Introduction
Lightbits' Azure VMware Solution (AVS) integrates NVMe/TCP data storage services into Azure cloud-based VMware vCenter and ESXi environments, enabling and simplifying access to block storage from Lightbits storage clusters over the NVMe/TCP protocol. This solution enables cloud and data center administrators to run customized workflows for storage provisioning, orchestration, and management - using AVS CLI or REST APIs.
Lightbits AVS is fully compatible with Microsoft Azure and VMware recommended best practices.
Lightbits AVS is an RPM based single binary file that can be used for VMFS based datastore workflows.
The following is the technology stack used for building the lbavs application:
- Microsoft Azure Management API
- Azure RunCommands Framework
- PowerShell
- PowerCLI
- VMware vSphere Management API
- Lightbits REST API
- Golang
Lightbits AVS integrates with all components over secure protocol HTTPS (433).
lbavs is a CLI tool that also provides a REST API interface in Azure's cloud environment to initiate a storage operational workflow. Each workflow performs a specific storage management function; e.g. creating a VMFS datastore, deleting a VMFS datastore, etc.
Prerequisites
- lbavs requires network access to the Azure Cloud environment, and network access to the Lightbits storage cluster.
- The
lbavs.yamlfile should have the access information to environments. - The AVS should have RunCommand version 1.0.93-dev or later installed.
- Azure has at least one or more configured private clouds.
Create the Azure Service principal to access the environment. Use one of these links:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/purview/create-service-principal-azure
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/create-an-azure-service-principal-azure-cli
For managed identities, use a private URL for authentication, similar to:
http://network_address/metadata/identity/oauth2/token
Edit the lbavs.yaml file for network address(es) and access credentials.
Lightbits AVS Auto Healing
Lightbits' auto healing feature refers to the ability of the system to automatically detect and repair failures or issues within the cluster without manual intervention. This capability is critical for maintaining high availability, reliability, and performance of the storage system. Lightbits' AVS solution deployment from the Azure Marketplace provides this out-of-box feature. Multiple Azure functions run and monitor health and other changes in the Lightbits storage cluster and AVS (ESXi) cluster. These Azure functions ensure that all nodes in the Lightbits cluster are always connected to all ESXi hosts in the AVS cluster; e.g., a replaced storage node or ESXi host is automatically connected to the client or target over the data path, for storage needs.
Lightbits AVS Auto Scaling
Lightbits' auto scaling feature in storage clusters refers to the system's ability to dynamically adjust its resources (such as capacity, nodes, or instances) in response to changing demands without manual intervention. This capability is crucial for maintaining performance, optimizing resource utilization, and reducing operational costs. Lightbits' AVS solution deployment from the Azure Marketplace provides this out-of-box feature. Multiple Azure functions run and monitor the Lightbits storage cluster and AVS (ESXi) cluster. These Azure functions ensure that all nodes in the Lightbits cluster are always connected to all ESXi hosts in the AVS cluster; e.g., a newly added storage node or ESXi host is automatically connected to the client or target over the data path, for storage needs.