Attach Azure NetApp Files volumes as datastores to Azure VMware Solution

  • 4 minutes

Azure VMware Solution (AVS) supports attaching Network File System (NFS) datastores as a persistent storage option to expand virtual machine storage without scaling the AVS cluster.

To attach your NFS datastore as a persistent storage option in AVS, you need the following resources:

  • Access to an Azure subscription with an AVS private cloud.
  • A dedicated VNet connected via an ExpressRoute gateway.
  • An Azure NetApp Files capacity pool, and an Azure NetApp Files delegated subnet.

Then use the following steps to configure Azure NetApp Files and Azure VMware Solution:

  1. Navigate to the Azure NetApp Files capacity pool in the Azure portal.

    1. Select Volumes then +Add Volume to create a volume.
    2. In the Basics tab, enter the Volume name.
    3. In the Basics tab, provide a Quota (GiB) to set the size and performance of the datastore.
    4. In the Basics tab, ensure the Virtual network selected is connected to the AVS private cloud via an ExpressRoute gateway and has FastPath enabled.
    5. In the Basics tab, select the Delegated subnet.
    6. In the Basics tab, ensure that Standard network features is selected.
    7. In the Basics tab, select the Availability zone that matches the availability zone of your AVS private cloud.
    8. In the Protocol tab, ensure Azure VMware Solution datastore is selected.
    9. In the Review + create tab, select Create to create the volume.

  2. Navigate to your Azure VMware Solution private cloud in the Azure portal.

    1. Select the Storage menu, then + Connect Azure NetApp Files volume.
    2. Select the Subscription, NetApp account, Capacity pool, and Volume to be attached as a datastore.
    3. To associate the volume as a datastore, select the Azure VMware Solution Client cluster.
    4. Provide a personalized name for your Datastore name.
    5. Select Review + create.
    6. Navigate to the Storage menu to validate the datastore details.

  3. Check that you can see the NFS datastore from vCenter.

Once you create the AVS datastore backed by Azure NetApp Files, you can create VMs in the datastore or use storage vMotion to move VMs from other datastores.