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vSphere 5.1 Single Sign On (SSO) Configuration – Architectural Decision flowchart

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The below is the second architectural decision flowchart in my new series and covers a new feature in vSphere 5.1, Single Sign On.

There has been a lot of discussion around “Best Practices” for SSO, I have taken the approach of creating this flowchart with as many scenarios as possible.

I would recommend that you validate any configuration the flowchart results in is suitable for your environment prior to implementing into production.

The flowchart is designed to be used as a guide only, not a definitive decision making resource.

This also compliments some of my previous example architectural decisions which are shown in the related topics section below.

A special thanks to Michael Webster (VCDX#66) @vcdxnz001 & James Wirth (VCDX#83)@JimmyWally81 for their review and contributions to this flowchart.

SSO flowchart V1.0

Related Articles

1. Example Architectural Decision – SSO deployment mode over Active/Active Datacenters

2. vCenter Single Sign-On – Part 1: What is vCenter Single Sign-On?  – By Justin King @vCenterguy

3. vCenter Single Sign-on Part 2 – Deployment options – By Justin King @vCenterguy

4. vCenter Single Sign-on Part 3 – Availability  – By Justin King @vCenterguy

5. vCenter Single SIgn-On – Part 4: Pre Install Requirements – By Justin King @vCenterguy

6. Disabling vSphere 5.1 Single Sign-on – Long White Virtual Clouds – By Michael Webster @vcdxnz001

7. VMware KB: Multisite Single Sign-On deployment best practices

8. Where is the Best Practice Guide for SSO? | VMware Support Insider By 

vCatchup – Craig Waters & Josh Odgers

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I recently was asked by Melbourne VMUG leader and friend Craig Waters (@cswaters1) to do a vCatchup with him which I gladly accepted.

The vCatchup is approx 35mins in length and covers various topics including the tech community in Australia/NZ, VMUG , interesting developments in the industry in 2013 along with Software Defined Datacenter.

Other topics discussed include architecture and emerging technology such as Nicira , Nutanix and PernixData.

I hope you enjoy the vCatchup with Josh Odgers

vCatchup

Example Architectural Decision – Storage Protocol Choice for a VMware View Environment using Linked Clones

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Problem Statement

What is the most suitable storage protocol for a Virtual Desktop (VMware View) environment using Linked Clones?

Assumptions

1.  The Storage Array supports NFS native snapshot offload
2. VMware View 5.1 or later

Motivation

1. Minimize recompose (maintenance) window
2. Minimize impact on the storage array and HA/DRS cluster during recompose activities
3. Reduce storage costs where possible
4. Simplify the storage design eg: Number/size of Datastores / Storage Connectivity
5. Reduce the total solution cost eg: Number of Hosts required

Architectural Decision

Use Network File System (NFS)

Justification

1. Using native NFS snapshot (VAAI) offloads the creation of VMs to the array, therefore reducing the compute overhead on the ESXi hosts
2. Native NFS snapshots require much less disk space than traditional linked clones
3. Recomposition times are reduced due to the offloading of the cloning to the array
4. More virtual machines can be supported per NFS datastore compared to VMFS datastores (200+ for NFS compared to max recommended of 140, but it is generally recommended to design for much lower numbers eg: 64 per VMFS)
5. Recompositions/Refresh activities can be performed during business hours, or at Logoff (for Refresh) with minimal impact to the HA/DRS cluster, thus giving more flexibility to maintain the environment
6. Avoid’s potential VMFS locking issues – although this issue is not as important for environments using vSphere 4.1 onward with VAAI compatible arrays
7. When sizing your storage array, less capacity is required. Note: Performance sizing is also critical
8. The cost of a FC Storage Area Network can be avoided
9. Fewer ESXi hosts may be required as the compute overhead of driving cloning has been removed

Implications

1.  In the current release, 5.1, View Storage Accelerator (formally Content Based Read Cache or CBRC) is not supported when using Native NFS snapshots (VAAI)
2. Also in the current release 5.1, “Use native NFS snapshots (VAAI) is in “Tech Preview” – This is rumored to change in View 5.2

Alternatives

1. Use VMFS (block) based datastores and have more VMFS datastores – Note: Recompose activity will be driven by the host which adds an overhead to the cluster.