HP STORAGEWORKS FAST RECOVERY SOLUTION User Manual
Windows Server 2003
HP StorageWorks EVA
Fast Recovery Solution
administration guide
EVA3000
EVA4000
EVA5000
EVA6000
EVA8000
product version: 2.02.02
second edition (March 2006)
part number: B9552-96013
This guide describes how to use the fast recovery solution with Microsoft Exchange 2003.
© Copyright 2005, 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. All rights reserved.
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HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
second edition (March 2006)
part number: B9552-96013
2 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
About this guide 7
IMPORTANT: firmware and software dependencies 7
Prerequisite information 8
HP storage web site 8
Helpful web sites 8
HP technical support 9
HP sales and authorized resellers 9
Document conventions and symbols 10
1Overview 11
FRS feature summary 12
High availability using FRS 12
FRS overview 13
Additional FRS capabilities 14
FRS functional description 15
Functional components 15
Exchange 16
FRS 16
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) 17
HP VDS/VSS Hardware Providers 19
HP disk arrays 19
Contents
Contents 3
2Configuration 21
Typical FRS server configuration 22
Required hardware components 23
Required software components 24
Important limitations 25
Important general configuration notes 25
Important performance issues 26
Important Exchange 2003 configuration notes 26
Configuration summary 28
Configuration details 29
Configuring the Command View workstation and software 29
Configure production and recovery servers 30
Configuring the EVA disk array 31
3 Installation 37
Installing HP VSS HWP 38
Installing FRS on recovery and production servers 39
Installing integrity checking components 41
Enabling the FRS license using AutoPass 42
Installing a permanent license before trial expiration 42
Installing a permanent license after trial expiration 42
Permanent license installation 43
Instance count check 45
Recovery server XML files 46
Setting Eseutil consistency checking and throttling 47
Uninstalling FRS 48
4 Using FRS 51
Using FRS 52
Opening FRS 52
Using the main window 53
Adding server instances 55
Deleting server instances 5 6
Creating shadow copies 57
Troubleshooting copy failures: 59
Executing an FRS recovery 61
Deleting old point-in-time copies 65
Recovery troubleshooting 66
4 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
Command line interface 67
Available commands 68
Example commands 71
Command line error codes 73
5Troubleshooting 75
Troubleshooting 76
Checking logs 76
Troubleshooting checks 76
Miscellane ous issues and solutions 77
FRS error messages 79
Maintenance 79
Recovery 80
Terminating processes 81
Glossary 83
Index 87
Contents 5
6 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
About this guide
This guide provides information about configuring and using HP
StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solutions (FRS) in a Microsoft
Windows Server 2003 environment running Exchange 2003. FRS enables
quick recovery of Exchange storage groups.
FRS combines LUN copy creation and database recovery features for use
with HP StorageWorks EVA disk arrays. Using the Microsoft VSS
(Volume Shadow Copy Service), FRS creates and manage s rec overy-ready
copies of the production Exchange 2003 storage groups to be used in the
event of a disaster. FRS allows you to recover storage groups in minutes
rather than the hours typically required for a conventional restore from
backup.
Unless otherwise noted, the term disk array refers to the disk arrays listed
on the front cover of this guide.
Related in formation
For information about the disk arrays, please refer to the owner’s manuals.
IMPORTANT: firmware and software dependencies
This guide describes FRS behavior based on features implemented in the
latest disk array firmware and software versions. FRS may not work if
incompatible software versions are used. Check the Readme file to verify
that you have the correct versions.
About this guide 7
Prerequisite information
The instructions in this guide are intended for system administrators who
have the following skills and knowledge:
• A background in direct access storage device subsystems and their
• Familiarity with EVA and related disk array management software
• An understanding of VSS installation and configuration of the
• Familiarity with the Windows Server 2003 operating system
• Familiarity with Exchange 2003 administration
HP storage web site
For the most current information about HP StorageWorks products, visit:
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/storage/enterprisestorage.html
For information about product availa bili ty, configuration, and connectivi ty,
contact your HP support representative.
basic functions
such as CommandView EVA
recovery volumes within VSS
.
