Setup utility pops up automatically and displays the basic environment configuration as shown in the picture below. If you want to configure the system after the initial setting, you can run the utility by executing the vaconfig command on the NSSVA virtual appliance console. Once you run the vaconfig utility, the system checks if VMware Tool should be updated. 1. Launch the VMware Infrastructure Client and connect to the ESX server by the account with root privilege. 2. Right-click the installed FalconStor-NSSVA then click Open Console. If the NSSVA has not been powered on, click VM on the top menu then click the Power On. 3. On the NSSVA console, login as a root user. The default password is IPStor101 (case sensitive). The FalconStor Virtual Appliance Setup utility launches. 4. Move the cursor to <Configure> and scroll to select the item you want to change. 5. Highlight Host Name and click Enter to configure the host name of the virtual appliance. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 16

22 Install NSS Virtual Appliance 6. Highlight Time Zone and click Enter to configure the time zone. Select whether you want to set the system clock to UTC (the default is No). Scroll up and down to search for the correct time zone of your location. 7. Highlight Root Password and click Enter to change the new root password of the virtual appliance. You will need to enter the new password again on the confirm window. 8. Highlight Network Configuration and click Enter to modify your network configurations. Select eth0 or eth1 to change the IP address setting. Answer No to using DHCP and then set the IP address of the selected virtual network adapter. If you want to set the IP subnet mask, press down to move the cursor on the netmask setting. The default IP addresses are listed below: eth0: / eth1: / Repeat the network configuration to set the IP address of another virtual network adapter. 10. Highlight Default Gateway and click Enter to change the new default gateway of the virtual appliance. 11. Highlight Name Server and click Enter to modify the server name. You can add four DNS server records into the virtual appliance setting. 12. Highlight NTP Server configuration and click Enter to add four DNS server records into the virtual appliance setting. 13. After making all configuration changes, tab over to Finish and click Enter. The utility will list the configuration changes you made. 14. Click Yes to accept and apply the setting on the virtual appliance. 15. Close the utility. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 17

23 Install NSS Virtual Appliance The update VMware tool script is launched and you are prompted to update VMware tools. 16. Enter the ESX inventory host name of this NSSVA (Indicated by the display name of NSSVA on ESX server) 17. Enter ESX/vCenter server IP 18. Enter ESX/vCenter server login user name 19. Enter ESX/vCenter server login password If the VMware tool is old, it will be updated; Otherwise, it will not be replaced. If an error is encountered during the update, such as an inability to reach the ESX/vCenter, you will be prompted to Force (press F) the update or Cancel (press C). If you cancel the update, the NSSVA VMware tool will not be changed and you will need to update the VMware tool via the vsphere client. Alternatively, you can enter "chk_vm.sh" in the NSSVA serial console to re-run the update script. Once the installation is complete, you can begin configuration of the NSSVA via the FalconStor Management Console. Refer to the Configuration and Management chapter for details. Once configuration is complete, refer to the checklist at the end of this guide. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 18

24 NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide Configuration and Management Installing and using the FalconStor Management console The FalconStor Management Console is the central management tool to manage and configure the FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance system. You will use the console for SAN Client and SAN Resource creation, replication and high availability configuration. Note: Replication and High Availability features are not available in the NSSVA Lite or Trial versions of NSSVA. The FalconStor Management Console can be installed on any Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 system. It is recommended that you install the FalconStor Management Console and VMware Infrastructure Client on the same computer. 1. Unzip the FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance package and then run the setup program. 2. Click Next on the console setup to start the installation. 3. Read the License Agreement and click Yes if you agree to the terms. 4. Enter the User Name and Company Name on the Customer Information screen. 5. On the Choose Destination Location, change the installation folder or click Next to accept the default destination: "C:\Program Files\FalconStor\IPStor". 6. On the Select Program Folder, click Next to accept the default program folder: FalconStor\IPStor. 7. Review the settings on the Start Copying File and click Next to start the program files installation. 8. Click Finish to close the FalconStor Management Console Setup program. On the FalconStor Management Console, you can manage several FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliances simultaneously. You can configure replication and failover, but you will need to register and connect to both NSSVA to complete the settings between the NSS Virtual Appliances. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 19

25 Configuration and Management Account Management There are three types of accounts for the virtual appliance, each with different permission levels. The three accounts have the same default password. fsadmin - can perform any VA operation other than managing accounts. They are also authorized for VA client authentication. fsuser - can manage virtual devices assigned to them and can allocate space from the storage pool(s) assigned to them. In addition, they can create new SAN/NAS resources, clients, and groups as well as assign resources to clients, and join resources to groups, as long as they are authorized. VA Users are also authorized for VA client authentication. Any time an VA User creates a new SAN/ NAS resource, client, or group, access rights will automatically be granted for the user to that object. root user - has full privileges for all the system operations. Only root can manage the user account and system configuration (maintenance). Connect to the virtual appliance 1. Click Start --> All Programs --> FalconStor --> IPStor, and then click the IPStor Console. 2. Right-click the Servers and click Add. 3. Enter the IP address of NSSVA eth0. Use the default administrator account "root" and enter the default administrator password "IPStor101". NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 20

