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Use your Windows server as a shared Storage for your ESX Server

By Vladan SEGET | Last Updated: December 23, 2012

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Ok, I already posted a guide about how to configure Openfiler Linux for free as a shared storage for your Virtual Infrastructure. If you're not into linux, you can just try Starwind for free too…. (up to 2 TB of Data !!). Here is a PDF guide (it's for ESX 3.5 but the princip is the same for ESXi 4.

You must create a virtual disk storage which will became a iSCSI Target. Thist target will then be presented to your ESX server as a shared storage.

You'll be able to setup Starwind iSCSI SAN in only about 10 minuts. In the Free package you'll get:

  • Large 2 TB storage capacity
  • Unlimited number of nodes / connections
  • Virtualization environment support for VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V and XenServer
  • Enhances VMware environments by enabling VMotion, VMware HA, DRS and VCB
  • Supports Windows server clustering for any application including SQL Server, Exchange, SharePoint

Starwind

How-to steps:

01. You will need download the FREE iSCSI software target and install it on your Windows Server (or Workstation).You can download the PDF guide from Starwind Website.

02. Download the Step-by-step PDF guide to follow the necessary configuration steps here.

03. Enjoy… -:)

If you're looking for some more training about VMware vSphere Virtual Infrastructure, why don't you try the New Video Learning course from TrainSignal?

You can watch also this video which I found on Starwinds Website.

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| Filed Under: Free Stuff Tagged With: iSCSI SAN, iSCSI SAN on Windows, SAN on Windows, Starwind Software

About Vladan SEGET

This website is maintained by Vladan SEGET. Vladan is as an Independent consultant, professional blogger, vExpert x16, Veeam Vanguard x9, VCAP-DCA/DCD, ESX Virtualization site has started as a simple bookmarking site, but quickly found a large following of readers and subscribers.

Connect on: Facebook. Feel free to network via Twitter @vladan.

Comments

  1. JuanMata says

    September 11, 2009 at 8:42 am

    Great post!
    Recently I`ve migrated from Datacore to StarWind and I`m really glad. It is SO not complicated!

    • Vladan says

      September 11, 2009 at 11:49 am

      Are you using the Standard or the Entreprise version of Starwind? I would like to do some testing for the Entreprise version..

      • JuanMata says

        September 14, 2009 at 3:29 am

        I`m using Enterprise version. If you want to test it, use followed link to download 30 days trial
        http://www.starwindsoftware.com/starwind-enterp…
        Regards

        • Vladan says

          September 15, 2009 at 5:10 am

          I got a NFR from Starwind… They're great. Just need to find some more time to get the testing done and I'll post some how-to and report too…

        • JuanMata says

          September 15, 2009 at 6:58 am

          Yeah, I think you`ll be exited by its simplicity and performance. I`ll wait for your report!
          All the best!

  2. David says

    November 26, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Great post!
    Is there anything about testing SW5? I heard that it is really great.

    • Vladan says

      November 27, 2009 at 12:09 pm

      You can setup 2Tb of storage with SW5 for free…

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