Helpful web sites
For third party product information, see the following web sites:
http://www.hp.com/go/storage
http://www.hp.com/support
8 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003:
HP technical support
In North America, call technical support at 1-800-633-3600, available 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
Outside North America, call technical support at the location nearest you.
The HP web site lists telephone numbers for worldwide technical support
at:
Collect the following information before calling:
For continuous quality improvement, calls may be recorded or monitored.
HP strongly recommends that customers sign up online using the
Subscriber’s choice web site at
Subscribing to this service provides you with email updates on the latest
product enhancements, newest drivers, and firmware documentation
updates as well as instant access to numerous other product resources.
http://www.hp.com/support
• Technical support registration number (if applicable)
• Product serial numbers
• Product model names and numbers
• Applicable error message s
• Operating system type and revision level
• Detailed questions
. From this web site, select your country.
http://www.hp.com/go/e-updates
.
HP sales and authorized resellers
To reach HP sales or find a local authorized reseller of HP products, call
1-800-282-6672 or visit the HP How To Buy web site:
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/howtobuy.html
You can also find HP sales and resellers at
Contact HP.
About this guide 9
http://www.hp.com
. Click
Document conventions and symbols
Convention Element
Blue text (Figure 1) Cross-reference links
Bold Menu items, button names, key names, tab names, and group box names
Italics Text emphasis and document titles
Blue underlined sans serif
font (www.hp.com
)
Caution Indicates that failure to follow directions could result in damage to
Web site addresses
equipment or data.
Warning
Indicates that failure to follow directions could result in bodily harm or
death.
10 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003:
1
Overview
This chapter presents a technical overview of the HP StorageWorks Fast
Recovery Solution (FRS).
When you have read this chapter, you should have a functional
understanding of FRS that will prepare you to install it and use it.
Overview 11
FRS feature summary
HP StorageWorks FRS provides these features:
• Supports HP StorageWorks EVA disk arrays
• Provides fast recovery of large Microsoft Exchange 2003 storage
groups
• Minimizes downtime from an Exchange corruption
• Independently recove rs Excha nge storage groups
• Supports multiple instances of production Exchange 2003 servers
from a single FRS server (and a single Command View workstation)
• Supports Microsoft Cluster Services
• Includes Command Line Inter face (CLI) fe ature for FRS co py creation
and deletion of point-in-time copies
• Creates and maintains multiple point-in-time recovery LUNs
High availability using FRS
HP provides a total high-availability solution package from high-end
storage to software and support. Fast Recovery Solutions is part of the
high-availability offering, which includes:
• Servers and software
• Disk arrays
• HP StorageWorks Business Copy EVA
• CommandView EVA
• Fast Recovery Solutions for EVA
• Storage consulting services and post-sales total solution support
12 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
FRS overview
FRS is a Windows server tool designed to enable fast recovery when an
Exchange storage group maintained on an HP disk array becomes
damaged.
The FRS life cycle can be summ arized as follows:
• (1) The production server maintains production storage groups or
databases on specified production volumes of the disk array.
• (2) The FRS GUI runs on the recovery se rver. It captures copies of the
Exchange storage groups from the production volumes and stores
them on recovery volumes of the array. FRS creates, maintains, and
manages these “recovery-ready” copies.
• (3) When a data corruption occurs, the administrator uses the FRS
graphical user interface to replace the damaged storage group or
database with the most recent known good recovery-ready copy.
Overview 13
Additional FRS capabilities
FRS can create and maintain copies of storage groups for multiple
production servers. The FRS user interf ace allows Exch ange instance s to be
added or deleted from FRS management at will.
FRS supports Microsoft clustering. Without compromising the cluster or
taking it offline, FRS provides quick database recovery.
Database integrity checking is included in FR S. FRS interacts with the
Microsoft Exchange eseutil integrity checking tool for Exchange to check
database copies and recovered databases, ensuring they are free of logical
and physical corruption.
FRS performs both point-in-time and roll-forward recovery.
