The IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Solution
is a member of the TotalStorage Virtualization Family of storage
solutions. The SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Solution
combines hardware, software, and services into a solution that is
designed to centralize storage volume management and improve storage
resource utilization, while conserving space through integration within
the switch blade. This combination is intended to help enable businesses
to adapt quickly and dynamically to their variable environments.
Using virtualization technology, the SAN Volume Controller for Cisco
MDS 9000 Solution is designed to:
Create a pool of managed disks from attached supported storage
subsystems, which can then be mapped to a set of virtual disks for use by
host server applications. This capability is intended to help users tap
into unused storage capacity, to help make their businesses more
efficient and resilient. And to help reduce complexity within the data
center, users can manage all virtualized storage from a single view.
Combine pairs of nodes or engines into a high-availability cluster.
To enhance application availability, the SAN Volume Controller Storage
Software for Cisco MDS 9000 assumes some basic management tasks, such as
monitoring the health of the cluster. These autonomic capabilities can
help you implement the on demand operating environments necessary in
today's world.
Be used within high availability environments, and can be integrated
into existing storage area networks that employ IBM 2062 (Cisco MDS 9000)
switches. This design helps to reduce or eliminate planned outages and
support non-disruptive storage software upgrades and server-free backups.
Implement FlashCopy and Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy (PPRC) functions
across different disk storage devices, further helping to lower the total
cost of ownership.
The SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Solution is a modular
implementation of our solutions intended to address the complexities and
costs of managing SAN-based storage. The SAN Volume Controller for Cisco
MDS 9000 Solution is designed to be added to existing SANs that utilize
the IBM 2062 (Cisco MDS 9000) switch, to deliver its benefits with
minimal disruption and enhanced space savings and path efficiency.
The IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000
Solution, which combines the IBM TotalStorage Storage Software for Cisco
MDS 9000 and a Cisco Caching Services Module, is designed to help reduce
both the complexity and costs of managing your SAN-based storage.
With the SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Solution, you have
the ability to:
Consolidate storage management for disparate storage controllers into
a single view, to help simplify storage management and increase
administrator productivity
Apply and manage copy services across disparate disk storage devices
within the SAN, to improve disaster recovery and business continuance
capabilities
Conserve space and resources through the integration of these
functions within a switch blade that can be installed within a Cisco MDS
9000 series switch.
This solution includes a Common Information Model (CIM) Agent,
supporting storage management by products that comply with the open
standards of the Storage Network Industry Association (SNIA) Common
Information Model.
The IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000
Solution -- What It Does
Definition of Virtual Disks Above the Disk Controller Adds New
Scope
The SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Solution has been
designed to combine unique and scalable hardware and software to
accomplish Logical Unit virtualization above the storage disk controller
level. This allows the creation of Virtual Disks that can span multiple,
disparate disk subsystems that are under SAN Volume Controller for Cisco
MDS 9000 management, and allows Virtual Disks to be composed with
specific attributes, according to performance, availability, or cost
requirements. Storage virtualization also has the potential to help
simplify maintenance and installation operations, and to enable a
central, unified and consistent view of all managed storage under the SAN
Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000.
Mapping RAID Array storage to Block Level Virtualization
Storage systems make available SCSI Logical Units representing the
RAID-controlled storage. The discovery process of the SAN Volume
Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 is designed to find the available SCSI
Logical Units and allow them to be mapped to Managed Disks in a one-to-
one relationship. Managed Disks can then be user-defined into Managed
Disk Groups -- combining all the available disk extents. The user may
then create Virtual Disks, which are associated with each Managed Disk
Group and user-assigned to host systems. Therefore, available disk space
in a Managed Disk Group is made accessible through Virtual Disks, and
Virtual Disks appear to the host as SCSI Logical Units supporting a SCSI
command set.
The user can choose to configure any Virtual Disk to be mapped to
Managed Disks in one of three ways:
Image mode, to help simplify the transition of storage from a non-
virtualized to a virtualized environment without copying the actual data
from one physical location to another;
Sequential mode, to help maintain the physical connection between the
extents within a given Virtual Disk when placed on physical media (even
if the data is subsequently moved to another physical location); and
Striped mode, whereby the extents within a given Virtual Disk are
distributed evenly among multiple SCSI Logical Units within the Managed
Disk Group.
This is intended to give users the capability to leverage the
virtualized storage environment and address the shortcomings that are
inherent in isolated conventional SAN arrays, such as stranded capacity,
varied intelligence levels, data migration limitations, and management
idiosyncrasies.
