Overland Storage SnapSAN S2000 User Manual

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Overland Storage

SnapSAN™ S2000

User Guide

July 2011

10400277-004

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Overland®, Overland Data®, Overland Storage®, LibraryPro®, LoaderXpress®, Multi-SitePAC®, NEO®, NEO Series®, PowerLoader®, Protection OS®, REO®, REO 4000®, REO Series®, Snap Care®, SnapDisk®, SnapServer®, StorAssure®, and XchangeNOW® are registered trademarks of Overland Storage, Inc.

GuardianOS™, SnapWrite™, Snap Enterprise Data Replicator™, SnapSAN™, and SnapServer Manager™ are trademarks of Overland Storage, Inc.

All other brand names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

The names of companies and individuals used in examples are fictitious and intended to illustrate the use of the software. Any resemblance to actual companies or individuals, whether past or present, is coincidental.

PROPRIETARY NOTICE

All information contained in or disclosed by this document is considered proprietary by Overland Storage. By accepting this material the recipient agrees that this material and the information contained therein are held in confidence and in trust and will not be used, reproduced in whole or in part, nor its contents revealed to others, except to meet the purpose for which it was delivered. It is understood that no right is conveyed to reproduce or have reproduced any item herein disclosed without express permission from Overland Storage.

Overland Storage provides this manual as is, without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Overland Storage may make improvements or changes in the product(s) or programs described in this manual at any time. These changes will be incorporated in new editions of this publication.

Overland Storage assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, sufficiency, or usefulness of this manual, nor for any problem that might arise from the use of the information in this manual.

Version 4.4

Overland Storage, Inc. 9112 Spectrum Center Blvd. San Diego, CA 92123 U.S.A.

Tel: 1.877.654.3429 (toll-free U.S.) Tel: +1.858.571.5555 Option 5 (International) Fax: +1.858.571.0982 (general) Fax: +1.858.571.3664 (sales) www.overlandstorage.com

This user guide explains how to install, setup, and use your new Overland Storage SnapSAN S2000 appliance and its SnapSAN Manager Suite software to perform tasks such as create arrays and logical volumes, modify configuration settings, and take snapshots.

This guide assumes that you are familiar with computer hardware, data storage, and network administration terminology and tasks. It also assumes you have basic knowledge of Internet SCSI (iSCSI), Serial-attached SCSI (SAS), Serial ATA (SATA), Storage Area Network (SAN), and Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) technology.

Product Documentation and Firmware Updates

Preface

Overland Storage SnapSAN product documentation and additional literature are available online, along with the latest release of the SnapSAN S2000 software.

Point your browser to:

http://docs.overlandstorage.com/snapsan

Follow the appropriate link to download the latest software file or document. For additional assistance, search at http://support.overlandstorage.com

Overland Technical Support

For help configuring and using your SnapSAN S2000, search for help at:

http://support.overlandstorage.com/kb

You can email our technical support staff at techsupport@overlandstorage.com or get additional technical support information on the Contact Us

http://www.overlandstorage.com/company/contact-us/

For a complete list of support times depending on the type of coverage, visit our web site at:

http://support.overlandstorage.com/support/overland_care.html

web page:

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Conventions

This user guide exercises several typographical conventions:

Convention Description & Usage

Boldface Words in a boldface font (Example) indicate items to select such

as menu items or command buttons.

Ctrl-Alt-r This type of format details the keys you press simultaneously. In

this example, hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press the r key.

NOTE A Note indicates neutral or positive information that emphasizes

or supplements important points of the main text. A note supplies information that may apply only in special cases—for example, memory limitations or details that apply to specific program versions.

IMPORTANT An Important note is a type of note that provides information

essential to the completion of a task or that can impact the product and its function.

CAUTION A Caution contains information that the user needs to know to

avoid damaging or permanently deleting data or causing physical damage to the hardware or system.

WARNING A Warning contains information concerning personal safety.

Failure to follow directions in the warning could result in bodily harm or death.

Menu Flow Indicator (>)

Information contained in this guide has been reviewed for accuracy, but not for product warranty because of the various environments, operating systems, or settings involved. Information and specifications may change without notice.

Words in bold font with a greater than sign between them indicate the flow of actions to accomplish a task. For example, Setup > Passwords > User indicates that you should press the Setup button, then the Passwords button, and finally the User button to accomplish a task.

Preface

Chapter 1 - Overview

SnapSAN S2000 Overview .......................................................................................................................... 1-1

SnapSAN S2000 Appliance .................................................................................................................. 1-1

SnapSAN Manager Suite Software ..................................................................................................... 1-1

Windows SnapSAN Manager ......................................................................................................... 1-2

Web Management Interface ........................................................................................................ 1-2

Chapter 2 - Installation and Setup

First Things First – Activate Your Warranty! ................................................................................................ 2-1

Recommended Drive Configurations ...................................................................................................... 2-2

SnapSAN S2000 Rack Installation Overview ............................................................................................ 2-2

Powering Up the SnapSAN S2000 ............................................................................................................. 2-3

Chapter 3 - Initial Configuration

Using the Windows SnapSAN Manager ................................................................................................... 3-1

Installing an iSCSI Initiator ..................................................................................................................... 3-1

Installing SnapSAN Manager Suite Software ..................................................................................... 3-1

Configuring the Appliance with Windows SnapSAN Manager ....................................................... 3-5

Using the Web Management Interface ................................................................................................. 3-10

Assigning a Static Network Address .................................................................................................. 3-11

Finding the DHCP Network Address ................................................................................................. 3-12

Appliance Monitor Display .......................................................................................................... 3-12

DHCP Server Client Table ............................................................................................................. 3-12

Configuring the Appliance ................................................................................................................ 3-13

Chapter 4 - Storage Management

Windows SnapSAN Manager Overview .................................................................................................. 4-1

Creating a SnapSAN Disk ........................................................................................................................... 4-2

Backing Up Data ........................................................................................................................................ 4-4

Using Snapshots ..................................................................................................................................... 4-4

Using Replicas ........................................................................................................................................ 4-5

Creating and Replicating a New Disk Simultaneously ............................................................... 4-6

Using Mirroring ....................................................................................................................................... 4-7

Synchronous Mirroring .................................................................................................................... 4-8

Asynchronous Mirroring .................................................................................................................. 4-8

Creating and Mirroring a New Disk Simultaneously .................................................................... 4-8

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide Contents

Chapter 5 - PC and Servers Management

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 5-1

Overview Screen ........................................................................................................................................ 5-2

Create SnapSAN Disk ........................................................................................................................... 5-4

Disk Create Advanced Settings .................................................................................................... 5-5

Destroy SnapSAN Disk ........................................................................................................................... 5-9

Extend SnapSAN Disk .......................................................................................................................... 5-10

Manage Disk Task ............................................................................................................................... 5-10

Disk Tasks .............................................................................................................................................. 5-11

Rename Disk Task .......................................................................................................................... 5-11

Configure Auto Extension Task .................................................................................................... 5-12

Replicate Disk Task ........................................................................................................................ 5-12

Mirror Disk Task ............................................................................................................................... 5-13

Categories ........................................................................................................................................... 5-15

Properties ....................................................................................................................................... 5-15

Replication Category ................................................................................................................... 5-16

Mirroring Category ........................................................................................................................ 5-17

Paths Category ............................................................................................................................. 5-18

SnapSAN Replicas Category ................................................................................................................... 5-19

SnapSAN Replica Properties Management .................................................................................... 5-20

Using the Calendar to Recover Data ......................................................................................... 5-20

Properties & Scheduler Category ........................................................................................................... 5-22

Queued and Completed Tasks Category ............................................................................................. 5-23

Chapter 6 - Network Management

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 6-1

Setting Up Storage Groups ........................................................................................................................ 6-2

Discovery ..................................................................................................................................................... 6-3

Add Discovery Entry ............................................................................................................................. 6-4

Remove Discovery Entry ...................................................................................................................... 6-4

User Interface Preferences ........................................................................................................................ 6-5

About ...........................................................................................................................................................6-6

Chapter 7 - Appliance Management

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 7-1

Hard Disks Category ................................................................................................................................... 7-3

SnapSAN Pools Category .......................................................................................................................... 7-4

Manage a SnapSAN S2000 Pool ......................................................................................................... 7-6

Extend a SnapSAN Pool ....................................................................................................................... 7-7

Destroy a SnapSAN Pool ...................................................................................................................... 7-7

Create a SnapSAN Pool ....................................................................................................................... 7-8

SnapSAN Targets Category ..................................................................................................................... 7-10

Managing A SnapSAN Target ........................................................................................................... 7-11

Properties Category ...................................................................................................................... 7-11

Security Category ......................................................................................................................... 7-12

Portals ............................................................................................................................................. 7-14

Statistics .......................................................................................................................................... 7-15

Replication ..................................................................................................................................... 7-17

Mirroring a Target .......................................................................................................................... 7-18

Destroying A SnapSAN Target ........................................................................................................... 7-19

Creating A SnapSAN Target .............................................................................................................. 7-20

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide Contents

Extending A SnapSAN Target ............................................................................................................ 7-22

SnapSAN Replicas Category ................................................................................................................... 7-23

Manage SnapSAN Replica ................................................................................................................ 7-24

Create SnapSAN Replica ................................................................................................................... 7-26

Destroy SnapSAN Replica .................................................................................................................. 7-27

Network Category .................................................................................................................................... 7-28

Network Connections Category ....................................................................................................... 7-28

Properties Category ...................................................................................................................... 7-29

Advanced Category .................................................................................................................... 7-30

Statistics Category ........................................................................................................................ 7-31

DNS Category ..................................................................................................................................... 7-32

Routing Category ............................................................................................................................... 7-33

Properties Category ................................................................................................................................. 7-34

Hardware Monitoring Category ............................................................................................................. 7-36

Events Category ....................................................................................................................................... 7-37

Identification & Services Category ......................................................................................................... 7-38

Initiators Category .................................................................................................................................... 7-40

Notification Category .............................................................................................................................. 7-41

Statistics Category .................................................................................................................................... 7-43

Chapter 8 - Web Management Interface

Accessing the Web Management Interface .......................................................................................... 8-1

Overview and Usage ................................................................................................................................. 8-2

Home Tab .................................................................................................................................................... 8-3

Appliance Home Page ........................................................................................................................ 8-3

Content Area Links ............................................................................................................................... 8-3

Actions Available .................................................................................................................................. 8-3

System Tab ................................................................................................................................................... 8-3

System Information ............................................................................................................................... 8-4

Content Area Links ............................................................................................................................... 8-4

Actions Available .................................................................................................................................. 8-4

System Tab Subpages .......................................................................................................................... 8-5

System Configuration ..................................................................................................................... 8-5

System Firmware Upgrade ............................................................................................................. 8-6

Hardware Sensors Information ....................................................................................................... 8-6

System Power Settings .................................................................................................................... 8-7

Set Admin Password ....................................................................................................................... 8-7

System Diagnostics .......................................................................................................................... 8-8

Set System Date & Time .................................................................................................................. 8-9

System License .............................................................................................................................. 8-10

Secure Authentication Certificate ..............................................................................................8-11

Network Tab .............................................................................................................................................. 8-11

