Proving VMware Over NFS
Published on 14 Jan 2008 · Filed in Rant · 193 words (estimated 1 minutes to read)I’m a fan of using NFS for VMware; I’ve mentioned it before. I’m not the only one, either; there have been a number of recent blog entries from various people regarding the use of NFS for VMware:
Virtual Optics: Why VMware over NetApp NFS
Storage Nuts & Bolts: VMware over NetApp NFS: A Customer’s Testimonial
It’s great that this is receiving more attention in the spotlight, but I still have one question: where are the statistics proving NFS’ value in VMware deployments?
If NFS is equally as good as Fibre Channel or iSCSI—and personally I agree with Nick that most deployments would be hard-pressed to tell the difference—then where are the stats that show this? Or is it impossible to demonstrate that a VMware deployment on NFS is “just as good” as one on Fibre Channel or iSCSI? Does the value of NFS come in subjective measurements that can’t be quantified, and perhaps that’s why we haven’t seen any hard proof of the value of NFS when compared to Fibre Channel or iSCSI?
If you have some insight, please share it in the comments. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on the matter.