The Potential Efficiency Advantages of True Pools
The establishment of Virtual Disks that can span the entire range of
managed storage in the SAN has the potential to aid in the establishment
of Virtual Disks with precision of purpose, such as performance,
availability, cost, or other attributes, and also helps to maximize the
potential for finding appropriate available storage in the desired
category -- no matter which disk subsystem controls the physical storage.
This also has the potential to result in a higher utilization of disk
storage resources.
The volume management efficiency possible on this basis has the
potential to minimize the amount of unused capacity throughout the
installation. Also, with this architecture, less complex, lower cost,
RAID/storage devices are useable to support advanced copy and management
functions. The inherent efficiency of virtual Logical Unit blocking
allows storage pools to maintain uniform performance, even after many
creates and deletes.
System Components, Architecture, and Configurations
The SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 is
supported by dual storage engines. Each Caching Services Module hardware
feature 2300/2301 also provides battery backup for the Caching Services
Module power supplied from the switch. Dual Caching Services Module
installations on separate switches can be configure within a single
cluster of nodes, to provide separation of power boundaries in the
cluster. The SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 is intended for
incorporation into existing customer SANs that employ the IBM 2062 Models
D01, D04//T04, or D07/T07 with (Cisco MDS 9000 Caching Services Module),
features 2300/2301, to help conserve space requirements and reduce
physical connection paths between switch and storage devices.
Nodes running SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000 have been architected to be implemented in pairs, also known as I/O
groups, with one or more pairs constituting a cluster. The pairs of
nodes operate in a dual-active configuration, with each node in a pair
backing up the other, and the cluster configuration shared across the
cluster. Data written to the nodes is duplicated across caches in both
nodes.
Nodes on the same Caching Services Module cannot be configured as
members of same I/O group.
The SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 requires
a minimum of four nodes per cluster in the switch configuration. Nodes
must be added in pairs. Therefore Caching Services Modules must be
installed in pairs. At product introduction, the maximum number of node
pairs and therefore Caching Services Module pairs supported is two. The
architecture of SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000
is designed to be scaled beyond four nodes per cluster. The architecture
allows a single cluster to manage up to two petabytes of usable storage,
regardless of the number of node pairs in that cluster. Each engine in
the Caching Services Module operates with four gigabytes of read/write
memory. The majority of this memory is available for use as read/write
cache; any memory used as write cache is mirrored in the partner engine
of the engine pair.
Physical Disk Storage System Support
Storage system support is available for the IBM TotalStorage FAStT
Storage Server models 200, 500, 600, 700, and 900, and IBM TotalStorage
Enterprise Storage Server (ESS) models 2105-F20 and 2105-800.
Host Attachments
The IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco
MDS 9000 supports RISC-based hosts running the IBM AIX, Sun Solaris, or
Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, and Intel-based hosts running Microsoft Windows
(Windows NT or Windows 2000 Advanced Server), or Linux (Red Hat Linux AS)
operating systems.
Switch Support
The SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 supports
IBM 2062 Models D01, D04/T04, and D07/T07.
Current Technical Information
Current host attachment, switch, and controller support information,
including required microcode levels, will be maintained at:
Important SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000 Functions and Features
Dynamic Data Migration capability
Powerful data migration functions are part of the base virtualization
software of the SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000.
These functions enable administrators to move storage from one device
to another and perform load balancing across storage without taking data
offline and without losing the availability of the data. This capability
is intended to help reduce or eliminate the planned downtime required to
migrate data from obsolete or end-of-use storage devices onto newer
devices.
Optional Advanced Copy Services
In addition to the Data Migration capabilities included in the base
virtualization software, the SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for
Cisco MDS 9000 offers a complement of advanced copy functions, including
FlashCopy and Synchronous Peer-to-Peer Remote Copy (PPRC). FlashCopy can
be performed for all supported storage under SAN Volume Controller
management (assigned to a Virtual Disk). PPRC is available for host
applications in the AIX and Windows 2000 environments using IBM FAStT
storage systems. Configuration guidelines and current support summaries
can be found at:
With conventional SAN disk arrays, copy operations are limited to in-
box or like-box-to-like-box scenarios. With SAN-wide virtualization,
FlashCopy (point-in-time) copies can be performed between separate
supported subsystems within the same cluster and can use differing
physical disk subsystems. To aid in disaster recovery, Remote Copy can
be performed between clusters at different locations. The distance
between locations will affect the performance achieved by Remote Copy.
Generally, locations that are closer together will perform better.
Remote Copy can also be performed within a cluster. This may be useful
for test or production prototyping purposes. Virtual Disk to Managed
Disk mappings can be changed without application disruption, and workload
rebalance via data migration can be simply and efficiently invoked.