Network Information ........................................................................................................................... 8-12

Content Sections and Links ............................................................................................................... 8-12

Actions Available ................................................................................................................................ 8-13

Network Tab Subpages ...................................................................................................................... 8-13

Discovery ........................................................................................................................................ 8-14

Network Device Information ........................................................................................................ 8-16

Edit Network Device ..................................................................................................................... 8-17

Network Interface Information .................................................................................................... 8-17

Create Network Interface ............................................................................................................ 8-18

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide Contents

Edit Network Interface .................................................................................................................. 8-19

Delete Network Interface ............................................................................................................ 8-20

Network Route Information .......................................................................................................... 8-20

Create Network Route ................................................................................................................. 8-21

Specific Network Item Change Pages ....................................................................................... 8-21

Network Ping .................................................................................................................................. 8-22

Network Traceroute ...................................................................................................................... 8-23

Targets Tab ................................................................................................................................................ 8-24

Targets .................................................................................................................................................. 8-24

Content Sections and Links ............................................................................................................... 8-24

Actions Available ................................................................................................................................ 8-25

Target Tab Subpages ......................................................................................................................... 8-25

Target Information ........................................................................................................................ 8-25

Target Edit ...................................................................................................................................... 8-27

Extend Target ................................................................................................................................. 8-28

Target Delete ................................................................................................................................. 8-29

Target Disable/Enable .................................................................................................................. 8-29

Add ACL Entry to Target ............................................................................................................... 8-30

Target ACL Entry ............................................................................................................................ 8-30

Edit Target ACL Entry .................................................................................................................... 8-31

Remove Target ACL Entry ............................................................................................................ 8-31

Create Target ................................................................................................................................ 8-32

Add Initiator to Target .................................................................................................................. 8-33

Target Initiator View ...................................................................................................................... 8-34

Remove Initiator ............................................................................................................................ 8-34

Create Snapshot Target ............................................................................................................... 8-35

Add Replicant Host to Target ...................................................................................................... 8-36

Target Replicant Host Information ..............................................................................................8-38

Edit Replicant Host Details ............................................................................................................ 8-39

Remove Replicant Host from Target ........................................................................................... 8-40

Add Mirror Plex to Target .............................................................................................................. 8-40

Plex Information ............................................................................................................................. 8-41

Remove Mirror Plex ....................................................................................................................... 8-42

Change (Promote to) Management Plex ................................................................................. 8-43

Break Mirror Plex ............................................................................................................................ 8-43

Create Target Recovery Point ..................................................................................................... 8-44

Create Target on <Pool_name> ................................................................................................. 8-45

Export to USB Devices ......................................................................................................................... 8-45

Pools Tab .................................................................................................................................................... 8-46

Storage Pools ....................................................................................................................................... 8-46

Content Sections and Links ............................................................................................................... 8-46

Actions Available ................................................................................................................................ 8-47

Other Network Tab Subpages ........................................................................................................... 8-48

Subsystem Information ................................................................................................................. 8-48

Pool Information ............................................................................................................................ 8-49

Create Storage Pool ..................................................................................................................... 8-50

Add Global Hot Spare .................................................................................................................. 8-51

Remove Global Hot Spare ........................................................................................................... 8-52

Storage Journal Configuration .................................................................................................... 8-52

Set Neutral Storage Host .............................................................................................................. 8-54

Subsystem Rescan ..............................................................................................................

.......... 8-55

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide Contents

Delete Storage Pool ...................................................................................................................... 8-55

Extend Pool .................................................................................................................................... 8-56

Set Pool Cache ............................................................................................................................. 8-56

Pool Markers .................................................................................................................................. 8-57

Devices Tab ...............................................................................................................................................8-57

Devices ................................................................................................................................................ 8-58

Content Sections and Links ............................................................................................................... 8-58

Actions Available ................................................................................................................................ 8-58

Other Device Tab Subpages ............................................................................................................. 8-59

Device Information ....................................................................................................................... 8-59

Events Tab ..................................................................................................................................................8-59

Events ................................................................................................................................................... 8-60

Actions Available ................................................................................................................................ 8-61

Other Device Tab Subpages ............................................................................................................. 8-61

Clear Events ................................................................................................................................... 8-61

Event Notification .......................................................................................................................... 8-61

Event Notification Setup ............................................................................................................... 8-62

Add Event Notification ................................................................................................................. 8-63

Remove Event Notification .......................................................................................................... 8-64

Test Event Notification .................................................................................................................. 8-64

Clear System Status ....................................................................................................................... 8-65

Replicant Tab ............................................................................................................................................ 8-65

Replicant Information ......................................................................................................................... 8-65

Content Sections and Links ............................................................................................................... 8-66

Actions Available ................................................................................................................................ 8-66

Other Device Tab Subpages ............................................................................................................. 8-66

Replicant Settings .......................................................................................................................... 8-67

Add ACL Entry to Replicant ......................................................................................................... 8-67

Create Replicant Volume ............................................................................................................ 8-68

Replicant Volume Information .................................................................................................... 8-69

Recovery Point Information ......................................................................................................... 8-70

Edit Replicant Volume .................................................................................................................. 8-71

Delete Replica Volume ................................................................................................................ 8-72

Recovery Point Target Mapping ................................................................................................. 8-72

Edit Replicant ACL Entry ............................................................................................................... 8-73

Remove Replicant ACL Entry ....................................................................................................... 8-73

Replicant ACL Entry ...................................................................................................................... 8-74

Chapter A - SnapServer Manager

Installing the SSM Software ....................................................................................................................... A-1

Launching SSM ......................................................................................................................................A-1

SnapSAN S2000 Discovery ....................................................................................................................A-2

Accessing Management Software .....................................................................................................A-2

Right-Click vs. Control-Click .................................................................................................................A-2

Chapter B - Expanding Capacity

Attaching Expansion Arrays ....................................................................................................................... B-1

Chapter C - Licenses & Copyright

GNU General Public License .................................................................................................................... C-1

GPL Version 2 ........................................................................................................................................ C-1

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide Contents

Lesser GPL ............................................................................................................................................. C-6

Copyright Notices and Licenses ............................................................................................................ C-13

Appendix D - VMware Plug-In

Install SnapSAN Manager Suite ................................................................................................................ D-1

Install VMware Plug-in ............................................................................................................................... D-1

Create Datastore ...................................................................................................................................... D-2

Appendix E - VSS Hardware Provider

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... E-1

Theory of Operation ................................................................................................................................... E-1

Installation .................................................................................................................................................... E-2

System Requirements ........................................................................................................................... E-2

Hardware Requirements ................................................................................................................ E-2

Operating System Requirements ..................................................................................................E-2

Software Requirements .................................................................................................................. E-2

Installation .............................................................................................................................................. E-2

Verifying the Installation ....................................................................................................................... E-2

Uninstallation ......................................................................................................................................... E-3

System Setup ............................................................................................................................................... E-3

Using the Overland Hardware Provider for VSS ...................................................................................... E-3

Creating a Snapshot ............................................................................................................................ E-4

Listing Snapshots ................................................................................................................................... E-4

Exposing a Snapshot ............................................................................................................................. E-4

Example Using VSS ...................................................................................................................................... E-4

Storage Array Logical Drives versus Windows Volumes ......................................................................... E-5

Use of VSS Tools ...........................................................................................................................................E-6

Breaking a Snapshot Set ............................................................................................................................ E-6

Event Codes ................................................................................................................................................ E-6

Successful Messages ............................................................................................................................ E-7

Informational Messages ....................................................................................................................... E-7

Error Messages ....................................................................................................................................... E-7

Appendix F - Mirror Example

Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... F-1

Procedure .................................................................................................................................................... F-1

Overland Glossary & Acronym List

Index

CHAPTER

Overview

This manual describes how to use the Overland Storage SnapSAN S2000 system. The appliance together with the SnapSAN S2000 software provides a flexible, intelligent, iSCSI-based storage area network (SAN) solution for virtualized server environments and the growing demand for data storage. With a SnapSAN S2000 appliance, you can store, share, protect, and manage data through a single easy-to-use Windows or web interface.

SnapSAN S2000 Overview

The SnapSAN S2000 has two main components: the appliance and its custom software.

SnapSAN S2000 Appliance

This is a appliance connected to your local storage area network running the SnapSAN S2000 software. The appliance manages a RAID controller which, in turn, manages the physical operation of a group of hard disks. The S2000 makes this networked disk storage look just like one or more local disks.

SnapSAN Manager Suite Software

This is storage management software that enables you to manage your data storage effectively and efficiently with no special knowledge about the underlying technology required. There are two versions available:

• Windows SnapSAN Manager – A Windows program run from a network

computer.

• Web Management Interface – A web-based interface on the SnapSAN that is

accessed by a browser.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Host Computers

Disk Drives

RAID Pool

iSCSI Virtual

SAN Disks

The figure below illustrates how the SnapSAN S2000 software can map a set of independent disk drives, connected to the network by a RAID controller, to a storage pool from which seemingly “local” disks of user-defined size can be created and shared by all the users on the network.

Windows SnapSAN Manager

The Windows SnapSAN Manager is a Windows program that provides you with an easy way to manage your data storage. You can use it to perform the following storage management tasks:

• Configure your appliance

• Create new disks from storage on the SnapSAN S2000 appliance.

• Protect the data by controlling shared access to it.

• Provide a high level of data security, using the built-in reliability that comes

with RAID technology.

• Monitor the way that data is used and then adapt the data storage to fit this

usage pattern, giving users optimal access to their data.

• Back up data quickly and efficiently using SnapSAN S2000 support for

snapshots, disk replication (optional), and mirroring (optional).

Web Management Interface

The Web Management Interface is a browser-based tool for managing your data storage. You can use the Web Management Interface to perform the following storage management tasks:

• Configure your appliance

• Create new disks from storage on a specific SnapSAN S2000 appliance.

• Check the logs for a specific SnapSAN S2000 appliance.

• Verify error or fault messages regarding a specific SnapSAN S2000 appliance.

CHAPTER

Installation and Setup

This chapter explains how to install a SnapSAN S2000 appliance. Sections in this chapter include:

• First Things First

• SnapSAN

• Powering Up the SnapSAN S2000

S2000 Rack Installation Overview

– Activate Your Warranty!

First Things First – Activate Your Warranty!

Before installing your new unit, it is essential that you activate your Overland warranty. Technical and warranty support are not available until this is done:

1. Go to the Overland Storage web site at:

http://www.overlandstorage.com/

2. Select Service & Support > My Products.

3. At the Site Login

NOTE: If you are not yet a member, click “New member?” and follow the instructions

given. It’s free and easy!

, enter your email address and password.

4. Under the My Products tab, click Register New.

5. Fill in the information and click Submit.

IMPORTANT: You will receive an email from Overland with your warranty certificate.

Review it carefully and verify that the product and address information is accurate. If any errors are found, email us at: warranty@overlandstorage.com. Otherwise, follow the instructions in the email to complete the registration process.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Supported Configurations

Rotational Speed A Rotational Speed B Blank Disk Drive

Unsupported Configurations

Do not include drives with different RPMs in the same column.

