Dell Storage SC5020F, Storage SCv2080, Storage SC9000, Compellent FS8600 Manual

Unisphere and Unisphere Central 2020 R1

Administrator's Guide

Part Number: 680-122-006

November 2020

Rev. A

Preface

This guide describes how to use Unisphere and Unisphere Central for SC Series to manage and monitor your storage infrastructure.

Revision History

Document number: 680-122-006
Revision	Date	Description
A	November 2020	Initial release

Audience

Storage administrators make up the target audience for this document. The intended reader has a working knowledge of storage and networking concepts.

Contacting Dell

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To contact Dell for sales, technical support, or customer service issues, go to Dell.com/support.

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© 2020 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. Dell, EMC, and other trademarks are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contents

Chapter 1: Unisphere Overview....................................................................................................	14
Unisphere Components....................................................................................................................................................	14
Software and Hardware Requirements........................................................................................................................	15
Storage Center OS Compatibility.............................................................................................................................	15
Data Collector Requirements....................................................................................................................................	15
Unisphere Web Browser Requirements..................................................................................................................	16
Server Agent Requirements......................................................................................................................................	16
Default Ports Used by Unisphere Central....................................................................................................................	16
Data Collector Ports....................................................................................................................................................	16
Client Ports....................................................................................................................................................................	17
Server Agent Ports......................................................................................................................................................	18
IPv6 Support.......................................................................................................................................................................	18
Unisphere Features............................................................................................................................................................	18
Storage Center Management....................................................................................................................................	18
Servers............................................................................................................................................................................	19
SMI-S..............................................................................................................................................................................	19
VVols...............................................................................................................................................................................	19
Log Monitoring..............................................................................................................................................................	19
Performance Monitoring............................................................................................................................................	19
Chapter 2: Getting Started..........................................................................................................	20
Connect to Multiple Storage Centers Using Unisphere Central............................................................................	20
Connect Directly to a Storage Center Using Unisphere..........................................................................................	20
Next Steps...........................................................................................................................................................................	21
Add Unisphere Users...................................................................................................................................................	21
Add Storage Centers...................................................................................................................................................	21
Configure Storage Center Volumes.........................................................................................................................	21
Add Servers to the Storage Centers.......................................................................................................................	21
Configure Email Notifications....................................................................................................................................	21
Chapter 3: Storage Center Overview...........................................................................................	22
Storage Center Hardware Components......................................................................................................................	22
Controllers.....................................................................................................................................................................	22
Switches........................................................................................................................................................................	22
Enclosures.....................................................................................................................................................................	22
How Storage Virtualization Works................................................................................................................................	22
Volumes..........................................................................................................................................................................	23
Storage Types..............................................................................................................................................................	23
Disk Management........................................................................................................................................................	24
Drive Spares..................................................................................................................................................................	25
Data Progression.........................................................................................................................................................	26
Low Space Modes.......................................................................................................................................................	26
Storage Profiles............................................................................................................................................................	27
Storage Profiles for Standard Storage Types......................................................................................................	27

4 Contents

Storage Profiles for Flash-Optimized Storage.....................................................................................................	28
Storage Virtualization for SCv2000 Series Storage Systems..........................................................................	29
User Interface for Storage Center Management.......................................................................................................	31
Unisphere Views...........................................................................................................................................................	31
Unisphere Central Pages and Views.......................................................................................................................	32
Chapter 4: Storage Center Deployment.......................................................................................	34
Initialize a Storage Center...............................................................................................................................................	34
Open the Initialize Storage Center Wizard............................................................................................................	34
Install Tab......................................................................................................................................................................	35
Configure Tab...............................................................................................................................................................	37
Connect Tab..................................................................................................................................................................	41
Unisphere Discovery Utility.............................................................................................................................................	42
Introduction to Storage Center Initial Configuration..........................................................................................	43
Discover Storage Centers.........................................................................................................................................	43
Welcome to the Storage Center..............................................................................................................................	43
Configure the Management Network Settings....................................................................................................	44
Set a Password............................................................................................................................................................	44
Confirm the Storage Center Configuration...........................................................................................................	44
Complete the Installation...........................................................................................................................................	45
Chapter 5: Storage Center Administration...................................................................................	46
Adding and Organizing Storage Centers.....................................................................................................................	46
Storage Center User Privileges and User Groups...............................................................................................	46
User Privilege Levels...................................................................................................................................................	47
Adding and Removing Storage Centers.................................................................................................................	47
Organizing Storage Centers.....................................................................................................................................	49
Managing Volumes............................................................................................................................................................	50
Attributes That Determine Volume Behavior........................................................................................................	50
Creating Volumes........................................................................................................................................................	50
Modifying Volumes......................................................................................................................................................	53
Copying Volumes.........................................................................................................................................................	57
Creating and Managing Volume Folders................................................................................................................	59
Creating and Managing Volume Snapshots..........................................................................................................	60
Mapping Volumes to Servers....................................................................................................................................	63
Deleting Volumes and Volume Folders...................................................................................................................	66
Migrating Volumes............................................................................................................................................................	68
Migrate a Volume........................................................................................................................................................	68
Migrating Volumes With Live Migrate....................................................................................................................	68
Migrate a Volume Using One Time Copy ..............................................................................................................	76
Reset a Controller to Factory Default..........................................................................................................................	77
Run the Space Reclamation Wizard..............................................................................................................................	77
Managing Virtual Volumes With Unisphere Central..................................................................................................	78
Configuring VVols in Unisphere Central.................................................................................................................	78
VMware Virtual Volume Concepts..........................................................................................................................	79
Setting Up VVols Operations on Unisphere Central...........................................................................................	79
VASA Provider..............................................................................................................................................................	80
Managing Storage Containers........................................................................................................................................	83
Create a Storage Container......................................................................................................................................	83

Contents 5

Edit a Storage Container...........................................................................................................................................	83
Delete a Storage Container.......................................................................................................................................	84
View Storage Container Information......................................................................................................................	84
Managing Data Reduction...............................................................................................................................................	84
Supported Hardware Platforms...............................................................................................................................	84
Data Eligible for Data Reduction..............................................................................................................................	85
Compression.................................................................................................................................................................	85
Deduplication................................................................................................................................................................	86
View Amount of Space Saved by Data Reduction..............................................................................................	86
Change the Default Data Reduction Profile..........................................................................................................	87
Pause or Resume Data Reduction...........................................................................................................................	88
Disable Data Reduction for a Volume.....................................................................................................................	89
Managing Snapshot Profiles...........................................................................................................................................	89
Default Snapshot Profiles..........................................................................................................................................	89
Consistent and Non-Consistent Snapshot Profiles.............................................................................................	89
Creating and Applying Snapshot Profiles..............................................................................................................	90
Modifying Snapshot Profiles.....................................................................................................................................	92
Managing Expiration Rules for Remote Snapshots.............................................................................................	93
Managing Storage Profiles..............................................................................................................................................	94
Create a Storage Profile (Storage Center 7.2.1 and Earlier)............................................................................	94
Create a Storage Profile (Storage Center 7.2.10 and Later)............................................................................	95
Apply a Storage Profile to One or More Volumes...............................................................................................	95
Apply a Storage Profile to a Server........................................................................................................................	96
Delete a Storage Profile.............................................................................................................................................	96
Managing QoS Profiles....................................................................................................................................................	96
Create a QoS Profile...................................................................................................................................................	97
Edit a QoS Profile........................................................................................................................................................	97
Delete a QoS Volume Profile....................................................................................................................................	98
Apply a QoS Profile to a Volume..............................................................................................................................	98
Remove a Group QoS Profile From a Volume......................................................................................................	98
Importing Volumes from an External Storage Array.................................................................................................	99
Connect to an External Storage Array (iSCSI) ...................................................................................................	99
Scan for External Devices.........................................................................................................................................	99
Rediscover an iSCSI Remote Connection............................................................................................................	100
Delete a Remote Connection..................................................................................................................................	100
Storage Center Import Requirements..................................................................................................................	100
Import Data from an External Device (Offline)...................................................................................................	101
Import Data from an External Device (Online)....................................................................................................	101
Restart an External Device Import........................................................................................................................	102
Chapter 6: Storage Center Server Administration......................................................................	103
Managing Servers on a Storage Center.....................................................................................................................	103
Creating Servers........................................................................................................................................................	103
Modifying Servers......................................................................................................................................................	106
Mapping Volumes to Servers..................................................................................................................................	109
Creating and Managing Server Folders.................................................................................................................	112
Deleting Servers and Server Folders.....................................................................................................................	113
Managing Registered Servers ..................................................................................................................................	113
Server Types That Can Be Centrally Managed...................................................................................................	113
Storage Manager Server Agent for Windows Servers......................................................................................	114

