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Storage#

Adding Tier 0 to an Existing System

Overview

Key Points

  • Tier 0 is normally configured during initial installation
  • This procedure is for special cases requiring post-installation configuration
  • Requires careful attention to device paths and hardware compatibility

This guide outlines the process for adding Tier 0 storage to an existing VergeOS system. While Tier 0 is typically configured during installation, these steps provide a method for adding it to production systems that cannot be reinstalled.

Critical Warning

  • This procedure should only be performed by qualified VergeOS engineers or under direct support guidance
  • Selected devices will be formatted and all existing data will be destroyed
  • Incorrect device path selection can seriously damage your system

Prerequisites

Before beginning this procedure, ensure:

  • Storage devices are physically installed in the system
  • Tier 0 devices are consistent across controller nodes
  • Hardware meets specifications from the Node Sizing Guide

Steps

1. Identify Device Paths

  1. Navigate to System > vSAN Diagnostics from the Main Dashboard
  2. Select Get Node Device List from the Query dropdown
  3. Click Send
  4. Identify unused devices (marked as "vsan = false")
  5. Note the device paths (/dev/sd*) for each controller node

Tip

Verify current vSAN drive assignments by checking vSAN Tiers > [select tier] > Drives to avoid selecting drives already in use.

2. Add Drives to Tier 0

For each drive:

  1. In vSAN Diagnostics: - Set Query to Add Drive to vSAN - Select the appropriate Node (node0 or node1) - Enter the correct Path for the device - Set Tier to Tier 0 - Configure Swap setting

Swap Configuration

  • Enable swap on only ONE storage tier
  • If swap is enabled on another tier, disable it for Tier 0
  • Contact VergeOS Support for guidance on swap configuration if needed
  1. Enter the verification phrase: Yes I know what I'm doing
  2. Click Send to execute

3. Verify Configuration

  1. Monitor the system dashboard for tier status - Status will show "online-no redundancy" during meta migration
  2. Refresh node information: - Navigate to each controller node's dashboard - Select Refresh > Drives & NICs

Post-Configuration

Monitor the vSAN tier status in the system dashboard. The tier should transition from "online-no redundancy" to "online" once meta migration completes.

Additional Resources

Document Information

  • Last Updated: 2024-11-25
  • VergeOS Version: 4.13

Setting Up Storware on VergeOS

This guide outlines the steps for configuring Storware on VergeOS to protect your virtual machines.

For more comprehensive information on Storware's capabilities and additional backup configuration options, visit the Storware Backup and Recovery Documentation.

Prerequisites

  • VergeOS on version 4.13 or higher.
  • Access to a Storware Backup and Recovery instance on version 7 or higher.
  • Credentials for an account with the appropriate permissions to configure both VergeOS and Storware.

Setup a dedicated Verge NAS Service for Storware

  1. Deploy the NAS Service:
  1. Configure NFS Settings:
  • Before powering on the NAS service, click on Edit NFS Settings.
  • Enable NFSv4 by selecting the checkbox for this option.
  • Click Submit to save the changes.
  • Power on the NAS service.

Depending on the size of your environment you may want to increase the amount of CPU and RAM for the NAS Service. Storware recomends 8 cores and 12 GB of RAM as a good starting point

Adding Your VergeOS System to Storware

  1. Log in to Storware:
  • Access the Storware Backup and Recovery management console.
  1. Add VergeOS as a Virtual Environment:
  • Navigate to Virtual Environments > Virtualization Providers and click Create.
  • Select VergeOS as the Virtualization Provider.
  1. Configure the Connection Details:

  • General Tab:

    • URL: Enter the VergeOS URL in the format https://<VERGE_IP>.
    • Username: Provide the username for VergeOS.
    • Password: Enter the password for the specified user.
    • Verge Settings Tab:
    • Enter the name of the NAS service created in the previous step.
  1. Test the Connection:
  • Select the newly added Verge system from the list
  • Click Test Connectivity to verify that Storware can successfully communicate with the VergeOS environment.

Important Notes

NFS Version Selection

Enabling NFSv4 on VergeOS ensures compatibility with modern backup solutions like Storware, providing improved security and performance.

Snapshot Optimization

Using Storware's snapshot management in conjunction with VergeOS’s built-in vSAN capabilities allows for efficient incremental backups, reducing the time and storage required for VM protection.

Feedback

Need Help?

If you have any questions or encounter issues while setting up Storware on VergeOS, please reach out to our support team for assistance.

Document Information

  • Last Updated: 2024-11-07
  • VergeOS Version: 4.13