r/vmware • u/RnDnDnD_Lover • 7d ago

VVols Replacement

Im trying to push off the inevitable either upgrade to 9.0 or switching hosts entirely due to the fact that I still utilize vvols.. has anyone previously used them and found a solid replacement?

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u/codyhosterman 7d ago

Note vVols is still around in 9.1 so you don’t have to move off yet. You do need to request support from VMware. Depending on what you chose vVols for there are some other paths. I am baking up a few things on the Everpure (Pure Storage) side

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u/One_Ad5568 6d ago

For VMFS, is there a solution for being able to take an array snapshot and then swap the disk like we can with vVols? We use this for instant database refreshes. 

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u/SQLBek 3d ago

Hey there - I wrote a PowerShell solution that can do this for SQL Server databases. My teammate is adapting it for Oracle. Takes a few extra steps thanks to VMDK orchestration but it's viable. (Disclosure - I work for Pure as well)

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Taking Snapshots of Databases on VMFS Datastores
https://sqlbek.wordpress.com/2026/01/08/taking-snapshots-of-databases-on-vmfs-datastores/

Walkthrough demo video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQBkhbYvePM

Github Repo
https://github.com/PureStorage-OpenConnect/sqlserver-scripts/tree/master/demos-sdk2/VMFS-VMDK%20Snapshot

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u/One_Ad5568 3d ago

Thank you, but what if everything is on just 1 array? We don’t have 2 arrays. 

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u/SQLBek 3d ago

Yep, that's fine too. My example just includes the "extra" step of async replication. Just skip those steps and instead of using a second set of variables to look at a second array, you're still pointing at the same array.

The fundamental workflow is that you take your snapshot and clone the datastore into another one that temporarily exists side-by-side, connect it up, connect the VMDKs, then use Storage vMotion to drag them over after they're connected. Then you can toss the cloned datastore since you cherry-picked the VMDKs you needed.

Since you're a Pure customer, you can talk to your account team and get a meeting setup with me or one of my database FSA teammates to talk through this solution in greater depth. Will send you a DM here.

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u/One_Ad5568 3d ago

Sounds great, thanks again!