Configuring 4TB RAID1 Drives in ESXi 6.7 for a Linux VM

Abstract: Learn how to configure RAID1 with two 4TB drives in ESXi 6.7 for a Linux VM. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up a redundant storage solution for optimal data protection.

Created: 2024-04-16 by UserComp.com Editors

Configuring 4TB RAID 1 Drives for ESXi 6.7 Linux VM

In this article, we will discuss the process of configuring 4TB RAID 1 drives for ESXi 6.7 Linux VM on a Dell R720 server with 96GB RAM and 2x8-core processors. The two 4TB drives are currently configured in BIOS as one disk in RAID 1.

RAID Configuration

Before we begin, it is important to understand the concept of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). RAID is a method of storing data on multiple hard drives to protect against data loss due to hard drive failure. There are several RAID levels, but for this configuration, we will be using RAID 1.

RAID 1 is a mirroring configuration where data is written to two hard drives simultaneously. This provides redundancy in case one of the drives fails. If one drive fails, the system will continue to operate using the remaining drive. RAID 1 is a simple and effective way to protect against data loss due to hard drive failure.

Configuring RAID 1 in BIOS

To configure RAID 1 in BIOS, follow these steps:

Restart your server and press the F2 key to enter the BIOS setup.
Navigate to the "RAID Management" option and press Enter.
Select "Create Virtual Disk" and then "RAID 1".
Select the two 4TB drives you want to use for RAID 1.
Set the stripe size and the number of spans, then press Enter to create the virtual disk.
Exit the RAID Management menu and save your changes.

Installing ESXi 6.7

Once you have configured RAID 1 in BIOS, you can install ESXi 6.7 on the virtual disk. To do this, follow these steps:

Insert the ESXi 6.7 installation media and restart your server.
Press F11 to enter the boot menu and select the installation media.
Follow the prompts to install ESXi 6.7 on the virtual disk.

Creating a Linux VM

After installing ESXi 6.7, you can create a Linux VM and attach the RAID 1 virtual disk to it. To do this, follow these steps:

Log in to the vSphere Client and select your host.
Click on the "Configure" tab and then "Storage".
Select the RAID 1 virtual disk and click "Add Storage".
Select "New VMFS Datastore" and follow the prompts to create the datastore.
Click on the "Create/Register VM" button and follow the prompts to create a new Linux VM.
Attach the RAID 1 virtual disk to the Linux VM by selecting it as the "Hard Disk 1" option during VM creation.

Using the Linux VM

Once you have created the Linux VM and attached the RAID 1 virtual disk, you can start using it. The Linux VM will see the RAID 1 virtual disk as a single 4TB disk, providing redundancy in case of hard drive failure.

RAID 1 is a mirroring configuration that provides redundancy in case of hard drive failure.
To configure RAID 1 in BIOS, create a virtual disk using two 4TB drives and set the stripe size and number of spans.
Install ESXi 6.7 on the virtual disk and create a Linux VM, attaching the RAID 1 virtual disk as the "Hard Disk 1" option during VM creation.
The Linux VM will see the RAID 1 virtual disk as a single 4TB disk, providing redundancy in case of hard drive failure.

References

End of article.

Tags: ESXi VMware RAID Linux Storage

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