Dell PERC Question (Server Down)
-
@BRRABill said:
@DustinB3403 said:
Is XS installed directly to the hardware?
Yes, though I am starting to question that decision.
I'm sensing a feeling in the force...move that install to USB!
Coolest part is that there's no need to even prep a spare one. If it dies you just install a clean one onto a fresh USB drive. All the actual config data / important shit is in your VM's. I do suggest you document what version/options etc you used just in case of brain fart during disaster recovery.
-
@MattSpeller said:
@BRRABill said:
@DustinB3403 said:
Is XS installed directly to the hardware?
Yes, though I am starting to question that decision.
I'm sensing a feeling in the force...move that install to USB!
Coolest part is that there's no need to even prep a spare one. If it dies you just install a clean one onto a fresh USB drive. All the actual config data / important shit is in your VM's
Well there is, for example if you have a software RAID (you really want those configurations in place). Otherwise the hardware raid controller would manage the array and you'd be in golden shape to just stand up a new hypervisor.
SD cards generally are more reliable over USB. But both are perfectly suitable.
-
@DustinB3403 said:
@MattSpeller said:
@BRRABill said:
@DustinB3403 said:
Is XS installed directly to the hardware?
Yes, though I am starting to question that decision.
I'm sensing a feeling in the force...move that install to USB!
Coolest part is that there's no need to even prep a spare one. If it dies you just install a clean one onto a fresh USB drive. All the actual config data / important shit is in your VM's
Well there is, for example if you have a software RAID
Pffffft no one does that
-
<throat clearing....> hmmm
-
So, here is my scenario...
I have this DELL server. There are two arrays in it.
Array1 is the troublesome SSD array. It is where XS is installed, and also where the VMs reside. This array need sto be replaced.
Array2 is the SATA array that came with the server. Two 7.2K drives in RAID1. (Originally purchased just to run Hyper-V, which I am now no longer using.)Is there a way to install XS to a USB, and boot the server off that USB and have it recognize the VMs that are currently on Array1? I could even copy them to Array 2 (is THAT possible) while I figure out what I am going to do purchasing new drives for an array.
-
I'm not sure if you could move them around on the arrays (there might be some way, I just don't know). I'd just export them to external media and import them once you have the new installation stood up.
-
I have a DELL T320.
Apparently it has an INTERNAL SD card. (Interesting from the articles I read, it appears to be a redundant internal SD card reader for hypervisor usage.) Though I did not purchase that with my server.
So I could try to acquire one (or install a thrid party SD card reader) or just use a USB stick.
Go with the USB stick?
-
@BRRABill said:
So, here is my scenario...
I have this DELL server. There are two arrays in it.
Array1 is the troublesome SSD array. It is where XS is installed, and also where the VMs reside. This array need sto be replaced.
Array2 is the SATA array that came with the server. Two 7.2K drives in RAID1. (Originally purchased just to run Hyper-V, which I am now no longer using.)Is there a way to install XS to a USB, and boot the server off that USB and have it recognize the VMs that are currently on Array1? I could even copy them to Array 2 (is THAT possible) while I figure out what I am going to do purchasing new drives for an array.
Xen is just linux underneight, so sure you can do this.. you'll likely need to do it while the VMs are turned off. If push comes to shove, you can do it a the linux command line with cp from one mount point to another.
-
@BRRABill said:
I have a DELL T320.
Apparently it has an INTERNAL SD card. (Interesting from the articles I read, it appears to be a redundant internal SD card reader for hypervisor usage.) Though I did not purchase that with my server.
So I could try to acquire one (or install a thrid party SD card reader) or just use a USB stick.
Go with the USB stick?
Call XByte, they should be able to direct you.
-
@Dashrender said:
Call XByte, they should be able to direct you.
My preliminary searches online have the reader at around $75.
I figure i can get a USB drive for much, much less.
Any reason to go SD here?
-
I used an off the shelf USB stick in my first ESXi server for 5 years. But when I tried to clone it others.. those others would never work.
I've been using SD for around 2 years now.. they always clone without issues - can't explain the difference...
Do you need an actual reader? or does the server just have an SD slot? My HP DL380p G8 has a SD slot directly on the mobo.
That's why I said call Xbyte.. they should tell you the options.
-
@Dashrender said:
That's why I said call Xbyte.. they should tell you the options.
I contacted DELL support. I do NOT have a reader on the mobo. I need the add-on part, which as I said probably costs around $75. I'll check and report back.
-
@Dashrender said:
I used an off the shelf USB stick in my first ESXi server for 5 years. But when I tried to clone it others.. those others would never work.
I've been using SD for around 2 years now.. they always clone without issues - can't explain the difference...
Do you need an actual reader? or does the server just have an SD slot? My HP DL380p G8 has a SD slot directly on the mobo.
That's why I said call Xbyte.. they should tell you the options.
I never had any issues with USB sticks but I used good quality ones
-
@MattSpeller said:
I never had any issues with USB sticks but I used good quality ones
Are you saying this one I got free from my grocery store isn't of good quality?
-
@BRRABill said:
@MattSpeller said:
I never had any issues with USB sticks but I used good quality ones
Are you saying this one I got free from my grocery store isn't of good quality?
Depends if they gave it to you or if you picked it up off the floor
-
@MattSpeller said:
Depends if they gave it to you or if you picked it up off the floor
LOL.
What brands do you consider "good quality"?
I was also thinking a slim one would be good to fit into the front of the server.
-
@BRRABill said:
@MattSpeller said:
Depends if they gave it to you or if you picked it up off the floor
LOL.
What brands do you consider "good quality"?
I was also thinking a slim one would be good to fit into the front of the server.
Uhhh it's been a while... I'm pretty out of date. I'd encourage others to chime in.
Maybe this one for it's size?
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7RD3HB0756&cm_re=usb_drive--20-242-107--Product
If I were buying one today for myself or a "critical duty" I'd get these, no question. Best reviewed ones I can find.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA7RD2WW6360&cm_re=sandisk_extreme--20-171-972--Product
-
I generally go with anything that I can get a 5 pack of. A 5 pack of USB drives at 16gb capacity for $20-30 should hold you over for the life of the server.
-
We use SD Cards in RAID for OS on Hypervisors.
-
I have two Dell R720XDs with redundant SD cards running ESXi6. I have two more R710s running 16GB Sandisk Ultra Fit USB 3.0 Flash Drives, also running ESXi 6. I got them for three reasons- The had great reviews, they are cheap and they are tiny, which means they are a lot less likely to get knocked off or broken in the USB port.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820173033&cm_re=ultra_fit--20-173-033--Product
