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XD10254 NFS Storage Configuration For VSphere Using Windows 2008

The document provides step-by-step instructions for configuring NFS storage on a Windows 2008 server for use with an ESXi host. It details installing and configuring Service for Network File System and Identity Management for UNIX, and adding the NFS share as a datastore accessible to the ESXi host.

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38 views

XD10254 NFS Storage Configuration For VSphere Using Windows 2008

The document provides step-by-step instructions for configuring NFS storage on a Windows 2008 server for use with an ESXi host. It details installing and configuring Service for Network File System and Identity Management for UNIX, and adding the NFS share as a datastore accessible to the ESXi host.

Uploaded by

forum4user
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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white paper

NFS Storage Configuration for vSphere


using Windows 2008
Title:
Author(s):
Target Audience:
Current Revision:
First Published:
Product(s):
UID:

NFS Storage Configuration for vSphere using Windows 2008


Xtravirt (Paul Wood)
Technical - Intermediate
1.0 (June 2010)
June 2010
Microsoft Windows, VMware vSphere
XD10254

Content Overview:

Install and configuration of Service for Network File System

Install and configuration of Identity Management for UNIX

Adding NFS storage to an ESX host

1.0 Introduction
Windows 2008 introduced the ability to use NFS shares,
enabling the server to be used as a storage target.

3.

If the Before You Begin page is displayed, read


it and click Next, if not then continue to the next
step.

4.

Select the File Server role checkbox and click


Next.

This Xtravirt white paper is a step by step guide of the


process to setup and host NFS shares on a Windows
2008 server and connection to an ESXi 4 host.
The scenario described assumes that this is being setup
on a single server which includes Domain Controller
functions. It is designed for personal testing only and
not an advocation as a production solution.

2.0 Step-by-Step Instructions


Before starting, ensure that the Windows 2008
installation is patched to current levels. The addition
of a second hard disk is preferred for the setup of an
independent NFS drive, although this is not essential as
a folder can be shared for this purpose.
1.

On the Windows 2008 server, click Start ->


Administrative Tools -> Server Manager.

2.

Select Roles from the list and click the Add Roles
option.

Note: This is assuming that the File Server role is not already
enabled. If it is then click the Go to Files Services option instead
of Add Roles. Scroll down in the File Services window and click
Add Roles Services.

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5.

Read the Introduction to Files Services page


and click Next.

6.

From within the Select Role Services page, select


the Services for Network File System option and
click Next.

8.

Once the installation has completed, click Close.

9.

From the Server Manager window with Roles


selected, again click Add Roles. If the Before You
Begin page is displayed, read it and click Next, if
not then continue to the next step.

10. Select the Active Directory Domain Services


role checkbox and click Next.

Note: This is required to enable the creation of NFS shares

7.

Read the Confirm Installation Selections page


and click Install.

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Note: If an Add Roles Wizard popup is displayed click the Add


Required Features button and click Next from the Select
Server Roles page.

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11. Read the Introduction to Active Directory


Domain Services page and click Next.

14. From the Server Manager window with Roles


selected, scroll down and click the Add Roles
Services from within the Active Directory
Domain Services section.

15. Select the Identity Management for UNIX


checkbox and ensure that all sub options within
Identity Management for UNIX are also checked.
12. Read the Confirm Installation Selections page
and click Install.

Note: This is required to allow the mapping of UNIX accounts to


Active Directory

13. Once the installation has completed, click Close.

16. Once the Service for Network File System and


Identity Management for UNIX have been
installed, reboot the server as instructed.

17. Upon restart open Active Directory Users


and Computers from within the Start ->
Administrative Tools menu.

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18. Expand the domain and select the Users OU


(directory).

21. The UnixGroup now needs to be edited. Double


click the newly created group and select the UNIX
Attributes tab. NIS Domain should be the name
of the domain (select from the drop down) and
change the GID (Group ID) to 0 (zero).

Note: The group can be created in other directory, dependant on


the directory structure. For the purpose of this white paper, the
built-in Users OU has been used.

