Virtual storage machine operations
About virtual storage machines and virtualized resources
The virtual storage machine is the unit that is used to manage virtualized storage system resources. When you use global storage virtualization functions (global-active device, nondisruptive migration), you create a virtual storage machine within a physical storage system to enable the host server to recognize two storage systems as one virtual storage system.
For example, when nondisruptive migration is used to migrate a storage system, a virtual storage machine for the migration source storage system is created in the migration target storage system. For nondisruptive migration, the migration source storage system is the virtualized storage system. When global-active device (GAD) is used to provide nondisruptive host access to volumes that reside on different storage systems, a virtual storage machine for the storage system that contains the primary volumes (P-VOLs) of the GAD pairs is created in the secondary storage system. For GAD, the primary storage system is the virtualized storage system.
The following figure illustrates the relationship between a (physical) storage system and virtual storage machines. 
For operations involving virtualized resources in a virtual storage machine, physical resources must be linked to virtualized resources. For example, when you perform operations on LDEVs in a virtual storage machine, you must specify physical LDEV IDs (not virtual LDEV IDs) that link to resources in the virtual storage machine. The following table lists the virtual IDs that must be set for resources in the (physical) storage system to enable the host server to recognize two storage systems as one virtual storage system.
|
Virtual ID |
Resource on which the virtual ID is set |
|
Model type of the virtualized storage system Serial number of the virtualized storage system |
Resource group |
|
LDEV ID Emulation type CVS LUSE volume number SSID |
LDEV |
Using virtual storage machines for global-active device
Global-active device (GAD) enables you to create and maintain synchronous, remote copies of data volumes. Both volumes of a GAD pair can receive the same data from the server.
When you use GAD, a resource group is created in the secondary storage system, and the model type and serial number of the primary storage system are assigned to the resource group to create the virtual storage machine. The server then recognizes both storage systems (the storage systems at the primary and secondary sites) as the same storage system and can synchronously access both volumes of a GAD pair. 
Global-active device is supported on the following storage systems.
- VSP Gx00 models
- VSP Fx00 models
- VSP G1x00
- VSP F1500
For details about global-active device, see the Global-Active Device User Guide.
Using virtual storage machines for nondisruptive migration
The nondisruptive migration (NDM) software is used to migrate data nondisruptively from a source storage system to a target storage system. When NDM is used, the program product configuration data is also migrated to enable business operations to continue without interruption.
When
NDM migration is performed, a resource group is created in the target storage system, and the model type and serial number of the source storage system are assigned to the resource group to create the virtual storage machine.
You can use NDM to migrate the following storage systems:
- Migration source:
- Universal Storage Platform V/VM
- Virtual Storage Platform
- Unified Storage VM
- Migration target:
- VSP Gx00 models
- VSP Fx00 models
- VSP G1x00
- VSP F1500
For details about nondisruptive migration, see the Nondisruptive Migration User Guide.
Requirements and specifications for global storage virtualization
The following table lists the requirements and specifications for global storage virtualization.
|
Item |
Requirement |
|
Storage system |
The following storage systems support global storage virtualization:
|
|
Virtual storage machine |
The following storage system models can be virtualized as virtual storage machines:
|
|
Maximum number of virtual storage machines per storage system |
You can define up to 7 virtual storage machines in a single physical storage system. |
|
User interface |
For details about using CCI and Device Manager - Storage Navigator, see Virtual storage machine operations in CCI and Device Manager - Storage Navigator. For details about using Hitachi Command Suite, see the Hitachi Command Suite User Guide and the Nondisruptive Migration User Guide. |
Virtual storage machine operations in CCI and Device Manager - Storage Navigator
You can use Command Control Interface (CCI) and Device Manager - Storage Navigator to perform operations with virtual storage machines. Both CCI and Device Manager - Storage Navigator display all virtual storage machine information, but some operations can only be performed using CCI.
The following table lists the virtual storage machine operations and indicates whether the operations can be performed in CCI, Device Manager - Storage Navigator, or both.
|
Operation |
CCI |
Device Manager - Storage Navigator |
|
Creating/deleting virtual storage machines |
Yes |
No |
|
Reserving host groups in a virtual storage machine |
Yes |
No |
|
Deleting default virtual LDEV IDs |
Yes |
No |
|
Reserving virtual LDEV IDs in a virtual storage machine |
Yes |
No |
|
Setting virtual LDEV IDs |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Setting device parameters for virtual LDEVs |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Viewing virtual storage machine information (model type, serial number) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Viewing virtual LDEV information |
Yes |
Yes |
Information about the virtualized resources of a virtual storage machine is displayed in Device Manager - Storage Navigator with associated physical storage information. If the information about these resources is not displayed by default, change the settings for the table columns displayed in the window.