Rotational Speed A Rotational Speed B Blank Disk Drive

Recommended Drive Configurations

Before installing or adding drives to a SnapSAN S2000 appliance, the following must be observed:

• Different capacity drives can be installed; however, they should not be included

in the same RAID array, because capacity usage for all drives in the RAID is limited to the capacity of the smallest drive member.

• Drives of different rotational speed (such as, SAS and SATA drives) can be

installed, but they should not be installed in the same column. If you are combining drives with different speeds, use the figures below to plan where to place the disk drives.

SnapSAN S2000 Rack Installation Overview

WARNING: It is recommended that a mechanical lifter (or at least two people) be used

to raise and align the unit to prevent injury during installation. Use care when inserting or removing a unit into or out of a rack to prevent the accidental tipping of the rack causing damage or personal injury.

AVERTISSEMENT: il est recommandé que la mécanique lifter (ou au moins deux

personnes) soit utilisé pour élever et d'unifier l'appareil pour éviter des blessures pendant l'installation. Faites attention lorsque vous insérer ou de retirer une unité d'entrée ou de sortie d'un support pour empêcher le déversement accidentel de la crémaillère causant des dommages ou des blessures.

CAUTION: Overland strongly recommends that you install the unit in a clean,

air-conditioned environment with power conditioning and an adequately rated uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The unit is intended to be grounded.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Power

Button

Reset

Access

Power

NIC 1

Activity

Alert

NIC 2 Activity

IMPORTANT: Before unpacking the unit, ensure that the area is free from conditions that cause electrostatic discharge (ESD). Discharge static electricity from your body by

touching a known grounded surface. Also, avoid touching pins, leads, or circuitry.

Using the SnapSAN S2000 Quick Install Guide that came in the Accessory Kit, install the unit in the rack as follows:

1. Install the Rail Kit in a RETMA rack.

2. Insert the SnapSAN S2000 into the rack.

3. Connect the network and data cables.

4. Attach the power cords.

NOTE: A PDF of the Quick Start Guide is available on the Overland Storage web site:

http://docs.overlandstorage.com/snapsan

Powering Up the SnapSAN S2000

The power switch is on the front panel located on the left side bracket. To turn the appliance ON, press and hold the Power button for no more than one (1) second to begin the power-up sequence.

After you turn the power ON, the System performs a self-test process, which takes a couple of minutes.

After the unit completes the POST sequence, check the LED indicators on the left bracket to verify the network connections are good.

CHAPTER

Initial Configuration

After installing a new SnapSAN S2000 appliance, there are two ways to handle the initial configuration of an appliance:

• A Windows program (Windows SnapSAN Manager) is installed as part of the

SnapSAN Manager Suite on a network computer and can be used to configure any SnapSAN S2000 appliance on the network (“

Manager”). This is the recommended procedure.

• The web interface (Web Management Interface) can be accessed by a browser to

configure and operate that specific appliance (“

Interface” on page 3-10). This can be used by any OS such as Linux or Mac.

Using the Windows SnapSAN Manager

Using the Windows SnapSAN

Using the Web Management

Before you can use the Windows SnapSAN Manager, you must make sure an iSCSI initiator is installed on each Windows host and the SnapSAN Manager Suite software has been installed.

Installing an iSCSI Initiator

An iSCSI initiator must be installed on each Windows host to access the storage managed by the Windows SnapSAN Manager.

Windows Server 2003 and XP operating systems do not include an iSCSI initiator as standard, but the Microsoft iSCSI initiator is available as a free download. To find the initiator, go to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads installation instructions that come with the initiator.

If you plan to use a different initiator, follow the instructions provided with it.

Installing SnapSAN Manager Suite Software

NOTE: The SnapSAN Manager Suite software can only be installed by the Administrator or a

user with Administrator privileges.

The SnapSAN S2000 SnapSAN Manager Suite files along with electronic copies of all the important documents are available from download from the Overland SnapSAN website:

http://docs.overlandstorage.com/snapsan

and search for iSCSI. Follow the

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

The installation procedure automatically configures the Windows Firewall to allow Windows SnapSAN Manager and its Appliance Discovery Service to access TCP and UDP port 4309 on your computer. If you are using SnapServer Manager (SSM), it configures access to TCP and UDP port 111.

outgoing access on this port. If your system is behind a NAT interface, you will have to set up port forwarding to your computer for this port.

NOTE: To install the SnapSAN Manager Suite on a VMware vSphere Client, refer to

Follow the on-window instructions to install the software:

1. Download the appropriate version of the SnapSAN Manager.

2. Double-click setup.exe.

3. At the start window, click Next.

IMPORTANT: If you are using another firewall, open the firewall manually to allow the Appliance Discovery Service and the Windows SnapSAN Manager incoming and

Appendix D, “

VMware Plug-In.”

Choose either the 32- or 64-bit version from:

http://docs.overlandstorage.com/snapsan

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

4. Review the license agreement, click the box to accept, and click Next to

5. At the Setup Type window, click Typical to continue.

continue the installation.

NOTE: The Typical option is recommended as the optimum configuration.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

6. At the confirmation window, click Install.

The progress window is displayed with a Status bar showing the amount completed. It may take several minutes to complete the installation. When done, the Next button becomes active.

7. When the installation is complete, click Next.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

8. At the completion window, click Finish to exit.

Once the SnapSAN Manager Suite is installed and you click Finish, the program automatically launches the Windows SnapSAN Manager. Continue with

“

Configuring the Appliance with Windows SnapSAN Manager.”

Configuring the Appliance with Windows SnapSAN Manager

To configure a SnapSAN S2000 appliance using Windows SnapSAN Manager:

1. If not already running, start the Windows SnapSAN Manager by selecting

Windows Start > All Programs > SnapSAN > SnapSAN Manager.

Automatically, Windows SnapSAN Manager tries to discover any appliances that are connected to the network. During this discovery process, the Discovery window is displayed and Windows SnapSAN Manager attempts to connect to any SAN appliances it finds.

• If a connection succeeds, the SnapSAN Appliance Setup Wizard starts to

guide you through the setup process.

• If no appliances were discovered, the Windows SnapSAN Manager

Overview window will open. Recheck your network connections and verify that the computer is on the same network as the SAN appliance.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

2. The SAN Appliance Setup Wizard Before You Begin page reminds you to check

3. At the EULA page, review the license agreement, click the box to accept, and

that the appliance’s disks are correctly inserted.

Once you have checked the disks, click Next to move to the next page.

click Next to continue the installation.

4. At the Licensing window, select one of the bulleted items:

• Activate later – use this option if the license key is not readily available.

• Activate over the Internet using a license key – use this option if you

have access to the Internet. Enter proxy settings if required.

• Activate using a license file – use this option to browse for the file with

both the license key and serial number. Does not require Internet access.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

5. At the Identity window, enter a new name if you want to rename the appliance,

If activating now, a second window (Activation) opens. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the activation. Click Next when done.

and click Next.

NOTE: We highly recommend changing the name to help identify the appliance on the

network. The name must start with a letter; subsequent characters can only be letters, numbers, or hyphens.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

6. At the Password window, you must enter a password for the appliance, confirm

it by re-entering it, and then click Next.

IMPORTANT: Overland recommends using a strong password of at least six alphanumeric characters.

7. At the Pool Creation page, select the type of RAID policy you want.

A pool represents the storage available on a set of disks managed by an appliance. In effect, it comprises one or more of the physical disks connected to the RAID controller, managed according to a management policy of your selection. For the management policy you can specify either Typical or Custom.

NOTE: If you want to configure advanced RAID options, use the Windows SnapSAN

Manager to create the pool (as described in “

SnapSAN Pools Category” on

page 7-4) after the wizard has completed.

The options presented for Custom vary according to the number of physical disks available and the type of RAID controller card:

• RAID 0 – Performance storage with no redundancy

• RAID 1 – Mirrored storage

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

8. At the initial Summary page, review the settings you have made, and click

• RAID 5 – High availability storage (hot spare optional)

• RAID 6 – Very high availability storage (hot spare optional)

• RAID 10 – Multiple duplicated performance storage (hot spare optional)

• RAID 50 – Multiple high availability storage (hot spare optional)

• RAID 60 – Multiple very high availability storage (hot spare optional)

• Don’t Create Pool

NOTE: Select Don’t Create Pool if you want to create multiple pools or to create a

pool using only selected disks in the enclosure. After the wizard has completed, use Windows SnapSAN Manager to create the pool as described in see “

SnapSAN Pools Category” on page 7-4.

When you have finished configuring a storage pool, click Next.

Accept to configure the appliance.

9. At the secondary Summary page, verify the successful initialization, and click

Close to quit the SAN Appliance Setup Wizard.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

When the wizard finishes, the initial (default) Windows SnapSAN Manager window is displayed showing the new volumes on the S2000 (such as “DSK1_VOL4”).

Chapter 4, “

SnapSAN Manager and also how to set up and manage the SAN.

These other chapters cover specific manager features in more detail:

• Chapter 5, “

• Chapter 6, “Network Management”

• Chapter 7, “Appliance Management”

Storage Management,” describes in general how to use Windows

PC and Servers Management”

Using the Web Management Interface

The web interface to the appliance, Web Management Interface, supports most common web browsers, including Internet Explorer 7 or 8, and Firefox 3.5. JavaScript must be enabled in the browser.

To use the built-in Web Management Interface to configure a specific SAN appliance, it is necessary to know either the network name or network address (the IP address) of the appliance. To find these, do one of the following:

• If you are not running a DHCP server, connect a keyboard and monitor to the

appliance so that you can assign a network address to it as described in

“

Assigning a Static Network Address” on page 3-11.

• If you are running a DHCP server on the network, find the network address of

the appliance as described in “

page 3-12.

Finding the DHCP Network Address” on

IMPORTANT: If your DHCP server supports reservations, reserve an IP address for the appliance.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Network Name

IP Address

Network

Interfaces

Enter Password

Assigning a Static Network Address

As shipped, the appliance is configured to get its network address using DHCP. If you are not running a DHCP server, manually set the network address as follows:

1. Connect a monitor and keyboard to the appliance.

The monitor will display the appliance’s Network Information window. This gives the status of each network interface.

2. If necessary, use the Up and Down arrow keys to highlight the correct network

interface on the left, and press Enter.

The Edit Network Settings dialog box is then displayed.

3. Enter the appliance’s password.

NOTE: For an unconfigured system, “password” is the default preset.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

IP Address

Network Name

4. Using Tab or the Up and Down arrow keys, move to the DHCP Enabled field,

5. Enter the Static IP Address and Static Netmask for the appliance in the

6. Apply the changes by moving to the Apply box and pressing Enter.

7. Press Esc to quit.

and press Enter to disable DHCP.

appropriate fields.

To quit without applying the changes, move to the Cancel box and Enter.

Continue with “

Configuring the Appliance” on page 3-13.

Finding the DHCP Network Address

You can find the DHCP network address by direct connection to the appliance or using the DHCP table.

Appliance Monitor Display

Connect a monitor to the video port of the appliance to read the appliance’s network name and IP address from the appliance information window.

The network name, in the format “SnapSANnnnnnn,” is shown near the top of the window, and the IP address 192.168.1.140 is shown near the middle of the window.

