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Introducing IBM Storage Ceph as a Service Plugin for vSphere 1.0.0.0

By Sohail Ali posted Tue April 01, 2025 07:20 AM

Introduction
Unlock the full potential of your VMware vSphere environment with the new IBM Storage Ceph as a Service plugin (1.0.0.0)! This powerful plugin empowers you to manage and control your Ceph as a Service deployments directly from the VMware vSphere Client, offering unmatched ease of use and flexibility. With just a few clicks, you can effortlessly provision, monitor, and manage your storage, all within the familiar vSphere interface.

With its first release, this plugin is now part of the VMware ecosystem, offering robust capabilities right within the vSphere GUI to support customers in managing their infrastructure without needing to switch platforms.

For more information on what’s new in vSphere plugin, please refer IBM documentation https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cephaas?topic=cephaas-whats-new-vsphere

Highlights of IBM Storage Ceph as a Service Plugin for vSphere

Install and register the plugin VM on either a single or linked vCenter.
Management of multiple Ceph as a Service deployments with seamless integration.
Managing ESXi hosts.
Managing VMFS datastores.
Integration with the Recent Tasks pane in vCenter for streamlined task tracking.
Manual refresh of all plugin-managed items as needed for up-to-date management.

For detailed information on installing vSphere plugin, please refer IBM documentation https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cephaas?topic=cephaas-installing-the-plugin

Features supported by Plugin

1. Manage Ceph as a Service Deployments:

Add Deployment:
Leverage the IBM Storage Ceph as a Service plugin for vSphere to register multiple Deployments.

Edit Deployment:
Once a deployment is added through the plugin, modifications can be made to deployment name and API Key.
Delete Deployment:
If the plugin no longer needs to manage a specific deployment, it can be removed from the plugin.
Manual Refresh of Deployment:
Reconcile and rescan deployments and vSphere objects managed by the plugin.

For detailed information on Managing Deployments, please refer IBM documentation - https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cephaas?topic=cephaas-installing-the-plugin

2. Manage ESXI Hosts

Add ESXI host:
Users can now effortlessly add a host to the selected deployment using vSphere plugin. The interface provide details around host such as host cluster name, host NVME qualified name, host name, etc.
Edit Host:
Once the host is added to deployment and for some reason the user wants to edit the host name, they will be able to do so in this workflow.
Delete Host:
With vSphere plugin, users can delete host provided that there are no datastores or volumes mapped to the specified esx host.

For more information on Managing ESXI hosts, please refer IBM documentation https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cephaas?topic=cephaas-managing-hosts-vsphere-plug-in

3. Manage VMFS Datastores

Create Datastore:
Users can effortlessly create datastores by choosing the deployment on which they want to create datastore followed by the hosts to be mapped, one or more nvme adapters per host, name, and size of the datastore during creation. The interface provides helper texts and tooltips throughout the application, guiding users through each step and ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience. In order to track the status of operations done through the plugin, users can navigate to recent task section of vCenter UI.
Expand Datastore:
In case there’s need for more storage space, users can use the plugin to expand the capacity for VMFS datastores.
Delete Datastore:
Using vSphere plugin users can delete the VMFS datastores and underlying mappings with just one-click!

For detailed information on Managing Datastore’s, please refer IBM documentation https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/cephaas?topic=cephaas-managing-datastores-vsphere-plug-in

Conclusion

In summary, the IBM Storage Ceph as Service plugin for vSphere 1.0.0.0 simplifies and streamlines your workflows, enabling integration of Ceph as a Service deployments with the vSphere Client. With intuitive interfaces, powerful features, and real-time integration, this plugin enhances efficiency, reduces complexity, and ensures smooth operations. So what are you waiting for? Start using IBM Storage Ceph as a Service plugin for vSphere in your vSphere environments now!

References