Device Manager - Storage Navigator uses the following terms about virtualized resources:
- LDEV for which virtualization management is enabled. An LDEV that satisfies one of these conditions:
- The virtual storage machine that manages the resource group with the LDEV is different than the storage system involved in the operation (their model types and serial numbers are different).
- The virtual storage machine that manages the resource group with the LDEV is the same as the storage system involved in the operation (their model types and serial numbers are the same), but the virtual LDEV ID and the LDEV ID are different.
- LDEV for which virtualization management is disabled. An LDEV that satisfies both of these conditions:
- The virtual storage machine that manages the resource group with the LDEV is the same as the storage system involved in the operation (their model types and serial numbers are the same).
- The virtual LDEV ID and the LDEV ID are the same.
Performing provisioning operations for resources in a virtual storage machine
CCI is used to perform provisioning operations on virtualized resources.
For provisioning operations that involve virtualized resources in a virtual storage machine, you can perform provisioning operations that specify conventional physical resources or virtualized resources. As shown in the following figure, for example, provisioning operations in which "LDEV ID:10:00" is specified can be performed as usual, but provisioning operations in which "Virtual ID(LDEV ID): 20:00" is specified are limited. For details about performing provisioning operations for virtualized resources, see the Command Control Interface User and Reference Guide.
Pair operations with virtual storage machine pairs
You can perform pair operations by specifying both of the following in the HORCM_LDEV parameters of the Command Control Interface configuration definition file:
- Serial number of the virtual storage machine in the
Serial#parameter - Virtual LDEV number in the
CU:LDEV(LDEV#)parameter
You can perform conventional pair operations by specifying both of the following in the HORCM_LDEV parameters of the configuration definition file:
- Serial number of the physical storage system in the
Serial#parameter - Physical LDEV number in the
CU:LDEV(LDEV#)parameter
If the following condition exists, the local copy pair operation cannot be performed by specifying virtual IDs:
- Primary volume and secondary volume are defined differently for the virtual storage machine.
If both of the following conditions exist, remote copy pair operations cannot be performed by specifying virtual IDs:
- The primary volume is an LDEV in a VSP, HUS VM, or USP V/VM storage system.
- The secondary volume is an LDEV in system.
Global-active device pair operations that specify the virtual ID cannot be performed.
You can create pairs by specifying both of following in the HORCM_LDEV parameters of the Command Control Interface configuration definition file:
- Serial number of the physical storage system in the
Serial#parameter - Virtual LDEV number in the
CU:LDEV(LDEV#)parameter
If the pair is created under the above conditions, the following are displayed as results of executing the
pairdisplay command:
- Serial number of the virtual storage machine in the
Seq#parameter - Virtual LDEV number in the
LDEV#parameter
You can create pairs by specifying both of the following in the HORCM_LDEV parameters of the configuration definition file:
- Serial number of the physical storage system in the
Serial#parameter - Physical LDEV number in the
CU:LDEV(LDEV#)parameter
If the pair is created under the above conditions, the following are displayed as results of executing the
pairdisplay command:
- Physical serial number of the virtual storage machine in the
Seq#parameter - Physical virtual LDEV number in the
LDEV#parameter
You can create pairs by specifying both of the following in the HORCM_LDEV parameters of the configuration definition file:
- Serial number of the physical storage system in the
Serial#parameter - Physical LDEV number in the
CU:LDEV(LDEV#)parameter
For pairs created under the above conditions, the device information that is recognized by the server and the device information that results from executing the
pairdisplay command are different.
Creating a virtual storage machine
Use the following workflow to create a virtual storage machine. You must use CCI to create a virtual storage machine.
To create a virtual storage machine, you add a resource group and assign the model type and serial number of the virtualized storage system to the resource group.
Before you begin
You will need to enter the following information when you create a virtual storage machine:
- Model type and serial number of the storage system to be virtualized
- Port/host group information of the LDEVs to be virtualized (for example, CL1-A-1)
- LDEV IDs of the LDEVs to be virtualized
Procedure
Create a virtual storage machine by using the raidcom add resource command.
For example:raidcom add resource -resource_name rsg_vir -virtual_type 20000 R700
where:
rsg_viris the name of the new resource group that will contain the virtualized resources.-
200000is the serial number of the virtual storage machine. -
R700is the model type of the virtual storage machine.