These advanced copy functions include architected failover support.
They can be used in conjunction with both LAN-free and server-free
backups, while supporting continuous access to the data.
Consistency Groups
In order to allow copy functions to be managed in a coordinated way
across a number of Virtual Disks, it is possible to create a single
entity for management, known as a Consistency Group. Where an
application issues dependent writes that span multiple virtual disks, it
is the use of Consistency Groups that can provide volume consistency,
even during a rolling disaster.
For example, a set of volumes on a primary cluster could form a
Consistency Group. A set of Remote Copy relationships between the
primary volumes and a set of corresponding secondary volumes could be
treated atomically by the use of a Consistency Group. The SAN Volume
Controller software is designed to make it easy to form and manage
Consistency Group relationships. Consistency Groups can be created,
modified, and deleted with succinct, direct commands. Consistency Groups
may also be established for FlashCopy mappings of Virtual Volumes that
span multiple Virtual Disks -- enabling the FlashCopy operation on
multiple Virtual Disks to take place as an atomic operation.
I/O Metering and I/O Statistics
SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 provides a
range of facilities for monitoring, reporting, and controlling the I/Os
received by the cluster. This is designed to allow the bandwidth and
throughput resources available to the enterprise to be allocated on a
per-business-unit basis, or per-application basis, enabling some control
of throughput allocation, in addition to storage space.
Statistics are maintained on a per SCSI Logical Unit basis. That is,
a separate set of counters is maintained for each Virtual Disk, on I/Os
received on each SAN Volume Controller port, from each host port. The
following statistics are maintained:
Count of read I/Os and write I/Os
Count of blocks read, and blocks written
I/O Governing
It is possible to constrain I/O operations such that a system is
constrained in the amount of I/O it can perform with respect to a given
Virtual Disk in a period of time. This can be used to satisfy some
quality-of-service constraints or contractual obligations (for example a
customer agrees to pay for I/Os performed, but will not pay for I/Os
beyond a certain rate).
Ease of Configuration
With the unified view made possible by the SAN Volume Controller for
Cisco MDS 9000 software, a more unified approach to storage volume
management is possible. A highly-effective hardware discovery function
brings newly installed storage into immediate view. The modularity of
the system also supports nondisruptive installation of additional nodes
and capacity.
Focus on Availability with Avoidance of Downtime for Planned
Outages
Highly Available Clustered Configuration
The redundant design of the SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for
Cisco MDS 9000 and Caching Services Modules leverages multipathing
software from IBM. This design helps to reduce or eliminate planned
outages, enables server free backups, and supports non-disruptive storage
software upgrades. For a list of current restrictions concerning non-
disruptive storage software upgrades, please see the software
restrictions section of:
In addition to the dual components design, the combination of the SAN
Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 and Caching
Services Modules is designed to support high availability while
maintaining performance with read and write caches. Each engine's cache
is independent. Cached writes are mirrored in the paired engine, before
being acknowledged to the application server.
Superior RAS
The SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 has been
designed to provide:
Extensive error logging and analysis functions that serve to
facilitate rapid problem determination
An internal "watchdog" timer that facilitates automatic engine
restart and re-admission to the cluster without operator intervention
Both the Command Line Interface and a CIM-enabled, browser-based GUI
are available.
Focus on Economy and Simplicity
Scalability and Price
Scalable software and hardware is intended to allow users both to
address current needs and to grow data storage in keeping with business
demands. Storage that is leveraged across multiple devices by virtue of
virtual Logical Units can enable use of lower cost devices at recovery
sites, and, therefore, can help lower overall cost of backup and recovery
operations.
SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 is licensed
to the cluster in tiers, according to the amount of storage virtualized
and managed by that cluster. Data Migration functions are included as
part of the base software. Additional optional advanced copy features
are also priced in tiers according to the amount of storage served by
each feature. (The effective tier for each advanced copy service feature
may be selected independently from each other and from that of the total
base virtualized storage tier, so long as the capacity level tier for
either advanced copy feature does not exceed the capacity tier level of
licensed base virtualized storage.)
SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 hardware and software tiers
may therefore be independently scaled, according to performance, storage
growth, and other customer functional requirements.
The licensed SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000
(5639-VS1) runs only on the Caching Services Modules defined by features
2300/2301 on IBM 2062 Models D01, D04/T04, D07/T07.
The IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco
MDS 9000 provides a Common Information Model (CIM) Agent that supports
the open standards (SNIA SMI-S), and allows the SAN Volume Controller to
be managed by standard-compliant Storage Resource Management
applications. The SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000 also provides a Web-accessible GUI, supporting flexible and rapid
access to storage management information.
Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act
SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 is capable,
as of October 14, 2003, when used in accordance with IBM's associated
documentation, of satisfying the applicable requirements of Section 508
of the Rehabilitation Act provided that any assistive technology used
with the product properly interoperates with it.
This program requires at least one IBM 2062-D01, D04/T04, or D07/T07
with dual processing Caching Services Module (Features 2300/2301) for
installation.
Installation of the CIM Agent and Console for SAN Volume Controller
for Cisco MDS 9000 Version 1.1 with visual GUI for CIM management
requires customer provision of a Windows 2000-capable host with the
following characteristics:
Intel-based PC running Windows 2000 Server SP-3
Intel Pentium processor at 1 gigahertz or faster
Support for a communications adapter
CD-ROM drive
Minimum 1 GB memory recommended
Current support summaries, including specific software, hardware and
firmware levels supported, are maintained at:
SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 supports
connectivity with Intel-based servers running Windows NT, Windows 2000
Advanced Server, or Red Hat Linux Advanced Server, and with RISC-based
servers running AIX, HP-UX, or Sun Solaris operating systems. These
servers require the Subsystem Device Driver (SDD) multipathing driver.
The SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 supports
IBM FAStT and IBM Enterprise Storage Server (ESS) storage arrays.
Current software support summaries, including specific release and
firmware levels, are maintained at:
Planning for and provision of the power and environmental support of
the co-requisite IBM 2062 switch/director model(s) which support the
Caching Services Module (features 2300/2301) is a customer
responsibility.
Planning considerations for SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for
Cisco MDS 9000 are listed in IBM TotalStorage Virtualization Family SAN
Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Getting Started, GA22-1055. These
guides will also reference related hardware planning guides.
For additional planning and background information for the IBM 2062
(Cisco MDS 9000) switches, refer to the following Web site:
This program, 5639-VS1, operates on specified IBM 2062 models with
Caching Services Module features 2300/2301 only.
The SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 Solution (5639-VS1
running on IBM 2062-D01, D04/T04, or D07/T07 with features 2300/2301) may
not be actively connected to the same Host system with IBM TotalStorage
SAN Volume Controller (5639-VC1 running on IBM 2145) or with IBM
TotalStorage SAN Integration Server (5693-VC1 running on IBM 2146).
SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000 cannot act as the controller
or co-controller for storage connected to either SAN Volume Controller or
SAN Integration server.
Additional limitations and configuration guidelines may apply, as
documented in the SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000 Version 1.1 README file, furnished publications for this product,
and/or as listed under configuration requirements and guidelines at:
System environment setup for SAN Volume Controller for Cisco MDS 9000
requires either CLI access or installation of the CIM Agent and Console
on a supported system. Refer to the Hardware Requirements
section.
The CIM Agent and Console software may also be installed on an
existing Master Console for SAN Volume Controller, if the Master Console
screen is in proximity to the IBM 2062 host switch frame that houses the
feature 2300/2301 Caching Services Module. For further details regarding
a successful installation, refer to IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume
Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS 9000 Version 1.1 Getting
Started, GA22-1055, which can be downloaded from:
New orders of SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000 and corequisite hardware features 2300/2301 on IBM 2062 (Caching
Services Module), include a documentation CD-ROM which provides the
Information Center and printable softcopy PDF files of all the
downloadable publications.
Information Center
The Information Center is online, topic-based user assistance that is
a single-source of customer and service-based information. It provides
search, index and printing capabilities. It can be launched as a
separate Web-browser window from the GUI or downloaded from the CD-ROM.
IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco MDS
9000 Version 1.1 Information Center (SC26-7611)
The following publications can be downloaded immediately from the IBM
TotalStorage Product Support Website at
Title Order Number
--------------------------------------- ------------
IBM TotalStorage GA22-1055
SAN Volume Controller Storage Software
for Cisco MDS 9000 Version 1.1
Getting Started
IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Storage Server SC26-7608
IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller
IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller
for Cicso MDS 9000
Subsystem Device Driver's User's Guide
The IBM TotalStorage SAN Volume Controller Storage Software for Cisco
MDS 9000 user interface uses the security features of Microsoft Windows
2000 Server Edition, in conjunction with Web Secure Shell (SSH) and
Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocols and WebSphere.
The customer is responsible for evaluation, selection, and
implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and
appropriate controls in application systems and communication facilities.
Trademarks
(R), (TM), * Trademark or registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation.
** Company, product, or service name may be a trademark or service
mark of others.
Operating Environment
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