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Configuring Nimble CS-Series arrays for use with VMware vCenter Site Recovery Manager 4.1 (Partner Verified and Supported Nimble SRA) (2005238)

Details

This article provides information about configuring Nimble CS-Series arrays and deploying them with VMware Site Recovery Manager (SRM) 4.1, using the Nimble Partner Verified and Supported Storage Replication Adapter (SRA).

Note: The Partner Verified and Supported Products (PVSP) policy implies that the solution is not directly supported by VMware. For issues with this configuration, contact Nimble Storage directly. See the Support Workflow on how partners can engage with VMware. It is the partner's responsibility to verify that the configuration functions with future vSphere major and minor releases, as VMware does not guarantee that compatibility with future releases is maintained.

Disclaimer: The partner product referenced in this article is a software module that is developed and supported by a partner. Use of this product is also governed by the end user license agreement of the partner. You must obtain the application, support, and licensing for using this product from the partner. For more information, contact Nimble Storage at http://www.nimblestorage.com/.

Solution

Introduction to Nimble technology

The Nimble Storage Replication Adapter (SRA) integrates with the VMware vCenter SRM to automate disaster recovery and plan testing on Nimble Storage CS-Series arrays hosting VMware and vCenter Server. You can create and test a Nimble array-based DR recovery plan without having an impact on your production environment.

Via TCP/IP, the Nimble array uses standard VMware-provided interfaces to communicate with the VMware vCenter SRM.

Notes:
  • The installation procedure is based on Nimble release 1.0.7. Change the file name as appropriate for your version.
  • The Nimble Storage Replication Adapter works with VMware vCenter SRM 4.1 and later. All patches must be installed as described in the VMware Compatibility Matrix. Patches and updates must be installed before installing the Nimble Storage Replication Adapter.

Installing the Nimble Storage Replication Adapter on ESX/ESXi

Install the Nimble Storage Replication Adapter on the vCenter Server for every host on which vCenter SRM is installed.

To obtain and install the Nimble Storage Replication Adapter:
  1. Download the Nimble Storage Replication Adapter from the Nimble Storage support site. You must have a login username and password. This information is available by contacting Nimble support.
  2.  Log into the vCenter server with administrative privileges.
  3.  Launch the setup file (Setup-NimbleVIT-<version>.exe).

Follow the steps presented by the installation wizard. There are no installation options required for the Nimble Storage Replication Adapter.

Configuration details

Add the Nimble array login information to the SRM for both the primary and recovery sites. Within Nimble array management, the arrays must be configured as replication partners.
  1. Log into vCenter Server from the vSphere Client and select Site Recovery.
  2. Launch the Array Manager and select Configure.
  3. Click Add to add the information about the Nimble arrays.
  4. Enter the array name, IP address, user name, and password.
  5. Click Connect.
Configure each array to be used for replication as a replication partner. Both arrays must be configured and able to contact each other.
  1. On the Nimble array, use the Manage > Protection menu and select Replication Partners.
  2. Click New Replication Partner.
  3.  Enter the Replication partner array name, IP address, and shared secret.
  4. Click Next and, if desired, enter a QOS policy.
  5. Click Finish.
  6. Log in to the other replication partner and repeat this procedure.

Verify that the replication partners can communicate by clicking Test for the appropriate partner on the Replication Partners Summary page.

Verification details

The Nimble SRA has been tested with VMware SRA certification suite 4.1. It consists of a collection of tests that verify SRA functions, features and integration with SRM. The tests cover the SRA tests with and without failover, which verify the discoverArrays, discoverLuns, testFailover and failover commands as well as connection parameters, features, responses, and outputs. It also covers SRA/SRM integration tests, which verify the configuration of Array Manager and SRM protection in both directions.

These configurations were used in the test:
  • vCenter Server – Version 4.1.0 Build-14766
  • SRM – Version 4.1.1 Build-3459
  • SQL database – Version –10.50.1600
  • vCenter Guest OS – Windows Server 2008 (R2) 64-bit
  • ESXi Host – VMware ESXi 4.1.0 build-348481
  • Recovery Site Cluster – 2 ESXi 4.1.0 build-348481 hosts
  • Nimble Array Software – 1.0.7.0
  • Virtual machine guest operating systems used in the test:
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
    • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
    • Windows Server 2008
    • Windows XP SP3

Support information

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