Overview

Dell PowerVault ME5 storage platforms are well suited to support VMware workloads and simplify operations.

This blog highlights leveraging PowerVault native snapshots to recover virtual machines (VMs) in case of disaster or outage. The ME5 storage system can create multiple point-in-time snapshots of virtual volumes and these snapshots are treated like any other volume. The snapshots are read-writable when mounted to hosts.

How-To

Our source volume me5_ds1 is mounted on ESXi host s1244. 

 
The datastore me5_ds1 is in vCenter, with the “VSI-Test02” VM.

To begin the snap process, log in to the ME5 GUI and start by adding data protection to the volume: Select Volumes > volume actions.

Once the volume is selected, configure the data protection type. In this scenario we are using local snapshots.

Select the option to create the snapshot immediately.

Review the Summary of the snapshot configuration.

Under the source volume me5_ds1, we now see that the snapshot is created.

View the properties of the snapshot.

In vCenter, let us simulate a failure by unmounting the source volume and removing the VM from inventory.

Next, we will mount the snapshot to the ESXi hosts. Select Snapshot > Volume Action > Mount Host.

From vCenter, add the snapshot volume to the host. Right-click Host and select Storage > Add Datastore.

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We want to re-signature the snapshot to create a unique UUID.

 
Now the snapshot is mounted as a datastore.

 
To recover the VM, right-click the snapshot datastore and select Register VM.

 
Select the folder and select the vmx file. 

 
After selecting and restoring the vmx file, the VM is running inside the snapshot datastore. At this point, we can storage vmotion this machine back to production storage.

 
Conclusion

Dell PowerVault ME5 is the new gold standard for entry-level storage, with blazing speed, high-capacity limits, and simplicity. PowerVault integrates seamlessly with VMware by delivering a platform that is secure, cost effective, and easily managed.