DHCP Server Client Table

Bring up your DHCP servers client table to read the appliance’s network name and IP address. The details of doing this depend on the DHCP server being used. However, there should be an option to display DHCP clients which have been allocated addresses by the server.

For example, the client table for a Windows 2003 DHCP server:

Locate the entry with a name in the form “SnapSANnnnnnn” and note the name and the IP address. When you configure the appliance, you can then change the network name to something more memorable.

IMPORTANT: If your DHCP server supports reservations, reserve an IP address for the appliance.

It is possible that some DHCP servers will not display network names. In this case, use the appliance monitor display to get the information as described in “

Assigning a

Static Network Address” on page 3-11.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Configuring the Appliance

To connect your web browser to the appliance, enter either the network name or the IP address into your web browser. With some browsers, you may need to prefix the name with “https://” (for example, “https://192.168.1.140”). When you configure the appliance, you can change the network name to something more memorable if you plan to use it for connection.

To configure your SnapSAN S2000 appliance using the Web Management Interface:

1. Open the Web Management Interface:

a. Enter the network name or IP address of the appliance into the browser

(with some browsers, you may need to preface the name with “http://”).

b. At the login dialog box, enter “admin” for the User Name and “password”

for the Password (you can change this later), and click OK.

NOTE: You may see a warning saying the web site is not trusted and asking you to

confirm whether you want to visit it. You can prevent this happening in future by downloading the appliance’s security certificate and installing it in your browser.

In order for your browser to trust the secure connection to your SnapSAN S2000 appliance permanently, the CA certificate must be installed in your browser. A link to the certificate can be found on the System page (see“

System Tab” on

page 8-3).

Installation of the certificate varies according to the browser you are using. With some browsers, you can simply click the certificate and it will be installed automatically; on others, you may have to save the certificate and then import it into the browser, for example, by dragging it to the browser. After installing the certificate, some browsers may have to be restarted for the connection to become trusted.

2. At the License Agreement page, read the license agreement, check the

Agreement box to accept it, and click Next.

If you do not accept the license agreement, you will not be able to proceed.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

3. At the Before You Begin window, the appliance’s serial number and current

Hostname are displayed. To start configuring the appliance, click Next.

4. At the Activate page, review the activated settings for the appliance and click

Next.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

5. Enter the appliance’s network name (also known as the hostname) in the

Identify window, and click Next.

Optionally, you can enter your local network’s Domain Name. The network name must start with a character (a-z, A-Z), use alphanumeric characters or a dash (-) character, and must not include any spaces. If you do not supply a domain name but want to specify an NTP or iSNS server name later, you will have to supply the fully qualified domain name of the server.

6. At the Password page, change the Administrator Password from its default

value. For security reasons, you must enter a new password. Click Next to continue.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

7. At the NTP Server page, select the option you want concerning the use of a

Network Time Protocol (NTP) server, and click Next.

An NTP server ensures that the system time on the appliance remains synchronized with any other systems using an NTP server. If you have your own NTP server, enter its details here. Alternatively, you could specify a public server, for example pool.ntp.org, which is a pool of publicly accessible NTP servers.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

8. At the iSNS Server page, specify an Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS)

server, and click Next.

The iSNS protocol aids the discovery of iSCSI hosts and targets. It is part of the iSCSI protocol suite. The most widely used iSNS server is available free from Microsoft (see http://www.microsoft.com/downloads

). If you have your own iSNS

server, enter its details at this screen.

9. The Networking page displays the default network configuration for the

appliance. Since there is nothing to change here, click Next to continue.

The two Ethernet ports on the appliance can be configured later for iSCSI traffic, management traffic, or both.

NOTE: The page is for information only. You can alter the networking configuration later

using the Network page (see “

Network Tab” on page 8-11).

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

10. At the Pool Creation page, configure your storage and create a storage pool,

and then click Next.

A choice of storage types is available, depending on the number of physical disks present in the system and on whether you have a hardware RAID controller installed. The storage types include:

• RAID 0 – Performance storage with no redundancy

• RAID 1 – Duplicated storage (on redundant disk)

• RAID 5 – High availability storage

• RAID 6 – Very high availability storage

• RAID 10 – Multiple duplicated performance storage

• RAID 50 – Multiple high availability performance storage

• RAID 60 – Multiple very high availability performance storage

NOTE: If you want to create multiple pools or to create a pool using only selected disks

in the enclosure, do not select any of the options. After the wizard has completed, use Windows SnapSAN Manager (“

SnapSAN Pools Category” on page 7-4) or the Pool Creation page (see “Create Storage Pool” on page 8-50) to

create the pool later.

11. The Initial Configuration Wizard displays the Finish page, click Finish to

confirm your settings.

The wizard will configure the appliance and create any requested storage pools and volumes.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Click Home in the Tab bar to go to the appliance’s home page to see an overview of the targets, pools, and devices available on the appliance.

NOTE: Chapter 8

describes how to use Web Management Interface.

CHAPTER

Storage Management

This chapter describes how to carry out the following basic storage management tasks using the Windows SnapSAN Manager installed on a network computer that can access the SnapSAN S2000.

• Overview of the Windows SnapSAN Manager (below)

• Creating a SnapSan disk (page 4-2

• Backing up data (page 4-4

)

Windows SnapSAN Manager Overview

The Windows SnapSAN Manager enables you to manage your data storage using a Windows interface. When you start up the manager, you will see the Overview (or default) window. This is also accessed by clicking the Home button.

)

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

The window has a number of panels. The top panel contains buttons for moving backwards and forwards and returning home to this Overview window. It also has a text box that shows where you are in the hierarchy of windows. As the text box shows, this Overview window is actually the PCs and Servers/<host_name>/Overview window, where <host_name> is the name of the PC that is running the Windows SnapSAN Manager and to which the appliance is connected.

The right side panel (or view) represents the storage area network (SAN) and shows the objects that can be managed. The left side panel is organized as a number of lists. You can focus on different parts of the network and carry out management tasks by using the controls in the left side panel. The list contents alter dynamically to match the objects selected in the right side panel. The lists are as follows:

• <place_name> Tasks – This list holds the controls for carrying out operations

• Other Places – This list holds the controls for switching focus between the

• Categories – This list holds the controls for switching between different views

• Details – In s ome views, when you select an object in the right side pane, details

on the objects in the right side panel.

network, the PCs and servers, and the appliances. It also has controls for moving backwards through a hierarchy of windows.

of an object.

about it are displayed in this list.

The right side panel may display one or more buttons. The buttons mirror entries in the task lists. Hyperlinks in the right side panel provide a quick method of moving to related views.

At the bottom of the window is a status bar. This is used to provide feedback when, for example, a task completes or the system status changes.

You can find detailed information about the objects in the Other Places list as follows:

• PCs and Servers – Chapter 5, “

configure and manage the storage of PCs and servers.

• SnapSAN S2000 Network – Chapter 6, “

to configure and manage the SnapSAN S2000 network as a whole.

• Appliances – Chapter 7, “

and manage SnapSAN S2000 storage appliances.

To start using Windows SnapSAN Manager for basic operations such as creating disks and backing up data, continue with “

Creating a SnapSAN Disk

NOTE: Before you can create any iSCSI volumes, you must have one or more storage pools

from which volumes are allocated. If you did not set up a disk pool using the wizard, you need to do so now (see “

PC and Servers Management,” describes how to

Network Management,” describes how

Appliance Management,” describes how to configure

Creating a SnapSAN Disk.”

SnapSAN Pools Category” on page 7-4).

To create a SnapSAN disk using a previously created disk pool, follow the steps below. This creates a disk with default configuration settings. If you want to create a disk with a site-specific configuration, check the Show advanced settings box and configure the disk as described in “

1. From the Overview screen, select Create SnapSAN Disk from the PC and

Server Tasks list.

Disk Create Advanced Settings” on page 5-5.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

2. At the Disk Create dialog box, select your settings:

a. Select from the top drop-down list the SnapSAN pool you want to use for

the new disk. A description of the pool selected is given in the dialog box together with a star rating for its performance characteristics. One star is the lowest level and five stars are the highest level.

b. Enter the size of the disk and the unit of measurement. Default values are

preselected and the maximum amount of free space available is shown above the entry boxes.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

3. Select OK to confirm your choices and close the dialog box.

An icon for the new disk appears in the lower panel of the Overview window. While Windows SnapSAN Manager configures the disk, a progress bar is shown above the disk’s icon. The disk is ready when the progress bar disappears.

c. Choose a Windows drive letter for the disk. By default, the next free drive

letter is chosen.

d. Verify that the Auto Extend Disk box is checked (default) if you would like

Windows SnapSAN Manager to extend the size of the disk automatically as the disk fills up.

After the disk has been created, you can configure details of how Windows SnapSAN Manager automatically extends the disk (see “

Extension Task” on page 5-12).

NOTE: If you have activated the optional mirroring, you cannot use the Auto Extend

Disk feature.

Configure Auto

To confirm that the new drive is present, you can open My Computer.

Backing Up Data

Your SnapSAN S2000 appliance provides multiple ways to back up your data including snapshots, replicas, and mirroring.

Using Snapshots

The snapshot has become an essential component of a modern data storage solution. It provides a mechanism by which an (apparently) instantaneous copy can be taken of a storage volume or disk. Snapshots were originally developed to overcome the problem of volumes changing while backups were in progress. Snapshot technology allows the

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

backup application to work with a snapshot of the volume, effectively corresponding to the state of the volume at a single point in time. Typically the backup application would create a volume snapshot, back up the snapshot and then delete it.

For efficient backup, SnapSAN S2000 software provides support for up to 256 Windows snapshots which are read-only. Technically speaking, Windows SnapSAN Manager acts as a hardware provider in the Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) framework.

In response to requests from third-party VSS-compliant backup software, Windows SnapSAN Manager provides a snapshot on the appliance of the data to be backed up. A Windows VSS snapshot is effectively a temporary clone of the data. The backup application then accesses the snapshot through the VSS interface to create a backup of the data. When the backup is complete, the backup software notifies Windows SnapSAN Manager that it has finished with the snapshot so that Windows SnapSAN Manager can delete it. Sufficient space must be available on the appliance to hold the snapshot for the backup to proceed.

The big advantage of using snapshots for backups is that users can continue to use the system throughout the backup procedure. Another advantage is that administrators can have “application consistent” backups using snapshots.

Using Replicas

NOTE: Replication is an add-on feature to the SnapSAN S2000 and requires a separately

purchased license.

A replica is a copy of a disk that is usually stored in a separate location from the original. This location may be a different subsystem on the local area network or a remote location connected by a wide area network. Whereas a snapshot provides a one-off backup of a disk, a replica can be updated automatically at user-defined intervals or on demand. Each update provides a recovery point. The state of the disk at a recovery point can be recreated as a new disk. The recreated disk is known as a mapped storage replica or, more simply, as a mapping. The update uses the VSS service to ensure that the data is in a consistent state before it is replicated. As with snapshots, users can continue to work while the replication takes place.

When a storage disk is created, a replica can be configured at the same time. To replicate an existing storage disk, the entire contents of the original disk must be transferred to the replica first. While not be feasible in all cases, the SnapSAN S2000 also supports the export and import of replicas on transportable media, such as a USB disk (“

Export to USB Devices” on page 8-45). Once the data has been imported, the

replica can be updated over the network.

