After installing PernixData FVP, is now time to proceed with the configuration of the Flash Cluster and the datastores/VMs to accelerate.
The complete configuration is managed by the vCenter Server where a dedicated tab is used for the Flash Cluster configuration.
Blog series
- PernixData FVP installation – part 1
- PernixData FVP configuration – part 2
- PernixData FVP testing – part 3
- PernixData FVP uninstall – part 4
Configure PernixData FVP
Using vSphere Web Client, access the PernixData FVP > Flash Clusters section.
To create the Flash Cluster, click the Create icon.
Fill the form with Name, Description and Cluster then click OK.
The new Flash Cluster is created. Click on cluster given name on the left side of the Web Client to access the configuration section.
First time you access the Flash Cluster you are prompted to create a security exception because of the self-signed certificate. Click Add Exception button.
The browser displays the Security Exception Added message. Close this tab to return to the vSphere Web Client.
Click Continue button to access main page.
PernixData FVP Cluster Getting Started tab is shown.
Add Flash Devices
First thing to do is to add the flash devices we want to use for acceleration. From the Manage tab select Flash Devices then click Add Devices.
Select the flash devices to use then click OK.
Selected flash devices are added to the cluster.
Flash devices can be removed from Flash Clusters at any time without the need to power off virtual machines or hosts that are configured to use them.
Associate Datastores/VMs
Select Datastores/VMs tab then click Add Datastores to specify which datastores to accelerate.
Select the datastores to add to the Flash Cluster then click OK.
When a datastore is added to the Flash Cluster, all VMs stored in that datastore inherit the Flash Cluster.
To add only individual virtual machines, remove the datastore and click Add VMs instead. Select the VMs to accelerate then click OK.
The Flash Cluster contains only the selected VMs.
During the configuration of datastores or virtual machines to accelerate, you have to specify the Write Policy. Two options are available:
- Write Through
- Write Back
If necessary, it’s possible to change the network used by FVP (default vMotion) by selecting Manage tab then clicking on Advanced option.
Select the Summary tab to have an overview of the FVP Cluster status.
The Flash Cluster setup is now complete. Next step is to test PernixData FVP using some benchmark tools like FIO and VMware IO analyzer.
