I don't know if this is the place to ask but I've spent a lot of time researching this project and need help. I am trying to build a storage solution much like those offered by NetApp, Compellent, 3PAR, etc.
I've looked into using both OpenFiler, and FreeNAS but from what I can tell they don't offer much in terms of features/redundancy. The only project that has what I am looking for is NexentaStor but it is based on OpenSolaris and its future doesn't look promising right now.
I have a mild understanding of the hardware components necessary:
- 2 storage controllers
- Storage enclosure (undecided)
- 2 LSI 6Gb/s MegaRAID SAS 9280-16i4e controllers
- Multiple Intel PRO/1000 Quad Port cards (would prefer 10Gb but depends on cost)
- Dual-port backplane (need help on how this will integrate with enclosure/controllers)
I would like each controller to be setup in an active/active configuration with fully redundant hardware. However I would like to start with only one storage enclosure with the ability to connect additional for extra storage/redundancy later. This includes multipath iSCSI and RAID failover. LSI documentation states that they support single controller multipathing (failover) but I don't understand how this works. They offer their own product line of enclosures, CTS2600, with automated controller failover but require that you purchase the SAS drives from them.
The first step would be if someone could help explain how to configure this in the active/active configuration. This may require configuring each controller on a clustered file system. Right now I'd prefer to stick with Linux and use something like GFS2/GlusterFS/Btrfs but it does not look as stable and complete as ZFS. I'm primarily interested in Btrfs because they are adding de-duplication and other features.
Next is whether there is a software solution already available that uses Linux, or if it should possible to build this myself using CentOS.
Other features that I would like and need help with are:
- Thin Provisioning
- Automatic Tiered Storage
- Online Volume Expansion
