Administrator Guide
Table Of Contents
- About This Guide
- Unisphere and Unisphere Central 2020 R1 Administrator's Guide
- Contents
- Unisphere Overview
- Getting Started
- Storage Center Overview
- Storage Center Hardware Components
- How Storage Virtualization Works
- User Interface for Storage Center Management
- Storage Center Deployment
- Initialize a Storage Center
- Unisphere Discovery Utility
- Storage Center Administration
- Adding and Organizing Storage Centers
- Managing Volumes
- Attributes That Determine Volume Behavior
- Creating Volumes
- Modifying Volumes
- Rename a Volume
- Move a Volume to a Different Volume Folder
- Move Multiple Volumes to a Different Volume Folder
- Expand a Volume
- Enable or Disable Read/Write Caching for a Volume
- Assign Snapshot Profiles to a Volume
- Assign Snapshot Profiles to Multiple Volumes
- Assign a Different Storage Profile to a Volume
- Assign a Different Storage Profile to Multiple Volumes
- Force Writes to the Lowest Storage Tier for a Volume
- Configure a Space Consumption Limit for a Volume
- Configure an OpenVMS Unique Disk ID for a Volume
- Configure Related View Volume Maximums for a Volume
- Copying Volumes
- Creating and Managing Volume Folders
- Creating and Managing Volume Snapshots
- Mapping Volumes to Servers
- Map a Volume to a Server
- Map Multiple Volumes to a Server
- Unmap a Volume from a Server
- Promote a Volume Mapping from a Server to a Server Cluster
- Demote a Mapping from a Server Cluster to an Individual Server
- Deploy a Bootable Volume Image to a New Server
- Change the LUN Used by a Volume/Server Mapping
- Limit the Number of Paths That Can Be Used for a Volume/Server Mapping
- Change a Volume/Server Mapping to Read-Only
- Deleting Volumes and Volume Folders
- Migrating Volumes
- Reset a Controller to Factory Default
- Run the Space Reclamation Wizard
- Managing Virtual Volumes With Unisphere Central
- Managing Storage Containers
- Managing Data Reduction
- Managing Snapshot Profiles
- Managing Storage Profiles
- Managing QoS Profiles
- Importing Volumes from an External Storage Array
- Storage Center Server Administration
- Managing Servers on a Storage Center
- Creating Servers
- Modifying Servers
- Rename a Server
- Move a Server to a Different Server Folder
- Change the Operating System of a Server
- Apply One or More Snapshot Profiles to a Server
- Add a Server to a Server Cluster
- Remove a Server from a Server Cluster
- Convert a Physical Server to a Virtual Server
- Convert a Virtual Server to a Physical Server
- Add One or More HBAs to a Server
- Remove One or More HBAs from a Server
- Mapping Volumes to Servers
- Creating and Managing Server Folders
- Deleting Servers and Server Folders
- Managing Registered Servers
- Server Types That Can Be Centrally Managed
- Storage Manager Server Agent for Windows Servers
- Registering Servers with Unisphere Central
- Organizing and Removing Registered Servers
- Updating Server Information
- Managing Server Data Collection and Reporting Settings
- Creating Server Volumes and Datastores
- Assigning/Creating Virtual Servers on Storage Centers
- Manually Mapping a Windows Server to a Storage Center Server
- Managing Servers on a Storage Center
- Storage Center Maintenance
- Managing Storage Center Settings
- Viewing and Modifying Storage Center Information
- Configuring Storage Center User Preferences
- Set the Default Size for New Volumes
- Set the Default Base Volume Name for New Volumes
- Set Default Cache Settings for New Volumes
- Set Default Data Reduction Settings for New Volumes
- Set the Default Snapshot Options for New Volumes
- Allow or Disallow Advanced Volume Mapping Settings
- Set the Default Operating System for New Servers
- Set the Default Storage Profile for New Volumes
- Set the Default Storage Type for New Volumes
- Set Default Volume QoS Profile
- Allow QoS Profile Selection
- Configuring Storage Center Data Settings
- Set Up Automated Reports for an Individual Storage Center
- Set the Date and Time for a Storage Center
- Configure Storage Center SMTP Server Settings
- Configure SNMP Settings for a Storage Center
- Configuring Filters to Restrict Administrative Access
- Configuring Storage Center Secure Console Settings
- Configuring a Storage Center to Inherit Settings
- Managing Storage Center Users and Groups
- User Privilege Levels
- User Groups
- User Account Management and Authentication
- Managing Local Storage Center Users
- Create a Local Storage Center User
- Configure the Default User Preferences for New Storage Center Users
- Increase the Privilege Level for a Local Storage Center User
- Change the Session Timeout for a Local Storage Center User
- Change the Preferred Language for a Storage Center User
- Enable or Disable Access for a Local Storage Center User
- Modify Local Group Membership for a Local Storage Center User
- Configure Preferences for a Local Storage Center User
- Modify Descriptive Information About a Local Storage Center User
- Change the Password for a Local Storage Center User
- Delete a Local Storage Center User
