Implementing the IBM Storwize V3700

Implementing the IBM Storwize V3700

by Paulo Tomiyoshi Takeda, Chris Tapsell, Lee Sirett, Adam Lyon-Jones, Jon Tate
Released March 2015
Publisher(s): IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 9780738440361

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Book description

Organizations of all sizes are faced with the challenge of managing massive volumes of increasingly valuable data. However, storing this data can be costly, and extracting value from the data is becoming more and more difficult.

IT organizations have limited resources, but must stay responsive to dynamic environments and act quickly to consolidate, simplify, and optimize their IT infrastructures. The IBM® Storwize® V3700 system provides a solution that is affordable, easy to use, and self-optimizing, which enables organizations to overcome these storage challenges.

Storwize V3700 delivers efficient, entry-level configurations that are specifically designed to meet the needs of small and midsize businesses. Designed to provide organizations with the ability to consolidate and share data at an affordable price, Storwize V3700 offers advanced software capabilities that are usually found in more expensive systems.

Built on innovative IBM technology, Storwize V3700 addresses the block storage requirements of small and midsize organizations, Storwize V3700 is designed to accommodate the most common storage network technologies. This design enables easy implementation and management.

Storwize V3700 includes the following features:

  • Web-based GUI provides point-and-click management capabilities.

  • Internal disk storage virtualization enables rapid, flexible provisioning and simple configuration changes.

  • Thin provisioning enables applications to grow dynamically, but only use space they actually need.

  • Enables simple data migration from external storage to Storwize V3700 storage (one-way from another storage device).

  • Remote Mirror creates copies of data at remote locations for disaster recovery.

  • IBM FlashCopy® creates instant application copies for backup or application testing.


    • This IBM Redbooks® publication is intended for pre-sales and post-sales technical support professionals and storage administrators.

    The concepts in this book also relate to the IBM Storwize V3500.

    This book was written at a software level of version 7 release 4.

