Hitachi FLASHMAX2, FLASHMAX3 User Manual
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3
User’s Guide
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Document Organization
Product Version
Getting Help
Contents
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MK-99COM145-01
© 2010-2015 Hitachi, Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Some of the features described in this document might not be currently available. Refer to
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Notice: Hitachi, Ltd., products and services can be ordered only under the terms and
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Hitachi, Ltd., products is governed by the terms of your agreements with Hitachi Data
Systems Corporation.
By using this software, you agree that you are responsible for:
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b) Verifying that data continues to be held, retrieved, deleted, or otherwise processed
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ii
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User's Guide
Contents
Preface ................................................................................................... v
Intended Audience .............................................................................................. vi
Product Version ................................................................................................... vi
Release Notes ..................................................................................................... vi
Document Organization ....................................................................................... vi
Referenced Documents ........................................................................................ vi
Document Conventions ....................................................................................... vii
Convention for storage capacity values ............................................................... viii
Getting Help ..................................................................................................... viii
Comments ........................................................................................................ viii
Product Overview ................................................................................. 1-1
Features ........................................................................................................... 1-2
Supported OSs .................................................................................................. 1-2
Restrictions ....................................................................................................... 1-2
Checking Package ............................................................................................. 1-6
Installing Flash Drive ............................................................................ 2-1
Adding, Removing, or Replacing Flash Drive ........................................................ 2-2
External View .................................................................................................... 2-2
Driver and Utility .................................................................................. 3-1
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (Windows 2012 R2) .................................. 3-2
Installing driver and utility ........................................................................... 3-2
Uninstalling driver and utility ..................................................................... 3-11
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (RHEL 6) ................................................ 3-14
Installing driver and utility ......................................................................... 3-14
Setting up Flash Drive automatic mounti ng ................................................. 3-16
Setting up autoload for RAID configuration ................................................. 3-18
Changing security context ......................................................................... 3-18
Contents iii
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Uninstalling driver and utility ..................................................................... 3-19
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (ESXi) ................................................... 3-21
Installing driver and utility ........................................................................ 3-21
Setting Limit to ESXi resource pool ............................................................ 3-24
Uninstalling driver and utility ..................................................................... 3-24
RAID Configuration ......................................................................................... 3-25
For Windows Server 2012 R2 .................................................................... 3-25
For RHEL 6 .............................................................................................. 3-32
Flash Drive Utility (Windows 2012 R2) .............................................................. 3-34
Starting FlashMAX Manager ...................................................................... 3-34
Performance ............................................................................................ 3-35
Beacon .................................................................................................... 3-36
Modifying Partition vgcx ........................................................................... 3-36
Splitting vgcx ........................................................................................... 3-39
Resetting vgcx ......................................................................................... 3-40
Generating Diagnostics ............................................................................. 3-41
Flash Drive Utility (RHEL 6) ............................................................................. 3-42
vgc-monitor ............................................................................................. 3-42
vgc-diags ................................................................................................ 3-44
vgc-beacon.............................................................................................. 3-44
vgc-config ............................................................................................... 3-45
Flash Drive Utility (ESXi) ................................................................................. 3-47
vgc-monitor ............................................................................................. 3-47
vgc-diags ................................................................................................ 3-48
vgc-beacon.............................................................................................. 3-48
vgc-config ............................................................................................... 3-49
Specifications ....................................................................................... 4-1
Basic Specifications ........................................................................................... 4-2
iv Contents
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
This document describes how to use the PCIe Flash Drive.
This preface includes the following information:
Intended Audience
Product Version
Release Notes
Document Organization
Referenced Documents
Document Conventions
Convention for storage capacity values
Getting Help
Preface
Comments
Notice: The use of PCIe Flash Drive and all other Hitachi Data Systems
products is governed by the terms of your agreement(s) with Hitachi Data
Systems.
Preface v
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Intended Audience
This document is intended for the personnel who are involved in planning,
managing, and performing the tasks to prepare your site for PCIe Flash Drive
installation and to install the same.
This document assumes the following:
• The reader has a background in hardware installation of computer systems.
• The reader is familiar with the location where the PCIe Flash Drive will be
installed, including knowledge of physical characteristics, power systems
and specifications, and environmental specifications.
Product Version
This document revision applies to PCIe Flash Drive Series.
Release Notes
Read the release notes before installing and using this product. They may
contain requirements or restrictions that are not fully described in this
document or updates or corrections to this document.