A replica can be removed if it is no longer required—the original disk is unaffected. Similarly, a replica can be broken away from the original so that it exists in its own right and is no longer updated when the original changes.

IMPORTANT: To enable replication, a replication storage journal must be configured using the Web Management Interface. See “

Storage Journal Configuration” on page 8-52 for details. The Replication Link, the interface over which the replication takes

place, is the first interface listed on the Network page.

Choose from these options:

• To replicate a new storage disk, follow the instructions below (“

Creating and

Replicating a New Disk Simultaneously”).

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• To replicate an existing storage disk over the network, follow the instructions

• To replicate an existing storage disk using export and import, follow the

• To schedule times for recovery points to be made, see “

• To set a recovery point, see “

• To recover data from a replica, see “

Creating and Replicating a New Disk Simultaneously

1. At the Overview screen, click Create SnapSAN Disk.

2. At the Disk Create screen, select your settings—but DON’T CLICK the OK

3. Check the Show Advanced Settings box to show the additional configuration

given in “

Replicate Disk Task” on page 5-12.

instructions in the Web Management Interface chapter “

page 8-65.

Properties & Scheduler

Category” on page 5-22.

Manage Disk Task” on page 5-10.

SnapSAN Replicas Category” on page 5-19.

button.

tabs.

Replicant Tab” on

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

4. From the new tabs, select the Replication tab and configure:

Using Mirroring

As the primary volume changes, the replica must be updated. This update can be done continuously, in which case the replica is called a mirror. With a mirror, every write issued to the primary volume must be issued to the secondary mirror. Two forms of mirroring are possible, synchronous and asynchronous.

a. Check the Create Replica check box to enable replication.

b. Choose a Storage pool from the drop-down list.

The tab shows the redundancy and speed ratings for the pool you select together with both the amount of free space available and required.

c. To set up a schedule for updating the replica, select a Schedule from the

drop-down list at the bottom of the tab.

You can add or change the schedule later using the Properties & Scheduler view, as described in “

“

SnapSAN Replicas Category” on page 5-19 for details about managing a

Properties & Scheduler Category” on page 5-22. See

replica.

5. Select OK to confirm your choices and close the dialog box.

An icon for the new replicated disk appears in the lower panel of the view. While Windows SnapSAN Manager configures the disk, a progress bar is shown above the disk’s icon. The disk is ready when the progress bar disappears.

6. Select the disk and then select Manage Disk from the PC and Server Tasks

list.

The Properties view confirms that the disk is being replicated. See “

Replication

Category” on page 5-16 for information on managing a replicated disk.

NOTE: N-way (or symmetric multiprocessing) mirroring is not supported.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Synchronous Mirroring

With synchronous mirroring, a write to the mirrored volume is not acknowledged back to the initiating host until the data has been written to both the primary volume and to the secondary mirror. This guarantees that both primary volume and mirror contain identical data, and in the event of the primary volume failing, the host can fail over to the mirror without any interruption in service. However, unless the connection between host and the primary volume and the primary volume and the mirror have similar performance characteristics significant write latencies will be introduced. This will typically lead to unacceptable write performance for the mirrored volume.

For this reason, synchronous mirroring is generally only feasible between systems connected with a high performance, low latency link. This requires that the systems be located physically quite close, and so synchronous mirroring is not usually appropriate for disaster recovery when the replica is kept at a geographically remote site.

Asynchronous Mirroring

Asynchronous mirroring allows writes to the secondary mirror to be performed asynchronously. The write operation can be acknowledged back to the initiating host as soon as it has been written to the primary volume. Typically it will be buffered on the primary controller and then written out in the background to the remote secondary volume. This means that the connection between the primary volume and the plex can be of a lower performance and that it can be used as a disaster recovery solution between geographically remote systems.

However, because the update is asynchronous, it means that the secondary mirror is usually a little out of date compared to the primary volume. This potential disparity means that it cannot be used as a failover system, since if the host failed over, the operating systems view of the volume and the actual contents of the volume would not be quite the same. However, it should be possible to use the secondary volume by restarting the host computer and having it perform a file system integrity check before using the secondary volume as its primary volume. This is sometimes known as crashpoint consistency.

Unfortunately there are other problems with asynchronous mirroring. If there is a failure, then the secondary mirror contains a version of the volume data as it was at an essentially random point in time. It suffers from exactly the same problems as a snapshot taken without using VSS, in that the data may not be self consistent as far as applications are concerned.

Creating and Mirroring a New Disk Simultaneously

NOTE: MPIO software and a Neutral Storage Host are required for mirroring.

1. At the Overview screen, click Create SnapSAN S2000 Disk.

2. At the Disk Create screen, select your settings—but DON’T CLICK the OK

button.

IMPORTANT: The Auto Extend check box on the General tab page must be UNCHECKED.

3. Check the Show Advanced Settings box to show the additional configuration

tabs.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

4. From the new tabs, select the Mirroring tab and configure:

a. Check the Create Mirror check box to enable mirroring.

b. Choose a Storage pool from the drop-down list.

The tab shows the redundancy and speed ratings for the pool you select together with both the amount of free space available and required.

c. If a Neutral Storage Host has not yet been created, choose one from the

drop-down list at the bottom of the tab.

This option is not visible if a host has already been selected.

5. At the MPIO Path Status message, click OK start the process.

An icon for the new SAN disk appears in the lower panel of the content area. While Windows SnapSAN Manager configures the disk, a progress bar is shown above the disk’s icon. The disk is ready when the progress bar disappears.

6. Select the disk and then select Manage Disk from the PC and Server Tasks

list.

The Properties view confirms that the disk is being mirrored.

CHAPTER

Introduction

PC and Servers Management

This chapter describes the tasks you can carry out on PCs and servers using the Windows SnapSAN Manager application.

• An introduction to PC and server management (below)

• How to create a SAN disk (page 5-4

• How to extend a SAN disk (page 5-10)

• How to destroy (remove) a SAN disk (page 5-9

• Managing a specific SAN disk including replication (page 5-10

)

By selecting PCs and Servers from the Other Places list on the Home screen, the PCs and Servers screen is shown. Use this screen to select the PC computer or server you want to configure or manage.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Overview Screen

To access the PCs and Servers Overview screen, do one of the following:

• Double-click an unlocked (blue) server icon.

This is the same as selecting the unlocked (blue) server icon and clicking the Manage PC or Server option on the left.

• Double-click an locked (black) server icon, enter the User Name and Password,

and click OK. Then double-click (or select the Manage PC or Server option).

This is the same as selecting the locked (black) server icon and clicking the Login to PC or Server option on the left.

NOTE: When done, use the Logout of PC or Server option on the left of the Home screen.

The Overview screen displays the storage options associated with this PC or managed server.

PC and Server Tasks List

The PC and Server Tasks list presents different options depending on which item, if any, is selected in the right pane:

• When no disks are selected, only the Create a SnapSAN Disk task (see

page 5-4

• When a local disk is selected, a new task called Manage Disk (see page 5-10

appears in the list.

) is shown.

)

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• When a SnapSAN disk, replica, or mirror is selected in the content area, two

more tasks appear:

• Destroy SnapSAN Disk (see page 5-9

• Extend SnapSAN Disk (see page 5-10

)

Categories List

Four options are available in the Categories list:

• SnapSAN Replicas (see page 5-19

)

• Overview (current screen)

• Properties & Scheduler (see page 5-22

• Queued and Completed Tasks (see page 5-23

)

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Create SnapSAN Disk

When you select Create SnapSAN Disk from the PC and Server Tasks list, the Disk Create dialog box opens.

Choose the appropriate settings for your storage disk:

• Storage – From the drop-down list, select the storage pool you want to use for

the new disk. A description of the selected storage pool is shown together with a star rating (one star for lowest; five stars for highest) for its performance characteristics.

• Total Size – Specify the total size of the disk (default values are provided) and

choose the unit of measurement (GB or MB)

• Drive Letter – Choose a Windows drive letter for the storage disk. By default,

the next free drive letter is pre-chosen.

• Auto Extend Disk – Check this box if you would like Windows SnapSAN

Manager to extend the size of the disk automatically as the disk fills up. See

“

Configure Auto Extension Task” on page 5-12 for more information.

NOTE: This option cannot be used with replication or mirroring.

• Show Advanced Settings – Check this box to display tabs to set up additional

security features, disk replication, mirroring, disk partitioning, and multipath connections. See “

Disk Create Advanced Settings” on page 5-5 for more details.

NOTE: Replication and mirroring require additional licenses.

When you click OK, the new disk icon appears in the view. A bar at the top of the disk icon shows the progress as the Windows SnapSAN Manager prepares the new drive for use.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Windows SnapSAN Manager creates a volume on the appliance, assigns it an iSCSI target, sets up discovery controls, and configures the Windows server so the iSCSI subsystem can discover the disk. Then the Windows SnapSAN Manager logs into the disk, partitions it, creates an NTFS file system on it using Quick Format, and assigns it a drive letter. When this is complete, the progress bar disappears.

If you open up My Computer, you can confirm that the new drive is present and that it can be accessed in the same way as a local drive.

NOTE: To do a full format that scans for bad sectors, you must use Windows Disk Manager.

Disk Create Advanced Settings

To modify the default configuration of the storage disk being created, check the Show Advanced Settings box. This displays additional tabs based on licensed features:

• Security – Select the Security tab to set additional security options.

In the CRC / Checksum area, select the check boxes to enable support for data digests and/or header digests.

In the CHAP Logon Information area, select the check box to enable CHAP authentication. Enter a secret, either as a character string or a hexadecimal string.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• Replication (optional licensed feature) – If licensed, select the Replication tab

to configure a replica of the disk.

Click the Create Replica check box to enable replication and then choose a storage pool for the replica from the drop-down list. The tab shows the redundancy and speed ratings for the pool you select together with the amount of free space available and the amount required.

To set up a schedule for updating the replica, select a schedule from the dropdown list at the bottom. A schedule can be added later, if preferred, using the Properties & Scheduler view, as described on page 5-22

, which also contains further information about managing a replica and using recovery points to capture the state of the replica at specified times. Data can be restored from the replica at a recovery point.

NOTE: You cannot select both replication and mirroring for a storage disk.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• Mirroring (optional licensed feature) – If licensed, select the Mirroring tab to

configure a mirror of the replica on the disk.

NOTE: You cannot select both replication and mirroring for a storage disk.

• Partitioning – Select the Partitioning tab to specify how the disk should be

partitioned. The Partitioning tab displays the partitioning schemes available.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• MPIO – Select the MPIO tab to set up multiple paths (multiple connections)

Select a partitioning scheme by clicking the button alongside it:

• MBR Legacy – The Master Boot Record scheme offers backwards

compatibility with the legacy PC standard, which is limited to 4 partitions, each up to 2 terabytes in size.

• GPT – The GUID Partition Table scheme supports up to 128 partitions with

over 2 terabytes per partition.

between initiators and targets. Having multiple paths available for network operations can enhance performance and improve reliability.

To use MPIO, choose one of the following methods of configuring the connections:

• Automatic – All the paths between initiators and targets will be discovered

automatically and the connections between them set up.

