Operating Environment Software Instruction Manual

1 Introduction
Data storage and SPM
HP Storage Provisioning Manager (SPM) is a software tool that manages storage provisioning within
the HP Insight Dynamics software environment. It provides a secure service-centric management
interface to storage, enabling storage requests to be fulfilled with available storage services from the
SPM catalog, and securely automating storage management tasks by interfacing directly with storage
arrays. SPM is always working, even when the user interface is not running.
There are two main use models:
• In the pre-populated model, a storage architect or administrator first populates the SPM catalog
with storage services to be exposed to server management software, then sets up access rights
for those services. HP Insight Dynamics then enables a server administrator to request storage,
which is sent to SPM as a storage services request (a set of goals). SPM then returns a list of can-
didate storage services to HP Insight Dynamics. The server administrator selects one or more ap-
propriate volume services to fulfill the set of goals.
• In the request-based model, a server administrator uses HP Insight Dynamics to request storage
before it is imported or created within SPM. The storage architect or administrator then adds arrays
and volume services to fulfill the goals in that service request.
NOTE:
In both models, each goal is fulfilled by one volume service; a volume service is allocated to, at most,
one goal. The association is persistent; a goal is fulfilled by the same volume service as long as the
storage request exists in the catalog, unless the goal is purposely unfulfilled.
NOTE:
The storage volumes used to fulfill the request must be configured for successful use (for example, the
volume is created and SAN zoning is complete for environments using SAN zoning). If SPM permissions
enable presentation to be automated (mapping to controller ports, setting the host mode, LUN masking),
then it need not be done in advance. If the SPM permissions ensure View Only access (no automated
changes), then the volume must be mapped to controller ports, have the host mode set, and have LUN
masking performed prior to importing it into the catalog. Once SPM returns a volume to fulfill a
storage service request, that volume may be used immediately.
SPM environment
SPM is automatically installed as part of HP Insight Dynamics, specifically within the Virtualization
Manager component. SPM supports a variety of environments based on customer needs and
preferences. When managing HP Enterprise Virtual Arrays (EVAs), SPM uses Storage Management
Initiative Specification (SMI-S) and must have access to Command View. Through engagement with
HP Storage Provisioning Manager (SPM) Version 1.2 User Guide 9