Recommendations for entry level FC SAN

[ilyo]

Currently have an NFS datastore.  Looking to add an FC SAN as primary storage and utilize NAS for backups and secondary storage.

Setup includes 3 x HP DL380 Host servers.  Any recommendations for an entry level FC SAN?  Would like a unit that allows for direct connection of the 3 hosts via 8GB FC.  Only require 12 drive max system and would only utilize 8 drives to start.  Budget would be $20k or less for SAN, Drives, 3 FC HBA's and cables.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[vmroyale]

Hello.

Note: This discussion was moved from vSphere Upgrade & Install community to the VMware vSphere™ Storage community.

Good Luck!

[vGuy]

There were few discussions on this topic in the vStorage community earlier:

http://communities.vmware.com/search.jspa?peopleEnabled=true&userID=&containerType=&container=&q=entry+level+san

also have a look at HP MSA2000fc models and MSA P2000 G3 FC.

Finally, please ensure the model you select is listed in VMware HCL :smileyhappy:

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?deviceCategory=san

hope this helps!

[Josh26]

Posts like these usually attract a series of "recommendations" from vendors of products, so be wary.

If your environment is all HP, it generally makes sense from a support perspective to evaluate HP SANs.

[ilyo]

Thanks for the replies!  After doing some digging, I have expanded the budget slightly to allow for HP's storage system to compete as my budget was too low for them to be in the game.

I am deciding between 3 systems now.

Thanks