• Manual – All the paths are displayed in the panel together with their status.

Select the paths you want to configure and check their connectivity by clicking the Validate button.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

The figure following illustrates the dataflow between the applications running on the host and the disks in the iSCSI appliance when multiple interfaces are being used.

Destroy SnapSAN Disk

To remove a selected storage disk, use the Destroy SnapSAN Disk option from the PCs and Servers Tasks list. The Confirm SnapSAN Disk Destroy dialog box is shown asking for confirmation with a warning that all data on the disk will be lost.

NOTE: All replicas and mirrors must be removed before a disk can be destroyed.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Extend SnapSAN Disk

You can extend the size of a SnapSAN storage disk manually by selecting it in the view and then selecting Extend SnapSAN Disk from the PC and Server Tasks list.

The Disk Extend dialog box is shown. Enter the new size of the disk and click OK.

Manage Disk Task

To manage a selected disk, select Manage Disk from the PC and Server Tasks list. The Properties view of the disk is shown.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

The Disk Tasks list shows the management tasks you can perform on the disk:

Disk Tasks

• Rename Disk (see page 5-11

• Configure Auto Extend (see page 5-12

• Replicate Disk, if licensed and not mirrored (see page 5-12

• Mirror Disk, if licensed and not replicated (see page 5-12

)

The Categories list for Manage Disk provides the following views of the disk:

• Properties (current screen)

• Replication, if licensed (see page 5-15

• Mirroring, if licensed (see page 5-17

• Paths (see page 5-18

)

Up to four different tasks are available to manage a disk.

Rename Disk Task

To rename a highlighted disk, select Rename Disk from the PC and Server Tasks list. The Disk Rename dialog box is displayed.

Enter a new name for the disk and click OK.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Configure Auto Extension Task

To configure the automatic disk extension, select Configure Auto Extend from the Disk Tasks list.

Use the dialog box to specify by what percentage the disk should be extended and what minimum percentage of the disk should be kept free. You can also specify a maximum size for the disk.

Replicate Disk Task

NOTE: Replication is an optional feature and requires a separate license.

To replicate a SnapSAN Disk, select the disk and then select Manage Disk from the PC and Server Tasks list. The Properties view for the disk is displayed. Select Replicate Disk from the Disk Tasks list to get the Replicate Disk dialog box.

IMPORTANT: To enable replication, a Replication Journal drive must first be configured using the Web Management Interface. See “Pools Tab” on page 8-46 for details.

To replicate a previously created storage disk:

1. Select the newly created SnapSAN Disk in the content area to expand the

options in the PC and Server Tasks list.

2. Click Manage Disk in the PC and Server Tasks list.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

3. At the Manage Disk screen, click Replicate Disk.

4. Select the destination Storage.

The top panel shows details of the SnapSAN Disk to be replicated (the source). The bottom panel shows details of the replica. Use the drop-down list to select a storage pool where the replica will be created.

5. Click OK. A progress bar is displayed while the replica is being created.

Mirror Disk Task

NOTE: Mirroring is an optional feature and requires a separate license.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

To mirror a previously created storage disk:

1. Select the newly created SnapSAN Disk in the content area to expand the

2. Click Manage Disk in the PC and Server Tasks list.

3. At the SnapSAN Manage Disk screen, click Mirror Disk.

options in the PC and Server Tasks list.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

4. Select the destination Storage.

SnapSAN Replicas Category

From the Home screen, click the SnapSAN Replicas category to view all the SnapSAN replicas that have been created. If a replica is on the same SAN as the PC or server, the drive letter and hostname of the replicated disk is displayed.

Select a replica to display the tasks in the SnapSAN Replicas list:

• Manage SnapSAN Replica – This displays the SnapSAN Replica Properties

view for the selected replica.

• Destroy SnapSAN Replica – A dialog box pops up for you to confirm the

destroy operation as it will delete all the replicated data. The original data (the source of the replica) remains intact.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

SnapSAN Replica Properties Management

By selecting Manage SnapSAN Replica from the SnapSAN Replicas category default screen, the SnapSAN Replica properties screen is displayed.

The calendar enables you to check whether any recovery points have been recorded on a selected day. The recovery points for that date (shown on the calendar in bold text) are listed in the box to the right. They correspond to scheduled updates to the replica (set up using the Properties & Scheduler view) and one-off updates (created as described in “

Manage Disk Task” on page 5-10).

NOTE: The scheduler for Replication is only used on Windows Systems. Scheduled

replication for any other OS is not supported through the scheduler. There is a utility, called remote_replicate, which works with cron on Unix systems in order to add to a schedule.

Using the Calendar to Recover Data

To recover the data from the replica at a given recovery point:

1. Highlight a date shown in bold type in the calendar (representing a day with a

recovery point).

2. Select a time from the list next to the calendar.

3. Click Create Disk.

4. In the Map Replica dialog box, select a location and create a name for the new

disk.

You can accept the default drive letter are choose one yourself.

5. Click OK.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Disks that have been created in this way are known as mappings. Changes made to a mapping do not affect the replicated disk or the replica. Similarly, changes to the replicated disk (which are reflected in the replica) do not affect any mappings.

To view all the recovery points that have been mapped, select Recovery Point Disk Mappings from the Categories list. The following figure shows a single mapping.

When you select a mapping, the available tasks are displayed in the SnapSAN Replica Tasks list, as follows:

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• Destroy SnapSAN Disk – A dialog box pops up for you to confirm the destroy

operation as it will delete all the data on the mapping. This means that any changes made to the mapping will be lost although the original mapping can be created again from a recovery point.

• Manage SnapSAN Disk – This displays the SnapSAN Disk Properties view.

The only task available in the Disk Tasks list is renaming the disk, as described in “

Rename Disk Task” on page 5-11. If the PC or server supports multiple

paths, select the Paths view from the Categories list to select the paths between the initiator on the PC or server and the target controlling access to the disk.

Properties & Scheduler Category

From the Home screen, click Properties & Scheduler to display the name and IP address of the PC or server.

The bottom table in the view lists any schedules that have been set up for the PC or server. Click Add (or select Add Scheduled Task from the PC and Server Tasks list) to add a scheduled item. The Scheduled Task Wizard dialog box is displayed for you to enter details of the schedule.

NOTE: Scheduling of a replication pair using this tool is not available for LINUX. Refer to the

Overland Technical Support site and download the PDF for LINUX scheduling:

AppNote_S2000_LINUX_Remote_Replicate_Utility.pdf.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

NOTE: The scheduler for Replication is only used on Windows Systems. Scheduled

replication for any other OS is not supported through the scheduler. There is a utility,

called remote_replicate, which works with cron on Unix systems in order to add to a

schedule.

Queued and Completed Tasks Category

From the Home screen, click Queued and Completed Tasks to display two lists: one displays a list of tasks that are queued, and the other displays a list of tasks that have completed or failed. The most recent task is at the top of its list.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Select a task and then either click the View button or select View Task from the PCs and Server Tasks list to see the Task View window which gives more information about the task.

To clear the tasks from the log, either click the Clear button under a list or select the appropriate Clear All task option from the PCs and Server Tasks list.

CHAPTER

Network Management

This chapter describes the network management tasks you can carry out on the storage area network using the Windows SnapSAN Manager.:

Overview

• Overview

• Setting Up Storage Groups

• Discovery process

• User Interface Preferences

• About page

Select the SnapSAN Network option from the Other Places list to access the networking options. The SnapSAN Network Properties window is the default view.

of network management

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

From this window, you can carry out the following network management tasks using the Windows SnapSAN Manager:

• Grouping appliances together for ease of management (see below)

• Using the Discovery service to locate appliances in the network (see page 6-3

• Specifying user interface preferences (see page 6-5

• Checking details about the Windows SnapSAN Manager software (see page 6-6

Setting Up Storage Groups

The Windows SnapSAN Manager enables you to group appliances into one or more domains for ease of management. Grouping is done by assigning SAN names to appliances and then applying a SAN Filter that filters which appliances can be seen according to their names. Assigning SAN names to appliances is described in

“

Properties Category” on page 7-34.

To configure a SAN filter, be sure SnapSAN Network is selected from the Other Places list. At the Properties default window, click the Change button (or select the Change SAN Filter task) to open the SAN Filter Option box. Select the option you want:

)

• The first bullet enables you to manage ALL unassigned appliances.

• The second bullet enables you to manage all the appliances in the SAN.

• The third bullet filters the appliances based on a specific name AND includes all

unnamed appliances.

• The fourth bullet filters the appliances based on a specific name.

For example, if you set the SAN Filter to Accounts using the third button, you will only be able to see (and manage) storage assigned to the SAN-named Accounts and storage with no SAN name assigned to it. If you select the last button, you will only be able to manage storage assigned to the SAN-named Accounts.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Discovery

The Windows SnapSAN Manager is set up to discover SnapSAN appliances on your network automatically. Sometimes, however, when the network is complex (for example, where there are multiple subnets) the discovery operation may have to be configured manually. To do this, at the SnapSAN Network window, select Discovery from the Categories list.

This view shows all the PCs, servers, and appliances discovered by the Windows SnapSAN Manager. It displays their IP address, name, and unique serial number. Each IP address entry is prefixed as follows to show its status:

• Green check indicates that the appliance can be contacted through the IP

address.

• Red cross indicates a connection problem.

• The letter S, written as a superscript, denotes a static entry (an IP address

entered by the user).

Check the Enable Automatic Rediscovery box at the bottom to enable Windows SnapSAN Manager to periodically try to discover any new storage in the SAN. If you clear the check box, discovery is only carried out when manually initiated.

Check the Enable Broadcast Discovery box to enable Windows SnapSAN Manager to use broadcast addressing to discover any new storage in the SAN.

NOTE: Note that the discovery service is subject to any SAN filters that have been

configured as described in “

The SnapSAN Network Tasks list enables you to carry out the following tasks:

• Refresh the view with up-to-date information about the SAN.

• Add an entry to the SAN (see page 6-4

• Remove an entry from the SAN (see page 6-4

Setting Up Storage Groups” on page 6-2.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Add Discovery Entry

Click the Add button (or select the Add Discovery Entry option from the tasks list) to add an appliance, PC, or server to the SAN. The Add Discovery Entry dialog box pops up for you to enter the IP address.

Entries that you add to the SAN in this way are referred to as static entries, those that are discovered automatically are referred to as dynamic entries. The IP addresses for dynamic entries may change over time. Static entries are differentiated from dynamic entries in the Discovery view by a superscript S next to the address.

Remove Discovery Entry

To remove a static decommissioned appliance, PC, or server from the SAN, select its entry from the static list, and then click the Remove button (or select the Remove Discovery Entry option from the tasks list).

NOTE: If you try to remove a node which is physically present in the SAN, it will automatically

be discovered again and added back to the list if automatic rediscovery is enabled.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

User Interface Preferences

The Windows SnapSAN Manager user interface can be configured to ask for confirmation before carrying out irreversible actions, such as destroying storage pools or shutting down storage appliances. In the SnapSAN Network window, select the Preferences view from the Categories list to set your preferences.

Check the boxes in the right side panel for the actions that you want to confirm. You can restore the default settings by selecting Restore Defaults from the SnapSAN Network Tasks list or by clicking the button.

