For file-based storage abstraction, Oracle VM uses the concept of storage repositories. A storage repository is essentially logical disk space made available through a file system on top of physical storage hardware. If the storage repository is created on a file server, for example an NFS share, then a file system is already present; if the repository is created on a LUN, an OCFS2 file system is created first.
A storage repository defines where Oracle VM resources may reside. Resources include virtual machine configuration files, templates for virtual machine creation, virtual machine assemblies, ISO files (DVD image files), shared and unshared virtual disks, and so on.
Never manually copy Oracle VM resources such as virtual machine configuration files from one repository to another, as this can cause duplication of UUIDs within the Oracle VM environment and can cause Oracle VM to malfunction. Always use the tools provided by Oracle VM Manager to move resources. For instance, to move a virtual machine configuration from one storage repository to another use the Move Virtual Machine wizard described in Section 7.9.9, “Moving Virtual Machines Between Repositories”.
Before you begin configuring a storage repository, make sure that these requirements are met:
NFS-based repository: At least one Oracle VM Server must be discovered. For the creation of the storage repository the Oracle VM Agent on the server will act as the worker component performing the instructions given through Oracle VM Manager.
LUN-based repository: By design, a storage repository on a LUN is linked to a clustered server pool, because of the nature of the OCFS2 file system it uses. Consequently, a server pool must exist with clustering enabled, and at least one server must be present in the clustered pool.
A repository on a local server storage also belongs in this category, since local disks are always discovered as LUNs. For more information about local storage and repositories, see Section 4.6.4, “Using Local Storage”.
Only NFS storage repositories can be shared by multiple server pools.
For detailed instructions about the configuration and management of storage repositories, see Section 4.8, “Preparing and Configuring Storage Repositories”.