6 Contents

Registering Servers with Unisphere Central........................................................................................................	114
Organizing and Removing Registered Servers....................................................................................................	116
Updating Server Information...................................................................................................................................	119
Managing Server Data Collection and Reporting Settings..............................................................................	120
Creating Server Volumes and Datastores ...........................................................................................................	121
Assigning/Creating Virtual Servers on Storage Centers.................................................................................	125
Manually Mapping a Windows Server to a Storage Center Server...............................................................	126
Chapter 7: Storage Center Maintenance.....................................................................................	127
Managing Storage Center Settings.............................................................................................................................	127
Viewing and Modifying Storage Center Information.........................................................................................	127
Configuring Storage Center User Preferences..................................................................................................	129
Configuring Storage Center Data Settings..........................................................................................................	133
Set Up Automated Reports for an Individual Storage Center........................................................................	135
Set the Date and Time for a Storage Center......................................................................................................	135
Configure Storage Center SMTP Server Settings............................................................................................	136
Configure SNMP Settings for a Storage Center...............................................................................................	136
Configuring Filters to Restrict Administrative Access......................................................................................	137
Configuring Storage Center Secure Console Settings.....................................................................................	139
Configuring a Storage Center to Inherit Settings....................................................................................................	140
Managing Storage Center Users and Groups............................................................................................................	141
User Privilege Levels..................................................................................................................................................	141
User Groups.................................................................................................................................................................	141
User Account Management and Authentication.................................................................................................	141
Managing Local Storage Center Users..................................................................................................................	141
Managing Local Storage Center User Groups....................................................................................................	147
Managing Local Storage Center User Password Requirements....................................................................	149
Enabling Directory Services Authentication.........................................................................................................	151
Managing Directory Service Users........................................................................................................................	154
Managing Directory User Groups..........................................................................................................................	159
Managing Front-End I/O Ports.....................................................................................................................................	161
Front-End Connectivity Modes...............................................................................................................................	161
About Fault Domains and Ports..............................................................................................................................	162
Failover Behavior........................................................................................................................................................	163
Rebalance Front-End Ports.....................................................................................................................................	163
Managing Front-End I/O Port Hardware.............................................................................................................	164
Convert Front-End Ports to Virtual Port Mode.................................................................................................	166
Managing Back-End I/O Port Hardware....................................................................................................................	167
Configure Back-End Ports.......................................................................................................................................	167
Configure Individual Back-End I/O Ports.............................................................................................................	167
Rename a Back-End I/O Port.................................................................................................................................	167
Grouping Fibre Channel I/O Ports Using Fault Domains........................................................................................	168
Create a Fibre Channel Fault Domain...................................................................................................................	168
Rename a Fibre Channel Fault Domain.................................................................................................................	168
Remove Ports from an Fibre Channel Fault Domain.........................................................................................	169
Delete a Fibre Channel Fault Domain....................................................................................................................	169
Grouping iSCSI I/O Ports Using Fault Domains.......................................................................................................	170
iSCSI VLAN Tagging Support..................................................................................................................................	170
Creating iSCSI Fault Domains..................................................................................................................................	171
Modifying iSCSI Fault Domains...............................................................................................................................	172

Contents 7

Configuring NAT Port Forwarding for iSCSI Fault Domains............................................................................	177
Configuring CHAP for iSCSI Fault Domains........................................................................................................	179
Grouping SAS I/O Ports Using Fault Domains..........................................................................................................	181
Create a SAS Fault Domain......................................................................................................................................	181
Delete a SAS Fault Domain......................................................................................................................................	182
Managing Disks and Disk Folders.................................................................................................................................	182
Storage Center Disk Management........................................................................................................................	182
Scan for New Disks...................................................................................................................................................	183
Create a Disk Folder..................................................................................................................................................	183
Delete Disk Folder......................................................................................................................................................	183
Modify a Disk Folder..................................................................................................................................................	184
Manage Unassigned Disks.......................................................................................................................................	184
Enable or Disable the Disk Indicator Light...........................................................................................................	185
Release a Disk.............................................................................................................................................................	185
Cancel Releasing a Disk............................................................................................................................................	185
Delete a Disk...............................................................................................................................................................	186
Restore a Disk.............................................................................................................................................................	186
Replace a Failed Disk.................................................................................................................................................	187
Managing Secure Data...................................................................................................................................................	187
How Secure Data Works..........................................................................................................................................	187
Configure Key Server................................................................................................................................................	188
Configure Rekey Interval for Disk Folder.............................................................................................................	189
Rekey a Disk Folder...................................................................................................................................................	189
Rekey a Disk ...............................................................................................................................................................	189
Copy Volumes to Disk Folder..................................................................................................................................	190
Create Secure Data Disk Folder.............................................................................................................................	190
Managing Data Redundancy..........................................................................................................................................	191
Redundancy Requirements.......................................................................................................................................	191
Managing RAID............................................................................................................................................................	191
Managing Storage Types.........................................................................................................................................	192
Managing Disk Enclosures.............................................................................................................................................	194
Add an Enclosure.......................................................................................................................................................	194
Remove an Enclosure...............................................................................................................................................	195
Replace an Enclosure................................................................................................................................................	195
Rename a Disk Enclosure.........................................................................................................................................	196
Set an Asset Tag for a Disk Enclosure.................................................................................................................	196
Delete an Enclosure...................................................................................................................................................	197
Mute an Enclosure Alarm.........................................................................................................................................	197
Unmute an Enclosure Alarm....................................................................................................................................	197
Clear the Swap Status for an Enclosure Cooling Fan.......................................................................................	198
Clear the Swap Status for an Enclosure I/O Module........................................................................................	198
Clear the Swap Status for an Enclosure Power Supply...................................................................................	198
Replace a Failed Power Supply...............................................................................................................................	199
Clear the Under Voltage Status for a Power Supply........................................................................................	199
Clear the Swap Status for a Temperature Sensor............................................................................................	199
Clear the Minimum and Maximum Recorded Values for Temperature Sensor..........................................	200
Replace a Failed Cooling Fan Sensor...................................................................................................................	200
Enable or Disable the Disk Indicator Light..........................................................................................................	200
Clear the Swap Status for a Disk...........................................................................................................................	201
Managing Storage Center Controllers........................................................................................................................	201

8 Contents

Add a Controller.........................................................................................................................................................	201
Replace a Failed Controller.....................................................................................................................................	202
Enable or Disable a Controller Indicator Light....................................................................................................	202
Replace a Failed Cooling Fan Sensor....................................................................................................................	203
Managing I/O Card Changes..................................................................................................................................	203
Add a UPS to a Storage Center............................................................................................................................	205
Updating Storage Center..............................................................................................................................................	205
Update Storage Center Software.........................................................................................................................	205
Using the Storage Center Update Utility............................................................................................................	206
Turn On SupportAssist.............................................................................................................................................	207
Shutting Down and Restarting a Storage Center...................................................................................................	207
Shut Down All Controllers in Storage Center.....................................................................................................	207
Restart All Controllers in a Storage Center........................................................................................................	208
Shut Down a Controller...........................................................................................................................................	208
Restart a Controller..................................................................................................................................................	208
Reset a Controller to Factory Default..................................................................................................................	209
Managing Field Replaceable Units (FRU).................................................................................................................	209
Managing FRU Tickets.............................................................................................................................................	209
Chapter 8: Remote Storage Centers and Replication Bandwidth Controls...................................	211
Connecting to Remote Storage Centers....................................................................................................................	211
Connecting Storage Centers Using Fibre Channel.............................................................................................	211
Configure an iSCSI Connection for Remote Storage Systems........................................................................	211
Remove an iSCSI Connection to a Remote Storage Center...........................................................................	212
Creating and Managing Replication Bandwidth Controls Definitions..................................................................	213
Create a Bandwidth Control....................................................................................................................................	213
Rename a Bandwidth Control.................................................................................................................................	214
Change the Link Speed of a Bandwidth Control................................................................................................	214
Enable or Disable Bandwidth Limiting for a Bandwidth Control.....................................................................	214
Modify the Bandwidth Limit Schedule for a Bandwidth Control....................................................................	215
Delete a Bandwidth Control....................................................................................................................................	215
Chapter 9: Storage Center Replications and Live Volumes.........................................................	216
Storage Center Replications.........................................................................................................................................	216
Replication Types.......................................................................................................................................................	217
Replication Requirements........................................................................................................................................	218
Replication Behavior When a Destination Volume Fails....................................................................................	218
Replicating a Single Volume to Multiple Destinations.......................................................................................	218
Replication on SCv2000 Series Storage Systems.............................................................................................	219
Simulating Replications.............................................................................................................................................	219
Replicating Volumes..................................................................................................................................................	221
Modifying Replications.............................................................................................................................................	222
Monitoring Replications...........................................................................................................................................	225
Storage Center Live Volumes......................................................................................................................................	227
Live Volume Requirements......................................................................................................................................	227
Live Volume Types....................................................................................................................................................	228
Live Volume Roles.....................................................................................................................................................	228
Automatic Failover for Live Volumes....................................................................................................................	230
Managed Replications for Live Volumes..............................................................................................................	233

