9.5.01 HP P4000 SAN Solution User Guide (AX696-96168, February 2012)

Starting a virtual manager to regain quorum
Only start a virtual manager when it is needed to regain quorum in a management group. “Two-site
failure scenarios that are correctly using a virtual manager” (page 128) illustrates the correct way
to start a virtual manager when necessary to regain quorum.
Two-site scenario, one site becomes unavailable
For example, in the two-site disaster recovery model, one of the sites becomes unavailable. On
the site that remains up, all managers must be running. Select one of the storage systems at that
site and start the virtual manager on it. That site then regains quorum and can continue to operate
until the other site recovers. When the other site recovers, the managers in both sites re-establish
communication and ensure that the data in both sites is resynchronized. When the data is
resynchronized, stop the virtual manager to return to the disaster-tolerant configuration.
NOTE: If the unavailable site is not recoverable, you can create a new site with new storage
systems and reconstruct the cluster. Contact Customer Support for help with cluster recovery. You
must have the serial number of one of your storage systems when making a support call.
Two-site scenario, communication between the sites is lost
In this scenario, the sites are both operating independently. On the appropriate site, depending
upon your configuration, select one of the storage systems, and start the virtual manager on it.
That site then recovers quorum and operates as the primary site. When communication between
the sites is restored, the managers in both sites reestablish communication and ensure that the data
in both sites is resynchronized. When the data is resynchronized, stop the virtual manager to return
to the disaster-tolerant configuration.
To start a virtual manager
A virtual manager must be started on a storage system, ideally one that isn’t already running a
manager. However, if necessary, you can start a virtual manager on a storage system that is
already running a manager, as shown in Figure 56 (page 131).
1. Select the storage system on which you want to start the virtual manager.
2. Click Storage System Tasks on the Details tab, and select Start Virtual Manager.
Figure 56 Starting a virtual manager when storage system running a manager becomes
unavailable
1. Unavailable Manager
2. Virtual manager started
Virtual manager 131