NFS is a reliable and viable storage option for virtualization. VMware supports both NFS version 3 and NFS version 4.1, providing features similar to those available with block-based storage like SAN. With proper configuration, vSphere on NFS delivers strong performance, stability, and a rich feature set.
Key Considerations for Deployment
1. Networking Configuration
Efficient networking is essential for NFS performance. VMware recommends isolating storage traffic using dedicated switches or VLANs. The minimum NIC speed should be 1GbE, with 10GbE preferred for better throughput. Avoid network congestion by ensuring the LAN connection to the storage array is not over-subscribed.
2. Throughput and Latency Optimization
NFS throughput can be enhanced using several methods:
- Jumbo Frames: Increases frame payload size for higher efficiency but requires consistent support across all devices. Load Sharing: Configure multiple datastores using separate IP connections to distribute network traffic. Link Aggregation: Multiple physical interfaces can be combined to provide redundancy and improved performance.
To reduce latency, minimize the number of network hops between ESXi hosts and storage arrays.
Security Best Practices
Security is crucial when deploying NFS:
- NFS v3 relies on root access and lacks encryption, making it essential to isolate NFS traffic on trusted networks. NFS v4.1 introduces support for Kerberos authentication and encryption, providing improved security with non-root access and data integrity checks.
High Availability
To ensure high availability:
- Use NIC teaming and redundant physical switches to eliminate single points of failure. Implement Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for improved failover and path redundancy.
Advanced Features
VMware integrates NFS with key vSphere features such as:
- Storage I/O Control (SIOC): Prevents resource contention by dynamically adjusting I/O priorities based on latency. Network I/O Control (NIOC): Prioritizes critical network traffic to prevent bottlenecks on shared NICs. Storage DRS: Balances workloads across datastores, optimizing both capacity and I/O performance. VAAI-NAS: Offloads storage operations to the array, improving efficiency for tasks like cloning and provisioning.
Additional Attributes of NFS Storage
NFS provides several storage advantages:
- Thin Provisioning: Efficiently allocates storage by using only the space that VMs actually consume. Deduplication: Some NAS arrays support deduplication, which can significantly reduce storage requirements. Backup and Restore: NFS offers granular backup and restore options, including the ability to restore individual files or entire datastores from snapshots.
Sizing and Configuration Tips
- There is no strict performance limitation on NFS volume size, but most datastores are typically in the tens of terabytes range. The recommended number of VMs per NFS datastore depends on workload intensity and backup/recovery SLAs. Advanced parameters such as TCP heap size, heartbeat intervals, and locking mechanisms can be tuned based on vendor recommendations.
Conclusion
NFS has evolved to become a robust storage solution for VMware vSphere environments. By following these best practices, organizations can maximize the performance, security, and availability of their virtual infrastructure. Collaboration with storage vendors ensures optimal configurations tailored to each deployment.
This guide offers a practical overview of how to leverage NFS storage effectively with VMware vSphere, ensuring reliable and high-performing virtualization.