CAUTION: The last four check boxes (debug options) are for use by Overland Technical

Support and should not be used without their direction.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

About

The About view displays the version of the Windows SnapSAN Manager and includes a link to the SnapSAN appliance support web site. In the SnapSAN Network window, select the About view from the Categories list

CHAPTER

Appliance Management

This chapter describes the appliance management tasks you can carry out on the storage area network using the Windows SnapSAN Manager:

• O

verview of management options (includes Properties Category)

• Hard Disks

• SnapSAN Pools Category

• SnapSAN Targets Category

• SnapSAN Replicas Category

• Network Category

• Hardware Monitoring Category

• Events Category

• Identification & Services Category

• Initiators Category

• Notification Category

• Statistics Category

Overview

To manage a SnapSAN S2000 appliance, select Appliances from the Other Places list. From the Appliances view, highlight a SnapSAN S2000.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

If the appliance is locked (black and with a padlock on its icon), select Login to Appliance from the Appliances list. Enter the password for the appliance in the window that pops up.

NOTE: If a Warning icon appears with the appliance icon ( ), go to the “

Events Category”

view to determine what caused the problem.

To update the status of the appliance, select Refresh from the same list.

After logging back in, double-click the icon (or select Manage Appliance from the Appliances tasks list) to display the default Properties view.

The entries in the Categories list enable you to manage the following aspects of the appliance:

• Hard Disks

Category – Device management is carried out in the Hard Disks

view.

• SnapSAN

Pools Category – Pool management is carried out using the Pools

view.

• SnapSAN

Targets Category – Target management is carried out using the

Targets view.

• SnapSAN

Replicas Category – Replica management is carried out using the

Replicas view.

• Network

Category – Network management is carried out using the Network

view.

• P

roperties Category – System management tasks specific to an appliance are

carried out using the Properties view (current view).

• Hardware Monitoring

Category – Where the appliance hardware supports

monitoring, information such as voltages, fan speeds and temperatures are displayed in the Hardware Monitoring view.

• Events

Category – Event management is carried out using the Events view.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• Identification & Services Category– Configuring the domain name and password

of an appliance and the services that the appliance uses is carried out using the Identification & Services view.

• Initiators

carried out using the Initiators view.

• Notification

when specified events take place is carried out using the Notification view.

• Statistics

using the Statistics view.

Category – Management of the initiators recognized by an appliance is

Category – Configuring the display of statistical data is carried out

Hard Disks Category

To display details of all of the physical disks in the appliance, select Hard Disks from the Categories list. The view displays all the disks in the appliance. To display the properties of a particular disk, select that disk and its basic properties are displayed in a Details list on the left side.

Category – Configuring the appliance to send messages to personnel

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Select Manage Hard Disk from the Hard Disks list to see the detailed properties of a selected disk.

The details include the device name, size, status, the pool to which the device is assigned, whether it is in use, and whether it is acting as a hot spare (a redundant disk for hot backup).

An unused disk can be designated as a Global Hot Spare if the RAID configuration supports hot spares. A global hot spare will automatically replace an equivalent failed disk in a pool that shares the same subsystem as the hot spare. See “

SnapSAN S2000 Pool” on page 7-6.

SnapSAN Pools Category

Before you can create any iSCSI volumes, you must create one or more storage pools from which the volumes can be allocated. A SAN storage pool is a group of physical disk drives, aggregated together using RAID.

NOTE: Storage pools may have already been created when the appliance was initially

configured.

Manage a

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

To display the SAN pools created on an appliance, select SnapSAN Pools from the Categories list on the Appliance Properties page. The existing pools are displayed.

Select a SAN pool to see basic information about it in the Details list on the left.

You can perform the following tasks on a pool using the entries in the SnapSAN S2000 Pools list:

• M

anage a SnapSAN S2000 Pool (see page 7-6)

• Extend a SnapSAN

• Destroy a SnapSAN

• Create a

SnapSAN Pool (see page 7-8)

Pool (see page 7-7)

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Manage a SnapSAN S2000 Pool

To manage a pool, select the pool and then double-click the icon (or select Manage SnapSAN Pool from the SnapSAN Pools tasks list). This displays the Properties view of the pool.

The view displays basic pool properties, such as the pool name, size, free space, size of the replication journal (if present), RAID level, and state. If a disk fails, then a pool with redundancy (RAID 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, or 60) will go into degraded mode. It will still be accessible but performance may be reduced and it is vulnerable to loss of data if another disk fails

This is also the window where the alarms are managed. You have an option of disabling or muting an alarm in the SnapSAN Pool tasks list.

The table at the bottom of the view gives information on each target linked to the pool. To see more information, double-click the disk’s entry in the table. This opens the SnapSAN Targets Properties page.

1. Raid 1, 5, 10, or 50 can sustain a single disk failure without data loss; RAID 6 and 60 can sustain two disk failures before loss occurs.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

To manage the devices in the pool, select the Devices view.

The Devices view displays all the disk drives which make up the pool together with their state. The state of each device should be Online unless a disk has failed, in which case the disk should be removed and replaced. The replacement disk should be added as a hot spare. The hot spare will then automatically replace the failed disk.

The Failed Devices panel is only enabled if a disk has failed. It allows you to remove the failed disk from its pool.

The Hot Spares panel allows you to dedicate a hot spare disk to a specific pool. A hot spare is a disk which is normally unused except when a disk fails in a RAID 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, or 60 pool. If a disk failure takes place, the hot spare automatically replaces the failed disk and the RAID pool is automatically rebuilt to include the new disk.

Extend a SnapSAN Pool

This option is available for the standard RAID levels of 0, 5, and 6. To extend a pool, select a pool and then select Extend SnapSAN Pool from the SnapSAN Pools tasks list. The Extend Pool dialog box pops up for you to select which devices you want to add to the pool. To use this option, one or more disk drives must be in a ready to use state.

Destroy a SnapSAN Pool

CAUTION: If you have changed the preferences under the SAN Network to not show a

warning dialog before deleting a pool, the pool with be destroyed as soon as you click

the Destroy SAN Pool link.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

To destroy a pool, select it and then select Destroy SnapSAN Pool from the SnapSAN Pools tasks list. If configured, the Confirm Pool Destroy dialog box pops up to get your conformation before destroying the pool.

NOTE: A pool cannot be destroyed if it has targets associated with it. To remove a target,

see “

Create a SnapSAN Pool

NOTE: Having enough available disk space (free disks) is a prerequisite to performing

creating a new pool.

The following types of SnapSAN pools are supported on the SnapSAN S2000:

Type Description Number of Disks

RAID 0 Performance storage with no redundancy Minimum of 2

RAID 1 Duplicated performance storage Exactly 2

RAID 5 High availability storage Minimum of 3

RAID 6 Very high availability storage Minimum of 4

RAID 10 Multiple duplicated performance storage Minimum of 4

RAID 50 Multiple high availability storage Minimum of 6

RAID 60 Multiple very high availability storage Minimum of 8

To create a SnapSAN pool, select Create Storage Pool from the SnapSAN Pools tasks list. The Pool Create window pops up.

Destroying A SnapSAN Target” on page 7-19.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

You can specify the following parameters for the pool:

• Name – The name of the pool can be anything you like, up to 32 alphanumeric

characters in length. It cannot be blank.

• Subsystem – Select the hardware RAID controller. Since the SnapSAN S2000

only has one, it is pre-selected.

• RAID Level – Select a RAID level. The levels offered will depend on the number

of unused disks in the appliance.

• Stripe Size – This parameter is only applicable to RAID levels 0, 5, 6, 10, 50,

and 60. It is specified in kilobytes. Different stripe sizes may give improved performance with specific application software but in most cases the default value will suffice.

• Devices – The Devices list displays all the disks that are not currently assigned

to pools. Add a disk to the new pool by checking its check box.

NOTE: For some RAID levels, there are restrictions on number of disks required to make the

pool:

RAID Level/Span Minimum No. of Disks

RAID 0 Minimum of 2

RAID 1 Must be 2

RAID 5 Minimum of 3

RAID 6 Minimum of 4

RAID 10 Minimum of 4

RAID 50 Minimum of 6

RAID 60 Minimum of 8

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

IMPORTANT: If you use RAID 5, 6, 50, or 60, the pool must be initialized by the RAID controller. This can take several hours, depending on the size of the disks. While the

pool is being initialized, it can be used but performance is reduced.

When the pool has completed initialization, the pool state, shown in the Details list, is set to Normal.

SnapSAN Targets Category

The SnapSAN S2000 provides storage to host computers in the form of iSCSI volumes. An iSCSI volume appears to the host computer just like a regular disk drive but with several important differences:

• Volumes can be created and destroyed as storage requirements change.

• Volumes can be extended dynamically as capacity requirements grow.

• A volume can easily be reassigned to a different host system without having to

shut host systems down or to move any disks physically.

• A volume can be shared between multiple hosts.

Each volume has an iSCSI target associated with it. Windows SnapSAN Manager makes it very easy to create iSCSI targets and assign them to Windows host systems using the SnapSAN Target view.

1. Volume sharing usually requires additional software running on the host, for example, clustering software.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

You can perform the following tasks on a target using the entries in the SnapSAN Targets list:

• M

anaging A SnapSAN Target (see page 7-11)

• D

estroying A SnapSAN Target (see page 7-19)

• Creating A

SnapSAN Target (see page 7-20)

• Extending A

Managing A SnapSAN Target

To manage a target, select it and then select Manage SnapSAN Target from the SnapSAN Targets tasks list. This displays the default Properties view.

SnapSAN Target (see page 7-22)

The SnapSAN Target Tasks list shows the tasks you can perform on the disk depending on the type of disk:

• Replicate (see “

• Mirror (see “

Replicating a Target” on page 7-18)

Mirroring a Target” on page 7-18)

You can manage a target by using the views selected from the Categories list:

• The Properties

• The Security

Category view

Category view (page 7-12)

• The Portals view (page 7-14)

• The Statistics

• The Replication

view (page 7-15)

view (page 7-17)

Properties Category

The properties of a target shown in the Properties view include the following:

• Name – The name assigned to the target when it was created.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• Size – The size of the target volume.

• Pool – The storage pool from which the target was created.

• Unique ID – A worldwide, unique indentifier (called an EUI64 indentifier).

• Auth Type – The authentication required for the target. This can be None or

• State – The current state of the disk.

• IQN – The IQN allocated automatically to the target.

Security Category

Use the Security view to configure security measures for the target. This includes whether CHAP authentication is used and which host systems are allowed to access the target.

This is sometimes used by host-based storage applications, such as multipathing software.

CHAP.

Enable/Disable CHAP. CHAP authentication can be enabled or disabled by clicking the button or selecting Enable CHAP / Disable CHAP from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list. If CHAP is enabled, both the initiator and the target must share a secret that is exchanged during the login process. The login will fail if the secret is incorrect.

Add ACL. To add a host to the ACL, click the Add button under the list (or select Add ACL from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list). This displays a dialog box.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Select the initiator you want to add from the drop-down list labeled IQN. The list shows the IQNs of all the initiators known to the appliance. If the initiator you want to add is not listed, you can add it using the Initiators view (see “

Initiators Category” on

page 7-40).