Document Organization
The table below provides an overview of the contents and organization of this
document. Click the chapter title in the left column to go to that chapter. The
first page of each chapter provides links to the sections in that chapter.
Chapter Description
Chapter 1. Product Overview Describes the PCIe Flash Drive overview.
Chapter 2. Installing Flash Drive Describes how to install the Flash Drive.
Chapter 3. Driver and Utility
Chapter 4. Specifications Describes the various specifications of the Flash Drive.
Describes how to install the driver and utility for the Flash Drive on
Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or ESXi.
Referenced Documents
There are no referenced documents.
vi Preface
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Document Conventions
This document uses the following typographic conventions:
Convention Description
Regular text bold
Italic Variable, emphasis, reference to document title, called-out term
Screen text
< > (angled brackets) Variable (used when italic is not enough to identify variable).
[ ] (square bracket) Optional values
{ } braces Required or expected value
| vertical bar Choice between two or more options or arguments
_(underline) Default value, for example, [a | b]
In text: keyboard key, parameter name, property name, hardware labels,
hardware button, hardware switch.
In a procedure: user interface item
Command name and option, drive name, file name, folder name, directory
name, code, file content, system and application output, user input
This document uses the following icons to draw attention to information:
Icon Meaning Description
This indicates the presence of a potential risk that might cause death
or severe injury.
This indicates the presence of a potential risk that might cause
relatively mild or moderate injury.
This indicates the presence of a potential risk that might cause severe
damage to the equipment and/or damage to surrounding properties.
NOTICE
WARNING
CAUTION
NOTICE
Note
Tip This indicates advice on how to make the best use of the equipment.
This indicates notes not directly related to injury or severe damage to
equipment.
Preface vii
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Convention for storage capac it y values
Physical storage capacity values (for example, disk drive capacity) are
calculated based on the following values:
Physical capacity unit Value
1 kilobyte (KB) 1,000 (103) bytes
1 megabyte (MB) 1,000 KB or 1,0002 bytes
1 gigabyte (GB) 1,000 MB or 1,0003 bytes
1 terabyte (TB) 1,000 GB or 1,0004 bytes
1 petabyte (PB) 1,000 TB or 1,0005 bytes
1 exabyte (EB) 1,000 PB or 1,0006 bytes
Logical storage capacity values (for example, logical device capacity) are
calculated based on the following values:
Logical capacity unit Value
1 block 512 bytes
1 KB 1,024 (210) bytes
1 MB 1,024 KB or 1,0242 bytes
1 GB 1,024 MB or 1,0243 bytes
1 TB 1,024 GB or 1,0244 bytes
1 PB 1,024 TB or 1,0245 bytes
1 EB 1,024 PB or 1,0246 bytes
Getting Help
The Hitachi Data Systems customer support staff is available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. If you need technical support, log on to the Hitachi Data
Systems Portal for contact information: https://portal.hds.com
Comments
Please send us your comments on this document: doc.comments@hds.com.
Include the document title and number including the revision level (for
example, -07), and refer to specific sections and paragraphs whenever
possible. All comments become the property of Hitachi Data Systems
Corporation.
Thank you!
viii Preface
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
1
Product Overview
This chapter gives an overview of the Flash Drive (abbreviated hereafter to
Flash Drive).
Features
Supported OSs
Restrictions
Checking Package
Product Overview 1-1
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Features
This product can be installed to the PCI Express (abbreviated hereafter to
PCIe) slot of a system unit. It comes with the following features.
• SSD (Solid State Drive) with high performance equal to DRAM
• Storage capacity comparable to HDD (1.1 TB, 2.2 TB, 4.8 TB)
Supported OSs
The Flash Drive supports the following 64-bit OSs.
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
• VMware vSpherevSpher S
Restrictions
1. Endurance (maximum rewrite capacity) specifications
Some restrictions on rewrite capacity apply to the Flash Drive. Although the
Flash Drive uses non-volatile memory, there is a possibility of data loss due to
the natural electric discharge if it is not powered on for an extended period of
time. Refer the retention period with the below table.
Specification HGST 1.1TB
Maximum rewrite
capacity
Rewrite
frequency
2TB/day 5.5 years 11 years 41 years
5TB/day 2.2 years 4.4 years 16 years
PCIe Flash Drive
4PB 8PB 30PB
HGST 2.2TB
PCIe Flash Drive
HGST 4.8TB
PCIe Flash Drive
When the Flash Drive reaches its maximum rewrite capacity, a paid-for
replacement is required even if the product is still within its warranty period.