Contents 9

Creating Live Volumes.............................................................................................................................................	235
Modifying Live Volumes...........................................................................................................................................	236
Modifying Live Volumes with Automatic Failover.............................................................................................	244
Live Volume ALUA....................................................................................................................................................	245
Monitoring Live Volumes.........................................................................................................................................	247
Chapter 10: Storage Center DR Preparation and Activation.......................................................	250
How Disaster Recovery Works....................................................................................................................................	250
Step 1: A Volume is Replicated to a DR Site.......................................................................................................	250
Step 2: The Source Site Goes Down.....................................................................................................................	251
Step 3: An Administrator Activates Disaster Recovery....................................................................................	251
Step 4: Connectivity is Restored to the Source Site.......................................................................................	252
Step 5: An Administrator Restores the Source Volume..................................................................................	252
Disaster Recovery Administration Options...............................................................................................................	254
Preparing for Disaster Recovery.................................................................................................................................	254
Saving and Validating Restore Points..................................................................................................................	254
Defining Disaster Recovery Settings for Replications.....................................................................................	256
Test Activating Disaster Recovery.......................................................................................................................	257
Activating Disaster Recovery.......................................................................................................................................	258
Types of Disaster Recovery Activation for Live Volumes...............................................................................	258
Disaster Recovery Activation Limitations...........................................................................................................	259
Planned vs Unplanned Disaster Recovery Activation......................................................................................	259
Disaster Recovery Activation Procedures..........................................................................................................	259
Restarting Failed Replications......................................................................................................................................	260
Restart a Replication for a Restore Point...........................................................................................................	260
Restoring Replications and Live Volumes.................................................................................................................	260
Volume Restore Options.........................................................................................................................................	260
Volume Restore Limitations.....................................................................................................................................	261
Restoring a Live Volume and a Managed Replication.......................................................................................	261
Volume Restore Procedures....................................................................................................................................	261
Deleting a Restore Point...............................................................................................................................................	262
Chapter 11: Viewing Storage Center Information........................................................................	263
Summary Information.....................................................................................................................................................	263
Storage Center Widgets..........................................................................................................................................	263
Rearrange Widgets on the Summary Page.........................................................................................................	264
Status Indicators.......................................................................................................................................................	264
Viewing Detailed Storage Usage Information..........................................................................................................	265
View Storage Usage by Tier and RAID Type......................................................................................................	265
View Storage Usage by Volumes..........................................................................................................................	265
View a Data Progression Pressure Report..........................................................................................................	265
Viewing Growth Data.....................................................................................................................................................	266
View Growth Data for a Volume............................................................................................................................	266
View Growth Data for a Server.............................................................................................................................	266
View Growth Data for a Disk..................................................................................................................................	267
View Growth Data for a Storage Type.................................................................................................................	267
Export I/O Usage Data..................................................................................................................................................	267
Exporting Usage and Monitoring Data.......................................................................................................................	268
Export Storage Usage Data for a Single Storage Center................................................................................	268

10 Contents

Export Storage Usage Data for Multiple Storage Centers.............................................................................	268
Export Monitoring Data for a Single Storage Center.......................................................................................	269
Export Monitoring Data for Multiple Storage Centers.....................................................................................	269
Chapter 12: Storage Center Monitoring.....................................................................................	270
Alerts..................................................................................................................................................................................	270
Status Levels for Alerts and Indications..............................................................................................................	270
View Storage Center Alerts.....................................................................................................................................	271
Send Storage Center Alerts and Indications to the Data Collector Immediately.......................................	273
Data Collector Alerts .....................................................................................................................................................	273
Data Collector Alert Types......................................................................................................................................	274
View Data Collector Alerts......................................................................................................................................	274
Filter the Data Collector Alerts..............................................................................................................................	274
Select the Date Range of Data Collector Alerts to Display............................................................................	275
Configuring Email Alerts for Unisphere Central Events...................................................................................	275
Logs....................................................................................................................................................................................	277
View Storage Logs for Multiple Storage Centers .............................................................................................	277
View Storage Logs for a Single Storage Center................................................................................................	277
Filter the Storage Center Logs..............................................................................................................................	277
Select the Date Range of Log Events to Display..............................................................................................	278
Export Storage Center Logs...................................................................................................................................	278
Send Storage Center Logs to a Syslog Server..................................................................................................	278
Stop Sending Logs To a Syslog Server................................................................................................................	279
Thresholds.........................................................................................................................................................................	279
Configuring Threshold Definitions.........................................................................................................................	279
Viewing and Deleting Threshold Alerts................................................................................................................	285
Configuring Email Notifications for Threshold Alerts.......................................................................................	286
Performing Threshold Queries...............................................................................................................................	288
I/O Charts........................................................................................................................................................................	290
View Performance Data for a System.................................................................................................................	290
View Performance Data for Volumes....................................................................................................................	291
View Performance Data for Servers.....................................................................................................................	291
View Performance Information for Ports.............................................................................................................	291
View Performance Information for Disks............................................................................................................	292
View Performance Information for Controllers..................................................................................................	292
View Performance Information for Storage Profiles........................................................................................	292
View Performance Information for QoS Profiles...............................................................................................	293
Export I/O Usage Data............................................................................................................................................	293
Most Active Reports......................................................................................................................................................	294
View the Most Active Report for Volumes.........................................................................................................	294
View the Most Active Report for Servers..........................................................................................................	294
View the Most Active Report for Disks...............................................................................................................	295
Chapter 13: Storage Center Reports..........................................................................................	296
Storage Center Realtime Reports...............................................................................................................................	296
View Realtime Usage Reports................................................................................................................................	296
View the Unmapped Volumes Report..................................................................................................................	296
Historical Reports............................................................................................................................................................	297
View Historical Reports.................................................................................................................................................	297