14 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
FRS functional description
Functional components
The process of creating and managing recovery copies on the disk array
using FRS involves the following components:
• Exchange
• HP FRS
• Windows VSS Service
• HP VSS Hardware Provider
• HP Disk Array System
Production Server
Management
MS Exchange
Application(s)
Microsoft Volume
Shadow C opy Service
Hardware Provider(s)
HP VSS
Hardware Provider
Management
HP FRS
Application(s)
Disk Array
Recovery Server
Management
HP FRS
Appli cation(s)
Microsoft Volume
Shadow Copy Service
Hardware Provider(s)
HP VSS
Hardw a re P ro vid e r
Overview 15
Exchange
FRS
Exchange runs on the Producton Server and writes data to primary disk
array volumes. FRS protects Exchange by creating and managing shadow
copies of Exchange storage groups.
Software components called “writers” interface with Exchange to
coordinate volume shadow copy creation. Some operating system writers
come with W ind ows, whi le ot her s, s uch as t he Exchange writer, come with
the application software.
Upon request from FRS for a shadow copy, the writer flushes the
application buf fers and hol ds I/O to th e applicat ion. It th en notifies t he VSS
hardware provider that it is ready for a shadow copy, and the VSS HWP
copies the production volume to a recovery volume. When the copy is
complete, VSS releases the application to resume normal operation. This
process ensures c ons istent data even though the application is still running.
FRS consists of two sets of components: one set of production server
components, and a separate se t of re cove ry server components, includin g a
graphical user interface. FRS as a whole is referred to by Microsoft as a
“requestor” application that requests service from VSS.
The FRS GUI runs on the r ecover y ser ver a nd prov ide s use r cont rol o f FRS
on the production server. Y ou ca n use the FRS GUI to make sha dow copies
of the data on the production LUNs, and use the GUI to recover the
complete dataset from a copy on the recovery LUNs.
FRS on the production server interacts with the Windows VSS service and
HP Hardware Provider (HWP). When FRS requests it, this service and
provider combination coordinates with the writ er and applicat ion to crea te a
volume shadow copy of t he pr oduction data on the p rod uct ion array LUNs.
The complete recovery-ready copy is placed on recovery array volumes.
FRS presents the recovery volumes to the recovery server through VSS.
This enables you to use the recovery server to archive the recovery data to
backup tapes at any time. In the event of production data corruption, you
16 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
can use the FRS GUI to restore the production volumes from the most
recent data copy or another point-in-time copy on the recovery volumes.
Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
Microsoft’s VSS manages creation and maintenance of shadow copies of
production data for backup and recovery. This service works under the
control of the FRS interface and the Windows OS file system services.
When requested by FRS, VSS coordinates with the writer and hardware
providers to perform shadow copying of production data to the recovery
volumes. The shadow copies contain static copies of all files, such as
databases, transaction logs, and checkpoint files.
Copy terminology
Understanding how Micros oft VS S terminology correspo nds to st andard I T
industry terms for data copying makes it easier to understand what VSS
does. The following paragraphs explain the terminology.
Microsoft generally refers to a VSS copy as a “volume shadow copy.”
When created using HP FRS and HWP, this type of copy is a static replica
of an original volume’s contents. It is keyed with a GUID to allow
identification of the parts of a shadow copy s et tha t s pan mul t ipl e volumes.
Microsoft also refe rs to a VSS copy as a “plex,” c ommonly known in the I T
industry as a “split mirror.”
When you use an EVA array to make the shadow copy, the array makes
what is known as a “snapclone.” An EVA Snapclone is a complete clone
copy of a specified Virtual Disk (LUN). EVA snapclones are available
almost immediately. This is accomplished by creating a point-in-time copy
and making it immediately available by pointing to data on the original
volume while continuing to copy data to a secondary volume in the
background. When copying is complete, the snapclone is a static
point-in-tim e copy of the original.
The shadow copies made on the EVA array using VSS, FRS, and HWP are
always static, point-in-time copies.
Overview 17
VSS process flow
The following steps show the VSS process flow:
1. A Requestor application (FRS) initiates a Volume Shadow Copy.
2. FRS requests that the Volume Shadow Copy service create a shadow
copy of a selected set of storage groups.
3. VSS tells the W riter and applicati on to prepar e for a shadow cop y. The
Writer reports which LUNs to copy, flushes cache, and holds I/O.
4. VSS tells the disk array through HP HWP to create a shadow copy of
the production storage volume.