Because the rewrite frequency depends on your usage, choose a capacity that
suits your usage needs. Also, check the remaining rewrite capacity regularly
and determine the time for replacement (data migration).
* Flash Drive endurance (maximum rewrite capacity) monitoring:
When the maximum rewrite capacity is reached, the Flash Drive enters the
rewrite suppression mode (Read Only mode). So, it is necessary to monitor
the remaining rewrite capacity regularly and perform data migration and
replacement before the drive enters the Read Only mode.
1-2 Product Overview
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
(1) Using the utility command vgc-monitor of the Flash Drive:
You can use the utility command vgc-monitor on RHEL or Windows to check
the current remaining rewrite capacity. The vgc-monitor command outputs
“Remaining Life: xx.xx%” which indicates in percentage the remaining rewrite
capacity divided by the maximum rewrite capacity (xx.xx PB). (The factory
default is 96% to 100%).
For how to use the vgc-monitor command on RHEL, Windows, or ESXi, see the
following.
RHEL: vgc-monitor -d /dev/vgcx
Windows: vgc-monitor -d vgcx
ESXi: /opt/vgc/bin/vgc-monitor -d vgcx
To find x in vgcx above, use the following command.
RHEL, Windows: vgc-monitor
ESXi: /opt/vgc/bin/vgc-monitor
For PCI slots with Flash Drives installed, their buses are assigned letters in the
following order: vgca, vgcb, vgcc, ...
vgc-monitor -d output example
[root@spa05]# vgc-monitor -d /dev/vgca
vgc-monitor x.x(xxxxx.xx)
Driver Uptime:xx:xx
Card Name Num Partitions Card Type Status
vgca 1 HIT-MX-LP-XXXX-XX Good
Serial Number :xxxxxxxx
Card Info :Part:SJTxxxxx
Rev:FlashMAX xxxxx,x8 Gen2
Temperature :xxC(Safe)
Temp Throttle :Inactive
Card State Details :Normal
Action Required :None
Partition Usable Capacity RAID
vgca0 xxxxxGB enabled
Mode :maxcapacity
Total Flash Bytes :xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (xx.xxTB) (reads)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (xx.xxTB) (writes)
Remaining Life :xx.xx%
Partition State :READY
Flash Reserves Left :xx.xx%
Product Overview 1-3
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
2. Retention (maximum power-off duration) specification
Although the Flash Drive uses non-volatile memory, there is possibility of data
loss due to the natural electric discharge if it is not powered on for an
extended period of time. Refer the retention period with the below table.
Remaining write capacity 90% 67% 50% 0%
Retention (maximum power-off duration) 5 years 18 months 9 months 3 months
As the remaining write capacity decreases, the duration that data can be kept
without power becomes shorter. So, even when the device is stored, turn on
the server once every 3 months.
3. System memory requirement
Even though the driver of the Flash Drive manages NAND-type flash, it uses
system memory (RAM). Apart from the memory required for the OS and
applications, the driver requires 3 GB for each 1 TB of Flash Drive memory.
# HGST 1.1TB
PCIe Flash Drive
HGST 2.2TB
PCIe Flash Drive
HGST 4.8TB
PCIe Flash Drive
Required
memory
3 GB or more 6 GB or more 12 GB
4. Regular backup
To protect against data loss, regularly back up data on the Flash Drive to an
auxiliary storage device. All data on the Flash Drive may be lost if the drive is
damaged.
5. Booting
The Flash Drive cannot function as a boot device.
6. Unanticipated shutdown
If an unanticipated shutdown occurs because of external factors such as power
cut, when the device restarts, data integrity is checked mandatorily. The
integrity check may take anywhere from a few minutes up to 10 minutes.
(When the OS starts, the progress information appears, as an increasing
percentage.) Note that while no data written to the Flash Drive will be lost as a
result of this unanticipated shutdown, data access is not possible while the
integrity check is still in progress.
When an unexpected shutdown occurs, a loading.lock file may be created for
security by Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server or ESXi, for which the Flash Drive
driver cannot be temporarily downloaded. If so, remove the loading.lock file to
load the driver.
1-4 Product Overview
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
7. Brackets
Two types of support brackets are available: standard or low profile. Either
one of them can be used.