Contents 11

Configuring Automated Report Generation..............................................................................................................	297
Set Up Automated Reports for All Storage Centers........................................................................................	298
Configure Unisphere Central to Email Reports........................................................................................................	298
Configure SMTP Server Settings.........................................................................................................................	299
Configure an Email Address for Your User Account.........................................................................................	299
Configure Email Notification Settings for Your User Account.......................................................................	299
Chapter 14: Data Collector Management....................................................................................	301
Access the Data Collector View .................................................................................................................................	301
Configuring Data Collector Settings...........................................................................................................................	301
Configuring General Settings..................................................................................................................................	301
Configuring Environment Settings........................................................................................................................	307
Configuring Monitoring Settings...........................................................................................................................	308
Configuring Virtual Appliance Settings.................................................................................................................	313
Managing Available Storage Centers..........................................................................................................................	314
Delete an Available Storage Center.......................................................................................................................	314
Clear All Data for a Storage Center.......................................................................................................................	314
Remove a Storage Center from a Data Collector User Account...................................................................	315
Managing Available PS Series Groups........................................................................................................................	315
Delete an Available PS Series Group.....................................................................................................................	315
Remove a PS Series Group from a Data Collector User..................................................................................	315
Managing Available FluidFS Clusters..........................................................................................................................	316
Delete an Available FluidFS Cluster.......................................................................................................................	316
Remove a FluidFS Cluster from a Data Collector User Account....................................................................	316
Managing the Storage Manager Virtual Appliance..................................................................................................	316
Log in to the Storage Manager Virtual Appliance CLI.......................................................................................	316
Configure Virtual Appliance Settings.....................................................................................................................	317
View Diagnostic Information for the Virtual Appliance.....................................................................................	319
Migrate a Microsoft SQL Server Database..............................................................................................................	320
Uninstalling the Data Collector.....................................................................................................................................	321
Deleting Old Data Collector Databases................................................................................................................	321
Chapter 15: Data Collector User Management............................................................................	322
Unisphere Central User Privileges..............................................................................................................................	322
Administrator Privileges...........................................................................................................................................	322
Volume Manager Privileges.....................................................................................................................................	322
Reporter Privileges...................................................................................................................................................	322
Authenticating Users with an External Directory Service.....................................................................................	323
Configuring an External Directory Service..........................................................................................................	323
Managing Local Users Through the Data Collector................................................................................................	328
Create a User.............................................................................................................................................................	328
Configure or Modify the Email Address of a User.............................................................................................	328
Change the Privileges Assigned to a User..........................................................................................................	328
Change the Preferred Language for a Unisphere Central User.....................................................................	329
Force the User to Change the Password............................................................................................................	329
Change the Password for a User..........................................................................................................................	329
Set Storage Center Mappings for a Reporter User..........................................................................................	330
Delete a User..............................................................................................................................................................	330
Delete a Storage Center Mapping for a User.....................................................................................................	331

12 Contents

Unlock a Local User Account..................................................................................................................................	331
Managing Local User Password Requirements........................................................................................................	331
Configure Local Unisphere Central User Password Requirements................................................................	331
Apply Password Requirements to Storage Center Users................................................................................	332
Reset Password Aging Clock..................................................................................................................................	332
Require Users to Change Passwords...................................................................................................................	333
Managing User Settings with Unisphere...................................................................................................................	333
Change User Password............................................................................................................................................	333
Configure Email Settings.........................................................................................................................................	333
Configure Client Options.........................................................................................................................................	334
Chapter 16: SupportAssist Management....................................................................................	335
Data Types that Can Be Sent Using SupportAssist...............................................................................................	335
Configure SupportAssist Settings for the Data Collector.....................................................................................	336
Configure SupportAssist Settings for a Single Storage Center..........................................................................	336
Manually Sending Diagnostic Data Using SupportAssist.......................................................................................	337
Manually Send Diagnostic Data for Multiple Storage Centers.......................................................................	337
Send Diagnostic Data for a Single Storage Center ..........................................................................................	337
Save SupportAssist Data to a File.........................................................................................................................	338
Saving SupportAssist Data to a USB Flash Drive ..................................................................................................	338
USB Flash Drive Requirements..............................................................................................................................	338
Prepare the USB Flash Drive..................................................................................................................................	338
Save SupportAssist Data to the USB Flash Drive.............................................................................................	339
Troubleshooting SupportAssist USB Issues........................................................................................................	339
Managing SupportAssist Settings...............................................................................................................................	340
Edit SupportAssist Contact Information.............................................................................................................	340
Configure SupportAssist to Automatically Download Updates......................................................................	340
Configure a Proxy Server for SupportAssist.......................................................................................................	341
CloudIQ...............................................................................................................................................................................	341
Controlling Data Sent to CloudIQ...........................................................................................................................	341

Contents 13

1

Unisphere Overview

Unisphere is a Web application that allows you to connect to a single Storage Center or multiple Storage Centers. Managing multiple Storage Centers requires the installation of a Data Collector.Unisphere allows you to monitor, manage, and analyze Storage Centers from a centralized management console.

●Unisphere for SC Series is used to connect directly to a single Storage Center.

●Unisphere Central for SC Series connects to multiple Storage Centers through a Storage Manager Data Collector. The Storage Manager Data Collector stores data it gathers from Storage Centers in a database. Unisphere Central connects to the Data Collector to perform monitoring and administrative tasks.

Topics:

•Unisphere Components

•Software and Hardware Requirements

•Default Ports Used by Unisphere Central

•IPv6 Support

•Unisphere Features

Unisphere Components

Unisphere and Unisphere Central consists of the following components:.

Table 1. Unisphere and Unisphere Central Components

Component	Description	Setup Documentation
Primary Storage Manager	Service that gathers reporting data	Storage Manager Installation Guide
Data Collector	and alerts from managed storage
	systems.
Unisphere Central for SC	Web interface that is displayed when	Unisphere and Unisphere Central for SC Series
Series	connecting to the Storage Manager	Administrator's Guide
	Data Collector. Unisphere Central for
	SC Series provides a centralized
	management interface for one or
	more Storage Centers.
Unisphere for SC Series	Web interface that is displayed when	Unisphere and Unisphere Central for SC Series
	connecting directly to a Storage	Administrator's Guide
	Center. Unisphere for SC Series
	provides a management interface to
	the Storage Center.
Remote Storage Manager	A secondary Storage Manager Data	Storage Manager Installation Guide and Storage
Data Collector	Collector that is connected to the	Manager Administrator’s Guide
	primary Storage Manager Data
	Collector. The remote Storage
	Manager Data Collector can be used
	to activate a disaster recovery site if
	the primary Storage Manager Data
	Collector becomes unavailable.
Storage Manager Server	Software installed on a Windows	Storage Manager Administrator’s Guide
Agent	server that enables the Storage
	Manager Data Collector to gather
	information about storage objects on
	a Windows server.

14 Unisphere Overview

Software and Hardware Requirements

The following sections list the requirements for the Storage Center, Storage Manager Data Collector, Unisphere, and Storage Manager Server Agent.

Storage Center OS Compatibility

Unisphere 2020 R1 is compatible with Storage Center version 7.2 and later.

Data Collector Requirements

The following table lists the Storage Manager Data Collector requirements.

NOTE: For best results, install the Data Collector on a Windows Server VM using a traditional volume source from shared storage. Do not use a VVol for the Windows Server VM on which the Data Collector is installed.

Component Requirements

Operating system Any of the following 64-bit operating systems with the latest service packs:

●Windows Server 2012 R2

●Windows Server 2016

●Windows Server 2019

NOTE: Windows Server Core is not supported.

Windows User	Administrators
Group
CPU	64-bit (x64) microprocessor with two or more cores
	The Data Collector requires a microprocessor with four cores for environments that have 100,000 or more
	Active Directory members or groups.
Memory	Varies based on size of the storage environment:
	● 4 GB – One to ten Storage Centers, or up to 3000 total volumes
	● 8 GB – More than ten Storage Centers, or up to 6000 total volumes
	● 16 GB – More than ten Storage Centers, or up to 12,000 total volumes
	● 32 GB – More than ten Storage Centers, or more than 12,000 total volumes
Disk space	At least 20 GB ; additional space is required to manage FluidFS cluster software updates.
			NOTE: Using an embedded database requires an additional 64 GB to store the database on the file
			system. However, an embedded database is not recommended for a production environment.
Software	Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or later, full installation
Web browser	Any of the following web browsers:
	●		Google Chrome
	●		Internet Explorer 11
	●		Mozilla Firefox
			NOTE: Google Chrome is the recommended browser. Other web browsers might work but are not
			officially supported.

External database One of the following databases:

●Microsoft SQL Server 2016

●Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Express (limited to 10 GB)

●Microsoft SQL Server 2017

●Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Express (limited to 10 GB)

●Microsoft SQL Server 2019

●Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express (limited to 10 GB)

●MySQL 5.7

Unisphere Overview

15

Component Requirements

● MySQL 8.0

NOTE: The embedded database stored on the file system can be used instead of an external database. However, the embedded database is limited to 64 GB and retains only the last 30 days of data. The embedded database is not recommended for a production environment.