5. VSS releases the writer application to resume normal operations.
6. The Requestor (FRS) pres ents the recovery LUNs to t he recovery server
using VSS, waits for normalization, runs integrity checking, verifies
backup integrity, truncates logs upon success, and tells the writer that
the backup was successful.
VSS Process F low
Applic a tio n
(Exchange)
and Writer
Requestor
(FRS)
Virtual Disk Service
18 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
VSS Service
HP HWP
Disk Array
HP VDS/VSS Hardware Providers
Windows Server 2003 sees, partitions, mounts, and manages file systems
on the disk array using its own software providers. HP’s Hardware
Providers extend the array management capabilities of Windows and its
applications to i n cl ude f unc ti ons normally perfor med us ing the disk arr ay’s
proprietary control software. These functions include managing disk array
LUNs and ports and performing volume copy operations.
HP’s Business Copy (BC) application, which resides on the disk array and
is licensed in Command View, works with the VSS and the HP HWP
components to enable the arr ay to make VSS shadow co pies. For functio nal
purposes, you can think of BC as a part of the hardware providers, even
though it is installed separately.
For more information about the HP Hardware Providers, refer to the HP
EVA Hardware Providers Administration Guide.
HP disk arrays
The HP EVA array works with FRS, Microsoft VSS, and HP VSS HWP to
perform snapclone creation, storage, and management. FRS takes
advantage of the many advanced capabilities of the EVA disk array to
provide multiple recovery options.
Overview 19
20 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
2
Configuration
This chapter ex plains h ow to conf igure t he serve rs an d the di sk arra y before
you install FRS.
If you have not read Chapter 1 Overview to understand how FRS works,
HP recommends that you do so before attempting to install and use FRS.
Configuration 21
Typical FRS server configuration
The following figure shows a typical FRS configuration.
Note that any firewall must be open between the FRS servers and the
Command View server. Anything that slows down access to the CV server
will cause VSS timeout failures.
Corporate LAN (TCP/IP)
DCOM/RPC (servers in same domain)
FRS
Production
Server
FC SAN
FC Switch
PRODUCTION SERVER S/W:
Windows 2003 Server
MS Exchange
HP VSS HWP
HP FRS
HP MPIO FF
FC SAN
Optional Firewall
(open between CV and servers)
CV Workstation
BC License
HP MPIO FF
EVA
Disk Array
FC SAN
DCOM/RPC
FRS
Recovery
Server
FC SAN
FC Switch
RECOVERY SERVER S/W:
Windows 2003 Server
HP VSS HWP
HP FRS (GUI included)
HP MPIO FF
eseutil.exe
ese.dll
22 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
Required hardware components
• HP StorageWorks Disk Array: EVA disk array with a Windows
workstation running Command View EVA.
• Production Server with Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition.
This server runs Exchange and manages storage and retrieval of
application data on the production volumes of the array. Server
specifications must meet minimum Microsoft OS requirements.
• Recovery Server with Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition. The
recovery server conta ins the FRS GUI a nd manages the array rec overy
volumes and recovery adminis tratio n. Serve r spec ifica tions must meet
minimum Microsoft OS requirements.
• Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) in each server for
connecting to the disk array via a Fibre Channel SAN.
• Fiber cables and fabric switches to connect the hosts to the arra y.
• Ethernet Network Interface Cards or available network interface
port in each server for connecting to Ethernet LAN.
Important: The Windows Network Connections control panel
Advanced Settings must be set to list first the network that provides
communication between the FRS servers and the CV server.
Configuration 23
Required software components
IMPORTANT NOTE: The right combination of software versions is
crucial to configuring a working system. Refer to the README file
accompanying FRS for information about compatible software versions.
EVA Disk Array with CV Workstation:
• Command View EVA
• Business Copy EVA license
• HP MPIO Full Featured Failover Software and Manager for EVA
arrays (if multipathing is desired)
Production Server
• Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition with SP1 and QFEs
• MS Exchange 2003 with SP1
• HP MPIO Full Featured Failover Software and Manager for EVA
arrays (if multipathing is desired)
• HP VSS HWP
• HP FRS
Recovery Server
• Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition with SP1 and QFEs
• Java Runtime Environment 1.4.2 or later from Sun Microsystems
• HP MPIO Full Featured Failover Software and Manager for EVA
arrays (if multipathing is desired)
• HP VSS HWP
• HP FRS
• Exchange eseutil.exe and ese.dll copied to c:\hpfrs directory
Required Microsoft quick fixes (QFEs) for FRS servers
The following list of QFEs (also called “hotfixes”) is subject to change;
check the README file or contact HP Support for the latest list of QFEs
required for FRS. QFEs must be obtained by downloading f rom Mic ros oft .