If CHAP is enabled, specify the target’s secret and, if you are using mutual CHAP, the initiator’s secret. Secrets must be between 24 and 32 hexadecimal digits long. Click the Format Secrets as ASCII box to use ASCII characters rather than hexadecimal digits. ASCII secrets must be between 12 and 16 characters long. The secrets entered in this dialog box must be the same as those entered for the initiator.

Edit ACL. To change the access type of an initiator and alter its CHAP secrets, select its IQN from the ACL and then click the Edit button (or select Edit ACL from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list.)

NOTE: Before changing the ACL for a target that is being managed by the local iSCSI

initiator, the initiator must be logged out. The ACL modification dialog box pops up to warn you to save any data before continuing.

If the local initiator is listed in the target’s ACL, selecting Enable CHAP from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list will log the initiator out of the target, automatically assign a CHAP secret to the target, and log back into the target with that secret.

Remove ACL. To remove a selected initiator from the ACL, select its IQN from the ACL and then click the Remove button (or select Remove ACL from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list).

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Portals

The Portals view enables you to deny access to the target through one or more of the target’s interfaces and to group interfaces together.

To do this, select an interface in the view and then click the Edit button (or select Edit Target Portal from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list). This opens the Modify Portal Group dialog box.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Check the box to enable portal groups for the interface and enter a group number and click OK. By default, a group number of 1 is used. Group numbers range from 0 to

65535. If the portal group is enabled, uncheck the box to disable it.

Statistics

The Statistics view enables to you to see configured statistical data in graphical form.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Click the Configure button (or select Configure Statistics from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list) to set up the graph. The Configure Target Statistics dialog box pops up.

Select between statistics showing total throughput and those showing a count of read/write operations, together with the time period for which you would like to see the statistics. Click OK to display the graph.

To update the graph, click the Refresh button (or select Refresh Statistics from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list).

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Replication

The Replication view enables to you to manage a replicated target. The view displays the replicated target and the storage used for the replica, referred to as a replica destination.

The date and times shown below the target and the destination show when a recovery point was last made. When the replicated disk is selected, two tasks are shown in the SnapSAN Target Tasks list:

• Add Replica Appliance

Allows you to specify an additional location for the replicated data. Use this to create multiple replicas of the same data and increase redundancy.

• Create Recovery Point

Enables you to add a new recovery point.

The Creating Recovery Point dialog box appears with a bar showing the progress of the operation, which may take some time with a large target. When the recovery point has been created, it will be listed in the Properties view of the Storage Replica. (To get to this view, select the replica destination in the view and then Manage Replica Destination from the Replica Tasks list. Click the arrow button to return to this Replication view.)

When a replica destination in selected, the SnapSAN Target Tasks list changes to three different tasks:

• Break Replica Appliance

Select this task to stop the selected replica from being updated. The replica can be used as before—any recovery points associated with it can be mapped and it remains accessible from the SnapSAN S2000 Replicas view of PCs and Servers if it has a Windows letter associated with it, showing that it has been mounted as a Windows drive (see “

Creating A SnapSAN Target” on page 7-20).

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

• Manage Replica Appliance

• Destroy Replica Appliance

Replicating a Target

To replicate a target, select it and then select Add Replica Appliance from the SnapSAN Target Tasks list. The Create Replica dialog box is displayed.

This displays the Properties view of the replica.

This deletes all the replicated data on this replica and stops data being replicated to it. Other replicas, created using Add Replica Destination, are not affected.

The top panel shows details of the SnapSAN Target to be replicated (the source). The bottom panel shows details of the replica (the destination). Use the drop-down lists to select the appliance and the storage pool where the replica will be created. Click OK. A progress bar is displayed in the content area while the replica is being created.

IMPORTANT: To enable replication, a Replication Journal must be configured using the Web Management Interface. See “Storage Journal Configuration” on page 8-52.

“

SnapSAN Replicas Category” on page 7-23 contains further information on managing

replicas.

Mirroring a Target

The Mirroring view enables to you manage the plexes. The view displays the mirrored target and plexes.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

When either the target or Leader Plex is highlighted, the Add Plex option is shown in the SnapSAN Target Tasks list. It opens a dialog box that lets you choose the Appliance and pool where you want to create the plex.

When an existing plex is highlighted, two different options are shown:

• Transfer Leadership to Plex – this makes the selected plex the Leader Plex.

• Break Plex – this breaks the selected plex away from the Leader Plex

preventing any future updates.

Destroying A SnapSAN Target

To destroy a target, select it and then select Destroy SnapSAN Target from the SnapSAN Targets tasks list. If configured, the Confirm SnapSAN Target Destroy dialog box appears for confirmation before destroying the target.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Creating A SnapSAN Target

To create a target, select Create SnapSAN Target from the SnapSAN Targets tasks list. This pops up the Target Create dialog box which lists the pools that have free capacity.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Check the box for a pool that has sufficient free capacity, then press Next. In the next dialog box enter the following details:

• Name – This can be a name of your choosing, up to 32 alphanumeric characters

in length. An IQN is generated automatically for the target, based on standard parameters, a unique indentifier assigned to the target, and the name you supply.

• Size – This can be any size you like, up to the amount of free capacity in the

chosen pool.

• IQN – This is the IQN of the host to which the target is to be assigned. By

default, the local host IQN (that is to say the computer running Windows SnapSAN Manager) is selected.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

When you click Next, the target details are displayed. Click Finish to create the target.

The target is not automatically assigned a Windows drive letter so it can be used by hosts on the SAN that are not running a Windows operating system (for example, a Linux host). To create a target that is automatically made visible to a Windows host, use Create SnapSAN Disk from the PC and Server Tasks list, as described in “

SnapSAN Disk” on page 5-4. Alternatively, use Windows Disk Administrator.

NOTE: Windows Disk Administrator

You can optionally use Windows Disk Administrator to specify a drive letter. To bring up the Windows Disk Administrator, go to the Control Panel and select Administrative Tools. From there, select Computer Management and go to the entry Disk Management under Storage. This displays a list of disks attached to the system. The new iSCSI target should appear as a new Unknown disk.

Right-click to initialize the disk: the disk will appear as Unallocated space. Right click the Unallocated space and select New Partition. The wizard guides you through the steps of creating and formatting the partition and, optionally, assigning it a drive letter. It is strongly recommended that you use NTFS rather than FAT for the file system. You should also select Quick Format, since on an iSCSI disk there is no difference between quick format and a full format but a quick format is much faster.

Extending A SnapSAN Target

To extend a target, select it and then select Extend SnapSAN Target from the SnapSAN Targets tasks list. Enter the new size in the SnapSAN Target Extend dialog box.

Create

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

SnapSAN Replicas Category

Windows SnapSAN Manager provides support for replicating Storage Disks (volumes). The SnapSAN Replica view enables you to manage replicas created at the PCs and Servers level and at this Appliance level.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

The SnapSAN Replica tasks list has three tasks (select a replica in the content area to see the Manage and Destroy options):

• M

anage SnapSAN Replica (see page 7-24)

• Create

• D

SnapSAN Replica (see page 7-26)

estroy SnapSAN Replica (see page 7-27)

Manage SnapSAN Replica

Select Manage SnapSAN Replica from the SnapSAN Replica tasks list to view details about the replicated target and to see whether any recovery points have been set. The Properties view of the replica is displayed. Select a day from the calendar and any recovery points made on that day are shown in the table to the right.

NOTE: Dates on which recovery points have been created are shown in bold font.

Select a Recovery Point in the table and click Create Target (or select Create Target from Recovery Point in the list) to map the replica:

• Name – Accept the default Name or enter a new one.

• Access – Choose either Read Write or Read Only.

• Initiator IQN – Select an initiator from the drop-down list.

Click OK to map the replica.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

While still on the SnapSAN Replica screen, select Recovery Point Target Mappings from the Categories list to view all the mappings that have been made from recovery points.

Select a mapping and the tasks that you can carry out on it are displayed in the SnapSAN Replica Tasks list:

• Destroy SnapSAN Target

A dialog box pops up for you to confirm the destroy operation as it will delete all the data on the mapping. This means that any changes made to the mapping will be lost although the original mapping can be created again from a recovery point.

• Manage SnapSAN Target

This displays the SnapSAN Target Properties view, described in “

Managing A SnapSAN Target” on page 7-11, but with no tasks available in the SnapSAN

Target Tasks list.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Create SnapSAN Replica

IMPORTANT: To enable replication, a Replication Journal must be configured using the Web Management Interface. See “Storage Journal Configuration” on page 8-52.

Select Create SnapSAN Replica from the SnapSAN Replica tasks list to create a replica. The Create Replica dialog box pops up for you to select (if more than one is available) an appliance, a target to replicate, and a pool in which the replica will be stored.

A progress bar appears in the status bar at the bottom of the window while the replica is being created. The replica is then displayed in the view.

SnapSAN S2000 User Guide

Destroy SnapSAN Replica

To destroy a replica, select it and then select Destroy SnapSAN Replica from the SnapSAN Replica tasks list. The Confirm SnapSAN Target Destroy dialog box appears for confirmation before destroying the replica. You must check the agreement box to activate the Yes button.

Overland Storage SnapSAN S2000 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Preface

Contents

SnapSAN S2000 Overview

SnapSAN S2000 Appliance

SnapSAN Manager Suite Software

Windows SnapSAN Manager

Web Management Interface

First Things First – Activate Your Warranty!

Recommended Drive Configurations

SnapSAN S2000 Rack Installation Overview

Powering Up the SnapSAN S2000

Using the Windows SnapSAN Manager

Installing an iSCSI Initiator

Installing SnapSAN Manager Suite Software

Configuring the Appliance with Windows SnapSAN Manager

Using the Web Management Interface

Assigning a Static Network Address

Finding the DHCP Network Address

Appliance Monitor Display

DHCP Server Client Table

Configuring the Appliance

Windows SnapSAN Manager Overview

Creating a SnapSAN Disk

Backing Up Data

Using Snapshots

Using Replicas

Creating and Replicating a New Disk Simultaneously

Using Mirroring

Synchronous Mirroring

Asynchronous Mirroring

Creating and Mirroring a New Disk Simultaneously

Introduction

Overview Screen

Create SnapSAN Disk

Disk Create Advanced Settings

Destroy SnapSAN Disk

Extend SnapSAN Disk

Manage Disk Task

Disk Tasks

Rename Disk Task

Configure Auto Extension Task

Replicate Disk Task

Mirror Disk Task

Categories

Properties

Replication Category

Mirroring Category

Paths Category

SnapSAN Replicas Category

SnapSAN Replica Properties Management

Using the Calendar to Recover Data

Properties & Scheduler Category

Queued and Completed Tasks Category

Overview

Setting Up Storage Groups

Discovery

Add Discovery Entry

Remove Discovery Entry

User Interface Preferences

About

Overview

Hard Disks Category

SnapSAN Pools Category

Manage a SnapSAN S2000 Pool

Extend a SnapSAN Pool

Destroy a SnapSAN Pool

Create a SnapSAN Pool

SnapSAN Targets Category

Managing A SnapSAN Target

Properties Category

Security Category

Portals

Statistics

Replication

Mirroring a Target

Destroying A SnapSAN Target