Unisphere Web Browser Requirements

Unisphere is supported on the following web browsers:

● Google Chrome

● Internet Explorer 11

NOTE: Unisphere might fail to function correctly if website caching is enabled in Internet Explorer 11. To disable website caching in Internet Explorer 11, open the Internet Options dialog box and click Settings in the Browsing history area to display the Website Data Settings dialog box. Then, select the Every time I visit the webpage radio button on the

Temporary Internet Files tab and clear the Allow website caches and databases checkbox on the Caches and databases tab.

● Mozilla Firefox

NOTE: Google Chrome is the recommended browser. Other web browsers might work but are not officially supported.

Server Agent Requirements

The following table lists the requirements for running the Storage Manager Server Agent on Windows servers.

Component	Requirements
Operating system	Any of the following 64-bit operating systems with the latest service packs:
	● Windows Server 2012 R2 (full or core installation)
	●	Windows Server 2016
	●	Windows Server 2019
CPU	64-bit (x64) microprocessor
Software	Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 Full

Default Ports Used by Unisphere Central

The Unisphere Central components use network connections to communicate with each other and with other network resources. The following tables list the default network ports used by the Storage Manager Data Collector, Unisphere Central for SC Series, and Storage Manager Server Agent. Many of the ports are configurable.

NOTE: Some ports might not be needed for your configuration. For details, see the Purpose column in each table.

Data Collector Ports

The following tables list the default ports that are used by the Storage Manager Data Collector:

Inbound Data Collector Ports

NOTE: Configure the firewall rules on the server that the Data Collector is installed to enable inbound connections on the inbound Data Collector ports.

The Data Collector accepts connections on the following ports:

16 Unisphere Overview

Port	Protocol	Name	Purpose
3033	TCP	Web Server Port	Receiving:
			● Communication from clients, including the Unisphere Central
			for SC Series, Unisphere Central, and Dell Storage
			Replication Adapter (SRA)
			● Communication with tiebreaker for Automatic Failover
			● Alerts from FluidFS clusters
3034	TCP	Web Server Port	Receiving vCenter/ESXi communication for VASA and VVol
			provisioning and administration
8080	TCP	Legacy Web Services	Receiving:
		Port	● Storage Manager Server Agent communication
			● Alerts forwarded from Storage Center SANs
5989	TCP	SMI-S over HTTPS	Receiving encrypted SMI-S communication

Outbound Data Collector Ports

The Data Collector initiates connections to the following ports:

Port	Protocol	Name	Purpose
25	TCP	SMTP	Sending email notifications
443	TCP	SSL	● Communicating with the Storage Manager Data Collector
			● Sending diagnostic data with SupportAssist
1199	TCP	SIMS RMI	Communicating with managed PS Series groups
1433	TCP	Microsoft SQL Server	Connecting to an external Microsoft SQL Server database
3033	TCP	SSL	Communicating with managed Storage Centers
3306	TCP	MySQL	Connecting to an external MySQL database
8080	TCP	VMware SDK	Communicating with VMware servers
27355	TCP	Server Agent Socket	Storage Manager Server Agent communication
		Listening Port
35451	TCP	FluidFS	Communicating with managed FluidFS clusters
44421	TCP	FluidFS diagnostics	Retrieving diagnostics from managed FluidFS clusters

Client Ports

Unisphere Central clients use the following ports:

Inbound Ports

Unisphere Central does not use any inbound ports.

Outbound Ports

Unisphere Central initiates connections to the following port:

Port	Protocol	Name	Purpose
3033	TCP	Web Server Port	Communicating with the Storage Manager Data Collector

Unisphere Overview

17

Server Agent Ports

The following tables list the ports used by the Storage Manager Server Agent.

Inbound Server Agent Port

The Server Agent accepts connections on the following port.

Port	Protocol	Name	Purpose
27355	TCP	Server Agent Socket Listening Port	Receiving communication from the Data
			Collector

Outbound Server Agent Port

The Server Agent initiates connections to the following port.

Port	Protocol	Name	Purpose
8080	TCP	Legacy Web Services Port	Communicating with the Data Collector

IPv6 Support

The Storage Manager Data Collector can use IPv6 to accept connections from Unisphere and to communicate with managed Storage Center SANs.

To use IPv6, assign IPv6 addresses as described in the following table.

IPv6 Connection	Requirements
Unisphere to Data Collector	● Unisphere computer must have an IPv6 address.
	● Data Collector server must have both an IPv4 address and
	an IPv6 address.
Data Collector to Storage Center	● Data Collector server must have both an IPv4 address and
	an IPv6 address.
	● Storage Center SAN must have both an IPv4 address and
	an IPv6 address on the management interface.

Unisphere Features

Unisphere provides the following features.

Storage Center Management

Unisphere allows you to centrally manage multiple Storage Centers. For each Storage Center, you can configure volumes, snapshot profiles, and storage profiles. You can also present configured storage to servers by defining server objects and mapping volumes to them.

Related concepts

Storage Center Administration on page 46

18 Unisphere Overview

Servers

Unisphere allows you to manage the storage that is allocated to servers.

There are two ways to manage servers in Unisphere:

●Add the servers to a Storage Center

●Register Windows and VMware servers with the Storage Manager Data Collector.

SMI-S

Unisphere Central supports the Storage Management Initiative Specification (SMI S), a standard interface specification developed by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA). SMI-S allows Unisphere Central to interoperate with storage management software and hardware from other vendors.

NOTE: The Storage Manager Data Collector must be installed in a Microsoft Windows environment. SMI-S is not supported on a Virtual Appliance.

VVols

Unisphere Central supports the VMware virtual volumes (VVols) framework. VMware administrators use vCenter to create virtual machines and VVols. You must be connected to a Data Collectorto use VVols.

When properly configured, you can use Unisphere Central to manage and view VVols, storage containers, datastores, and other aspects of VMware infrastructure.

Log Monitoring

The Log Monitoring feature provides a centralized location to view Storage Center alerts, indications, and logs collected by the Storage Manager Data Collector and system events logged by Unisphere.

Related concepts

Storage Center Monitoring on page 270

Performance Monitoring

The Performance Monitoring feature provides access to summary information about the managed Storage Centers and historical/current I/O performance information. Use this information to monitor the health and status of Storage Centers.

Related concepts

Viewing Storage Center Information on page 263

Unisphere Overview

19

2

Getting Started

To manage multiple Storage Centers, open a web browser and connect to the Data Collector.

To manage a single Storage Center, open a web browser and connect directly to the Storage Center.

Topics:

•Connect to Multiple Storage Centers Using Unisphere Central

•Connect Directly to a Storage Center Using Unisphere

•Next Steps

Connect to Multiple Storage Centers Using Unisphere Central

Start a web browser and use it to connect to the Data Collector.

About this task

By default, you can log on as a local Data Collector user. If the Data Collector is configured to use an external directory service, you can log on as an Active Directory or Open LDAP user. If Kerberos authentication is configured, you can log on automatically using your Windows session credentials without typing them manually.

Steps

1.Open a web browser.

2.Type the address of the Data Collector in the following format:

https://Data Collector host name or IP address:3033/ui/home

3.Type the user name and password of a Data Collector user in the User Name and Password fields.

4.Click Log In.

The web browser connects to the Data Collector and displays the Unisphere Central Home page.

Connect Directly to a Storage Center Using Unisphere

Start a web browser and use it to connect directly to the Storage Center.

About this task

By default, you can log on as a local Storage Center user. If the Storage Center is configured to use an external directory service, you can log on as an Active Directory or Open LDAP user. If Kerberos authentication is configured, you can log on automatically using your Windows session credentials without typing them manually.

Steps

1.Open a web browser.

2.Type the address of the Storage Center in the following format: https://Storage Center host name or IP address/

3.Type the user name and password of a Storage Center user in the User Name and Password fields.

4.Click Log In.

The web browser connects to the Storage Center and displays the Unisphere Summary page.

20 Getting Started

Next Steps

This section describes some basic tasks that you may want to perform after your first log on to Unisphere. These tasks are configuration dependent and not all tasks are required at all sites.

Add Unisphere Users

Depending on your configuration, you can add users to your system using the Data Collector or you can create local users on the Storage Center using Unisphere.