19. Click Action -> New -> Group.

22. Select the Members tab and add the user to


associate with UNIX - this scenario uses the
Administrator account and click OK to close the
UnixGroup properties box.

20. Type the group name UnixGroup and leave


the Group scope as Global and Group type as
Security.

23. Double click the Administrator user account


(or the user account being used) and select the
UNIX Attributes tab. NIS Domain should be the
name of the domain (select from the drop down)
and change the UID to 0 (zero). Primary group
name/GID should be the group name created
earlier (selected from the drop down).

Note: The group name is not specific but must only be one word.
For the purpose of this white paper UnixGroup has been used
throughout.

Note: This effectively links the Administrator account to the


root account allowing UNIX account access (including ESX
Server) to browse the NFS.

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24. Open Service for Network File System (NFS) via


Administrative Tools.

28. Under NFS Share Management click Manage


NFS Sharing.

25. Right-click Services for NFS and select Properties.

26. The General Settings tab has two options under


Identity mapping source. In this case check
Active Directory domain name and enter the
fully qualified domain name for the network.

29. Select the Share this folder checkbox and enter a


Share name (no spaces). Select the radio button
Allow anonymous access and ensure both the
UID and GID fields display -2.

Note: This assumes that the machine is a domain controller. If


not then User Name Mapping is required. This is not covered in
this paper, but before using User Name Mapping, the computer
running Client for NFS must be listed in the .maphosts file on
the computer running User Name Mapping.

27. The folder share now needs to be setup. This is


done by right-clicking the folder or drive to be
used and selecting Properties. Select the new tab
called NFS Sharing.

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30. Select Permissions and change Type of access


to Read-Write, select the Allow root access
checkbox and click OK.

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Note: Once returned to the NFS Sharing page the Network Path
will be displayed. It is important to ensure the share name is
copied correctly as NFS share names are case sensitive.

35. The Locate Network File System page needs to


have the following information:
Server:

Folder:
Datastore Name:

The Service for Network File System has now been


configured and the NFS share should be available to
systems that can use NFS for storage. In this case ESXi
4 has been used and the next section describes adding
the NFS share to a host.

Server and fully qualified domain


name / IPv4 / IPv6
This is the folder name of the share
This is how the NFS share will be
listed under the datastores section

36. The NFS share is now listed as a datastore that


can be used for hosting virtual machines etc. This
datastore is thin provisioned by default as per all
NFS shares.

31. Open a connection to vCenter and choose the


Hosts and Clusters view and select the host that
the NFS share is to be added to.
32. Click the Configuration tab from within the right
window and select Storage within the Hardware
section.

This concludes the white paper.

33. Click Add Storage from the right hand side of the
Window.
34. Select the radio button Network File System.

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About Xtravirt
Xtravirt is a knowledge-based company that delivers its expertise in virtualization online and in person. We have developed a reputation for astute
leadership and expertise through our work with an impressive array of organisations. It is this real-world experience that drives our ability to provide
independent, current and free advice online.
We work with organisations whose IT staff are frustrated with how hard it is to find detailed information and skills around virtualization. We help our clients
deliver the true benefits of virtualization, resulting in cost and time savings.
For more information contact:
Connect House
Kingston Road
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22 7LT
t +44 (0) 1372 365 018
f +44 (0) 1372 365 042
e [email protected]
w www.xtravirt.com
Copyright 2010 Xtravirt Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Xtravirt Ltd shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained herein. Xtravirt and the Xtravirt logo are registered trademarks of Xtravirt Ltd. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
This document remains the property of Xtravirt Ltd. Contents may not be copied, reproduced or modified without written consent from Xtravirt Ltd.

Useful Links

Tags

1.

VMware, ESX, ESXi, Virtual Machine, NFS, vSphere, Windows 2008,


Windows 2008 R2, Service for Network File System, Identity
Management for UNIX

2.

Microsoft Windows 2008 documentation, http://www.


microsoft.com/windowsserver2008/en/us/white-papers.aspx
VMware vSphere documentation, http://www.vmware.com/
support/pubs/vs_pubs.html

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