Welcome to a series of articles about installing and configuring the HPE StoreOnce VSA. In this articles series we’ll explore the basic steps of deployment and configuration. In addition we’ll add some basic steps with regards to the setup of NAS Shares and VTL Libraries we can use as a target for Data Protection Solutions. As per usual this article series will cover the following structure in detail:
- Deploy the HPE StoreOnce VSA
- Configure the HPE StoreOnce VSA Operating System
- Configure the HPE StoreOnce VSA appliance
- Add a NAS Share to use as a Backup Target
- Create a Catalyst Store
- Configure a VTL Library to serve as Backup Target
- Integrate HPE StoreOnce VSA with Data Protection Solutions
Before starting let’s share some info about HPE StoreOnce VSA. First of all what is it?
HPE StoreOnce VSA is the software version of the StoreOnce Hardware Appliance. It has the ability to provide shared storage not just for enterprise applications but also for Data Protection Solutions. Thus making this the perfect companion as a Backup Target. All the desirable features are still packed-in like de-duplication, encryption, replication and a lot more. At the time of writing the HPE StoreOnce VSA (software version 3.16.2-1712.1) can run on a number of different platforms with HPE support including:
- HPE ProLiant Servers
- c-Class level Server Blades certified with VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V
- Microsoft Azure
- VMware vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V hypervisors
- KVM (Ubuntu and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server)
The benefit of the software version of course is that it is minimising the adoption costs associated with a dedicated storage. Plus the current version of the VSA is available with a Free 1 TB license over 3 years. Simply perfect for our home lab scenarios and to learn more about the hidden gems included in this Virtual Appliance. The current version is shipping with new features like:
- HPE Recovery Manager Central integration and replication with 3PAR StorServ
- Support for VMware vSphere 6.5 and Microsoft Hyper-V 2016
- More open source virtualisation platforms
- and more..
If all this sounds appealing and would like to give it go in your home lab as well then follow the steps on this article series about the HPE StoreOnce VSA. Let’s start to deploy the virtual appliance first!
Deploy the HPE StoreOnce VSA
The HPE StoreOnce VSA is available for download in three different flavours: Hyper-V, VMware ESXi and VMware vCenter. For this article we’ll use the VMware ESXi version. Once we have obtain the OVA file from the HPE website we can surely proceed deploying the OVA into our environment. The following screens are showing the steps using the vSphere Client. As per usual let’s Deploy OVA Template from the File menu and point to the OVA file.
From this screen we can review the sizing info. Where possible let’s go fot thick provisioned and it should take more then 50 GB. That’s the size for the “System” disk. The one for data will be added later on and must be of 1 TB for the free license to work and the installation to complete without errors.
At this point we can specify the desired name for the virtual appliance along with the logical location in the infrastructure.
As per every virtual appliance let’s specify the vSphere Host to which this virtual appliance is associated with.
In this step let’s decide which Datastore to deploy the “System” disk. The “Data” disk can also be created on a different Datastore as long is 1 TB of size.
As per screenshot below let’s use the Thick Provisioning for better performances.
In this case we can specify to which Port Groups map the Network Cards for internal and external networks. One network for example can be associated to Backup traffic only not affecting the Production or Management traffic.
And we are now ready to review and commit changes. Let’s leave the “Power on after deployment” option unchecked as we still want to add the “Data” disk.
From the Edit Settings option we can review the virtual appliance configuration settings. The OVA template is preconfigured with 16 GB of vRAM. We can leave it for now. After configuration is complete we can lower the allocated vRAM if required. In my home lab the HPE StoreOnce VSA is running with 4 GB of vRAM. Which is sufficient up to 1 TB of storage and for home lab purposes.
Add Data Disk
Let’s add a new disk for “Data”. This Disk will be the physical location for the Shares and VTL Libraries we are going to create at a later stage
As per screenshot below
The size has to be 1 TB. In case of over provisioned Datastores we can use the Thin Provisioning and eventually change this later on.
Let’s make sure the Disk is mounted to the very fist SCSI BUS adapter. SCSI (0:0) is already in use.
Let’s review and amend changes to the virtual appliance configuration.
And this is how it will look like when adding the new Disk for Data.
This pretty much concludes the initial deployment of the HPE StoreOnce VSA. A simple and easy process to follow. In the next articles we’ll cover the HPE StoreOnce operating system configuration, along with the creation of a NAS Shares and VTL Libraries. We can use also Shares and VTLs as Backup Targets by showing the integration with Data Protection Applications.
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