The following model types are supported:
- USP V: R600
- USP VM: RK600
- VSP: R700
- VSP G1x00, VSP F1500: R800
- HUS VM: M700
- VSP Gx00 models, VSP Fx00 models: M800
In the virtual storage machine, reserve the ID for the host group that will be accessed by the host server.
For example:raidcom add resource -resource_name rsg_vir -port CL1-A-1
Delete the default virtual ID.
By default, virtual IDs are set in the LDEVs in the storage system. Delete the default virtual ID from the LDEV that you plan to use by using the raidcom unmap resource command. For example:raidcom unmap resource -ldev_id 10:00 -virtual_ldev_id 10:00
Reserve the ID for the LDEV in the resource group.
In the resource group, reserve the LDEV ID for the LDEV that you plan to use in the virtual storage machine. For this operation, use the raidcom add resource command. For example:raidcom add resource -resource_name rsg_vir -ldev_id 10:00
Setting the virtual ID for the LDEV.
Set the virtual ID for the LDEV in the virtual storage machine by using the raidcom map resource command. For example:raidcom map resource -ldev_id 10:00 -virtual_ldev_id 20:00
Enabling the virtualization management setting for LDEVs
Use this procedure to enable the virtualization management setting of volumes using Device Manager - Storage Navigator. When virtualization management is enabled for a volume, you can set the virtual LDEV ID and specify the virtual volume configuration of the volume.
Before you begin
- You must have the Security Administrator (View & Modify) role to perform this task.
Procedure
In the Administration tree, select Resource Groups.
Select the resource group that contains the target volume.
In the LDEVs tab, select the target volume, and click Edit Virtualization Management Settings.
In Virtualization Management Settings, select Enable or Enable (Not Set).
- Enable: Virtualization management can be used. You can set the virtual LDEV ID and specify the virtual LDEV configuration using Device Manager - Storage Navigator.
- Enable (Not Set): Virtualization management can be used, but you cannot set the virtual LDEV ID or specify the virtual LDEV configuration using Device Manager - Storage Navigator.
- Disable: Virtualization management cannot be used for the selected volume.
If you selected Enable in Virtualization Management Settings, set the virtual LDEV ID for the selected volume.
If you selected more than one volume, set the starting virtual LDEV ID in Initial Virtual LDEV ID, and set the interval for the subsequent LDEV IDs in Interval. Virtual LDEV IDs that are not used in the virtual storage machine are assigned sequentially at the specified interval, starting from the specified virtual LDEV ID.NoteIf the virtual storage machine is the same as the storage system, assign a virtual LDEV ID that is different from the LDEV ID of the selected LDEV. If the virtual storage machine is the same as the storage system and you need to assign a virtual LDEV ID that is the same as the LDEV ID of the selected LDEV, select Disable in Virtualization Management Settings.CautionIf the virtual storage machine is configured in multiple storage systems, a virtual LDEV ID that is already used in another storage system might be assigned. In such a configuration, set the interval so that a virtual LDEV ID that is already used in another storage system is not assigned.If you selected Enable in Virtualization Management Settings, select Virtual Configuration to specify the volume configuration information. For the virtual volume configuration, the specified values are set for all selected LDEVs.
- If the volume configuration of the virtual LDEV and the LDEV are the same, select Not Set.
- If the volume configuration of the virtual LDEV and the LDEV are different, select Specify, and then set the following parameters:
In Emulation Type, select the virtual emulation type. For the virtual emulation type, which is similar to the emulation type, set one of the emulation types that exists in the same group of 32 volumes with LDEV IDs.
Select CVS Settings.
If the virtual LDEV is a LUSE volume, in Number of Concatenated LDEVs specify the number of concatenated LDEVs (decimal number from 2 to 36).
If the virtual LDEV is not a LUSE volume, enter 1.In SSID, specify the virtual SSID (hexadecimal number from 0004 to FFFE).
Set a virtual SSID for each virtual LDEV address (64, 128, 256) in the virtual storage machine.
Click Finish.
Enter the task name in Task Name.
If you want the Tasks window to open automatically, select Go to tasks window for status.Click Apply to register the task.
CautionIf the LDEV virtualization management setting is canceled, Failed is displayed in the Status column of the Task window and Transient is displayed for the Virtual LDEV ID. To resolve the transient status, perform one of the following operations on the LDEVs:
- Resolve the cause of the failure by addressing the error message in the Task window, and then retry the operation by using the Edit Virtualization Management Settings window.
