HP StorageWorks Modular Smart Array FC VDS Hardware Provider for Windows 2003 Administration Guide (T1634-96074, February 2007)

Windows Disk Management
Windows Disk Manag ement consists of the Windows software and user interfaces that enable you to
manage disks, volumes, and file systems. The user interface for disk management is included in the
Computer Manag
ement application within the Administrative Tools Control Panel.
Windows management applications
Windows applications operate through the Microsoft VDS service and the HP hardware provider to use
and manage array disks and volumes.
Microsoft com
mand line utilities
Microsoft offers two command line utilities: DiskPart and DiskRaid. These interfaces enable you to script
disk management tasks so you can automate configuration of multiple storage disks.
The DiskPart u
tility, which comes standard with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, can be used
to manag e disks, volumes, and partitions. The Disk Raid utility is used to configure hardware RAID
storage systems.
Both utilitie
s work with any storage hardware that includes a VDS hardware provider.
Windows software providers
The Microsoft software providers (called Basic Disk Prov ider and Dy namic Disk Provider) interface
between the Windows OS, Windows applications, and devices such as individual disks, tape or CD
drives, disk arrays, and other hardware. Through the soft ware providers a nd VDS, Windows performs
actions s uch as partitioning, mounting, and managing file systems on these hardware devices.
The HP MSA VDS hardware provider is not required for Microsoft or other software providers to perform
tasks on HP disk arrays. The HP MSA VDS hardware provider extends the capabilities of various
Windows providers and applications to do additional LUN and port management tasks that normally
require proprietary HP array management software.
Microsoft
Virtual Disk Service (VDS)
Microsoft
VDS add s a n interface for m ana ging disk array volumes and logical units to the Windows
operatin
gsystem.Administratorscanidentify,configure, and monitor supported HP disk array volumes
from the W
indows Server 2003 Microsoft Manag em ent Console (MMC). VDS works with Microsoft
Managem
ent Console (MMC) Snap-in, Disk Manager, and the DiskPart command line interface.
VDS mana
ges the HP disk array to make it appear like a Windows disk for Windows applications.
When you
use Microsoft Management Console, Windows Disk Manager, and the Microsoft DiskPart or
DiskRa
id utility to control the array, your commands are sent to the array through VDS and the software
or hardware providers.
VDS performs these functions:
• Coordi
nates all providers and clients (local and remote)
• Performs binding
• Discloses hardware LUNs to software disks
• Perfo
rms common file system functions
• Monitors volume status
For detailed information about the Microsoft VDS service, search the Microsoft website.
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