●Data Collector – The Data Collector controls user access to Unisphere Central functions and associated Storage Centers based on the privileges assigned to users: Reporter, Volume Manager, or Administrator. New users and the associated Storage Centers are created and managed only by the Data Collector. If you want to grant Storage Centers access to other members of your organization, use Unisphere Central to grant them access using either of the following methods:

○Create local Data Collector users.

○Configure the Data Collector to authenticate users using an external Active Directory or OpenLDAP directory service, and then grant access to specific directory users and/or user groups.

●Unisphere – When connected directly to a Storage Center, use local user groups to control the storage objects that can be viewed by a Storage Center user. The privilege level of a Storage Center user controls what a user can do on a Storage Center.

Add Storage Centers

Add Storage Centers to the Data Collector so that they can be managed and maintained using Unisphere Central.

Related concepts

Adding and Organizing Storage Centers on page 46

Configure Storage Center Volumes

After you have added Storage Centers to the Data Collector or connected directly to a single Storage Center, you can create and manage volumes on the Storage Centers.

You can also manage snapshot profiles and storage profiles on the Storage Centers.

Related concepts

Managing Volumes on page 50

Managing Snapshot Profiles on page 89

Add Servers to the Storage Centers

Use Unisphere to add servers that use Storage Center volumes to the associated Storage Centers.

Related concepts

Storage Center Server Administration on page 103

Configure Email Notifications

The Data Collector can send emails to notify you when alerts occur and automated reports are ready. To enable email notifications, configure the SMTP settings on the Data Collector and add an email address to your user account on the Data Collector.

Related concepts

Configuring Email Alerts for Unisphere Central Events on page 275

Getting Started

21

3

Storage Center Overview

Storage Center is a storage area network (SAN) that provides centralized, block-level storage that can be accessed by Fibre Channel, iSCSI, or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS).

Topics:

•Storage Center Hardware Components

•How Storage Virtualization Works

•User Interface for Storage Center Management

Storage Center Hardware Components

Storage Center consists of one or two controllers, switches, and might include one or more disk enclosures.

Controllers

A Storage Center controller provides the central processing capability for the Storage Center Operating System and managing RAID storage. A Storage Center is typically configured with a pair of controllers. In a dual-controller Storage Center configuration, the two controllers must be the same model.

I/O cards in the controller provide communication with disk enclosures and servers that use the storage. Controllers provide two types of I/O ports:

●Front-end ports – Hosts, servers, or Network Attached Storage (NAS) appliances access storage by connecting to controller Fibre Channel I/O cards, FCoE I/O cards, or iSCSI I/O through one or more network switches. Some storage systems contain SAS ports that are designated as front-end ports, which can be connected directly to a server. Ports for front-end connections are located on the back of the controller, but are configured as front-end ports.

●Back-end ports – Enclosures, which hold the physical drives that provide back-end storage, connect directly to the controller. Fibre Channel and SAS transports are supported through ports designated as back-end ports. Back-end ports are in their own private network between the controllers and the drive enclosures.

Switches

Switches provide robust connectivity to servers, allowing for the use of multiple controllers and redundant transport paths. Cabling between controller I/O cards, switches, and servers is referred to as front-end connectivity.

Enclosures

Enclosures house and control drives that provide storage. Enclosures are connected directly to controller I/O cards. These connections are referred to as back-end connectivity.

Fibre Channel Switched Bunch of Disks (SBOD) and Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) enclosures are supported for existing Storage Centers and for controller migrations only.

How Storage Virtualization Works

Storage Center virtualizes storage by grouping disks into pools of storage called Storage Types, which hold small chunks (pages) of data. Block-level storage is allocated for use by defining volumes and mapping them to servers. The storage type and storage profile associated with the volume determines how a volume uses storage.

Storage Center combines the following features to provide virtualized storage.

22 Storage Center Overview

●Volumes – Allocate storage for use.

●Storage Types – Define a datapage size and redundancy levels for the disk folder.

●Data Progression – Moves pages between tiers and drive types, as well as among multiple RAID levels within the same tier.

●Storage Profiles – Define how data progression moves pages between tiers.

Volumes

A Storage Center volume is a logical unit of storage that can represent more logical space than is physically available on the Storage Center. Before data can be written to a volume, it must be mapped to a server, then formatted as a drive. Depending on the configuration of the server, data can be written to the volume over iSCSI, Fibre Channel, or SAS.

The storage type and storage profile selected when the volume is created determines how a volume behaves. The storage type sets the datapage size and redundancy levels. The storage profile determines how data progression moves pages on the volume between tiers and RAID levels.

Storage Types

A Storage Type is a pool of storage with a single datapage size and specified redundancy levels. Storage Center assesses the disks available in a disk folder and presents the applicable storage type options. Once the selection is made, it cannot be changed without assistance from technical support, even when disk types change.

NOTE: SCv2000 series storage systems manage storage types automatically by assigning each disk class to a new storage type. SSD storage types have a 512 K datapage size and HDD storage types have a 2 MB datapage size. These Storage Types cannot be modified and non-redundant storage types are not allowed.

Disk Types

The type of disks present in a Storage Center determines how Data Progression moves data between tiers. Storage Center supports write-intensive SSDs, and 7K, 10K, and 15K HDDs. A minimum number of disks are required, which may be installed in the controller or in an expansion enclosure:

●An all-flash array requires a minimum of four SSDs of the same disk class, for example four write-intensive SSDs.

●A hybrid array requires a minimum of seven HDDs or four SSDs of the same disk class, for example seven 10K HDDs.

Datapage Size

By default, data is migrated between tiers and RAID levels in 2 MB blocks. Data can be moved in smaller or larger blocks to meet specific application requirements. These blocks are referred to as datapages.

● 2 MB – Default datapage size, this selection is appropriate for most applications.

● 512 KB – Appropriate for applications with high performance needs, or in environments in which snapshots are taken frequently under heavy I/O. Selecting this size increases overhead and reduces the maximum available space in the storage type. All-flash storage systems use 512 KB by default.

● 4 MB – Appropriate for systems that use a large amount of disk space with infrequent snapshots.

CAUTION: Before changing the datapage setting, contact technical support to discuss the impact on performance and for advice about how to ensure that system resources remain balanced.

Redundancy

Redundancy provides fault tolerance for a drive failure. Two redundancy options are available.

● Redundant: Protects against the loss of any one drive (if single redundant) or any two drives (if dual redundant).

● Non-Redundant: Uses RAID 0 in all classes, in all tiers. Data is striped but provides no redundancy. If one drive fails, all data is lost.

NOTE: Non-Redundant is not recommended because data is not protected against a drive failure. Do not use nonredundant storage for a volume unless the data has been backed up elsewhere.

Redundancy levels per tier include single or dual redundant. The options may be restricted depending on the disk size.

● Single Redundant: Single-redundant tiers can contain any of the following types of RAID storage:

Storage Center Overview

23

○RAID 10 (each drive is mirrored)

○RAID 5-5 (striped across 5 drives)

○RAID 5-9 (striped across 9 drives)

●Dual redundant: Dual redundant is the recommended redundancy level for all tiers. It is enforced for 3 TB HDDs and higher and for 18 TB SSDs and higher. Dual-redundant tiers can contain any of the following types of RAID storage:

○RAID 10 Dual-Mirror (data is written simultaneously to three separate drives)

○RAID 6-6 (4 data segments, 2 parity segments for each stripe)

○RAID 6-10 (8 data segments, 2 parity segments for each stripe.)

Redundancy Requirements

Drive size is used to determine the redundancy level to apply to a tier of drives. If any drive in a tier surpasses a threshold size, a specific redundancy level can be applied to the tier containing that drive. If a redundancy level is required, the Storage Center operating system sets the level and it cannot be changed.

Table 2. HDD Redundancy Recommendations and Requirements

Disk Size	Level of Redundancy Recommended or Enforced
Up to 3 TB	Dual redundant is the recommended level
			NOTE: Non-redundant storage is not an option for SCv2000 Series storage systems.
3 TB and higher	Dual redundant is required and enforced

Table 3. SSD Redundancy Recommendations and Requirements

Disk Size	Level of Redundancy Recommended or Enforced
Up to 18 TB	Dual redundant is the recommended level
			NOTE: Non-redundant storage is not an option for SCv2000 Series storage systems.
18 TB and higher	Dual redundant is required and enforced

Disk Management

Storage Center manages both physical disks and the data movement within the virtual disk pool. Disks are organized physically, logically, and virtually.