- Restore a Deleted Local Storage Center User
- Managing Local Storage Center User Groups
- Managing Local Storage Center User Password Requirements
- Enabling Directory Services Authentication
- Managing Directory Service Users
- Grant Access to a Directory User
- Increase the Privilege Level for a Directory Service User
- Change the Session Timeout for a Directory Service User
- Enable or Disable Access for a Directory Service User
- Modify Local Group Membership for a Directory Service User
- Configure Preferences for a Directory Service User
- Modify Descriptive Information About a Directory Service User
- Delete a Directory Service User
- Restore a Deleted Directory Service User
- Managing Directory User Groups
- Managing Front-End I/O Ports
- Managing Back-End I/O Port Hardware
- Grouping Fibre Channel I/O Ports Using Fault Domains
- Grouping iSCSI I/O Ports Using Fault Domains
- iSCSI VLAN Tagging Support
- Creating iSCSI Fault Domains
- Modifying iSCSI Fault Domains
- Rename an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Modify iSCSI Fault Domain Control Port Network Settings
- Add a VLAN ID to a Physical iSCSI Fault Domain
- Modify the MTU for an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Modify the TCP Port for an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Modify the iSCSI Window Size for an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Modify Digest Settings for an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Modify Timeout Settings for an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Add Ports to an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Test Network Connectivity for an iSCSI Port in a Fault Domain
- Remove Ports from an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Delete an iSCSI Fault Domain
- Configuring NAT Port Forwarding for iSCSI Fault Domains
- Configuring CHAP for iSCSI Fault Domains
- Grouping SAS I/O Ports Using Fault Domains
- Managing Disks and Disk Folders
- Managing Secure Data
- Managing Data Redundancy
- Managing Disk Enclosures
- Add an Enclosure
- Remove an Enclosure
- Replace an Enclosure
- Rename a Disk Enclosure
- Set an Asset Tag for a Disk Enclosure
- Delete an Enclosure
- Mute an Enclosure Alarm
- Unmute an Enclosure Alarm
- Clear the Swap Status for an Enclosure Cooling Fan
- Clear the Swap Status for an Enclosure I/O Module
- Clear the Swap Status for an Enclosure Power Supply
- Replace a Failed Power Supply
- Clear the Under Voltage Status for a Power Supply
- Clear the Swap Status for a Temperature Sensor
- Clear the Minimum and Maximum Recorded Values for Temperature Sensor
- Replace a Failed Cooling Fan Sensor
- Enable or Disable the Disk Indicator Light
- Clear the Swap Status for a Disk
- Managing Storage Center Controllers
- Updating Storage Center
- Shutting Down and Restarting a Storage Center
- Managing Field Replaceable Units (FRU)
- Managing Storage Center Settings
- Remote Storage Centers and Replication Bandwidth Controls
- Storage Center Replications and Live Volumes
- Storage Center Replications
- Storage Center Live Volumes
- Live Volume Requirements
- Live Volume Types
- Live Volume Roles
- Automatic Failover for Live Volumes
- Managed Replications for Live Volumes
- Creating Live Volumes
- Modifying Live Volumes
- Swap the Primary Storage Center for a Live Volume
- Cancel the Storage Center Role Swap
- Change the Transfer Type for a Live Volume
- Change the Synchronization Mode for a Synchronous Live Volume
- Add a Managed Replication to a Live Volume
- Include Active Snapshot Data
- Enable or Disable Deduplication for a Live Volume
- Change the Bandwidth Control for a Live Volume
- Configure a Live Volume to Write Data to the Lowest Tier at the Destination
- Allow Replicate Storage to Lowest Tier Selection
- Allow a Live Volume to Automatically Swap Roles
- Revert a Live Volume to a Replication
- Pause a Live Volume
- Resume a Paused Live Volume
- Set Threshold Alert Definitions for a Live Volume
- Delete a Live Volume
- Manually Bring Primary Live Volume Online
- Force Delete a Live Volume
- Modifying Live Volumes with Automatic Failover
- Live Volume ALUA
- Monitoring Live Volumes
- Storage Center DR Preparation and Activation
- How Disaster Recovery Works
- Disaster Recovery Administration Options
- Preparing for Disaster Recovery
- Activating Disaster Recovery
- Restarting Failed Replications
- Restoring Replications and Live Volumes
- Deleting a Restore Point
- Viewing Storage Center Information
- Storage Center Monitoring
- Alerts
- Data Collector Alerts
- Logs
- Thresholds
- I/O Charts
- View Performance Data for a System
- View Performance Data for Volumes
- View Performance Data for Servers
- View Performance Information for Ports
- View Performance Information for Disks
- View Performance Information for Controllers
- View Performance Information for Storage Profiles
- View Performance Information for QoS Profiles
- Export I/O Usage Data
- Most Active Reports
- Storage Center Reports
- Data Collector Management
- Access the Data Collector View
- Configuring Data Collector Settings
