VMware vSphere

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  • 1.  Network Attached Storage

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 05:13 AM

    Has anyone used D-Link DNS-321 Network Attached Storage Enclosure? Does it work well with ESX(i) 4.0? Thanks.



  • 2.  RE: Network Attached Storage

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 06:33 AM

    I've only heard of people using the DNS-323 for NFS-based storage with vSphere. If I remember correctly, you also might need some sort of NFS add-on, and most likely a specific level of Firmware as well.

    I've never come across anyone using a DNS-321 with any vSphere stuff, but that doesn't mean it's not possible.



  • 3.  RE: Network Attached Storage

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 01:34 PM

    It is just because of low price - $99 bucks. Can you suggest anything with that price? I have been using some software SAN/NAS like OpenFiler for testing but it is slow.



  • 4.  RE: Network Attached Storage

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 05:51 PM

    Well, after a bit of digging, I've discovered that the DNS-321 supports NFS, as long as you're running F/W Version 1.03. That version was released in 10/2009, so if you buy one, you might still end up with a unit that doesn't have that version of F/W on it. So, just make sure you're at that level before you do anything else with it.

    It also didn't support Jumbo Frames at launch either, but that was added with a F/W update as well (one of the older releases prior to 1.03.) So, it looks like, on paper anyway, that you should be alright with that one.

    If it were me, I'd check the D-Link forums to see if there are any issues with the 1.03 firmware. If everything looks alright, then I'd probably end up getting one if I was looking for that sort of thing, but making sure that I bought it from a reputable shop with a decent return policy.



  • 5.  RE: Network Attached Storage

    Posted Dec 20, 2009 06:55 PM

    I hate to break it to you, but a nas isn't going to be faster. (probably even slower to be honest)

    Your problems are really related to using SATA RAID controllers that do not have an write caching capabilities (along with sata drives being slow).

    Look for either a 3ware or maybe even the megaraid 300 series on ebay and get a battery for them...will make a world of difference.

    If you want better performance, you are going to need to get a RAID controller that supports a battery so you can enable write back in the options...openfiler is plenty fast when you have write back enabled.