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Configuring the NAS server for VSS shadow copies

Configuring VSS access to a server

You can configure a storage server to allow VSS access using NAS Manager or the CLI command mscfg.

To configure the storage server using NAS Manager:

Procedure

  1. Enter the required information, as described in the following table:

    Field/Item Description
    Enable VSS Access Select the check box to allow access by the VSS protocol, or clear the check box to disable access using that protocol.
    NoteTo use VSS you must install and configure the VSS Hardware Provider software.
    Port Number Enter the port number that the storage server should monitor for communication through the protocol. The default is port 202.

    NoteThe port number is not configurable on a NAS module.
    Maximum Number Of Connections Specifies the maximum number of simultaneous connections to the server. You can allow up to five simultaneous connections.
    Restrict Access To Allowed Hosts Fill the check box to restrict protocol access to the hosts specified on this page. Make sure the check box is empty to enable the protocol to access any host.
    Allowed Hosts If protocol access is restricted to specified hosts, use these fields to specify the hosts to which the protocol has access.
    NoteIf protocol access is restricted to specified to hosts, make sure the SMU is an allowed host.
    • Allowed Hosts (field). In the Allowed Hosts field, enter the IP address of a host that the protocol is allowed to access, then click Add to insert that host into the list of allowed hosts.
      NoteIf the system has been set up to work with a name server, you can identify allowed hosts by IP address or hostname.

      Wildcard Usage: You can specify an IP address using the * character, such as: 10.168.*.* or 172.*.*.*.

    • Allowed Hosts (list). This list displays the IP address or hostname of each of the hosts that the protocol is allowed to access.

      To delete a host, select its IP address or hostname from the list and click Delete.

    Add Inserts that host into the Allowed Hosts list.
    Delete Deletes the selected host from the Allowed Hosts list.
    apply Saves configuration changes.

Installing the VSS hardware provider

The VSS Hardware Provider software has the following requirements:

  • The NAS server: Firmware version 5.1 or later.
  • The VSS host:
    • Windows Server 2003 with SP2 or later (32-bit or 64-bit version) or Windows Server 2008 (32-bit or 64-bit version).
    • 16 MB of free disk space.

Installation process

During installation, the installation program automatically installs the correct 32-bit or 64-bit executable for the operating system, and the installation program also installs:

  • The Manage NAS Server Connections utility, which allows you to specify each NAS server or cluster that you want to be able to access using VSS. A shortcut is placed in the Start menu for easy access to the utility.
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Redistributable runtime library, which is used by the VSS Hardware Provider. After installation this library is listed in the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel as Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable. You can display the version number in the Control Panel by highlighting the application, and clicking the Click here for support information link.

On the last dialog of the installation program, select Manage Hitachi NAS Platform/High-performance NAS Platform connections for VSS provider to start the Manage NAS Server Connections utility. If you choose to configure your server connections at a later time, access the utility through the Start menu (NAS Platform VSS Hardware Provider). If you receive a message prompting you to restart your computer to complete the installation, you must reboot before using the Manage NAS Server Connections utility.

NoteIf a previous version of the NAS Platform VSS Hardware Provider is already present on the VSS host, we recommend that you uninstall it before installing the new version. Before installing a new version or uninstalling a previous version, be sure there are no active connections open between the VSS Hardware Provider and the NAS Platform. You can uninstall the application through the Windows Start menu.

Configuring NAS server connections (HNAS server only)

This utility allows you to specify the VSS connection information for each NAS server or cluster. The utility also displays any NAS server connections that have been configured.

Server connections are configured using the Manage NAS Server Connections utility, shown in this section. You can start this utility during the VSS Hardware Provider installation (by selecting Manage Hitachi NAS Platform connections for VSS provider on the last dialog of the installation program) or after installation through the Windows Start menu.

To configure a VSS connection for a NAS server, specify the information in the Add Connection area (Server Address, Server Port, Supervisor Name, and Password) and click Add. This creates a unique VSS credential (discussed in VSS Credentials), which is saved on the target NAS server and on the VSS host. Once added, the NAS server's IP address or DNS name appears in the Server column of the Server Connections list in this dialog. The Status column lists the status of the VSS credential.

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Item/Field

Description

Server Connections

This table lists the DNS name or IP address of all configured NAS servers, along with their status. This table has two columns: Status and Server.

The Server column lists the DNS name or IP address of all NAS servers that have had their connection information specified through this utility (that is, NAS servers for which this host has a VSS credential). If a non-default port number was used when the VSS credential was created, then that number is shown following the server's DNS name or IP address.

The Status column lists the status of the VSS credential. A status is provided only after the server has been tested (by selecting the server and clicking Test). The possible status values are blank (no test run), OK, or Fail.

A status of “Fail” indicates that the VSS host cannot connect to the NAS server. If this occurs, make sure your NAS server is running and that you can PING the server. You can also use the mscfg vss and vss-account CLI commands to ensure that VSS is enabled, and that the NAS server's copy of the credential has not been removed.

Server Address

Specify either the IP address or the DNS name of the NAS server or cluster.

Server Port

Leave blank to use the VSS default port (202). If the server has been configured to use a non-default VSS management port, specify that port number.

Supervisor Name

Specify the name of a management account with supervisor privileges on the NAS server. (The supervisor name is not saved by the VSS Hardware Provider.)

Password

Specify the password of the Supervisor Name provided. (The password is not saved by the VSS Hardware Provider.)

Test

Verifies that the selected server and its VSS credential are still valid. The test establishes a connection to the NAS server's "VSS management server" and sends a loopback message to verify functionality. The test returns either OK or Fail, which is displayed in the Status column.

Delete

Removes the selected NAS server's credential. The credential is removed from the VSS host, and, if server connectivity is possible, the credential is also removed from the NAS server.

Help

Displays help information.

About

Displays version information.

Add

After filling in the fields in the Add Connection area, clicking Add creates a unique VSS credential for the NAS server. The credential is saved on the NAS server and on the VSS host (the system running the VSS Hardware Provider).

OK

After adding one or more connections, clicking OK closes the dialog. While entering information in the Add Connection area, clicking OK steps you through the fields, and pressing Escape on the keyboard closes the dialog.

About VSS credentials

A VSS credential is saved on both the VSS host and the NAS server. The server address and port number are saved along with the credential. This means that if the NAS server's VSS management port setting is changed, any existing VSS credentials for that server must be removed and new credentials must be created. If a DNS name is used for a NAS server, then changes to the server's IP address alone will not require removing and recreating the credential.

A VSS credential has limited rights on the server: it can only be used to perform VSS-related operations using the VSS management interface. In particular it cannot be used to gain access to the normal NAS server management console, either locally or remotely.

 

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