Boot from SAN (Storage Area Network) is a feature that allows servers to boot an operating system (OS) installed on external SAN-based storage, rather than a local disk. This document provides instructions on how to configure PowerEdge 16th generation (16G) servers to boot from an NVMe/TCP SAN-based boot image residing on a PowerStore storage array. The demand for boot from SAN setups has developed due to the adoption of SAN-based storage in departmental and enterprise markets. Booting from a SAN-based volume (known as a namespace for NVMe) offers greater flexibility with increased power efficiency as well as easy reconfiguration and deployment. It is also non-operating-system specific, and a server can boot from different volumes holding different operating systems.
With the combination of PowerStore storage arrays and a server Network Interface Card (NIC), servers can boot directly from the storage network. Using boot from SAN provides several benefits:
- Simplified backup process: PowerStore provides several features that simplify backup procedures, including snapshots and replication.
- Enhanced reliability: Multiple paths to the boot disk eliminate a single point of failure to the operating system.
- Centralized management: Operating system images on an array can make management easier and more efficient.
- Cost efficiency and reduced footprint: Servers no longer need disks, reducing power and cooling needs.
- Easier replacement: When a server reaches its life cycle end, it can be replaced, and the new server can continue to use the existing boot image.
- Booting across a ubiquitous technology: Ethernet is almost universally in place throughout data centers today, and boot from SAN over NVMe/TCP leverages this technology.