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

There are t wo HP HWP installation executables for each HP disk array model, one installation executable
for V DS and one for VSS. These installation executables are different for each H P disk array model.
The HP Hardware Providers installation executables install the HWP files in your Windows Server
file system. The files installed consist of special sets of HP D L Ls and executables. These components
extend the array management capabilities of Windows and its applications. B ecause they are installed
separately, you can choose to i nstall only the V DS or VSS HWP or both.
For VSS only, H P’s Business Copy (BC) application, which installs on the disk array and is licensed in
Command View, works with the VSS and the HP HWP components to enable the array to make VSS
shadow copies. For functional purposes, you can think of BC as a part of the hardware providers,
even though it is installed separately.
HP disk arrays
Specific HP Hardware Providers have been created to work with selected HP disk arrays. D ifferent
supporting technologies and features within the arrays result in some differenc es in their methods and
capabilities of performing VDS/VSS tasks.
HP EVA arrays and VSS
TheHPEVAVSSHardwareProviderworkswithEVAarraystoenableMicrosoftVSStocreateand
manage snapclones and snapshots. During HP VSS HWP installation you specify an EVA disk group to
hold the copies.
HP HWP t ypic
al applications
The follow
ing examples demonstrate typical applications of the Hardware Providers when used with the
Microsoft
VDS, and V SS software components. Many more scenarios are possible.
VDS typical applications
The advantage of VDS and the HP VDS HW P is that they allow you to manage the HP disk array using
the Windows interface. Array management tasks that would normally require the array’s proprietary
management application can be done using VDS and the third party Windows management application
of your choice. When you have multiple array models, this is particularly helpful because you can
manage all arrays from a single interface.
VSS typical applications
VSS shad
ow copies made on the disk array with the help of the HP VSS HWP can be used for many
purposes:
• Consistent backups of open files and applications
• Transp
ortable shadow copies for backup, testing and data mining
• Fast recovery of files a nd data
Consistent backups of open files and applications
VSS captures data files from running applications by taking a snapshot of the data at a point in time,
minimizing interruption to the applications. This process may include cooperation from the applications,
which notify the operating system that they are momentarily pausing. During this time, the applications
make data on the disk consistent by performing actions such as flushing buffers to disk or writing data in
memory to disk. The resulting backup data copies are typically temporary, maintained for some limited
perio d of time until they are superseded by newer co pies.
HP StorageWorks EVA Hardware Providers administration guide
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