●Physically – Disks are grouped by the enclosure in which they reside, as shown in the Enclosures folder.

●Logically – Disks are grouped by class in disk folders. Storage Center enclosures may contain any combination of disk classes.

●Virtually – All disk space is allocated into tiers. The fastest disks reside in Tier 1 and slower drives with lower performance reside in Tier 3. Data that is accessed frequently remains in Tier 1, and data that has not been accessed for the last 12 progression cycles is gradually migrated to Tiers 2 and 3. Data is promoted to a higher tier after three days of consistent activity. Disk tiering is shown when you select a Storage Type.

For SCv3000, SC5020, and SC7020 storage systems, Storage Center uses the Automatic Drive Placement function to manage drives automatically. When configuring a storage system, Storage Center manages the disks into folders based on function of the disk. FIPS-certified Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs) are managed into a separate folder than other disks. When Storage Center detects new disks, it manages the disk into the appropriate folder.

In Storage Center version 7.3 and later, the Automatic Drive Placement function can be turned on or off for all Storage Centers (except SCv2000 series storage systems) using the Storage Center Storage settings.

Disk Management on SCv2000 series Storage Systems

Storage Centers with SCv2000 series storage systems manage disks automatically, limiting the disk management options. After adding disks, Storage Center recognizes the new disks, creates a new disk folder if necessary, then manages the disks in the disk folder. If a disk is intentionally down for testing purposes, then is deleted, you can restore the disk to manage the disk again in a disk folder.

The following disk management options are not available for SCv2000 series storage systems:

24 Storage Center Overview

●Creating disk folders

●Adding disks to disk folders

●Managing disk spares

Disk Folders

A disk folder contains both managed drives and spare disk space. Managed drives are used for data storage. Spare disk space is held in reserve to automatically replace a drive if a drive fails. By default, the Assigned disk folder is the parent disk folder for all drives. Drives are further grouped by class in subordinate folders.

Disk Classes

Disks are classified based on their performance characteristics. Each class is shown in a separate folder within the Assigned disk folder.

●Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) – For HDDs, the disk classification describes its spindle speed and can be any of three disk types.

○7K (RPM)

○10K (RPM)

○15K (RPM)

●Solid State Drives (SSDs) – SSDs are differentiated by read or write optimization.

○Write-intensive (SLC SSD)

○Read-intensive (MLC SSD)

Drive Spares

Drive spares are drives or drive space reserved by the Storage Center to compensate for a failed drive. When a drive fails, Storage Center restripes the data across the remaining drives.

Distributed Sparing

When updating to Storage Center version 7.3, a banner message prompts you to optimize disks. Clicking the link guides you through the process of optimizing disks for Distributed Sparing. During disk optimization, a meter displays the progress in the Disks view. When disks are optimized, spare disk space is distributed across all drives in a drive folder and is designated as Spare Space. This allows the system to use all disks in a balanced and optimized manner, and ensures the fastest recovery time following a disk failure. Distributed Sparing is the default for systems shipping with Storage Center version 7.3.

Reserved Spare Drive

Prior to Storage Center version 7.3, a spare drive is used as a replacement for the failed drive. Storage Center designates at least one drive spare for each disk class. Storage Center groups drives into groups of no more than 21 drives, with one drive in each group designated as a spare drive. For example, a disk class containing 21 drives will have 20 managed drives and one spare drive. A disk class with 22 drives will have 20 managed drives and two spare drives. Storage Center designates the one additional drive as a spare drive. Storage Center designates the largest drives in the disk class as spare drives.

When Storage Center consumes a spare drive, a feature called Drive Spare Rightsizing allows Storage Center to modify the size of a larger capacity spare drive to match the capacity of the drive being replaced in the tier. After modifying the size of the drive in this manner, it cannot be modified to its original size. Drive Spare Rightsizing is enabled by default for all controllers running Storage Center version 7.2 beginning with version 7.2.11. It allows Technical Support to dispatch larger capacity drives of the same disk class when the same size drive is not available, providing faster delivery times.

Storage Center Overview

25

Data Progression

Storage Center uses Data Progression to move data within a virtualized storage environment. Data Progression moves data between tiers and drive types, as well as among multiple RAID levels within the same tier, for a constant balance of performance and cost.

How Data Progression Works

Once every 24 hours, Storage Center assesses disk use and moves data to disk space that is more efficient for the data usage. By default, Data Progression runs each day at 7 PM system time, but the timing of the run can be changed in the Storage Center settings. Data Progression behavior is determined by the storage profile applied to each volume. Data progression runs until it completes or reaches the maximum run time.

NOTE: On SCv2000 series storage systems, Data Progression moves data between RAID 10 and RAID 5/6 and restripes RAID, but it does not move data between storage tiers.

Data Progression and Snapshots

Storage Center also uses Data Progression to move snapshots. When a snapshot is created, either as scheduled or manually, the data is frozen and moved to the tier specified by the storage profile to hold snapshots.

Snapshots can occur as a scheduled event according to the snapshot profile, manually by creating a snapshot, or on demand by Storage Center to move data off of Tier 1 in a flash-optimized storage type.

Low Space Modes

A Storage Center enters Conservation mode when free space becomes critically low, and enters Emergency mode when the system can no longer write to the disks because there is not enough free space.

Prior to entering Conservation mode, the Storage Center displays alerts indicating that disk space is running low. The alert reflects the amount of space left, beginning with 10%, before the system stops operating. The alert updates each time the remaining space decreases by 1%.

Conservation Mode

A Storage Center enters Conservation mode when free space becomes critically low. Immediate action is necessary to avoid entering Emergency mode.

NOTE: Because of Conservation mode’s proximity to the emergency threshold, do not use it as a tool to manage storage or to plan adding disks to the Storage Center.

In Conservation mode, Unisphere responds with the following actions:

●Generates a Conservation mode alert.

●Prevents new volume creation.

●Expires snapshots at a faster rate than normal (Storage Center version 7.2 and earlier).

Emergency Mode

Storage Center enters Emergency mode when the system can no longer operate because it does not have enough free space.

In Emergency mode, Storage Center responds with the following actions:

●Generates an Emergency Mode alert.

●Expires snapshots at a faster rate than normal (Storage Center version 7.2 and earlier)

●Prevents new volume creation.

●Volumes become either inaccessible or read-only.

●Prevents restart or shutdown operation

CAUTION: Do not turn off the storage controllers in emergency mode. Contact technical support for assistance in recovering from Emergency mode.

26 Storage Center Overview

CAUTION: Because Emergency mode prevents all server I/O, Emergency mode is service affecting. Administrators must take special care to continually monitor free space on the Storage Center and add or free up space as needed to avoid reaching the Emergency mode threshold.

Troubleshoot Conservation or Emergency Mode

To resolve Conservation or Emergency mode, reclaim consumed disk space.

About this task

Perform each step, then wait a few minutes and check available disk space.

Steps

1.Delete any unnecessary volumes and then empty the recycle bin.

2.Expire unnecessary snapshots.

Next steps

If these steps do not resolve Conservation or Emergency mode, contact technical support.

Preventing Low Space Modes

Manage disk space to prevent a Storage Center from entering Conservation or Emergency mode. Prevent low space issues using these tips:

●Empty the recycle bin regularly.

●Lower the frequency of snapshots or set snapshots to expire earlier.

●Change the storage profile to a more space-efficient profile. Available profiles might include Low Priority (Tier 3) and Maximize Efficiency.

●Configure a threshold definition to create an alert when space starts to get low.

●Migrate volumes from a pagepool with a full tier to a different pagepool with more free space.

●Delete unnecessary volumes.

●If Data Reduction is licensed, enable Compression or Deduplication with Compression on some volumes.

Storage Profiles

Storage profiles control how Storage Center manages volume data. For a given volume, the selected storage profile dictates which disk tier accepts initial writes, as well as how data progression moves data between tiers to balance performance and cost. Predefined storage profiles are the most effective way to manage data in Storage Center. The storage profiles available are determined by the storage type.

Storage Profiles for Standard Storage Types

The table below summarizes the storage profiles available for standard storage types. Each profile is described in more detail following the table.

