Using VAAI to boost storage performance
Various storage functions, such as cloning and snapshots, are performed more efficiently by the storage array (target) than by a host (initiator). In a virtualized environment, since virtual disks are files on VMFS and disk arrays cannot interpret the VMFS on-disk data layout; you cannot leverage hardware functions on a per-VM or per-virtual disk (file) basis.
The vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI) are a set of new protocol interfaces between ESXi and storage arrays, and new application programming interfaces in the VMkernel. Using a small set of primitives (fundamental operations) that can be issued to the array using these interfaces, ESXi is able to improve its offering of storage services.
The ...
Get vSphere High Performance Cookbook now with the O’Reilly learning platform.
O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.
