VMware Storage vMotion Guide, VNX to 3PAR

Recently I did a VMware migration from an EMC VNX array to a new HP 3PAR array. When migrating VM’s the obvious tool to use is Storage vMotion. This allows an online, non-disruptive, and fast migration process. The process is easy to use and easy to setup. Here is a high level guide detailing the process for a fiber channel SAN fabric. Enjoy after the jump.

 
1.      Verify all zoning to VMware Host Cluster

a.      Create zones between all ESXi host HBAs and the designated 3PAR front end ports.

b.      Make sure to follow 3PAR best practices for zoning to VMware.

c.      Create the hosts on the 3PAR array.

                                                    i.     Pick persona 11 (VMware host persona).

                                                   ii.     Add correct WWN’s to each host.

                                                  iii.     Optionally you can add all the hosts to a Host Set for easy LUN Masking.

2.      Create Virtual Volumes on the 3PAR array.

a.      Create Virtual Volumes of the desired size.

b.      Typically 2-4 TB’s are recommended for standard shared VMware Datastores.

3.      Export Virtual Volumes to VMware host set to complete LUN Masking.

a.      You can also export Virtual Volumes to each individual host if desired.

4.      Rescan all hosts inside VMware.

a.      Paths should now be seen to 3PAR array.

5.      Create VMFS Partition/Datastore for each exported 3PAR VLUN.

a.      Recommend using naming convention that includes Host LUN ID in name for easy matching to associated Virtual Volume on 3PAR.

6.      Add SCSI claim rule to VMWare ESXi hosts to set Round Robin pathing to all newly added 3PAR Datastores.

a.      Round Robin is the required Multipathing for VMware and 3PAR arrays.

b.      A VMware SCSI claim rule will allow the ESXi hosts to assign Round Robin Multipathing by default to newly created datastores exported from the 3PAR array.

                                                    i.     Reboot of each host will be required after the setting is applied.

7.      Migrate a single VM to newly created 3PAR Datastores.

a.      This allows for testing and confirmation of above operations.

8.      Migrate remaining VMs from exiting VNX Datastores to new 3PAR Datastores.
       9.     Pat yourself on the back for moving to a class leading storage array.