- Configuring General Settings
- Restart the Data Collector
- Enable the Chargeback Feature
- Change Storage Center Timeout Settings
- Set the Maximum Memory for a Data Collector on a Windows Server
- Set the Maximum Memory for a Data Collector on a Virtual Appliance
- Select a Network Adapter
- Configure a Custom SSL Certificate
- Configure a Login Banner Message
- Configure Data Collector Ports
- Change Data Collector Data Source
- Change the Database Connection
- Configuring Environment Settings
- Configuring Monitoring Settings
- Configuring Virtual Appliance Settings
- Configuring General Settings
- Managing Available Storage Centers
- Managing Available PS Series Groups
- Managing Available FluidFS Clusters
- Managing the Storage Manager Virtual Appliance
- Migrate a Microsoft SQL Server Database
- Uninstalling the Data Collector
- Data Collector User Management
- Unisphere Central User Privileges
- Authenticating Users with an External Directory Service
- Managing Local Users Through the Data Collector
- Create a User
- Configure or Modify the Email Address of a User
- Change the Privileges Assigned to a User
- Change the Preferred Language for a Unisphere Central User
- Force the User to Change the Password
- Change the Password for a User
- Set Storage Center Mappings for a Reporter User
- Delete a User
- Delete a Storage Center Mapping for a User
- Unlock a Local User Account
- Managing Local User Password Requirements
- Managing User Settings with Unisphere
- SupportAssist Management
10. On the Confirmation page, review the selected space reclamation actions.
To perform the actions, select the I have reviewed all of the actions checkbox and click Next.
11. On the Summary page, view the status of the space reclamation actions and click Finish when the actions are complete.
Managing Virtual Volumes With Unisphere Central
VVols is VMware’s storage management and integration framework, which is designed to deliver a more efficient operational
model for attached storage. This framework encapsulates the files that make up a virtual machine (VM) and natively stores
them as objects on an array.
The VVols architecture enables granular storage capabilities to be advertised by the underlying storage. Storage containers,
which define the available storage capabilities, can be created for vSphere Storage Policy-Based Management.
Configuring VVols in Unisphere Central
VMware vSphere 6 or later is required to run VVols in a storage environment with Unisphere Central.
Requirements and Recommendations for Configuring VVols in Unisphere Central
The following requirements and recommendations apply to setting up Unisphere Central to use VVols:
● Unisphere Central must be used on a clustered hypervisor of choice with high-availability (HA) enabled.
● Fault Tolerance is recommended.
● VVols is supported with the iSCSI and Fibre Channel interfaces only. FCoE and front end SAS are not supported for VVols.
● The network card must support the Secondary LUNID feature. For more information, search for I/O Devices with the
Secondary LUNID in the VMware Compatibility Guide, available from http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/
search.php.
Safeguarding VVols Data
A critical component of the total VVols solution is the VM metadata.VMware's ESXi reads and writes this metadata to each VVol
during control plane operations, such as power-on, power-off, and snapshots.
The Data Collector stores the VVols metadata written by the VASA provider in a database.
During Data Collector deployment (installation or migration) and during VASA provider registration, the production user is
reminded to use an external database.
Use of the internal database is a consideration for lab deployments only. Depending upon the protection model used in
deployment, failure to use the external database could result in the loss of some or all VVols metadata when the Data Collector
is uninstalled or deleted. Use of the external database negates this risk during uninstall or delete.
The external database is expected to be deployed in a highly available manner including redundant switching connectivity.
Lab Experimentation Use of VVols
In a preproduction lab environment, a user could experiment with VVols and choose to purge all data on the array and restart
with the intention of redeploying another VVols lab environment for experimentation purposes.
The proper steps for purging data in a LAB environment only are:
1. Using VMware vCenter — Delete all respective VVols VMs
2. Using Storage Center—Perform Purge
In the event the order is reversed, VVols metadata remains in the database even if the Data Collector is uninstalled. This
metadata must be deleted to ensure a robust operating environment if a new lab environment is to be set up to use VVols.
Failure to do so results in failures to some VVols VM operations to reference incorrect metadata.
If the order is reversed, contact technical support to work through the purge process.
Storage Center Administration
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