XenServer hyperconverged
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Hi there,
Just to let you know I recently made initial tests to put XenServer in another level. I know it seems really important for some of you here to have an hyperconverged solution for XenServer (@scottalanmiller
)I got initial successful test, in a very minimal scenario, so it's just a start.
Context
- a pool of only XenServer 2 nodes (nothing else, no NAS/SAN)
- only using local storage
Objectives
- a loss of one host won't affect storage for any running VM on the other host
- allow live migration between two host without disk transfer
- no split-brain scenario even in 2 nodes context
- no SPOF
- no XenServer system modification
Results
Worked as expected in first tests.
Limitations
- a bit of RAM and storage will be needed to provide this
- it relies on dedicated VMs (one per host) to expose it
- it uses a iSCSI SR in multipath
Ideal objective
XOA would be able to download and deploy all the needed stuff inside an existing infrastructure (depending if there is enough resources obviously). So a "one click to install my virtual SAN" would be totally possible.
Also, there is very interesting possibilities for more nodes scenario (not just replicating, but distributing the content AND duplicate it to allow correct performances).
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@olivier How does this compare to HA Lizard's implementation?
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Should be better because:
- No split brain possible
- No modification in XS host (so no problem to upgrade XS hosts)
- Scalable
Cons:
- losing a bit of RAM and storage
- some extra layers, but in a 2 hosts situations I don't think it's a big deal
Extra layers are necessary so far until XenServer SmapiV3
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Sounds similar to Atlantis USX.
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Def interested in this!
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This might be a dumb question, but where do you have XOA running in this architecture? Is it running as a VM on one of the two nodes? If so, I am very interested in this. If not, I'm still very interested...
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@Danp said in XenServer hyperconverged:
Sounds similar to Atlantis USX.
Roughly the same principle yes (using VMs to make a storage abstraction layer)
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@Kelly Obviously not at first (if you need XOA to bootstrap the SAN, egg/chicken problem), but it could be migrated on it right after it's operational.
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-- I'll be curious to see how this plays out. -
Nice... Definitely interesting.
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@olivier
Great news. This product keeps getting better!
File level restore, hyperconverged architecture......Per @scottalanmiller imagine if you could also manage Hyper-V in that same console?
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Will be keeping an eye on this
will be keen to have a play (when I get two servers spare lol) -
@olivier Will there be a beta, when is the ETA?
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Probably a beta one day, but it's really to soon to have an ETA. I'm only on preliminary tests stage, so it seems to work, I have to:
- find the right settings
- make various tests in 2 hosts scenario
- reproduce the recipe when it seems OK after tests
Then, the automatisation phase would be a bit tricky, in order to "package" a turnkey thing.
My biggest interrogation now more about speed than resiliency (which seems OK).
But sure, as soon I got a minimal viable product, I'll open a beta.
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@olivier
Do you plan to support more than a 2 node setup? -
That's very likely, but one step at a time
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@olivier Totally understand, but, you can't blame a guy for getting excited
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Haha sure
Hope the test would be conclusive. I have no guarantee, I'm exploring.
Imagine if only I had a bigger team
Let's keep up posted!
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@olivier said
Imagine if only I had a bigger team
Well at least you have some willing testers here at ML.
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I'm very interested to learn more about how the storage will be approached.
