HP StorageWorks EVA Hardware Providers administration guide Windows 2003 (T1634-96054, August 2006)

HP Hardware Providers are not required in order for the Microsoft in-box or third party software providers
to perform the tasks described above on the HP disk arrays. However, the HP HWPs extend the
capabilities of various Windows providers and applications to do additional tasks tha t normally require
the use of proprietary HP array management software. Such tasks include LUN and port management
and more sophisticated volume copying.
Microsoft Vir
tual D isk Ser vice (VDS)
Microsoft VDS provides a mechanism for managing volumes and logical units. Administrators can
identify, configure, and monitor supported H P StorageWorks disk array volumes from the Windows
Server 2003 Micr osoft Management Console (MMC).
When used with HP disk arrays, VDS manages the array to make it appear like a Windows disk for
Windows applications. W hen you use Microsoft Management Console, Windows Disk Manager and
the Microsoft DiskPart or DiskRaid utility to control the array, your commands are sent to the array
through VDS and the software or hardware providers.
VDS performs the following functions:
• Coordinat
es providers and clients (local and remote)
• Performs binding
• Discloses hardware LUN s to soft ware d isks
• Performs c
ommon file system functions
• Monitors volume status
• Provides fault and performance tracking
Mic rosoft Volume Shado w Copy Service (VSS)
Microsoft’s VSS manages creation and maintenance of data shadow copies for b ackup and recovery,
includingcopiesacrossmultiplevolumes. Toaccomplishthis,VSScoordinateswithHP’sFastRecovery
Solution and Business Copy software or other third par ty business applications, file-system services,
backup applications, and the storage hardware.
The shadow copies contain static copies of all files, such as databases, transaction logs, and checkpoint
files. Because VSS coordinates copying, the files are copied in a defined state.
Copy terminology
Understanding how Microsoft VSS terminology corresponds to standard IT industry terms for data copying
makes it e asier to understand what VSS does. The following paragraphs explain the terminology.
Microsoft generally refers to a VSS copy as a “volume shadow copy.” When created using HP FRS and
HWP, this type of copy is a static replica of a n original volume’s contents. It is keyed with a GUID to
allow identification of the p a rts of a shadow copy set that span multiple volumes. Microsoft also refers to
aVSScopyasa“plex.”ThistypeofcopyiscommonlyreferredtointheITindustryasa“splitmirror.”
When
you use an EVA array to make a shadow copy, the array ma kes what is known as a “snapclone.”
An EVA Snapclone is a complete clone copy of a specified Virtual Disk (LUN). EVA snapclones are
available almost immediately. This is accomplished by creating a point-in-time copy and making it
imme
diately available by pointing to data on the original volume while continuing to copy data to a
secondary volume in the background. When copying is complete, the snapclone is a static point-in-time
copy of the original.
HP VDS/VSS Hardware P roviders
Windows Server 2003 sees, partitions, mounts, and manages file systems on the disk array using its own
software providers. H P’s Hardware Providers extend the array management capabilities of Windows and
its applications to include functions normally performed using the d isk array’s proprietary control software.
These functions include managing disk array LUNs and ports and performing volume copy operations.
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Overview