Name	Initial Write Tier	Tier (T) and RAID Levels	Progression
Recommended (All Tiers)	1	Writes: T1 RAID 10 Snapshots:	Yes - to all Tiers
		RAID 5/RAID 6
High Priority (Tier 1)	1	Writes: T1 RAID 10 Snapshots:	No
		T1 RAID 5/RAID 6
Medium Priority (Tier 2)	2	Writes: T2 RAID 10	No
		Snapshots: T2 RAID 5/RAID 6

Storage Center Overview

27

Name	Initial Write Tier	Tier (T) and RAID Levels	Progression
Low Priority (Tier 3)	3	Writes: T3 RAID 10	No
		Snapshots: T3 RAID 5/RAID 6

NOTE: The Recommended, High Priority, and Medium Priority profiles are not available for the Flash Optimized storage type.

Recommended (All Tiers)

The Recommended storage profile is available only when data progression is licensed. Cost and performance are optimized when all volumes use the Recommended storage profile. The Recommended profile allows automatic data progression between and across all storage tiers based on data type and usage.

When a volume uses the Recommended profile, all new data is written to Tier 1 RAID level 10 storage. Data progression moves less active data to Tier 1 RAID 5/ RAID 6 or a slower tier based on how frequently the data is accessed. In this way, the most active blocks of data remain on high-performance drives, while less active blocks automatically move to lower-cost, highcapacity SAS drives.

Because SSDs are automatically assigned to Storage Tier 1, profiles that include Storage Tier 1 allow volumes to use SSD storage. If you have volumes that contain data that is not accessed frequently, and do not require the performance of Tier 1 SSDs, use a Medium or Low Priority profile or create and apply a new profile that does not include Storage Tier 1.

High Priority (Tier 1)

The High Priority storage profile provides the highest performance by storing data on Tier 1. It is efficient in terms of using RAID 5 or 6, but it uses more expensive media to store the data. A volume created using the High Priority profile stores written data on Tier 1 RAID 10. Snapshot data is stored on Tier 1 RAID 5/RAID 6. Storage Center does not migrate data to lower storage tiers unless Tier 1 storage becomes full.

If data progression is not licensed, the default storage profile is High Priority. Without data progression, you must configure volumes to use a specific tier of storage, because data will not migrate between tiers.

Medium Priority (Tier 2)

The Medium Priority storage profile provides a balance between performance and cost efficiency. A volume created using the Medium Priority profile stores written data on Tier 2 RAID 10. Snapshot data is stored on Tier 2 RAID 5/RAID 6. Storage Center does not migrate data to other storage tiers unless Tier 2 storage becomes full.

Low Priority (Tier 3)

The Low Priority profile provides the most cost efficient storage. Creating a volume using the Low Priority profile stores written data on Tier 3 RAID 10. Snapshot data is stored on Tier 3 RAID 5/6. Storage Center does not migrate data to higher tiers of storage unless Tier 3 storage becomes full.

Storage Profiles for Flash-Optimized Storage

The table below summarizes storage profiles available for flash-optimized storage types. Each profile is described in more detail following the table.

Name	Initial Write Tier	Tier (T) and RAID Levels	Progression
Low Priority (Tier 3)	3	Writes: T3 RAID 10 snapshots:	No
		T3 RAID 5/6
Flash Optimized with	1	Writes: T1 RAID 10 snapshots:	Yes to all tiers
Progression (Tier 1 to All		T2/T3 RAID 5/6
Tiers)

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Name	Initial Write Tier	Tier (T) and RAID Levels	Progression
Write Intensive (Tier 1)	1	Writes: T1 RAID 10 snapshots:	No
		T1 RAID 10
Flash Only with Progression	1	Writes: T1 RAID 10 snapshots:	Yes to Tier 2 only
(Tier 1 to Tier 2)		T2 RAID 5
Low Priority with Progression	3	Writes: T3 RAID 10 snapshots:	Yes to Tier 2 only
(Tier 3 to Tier 2)		T3 RAID 5/6 or T2 RAID 5

Low Priority (Tier 3)

The Low Priority profile provides the most cost efficient storage. Creating a volume using the Low Priority profile stores written data on Tier 3 RAID 10. Snapshot data is stored on Tier 3 RAID 5/6. Storage Center does not migrate data to higher tiers of storage unless Tier 3 storage becomes full.

Flash-Optimized with Progression (Tier 1 to All Tiers)

The Flash Optimized with Progression storage profile provides the most efficient storage for an enclosure containing both readintensive and write-intensive SSDs. When a storage type uses this profile, all new data is written to write-intensive Tier 1 drives. Snapshot data is moved to Tier 2, and less-active data progresses to Tier 3.

If Tier 1 fills to within 95% of capacity, Storage Center creates a space-management snapshot and moves it immediately to Tier 2 to free up space on Tier 1. The space-management snapshot is moved immediately and does not wait for a scheduled data progression. Space-management snapshots are marked as Created On Demand and cannot be modified manually or used to create View volumes. Space-management snapshots coalesce into the next scheduled or manual snapshot. Storage Center creates only one on demand snapshot per volume at a time.

Write-Intensive (Tier 1)

The Write-Intensive storage profile directs all initial writes to write-intensive SSDs on Tier 1 (RAID 10). The data does not progress to any other tier. This profile is useful for storing transaction logs and temporary database files.

Flash Only with Progression (Tier 1 to Tier 2)

The Flash Only with Progression storage profile performs initial writes on high-performance Tier 1 drives. Less active data progresses to Tier 2, but remains on SSDs. This profile is useful for storing volumes with data that requires optimal read performance, such as golden images, linked clones, and some databases.

Low Priority with Progression (Tier 3 to Tier 2)

The Low Priority with Progression storage profile directs initial writes to less expensive Tier 3 (RAID 10) drives, and then allows frequently accessed data to progress to Tier 2. This profile is useful for migrating large amounts of data to Storage Center without overloading Tier 1 SSDs.

Storage Virtualization for SCv2000 Series Storage Systems

SCv2000 series storage systems automatically manage many of the storage virtualization options.

Disk Management on SCv2000 Series Storage Systems

SCv2000 series storage systems manage disks automatically, limiting the disk management options. After adding disks, Storage Center recognizes the new disks, creates a new disk folder if necessary, then manages the disks in the disk folder. If a disk is intentionally down for testing purposes, then is deleted, you can restore the disk to manage the disk again in a disk folder.

The following disk management options are not available for SCv2000 series storage systems:

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●Creating disk folders

●Adding disks to disk folders

●Managing disk spares

Storage Types for SCv2000 Series Storage Systems

SCv2000 series controllers create a storage type for each disk class, and manage storage types automatically.

SCv2000 series series storage systems manage storage types automatically in the following ways:

●Storage types are created automatically for each disk class

●Storage types have a 2MB page size for HDD folders and a 512 KB page size for SSD folders

●Storage types cannot be modified

●Non-redundant storage types are not allowed

RAID Tiering for SCv2000 Series Storage Systems

RAID tiering for SCv2000 series storage systems moves data between RAID 10 and RAID 5/6, but it does not move data between storage tiers.

Storage Profiles for SCv2000 Series Storage Systems

The following table summarizes the storage profiles available to SCv2000 series storage systems:

Name	Initial Write Tier	Tier (T) and RAID Levels			RAID Tiering
Balanced	1	Writes: T1	RAID 10		Between RAID types only
		Snapshots: T1		RAID 5/6
Maximize Performance	1	Writes: T1	RAID 10		No
		Snapshots: T1		RAID 10
Maximize Efficiency	1	Writes: T1	RAID 5/6		No
		Snapshots: T1		RAID 5/6

Balanced

The Balanced storage profile balances efficiency and performance for any volume using that storage profile.

When a volume uses the Balanced storage profile, all new data is written to RAID 10. When Storage Center creates a snapshot, Data Progression moves snapshot data from RAID 10 to RAID 5/6.

Maximize Performance

Maximize Performance keeps new data and snapshot data on RAID 10 to increase performance. Maximize Performance is useful for volumes with important and frequently used data.

Maximize Efficiency

Maximize Efficiency writes new data to RAID 5/6 and keeps snapshot data on RAID 5/6. Use Maximize Efficiency for volumes with less-important data and infrequently used data.

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