26 Configuration and Management The connected NSS Virtual Appliance is listed on the FalconStor Management Console as shown below. The default host name is "FalconStor-NSSVA". Add License Keycode Register keycodes You have to enter a license keycode to enable server functionality. You can find your license keycode on the server license agreement or you can use the trial keycode you obtained when you registered on the web site. To enter the keycode: 1. In the console, right-click on the NSSVA server and select License. 2. Click Add. 3. Enter the keycode then click OK. You can click the License Summary tab to check the details of the license. If your computer has Internet access, the console will register a keycode automatically after you enter it; otherwise the registration will fail. You can have a 60 day grace period to use the product without a registered keycode (or 30 day grace period for a trial). If this machine cannot connect to the Internet, you can perform offline registration. To register a keycode: 1. Highlight an unregistered keycode and click the Register button. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 21

27 Configuration and Management 2. Click Next to start the activation. 3. On the Select the method to register this license page, indicate if you want to perform Online registration via the Internet or Offline registration. 4. For offline registration, enter a file name to export the license information to local disk and it from a computer with Internet access to: activate.keycode@falconstor.com It is not necessary to write anything in the subject or body of the . If your is working correctly, you should receive a reply within a few minutes. 5. When you receive a reply, save the attached signature file to the same local disk. 6. Enter the path to the saved file in step 5 and click Send to import the registration signature file. 7. Afterwards, you will see a message stating that the license was registered successfully. Add virtual disks for data storage The FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance supports up to four TB of space for storage virtualization. Before you create the virtual disks for the virtualization storage, you should know the block size of the datastore volume, and the maximum size of one virtual disk size controlled by the volume block size. If you create a virtual disk that exceeds the maximum size supported by its located volume, an "Insufficient disk space on datastore" error will display. You can resolve the error by changing to the disk size supported by the volume block. Volume Block Size 1MB 2MB 4MB 8MB Maximum size of one virtual disk 256GB 512GB 1024GB 2048GB You can check the block size of your volume via the VMware Infrastructure Client: 1. Launch the VMware Infrastructure Client, connect to the ESX server and log into the account with root privileges. 2. Click the ESX server in the inventory and then click the Configuration setting. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 22

28 Configuration and Management 3. On the Configuration tab, click Storage under the Hardware list. Then right-click one of the datastores and click Properties. On the Volume Properties, you can see the Block Size and the Maximum File Size in the Format information. The screen below displays VMware Volume properties with the block size and maximum file size information. Add the new virtual disk In the FalconStor NSS Virtual Appliance, you do not need to power-off the virtual appliance to add the new virtual disk for storage virtualization usage. 1. On the Virtual Infrastructure Client, right-click the NSS Virtual Appliance: FalconStor-NSSVA and then click Edit Settings. 2. On the Hardware tab, click the Add button. 3. For Select Device Type, click Hard Disk and then click Next. 4. For Select a Disk, click Create a new virtual disk and then click Next. 5. When prompted to Specify Disk Capacity, Provisioning, and Location, enter the Disk Size of the new virtual disk. Make sure the value does not exceed the maximum file size supported by the volume. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 23

29 Configuration and Management 6. Check the Support clustering features such as Fault Tolerance option to force creation of an eagerzeroedthick disk. Notes: Do not set EagerZeroThick to both the system/data vmdks and guest VM's vmdks. Creating an EagerZeroThick disk is a time-consuming process. You may experience a significant waiting period, 7. If the volume of the NSS Virtual Appliance system does not have enough space to store the new virtual disk, click Specify a datastore then click the Browse button. Then Select a datastore by clicking a datastore with available free space. 8. Click Next to keep the default values on Specify Advanced Options. 9. Review your choices and click Finish to complete the virtual disk creation setting. In the FalconStor-NSSVA Virtual Machine properties, you will see New Hard Disk (adding) in the hardware list, 10. Click OK to save the setting and the new virtual disk will be created on the datastore. 11. Repeat the steps above to add another virtual disk for virtualization storage. Add the new device to the storage pool Once you have added the virtual disk for the NSS Virtual Appliance in the virtual machine setting, the NSSVA system must identify those disks and add the new device into the storage pool. For High Availability, refer to the High Availability chapter. To add a new device to the storage pool, follow the steps below: 1. On the FalconStor Management Console, click and expand the FalconStor- NSSVA configuration. 2. Right-click the Physical Resources, and then click Rescan. 3. Click Discover New Devices, and then click OK. The New Device Detected (FalconStor-NSSVA) window displays listing the newly discovered physical devices. Each device's Category displays Unassigned. 4. On the new device detected window, select one of the discovered device and then click the Prepare Disk button. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 24

30 Configuration and Management 5. On the Disk Preparation screen, click the drop-down list of Device Category and select Reserve for Virtual Device and then click OK. Then enter YES to confirm the change. When the task has completed, a message stating "Physical device category has been changed successfully" will display. 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 to change the device category of all new detected devices to "Reserved for Virtual Device". 7. Highlight Physical Resources and click to expand the Storage Pools. Then right click the StoragePool-Default and click the Properties. 8. On the Storage Pool Properties screen, click the Select All button and then click OK to add all new detected devices into the storage pool. 9. Click and expand the StoragePool-Default to see all configured new devices that have been added into the pool for central space management. All devices must be added into the storage pool for central resource management. Create a SAN Client for VMware ESX server Create a SAN client for each VMware ESX server for storage resource assignment. On the VMware ESX server, you can login the console and use the vmkping command to test the IP network connection from the ESX server iscsi software adapter to the NSSVA. In addition, you can add the NSSVA IP into the iscsi server list of the iscsi software adapter and check whether the iscsi initiator name registered on the NSSVA. NSS Virtual Appliance User Guide 25