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.
Document number: 680-122-006 |
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Revision |
Date |
Description |
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|
|
A |
November 2020 |
Initial release |
Storage administrators make up the target audience for this document. The intended reader has a working knowledge of storage and networking concepts.
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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 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 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
The following sections list the requirements for the Storage Center, Storage Manager Data Collector, Unisphere, and Storage Manager Server Agent.
Unisphere 2020 R1 is compatible with Storage Center version 7.2 and later.
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 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.
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 |
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.
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 |
|
|
|
|
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 |
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 |
|
|
|
|
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 provides the following features.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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 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
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
Use Unisphere to add servers that use Storage Center volumes to the associated Storage Centers.
Related concepts
Storage Center Server Administration on page 103
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 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 consists of one or two controllers, switches, and might include one or more disk enclosures.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.)
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 |
||
|
|
|
|
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 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 |
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.
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%.
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).
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 Storage Center Overview
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.
SCv2000 series storage systems automatically manage many of the storage virtualization options.
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:
Storage Center Overview |
29 |
●Creating disk folders
●Adding disks to disk folders
●Managing disk spares
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 moves data between RAID 10 and RAID 5/6, but it does not move data between storage tiers.
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.
30 Storage Center Overview