For QFEs not available on the Microsoft web site, contact Microsoft
support:
24 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support
.
• KB903650 Extended maintenance mode fix for clusters
Important limitations
• KB831112 VDS update
• KB887827 VSS update 2
• KB891957 VSS hotfix
• KB892514 Exchange hotfix
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=892514
• KB898790 Volume mount point hotfix for clusters
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=898790
• FRS supports only basic disk configuration, not dynamic disks.
• Only one FRS command is supported at a given time on an FRS
recovery or production server, regardless of how the command is
initiated (GUI or CLI). To prevent execution of conc urrent c ommands,
HP recommends that you run FRS from only one management console
or command line interface.
• FRS supports only a homogeneous disk array solution. If you want to
run FRS on an XP1024 and an EVA6000 disk array, for example, you
will need two mutually exclusi ve recovery serve rs—one per disk array
with no shared components.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/831112
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=887827
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=891957
• FRS supports multi ple arrays of the same mod el, but all ar rays mu st be
managed using the same Command View workstation.
Important general configuration notes
The following notes will help ensure a successful configuration:
• Production and recovery se rvers must be in the same Ethernet doma in
so that the DCOM communication process works between servers.
• Administrator privileges are required for all devices and software. If
you do not have administrator privileges, the software and hardware
will not communicate properly.
Configuration 25
Important performance issues
Take steps to prevent these issues which can affect FRS performance:
• Excessive traffic on the Ethernet LAN.
• Viruses that slow down network traffic.
• A firewall that slows traffic between the servers hosting FRS and the
CV server. Any firewall must be open between these systems.
Important Exchange 2003 configuration notes
FRS works within the limits of Exchange 2003. The following
configuration rules apply.
• FRS supports no more than five databases per storage group and no
more than four storage groups per Exchange instance.
• Use a separate LUN for each storage group.
• All databases within a storage group must reside on one LUN of the
HP disk array. Databases cannot be separated onto different LUNs.
• Use a separate LUN on the HP disk array for the logs and checkpoint
file for each storage group.
• The LUN that a storage group resides on and the LUN that the logs for
that storage group reside on must NOT be the same LUN.
• FRS requires that a copy of the MS Exchange eseutil.exe and ese.dll
utilities be placed in the installation directory (c:\hpfrs) on the
recovery server.
FRS in CA EVA and/or CLX EVA environments
A restore operation of FRS EVA or any snapshot and snapclone of
Business Copy (BC) EVA will fail if the destination volume for the restore
operation is a part of a DR group. A DR group is a group of remotely
mirrored vdisks (copy sets) between two EVA subsystems.
In order to successfully restore a vdisk from a disk-based shadow copy
(SnapClone) you must first check whether the vdisks that will be restored
are part of a DR group and then remove the vdisk from the DR group. If
26 HP StorageWorks EVA Fast Recovery Solution for Windows Server 2003: Administration Guide
you have only one vdisk in the DR group you must delete the DR group.
After the restore from the shado w co py usi ng FRS, you sh oul d rec re ate the
copy set in the DR group or recreate the DR group. This can be done using
Command View EVA, Replication Solution Manager or the scripting tool
SSSU. Refer to the manuals for these products for details.
If there is a Cluster Extension EVA geographically dispersed cluster
solution installed, set the read-only attribute for the recreated copy set or
copy sets in the DR group. Then refresh the Cluster Extension EVA
resource information by clicking the "Connection Test" button in the
resource's property wi ndow in the Clust er Administrat or GUI. This updat es
the DR Group ID info rmatio n which is s tored as part of t he clu ster resour ce
information with the newly created DR Group's ID. Refer to the Cluster
Extension EVA User Guide for details.
Configuration 27
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