- In the Edit Virtualization Management Settings window, set Virtual Management Settings to Disable before applying the setting to the storage system.
Editing virtual LDEV ID and virtual volume configuration
Use this procedure to edit the virtual LDEV ID and volume configuration (emulation type, CVS and LUSE settings, and SSID) of a virtualized volume using Device Manager - Storage Navigator.
Before you begin
- You must have the Security Administrator (View & Modify) role to perform this task.
- The virtualization management setting for the target volume must be set to Enabled.
Procedure
In the Administration tree, select Resource Groups.
Select the resource group that contains the target volume.
In the LDEVs tab, select the target volume, and click Edit Virtualization Management Settings.
In Virtualization Management Settings, make sure that Enable is selected.
If Enable (Not Set) or Disable is selected, you cannot edit the virtual LDEV ID or the volume configuration.Edit the virtual LDEV ID for the selected volume.
If you selected more than one volume, set the starting virtual LDEV ID in Initial Virtual LDEV ID, and set the interval for the subsequent LDEV IDs in Interval. Virtual LDEV IDs that are not used in the virtual storage machine are assigned sequentially at the specified interval, starting from the specified virtual LDEV ID.NoteIf the virtual storage machine is the same as the storage system, assign a virtual LDEV ID that is different from the LDEV ID of the selected LDEV. If the virtual storage machine is the same as the storage system and you need to assign a virtual LDEV ID that is the same as the LDEV ID of the selected LDEV, select Disable in Virtualization Management Settings.CautionIf the virtual storage machine is configured in multiple storage systems, a virtual LDEV ID that is already used in another storage system might be assigned. In such a configuration, set the interval so that a virtual LDEV ID that is already used in another storage system is not assigned.Select Virtual Configuration to edit the volume configuration information. For the virtual volume configuration, the specified values are set for all selected LDEVs.
- If the volume configuration of the virtual LDEV and the LDEV are the same, select Not Set.
- If the volume configuration of the virtual LDEV and the LDEV are different, select Specify, and then set the following parameters:
In Emulation Type, select the virtual emulation type. For the virtual emulation type, which is similar to the emulation type, set one of the emulation types that exists in the same group of 32 volumes with LDEV IDs.
Select CVS Settings.
If the virtual LDEV is a LUSE volume, in Number of Concatenated LDEVs specify the number of concatenated LDEVs (decimal number from 2 to 36).
If the virtual LDEV is not a LUSE volume, enter 1.In SSID, specify the virtual SSID (hexadecimal number from 0004 to FFFE).
Set a virtual SSID for each virtual LDEV address (64, 128, 256) in the virtual storage machine.
Click Finish.
Enter the task name in Task Name.
If you want the Tasks window to open automatically, select Go to tasks window for status.Click Apply to register the task.
CautionIf the LDEV virtualization management setting is canceled, Failed is displayed in the Status column of the Task window and Transient is displayed for the Virtual LDEV ID. To resolve the transient status, perform one of the following operations on the LDEVs:
- Resolve the cause of the failure by addressing the error message in the Task window, and then retry the operation by using the Edit Virtualization Management Settings window.
- In the Edit Virtualization Management Settings window, set Virtual Management Settings to Disable before applying the setting to the storage system.
Disabling the virtualization management setting for LDEVs
Use this procedure to disable the virtualization management setting of volumes using Device Manager - Storage Navigator. When virtualization management is disabled for a volume, you cannot set the virtual LDEV ID or specify the virtual volume configuration of the volume.
Before you begin
- You must have the Security Administrator (View & Modify) role to perform this task.
Procedure
In the Administration tree, select Resource Groups.
Select the resource group that contains the target volume.
In the LDEVs tab, select the target volume, and click Edit Virtualization Management Settings.
In Virtualization Management Settings, select Disable.
Click Finish.
Enter the task name in Task Name.
Click Apply.
The task is registered. If Go to tasks window for status is selected, the Tasks window opens automatically.
CautionIf the LDEV virtualization management setting is canceled, Failed is displayed in the Status column of the Task window and Transient is displayed for the Virtual LDEV ID. To resolve the transient status, perform one of the following operations on the LDEVs:
- Resolve the cause of the failure by addressing the error message in the Task window, and then retry the operation by using the Edit Virtualization Management Settings window.
- In the Edit Virtualization Management Settings window, set Virtual Management Settings to Disable before applying the setting to the storage system.