8. Restrictions in the rescue mode of Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server
When the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server enters rescue mode, the Flash Drive
cannot be recognized. If you want to operate the Flash Drive during system
maintenance, wait until system recovery in rescue mode is finished. Then,
move to the single user mode and operate the drive.
9. Restrictions on VMware vSphere ESXi5.5
On VMware vSphere ESXi5.5 Web Client, the Flash Drive is shown as “No
model provided - vgcx”; on VMware vSphere ESXi5.5 Client, it is shown as “No
name provided - vgcx.” It is just because of the view on ESXi5.5. Since “vgcx”
is a unique name for this card, you can identify the Flash Drive.
Product Overview 1-5
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
10. Changing OS
If you want to change the OS of the device where the Flash Drive is installed,
first use the utility for the Flash Drive to format it at a low level, and then
change the OS (such as changing from Windows to RHEL).
Checking Package
Before using the Flash Drive, read the accessory list that comes with the drive.
Make sure all items on the list are included. If there are any items missing,
contact your local dealer.
1-6 Product Overview
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
2
Installing Flash Drive
This chapter describes how to install the Flash Drive.
Adding, Removing, or Replacing Flash Drive
External View
Installing Flash Drive 2-1
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Adding, Removing, or Replacing Flash Drive
CAUTION
Do not remove the device's cover. Also, do not install or remove any
internal option. Because the system device contains components of high
density, if you are not familiar with the operation, you may be injured or
the device may become faulty.
Maintenance personnel must be employed to add, remove, or replace a
Flash Drive. If you need to add, remove, or replace an option, contact
your local dealer or maintenance personnel.
External View
• Front view
• Face plate
2-2 Installing Flash Drive
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
3
Driver and Utility
This chapter describes how to install the driver and utility for the Flash Drive
on Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and ESXi.
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (Windows 2012 R2)
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (RHEL 6)
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (ESXi)
RAID Configuration
Flash Drive Utility (Windows 2012 R2)
Flash Drive Utility (RHEL 6)
Flash Drive Utility (ESXi)
Driver and Utility 3-1
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
Installing Flash Drive Driver and Utility (Windows 2012 R2)
This section describes how to install the driver and utility for the Flash Drive
on Windows 2012.
Installing driver and utility
If older driver and utility are installed, see Uninstalling driver and utility on
page 3-11 to uninstall them.
If you have used the “Driver & Utility DVD” to install an OS with the Flash
Drive installed, then the driver and utility for the Flash Drive have also been
installed. In this case, skip to Format the drive (Use FlashMAX III Manager)
page 3-5.
1. Copy the driver and utility package
(1) Insert the “PCIe Flash Drive FlashMax2&3 Driver and Utility Install Kit” CD
in the DVD or CD drive. From the Windows2012R2 directory, copy the
following file to any directory you like.
on
Virident_FlashMAX_ III -x.x.x.xxxxx.msi
2. Install the driver and utility
(1) From the current directory of the copied file, double-click
Virident_FlashMAX_ III -x.x.x.xxxxx.msi.
(2) When Virident FlashMAX III Driver Package Setup dialog box appears,
click Next.
3-2 Driver and Utility
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
(3) When Destination Folder dialog box appears, click Next.
(4) When Ready to install Virident FlashMAX III Driver Package dialog box
appears, click Install.
Driver and Utility 3-3
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
(5) When Completed the Virident FlashMAX III Driver Package Setup Wizard
dialog box appears, click Finish.
(6) Restart the system.
3-4 Driver and Utility
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
3. Format the drive (Use FlashMAX III Manager)
If this is a new Flash Drive or if you want to clear the user data, always use
the following procedure to format the drive. Formatting is done at a low level
on the Flash Drive and is different from the formatting performed by the OS.
Two modes are available for formatting: Maximum Capacity mode or Maximum
Performance mode. The Maximum Capacity mode is effective for applications
with intensive write requirements, and the Maximum Performance mode
requires a 15% sacrifice in user capacity but can double the random write
performance when compared with the Maximum Capacity mode. (However, in
terms of performance in read and sequential write, there is no difference
between the two modes.) If the available capacity is large, the Maximum
Performance mode is recommended.
To format a Flash Drive, the Flash Drive needs to be online. Click Start >
Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Storage > Disk
Management to open the window, set the Flash Drive online.
(1) Click the Search icon which may be located at the top or bottom right of
the screen.
(2) Enter FlashMAX to search and then click FlashMAX III Manager.
Driver and Utility 3-5
PCIe Flash Drive FlashMAX2&3 User’s Guide
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