    Table of contents

    1. Front cover
    2. Notices
      1. Trademarks
    3. IBM Redbooks promotions
    4. Preface
      1. Authors
        1. Now you can become a published author, too
        2. Comments welcome
        3. Stay connected to IBM Redbooks
    5. Summary of changes
      1. March 2015, Third Edition
    6. Chapter 1. Overview of the IBM Storwize V3700 system
      1. 1.1 IBM Storwize V3700 overview
      2. 1.2 IBM Storwize V3700 terminology
      3. 1.3 IBM Storwize V3700 models
      4. 1.4 IBM Storwize V3700 hardware
        1. 1.4.1 Control enclosure
        2. 1.4.2 Expansion enclosure
        3. 1.4.3 Host interface cards
        4. 1.4.4 Disk drive types
      5. 1.5 IBM Storwize V3700 terms
        1. 1.5.1 Hosts
        2. 1.5.2 Node canister
        3. 1.5.3 I/O Group
        4. 1.5.4 Clustered system
        5. 1.5.5 RAID
        6. 1.5.6 Managed disks
        7. 1.5.7 Quorum disks
        8. 1.5.8 Storage Pools
        9. 1.5.9 Child Pools
        10. 1.5.10 Volumes
        11. 1.5.11 iSCSI
        12. 1.5.12 SAS
      6. 1.6 IBM Storwize V3700 features
        1. 1.6.1 Volume mirroring
        2. 1.6.2 Thin provisioning
        3. 1.6.3 Easy Tier
        4. 1.6.4 Turbo Performance
        5. 1.6.5 Storage Migration
        6. 1.6.6 FlashCopy
        7. 1.6.7 Remote Copy
      7. 1.7 Problem management and support
        1. 1.7.1 IBM Assist On-site and remote service
        2. 1.7.2 Event notifications
        3. 1.7.3 Useful IBM Storwize V3700 websites
    7. Chapter 2. Initial configuration
      1. 2.1 Hardware installation planning
      2. 2.2 Storage area network configuration planning
      3. 2.3 SAS direct attach planning
      4. 2.4 LAN configuration planning
        1. 2.4.1 Management IP address considerations
        2. 2.4.2 Service IP address considerations
      5. 2.5 Host configuration planning
      6. 2.6 Miscellaneous configuration planning
      7. 2.7 System management
        1. 2.7.1 Graphical user interface
        2. 2.7.2 Command-line interface
      8. 2.8 First-time setup
      9. 2.9 Initial configuration
        1. 2.9.1 Adding expansion enclosures after initial configuration
        2. 2.9.2 Configure Call Home, email alert, and inventory
        3. 2.9.3 Service Assistant tool
    8. Chapter 3. Graphical user interface overview
      1. 3.1 Getting started
        1. 3.1.1 Supported browsers
        2. 3.1.2 Access the management GUI
        3. 3.1.3 System pane layout
      2. 3.2 Navigation
        1. 3.2.1 Function icons navigation
        2. 3.2.2 Breadcrumb navigation aid
        3. 3.2.3 Suggested Tasks feature
        4. 3.2.4 Presets
        5. 3.2.5 Actions
        6. 3.2.6 Task progress
        7. 3.2.7 Navigating panes with tables
      3. 3.3 Status Indicators menus
        1. 3.3.1 Allocated / Virtual Capacity status bar menu
        2. 3.3.2 Running Tasks bar menu
        3. 3.3.3 Health Status bar menu
      4. 3.4 Function icon menus
        1. 3.4.1 Monitoring menu
        2. 3.4.2 Pools menu
        3. 3.4.3 Volumes menu
        4. 3.4.4 Hosts menu
        5. 3.4.5 Copy Services menu
        6. 3.4.6 Access menu
        7. 3.4.7 Settings menu
      5. 3.5 Management GUI help
        1. 3.5.1 IBM Storwize V3700 Information Center
        2. 3.5.2 Watching an e-Learning video
        3. 3.5.3 Embedded pane help
        4. 3.5.4 Hidden question mark help
        5. 3.5.5 Hover help
        6. 3.5.6 IBM-endorsed YouTube videos
    9. Chapter 4. Host configuration
      1. 4.1 Host attachment overview
      2. 4.2 Preparing the host operating system
        1. 4.2.1 Windows 2012 R2: Preparing for FC attachment
        2. 4.2.2 Windows 2012 R2: Preparing for iSCSI attachment
        3. 4.2.3 Windows 2012 R2: Preparing for SAS attachment
        4. 4.2.4 VMware ESXi 5.5: Preparing for FC attachment
        5. 4.2.5 VMware ESXi 5.5: Preparing for iSCSI attachment
        6. 4.2.6 VMware ESXi 5.5: Preparing for SAS attachment
      3. 4.3 Configuring hosts in IBM Storwize V3700
        1. 4.3.1 Creating FC hosts
        2. 4.3.2 Configuring IBM Storwize V3700 for FC connectivity
        3. 4.3.3 Creating iSCSI hosts
        4. 4.3.4 Configuring IBM Storwize V3700 for iSCSI host connectivity
        5. 4.3.5 Creating SAS hosts
    10. Chapter 5. Volume configuration
      1. 5.1 Creating volumes in IBM Storwize V3700
        1. 5.1.1 Creating generic volumes
        2. 5.1.2 Creating thin-provisioned volumes
        3. 5.1.3 Creating mirrored volumes
        4. 5.1.4 Creating thin-mirrored volumes
      2. 5.2 Mapping volumes to hosts
        1. 5.2.1 Mapping newly created volumes using Create and Map to Host
        2. 5.2.2 Manually mapping volumes to hosts
      3. 5.3 Discovering mapped volumes from host systems
        1. 5.3.1 Discovering Fibre Channel volumes from Windows 2012 R2
        2. 5.3.2 Discovering iSCSI volumes from Windows 2012 R2
        3. 5.3.3 Discovering SAS volumes from Windows 2012 R2
        4. 5.3.4 Discovering Fibre Channel volumes from VMware ESXi 5.5
        5. 5.3.5 Discovering iSCSI volumes from VMware ESXi 5.5
        6. 5.3.6 Discovering SAS volumes from VMware ESXi 5.5
    11. Chapter 6. Storage migration
      1. 6.1 Interoperability and compatibility
      2. 6.2 Storage migration considerations
        1. 6.2.1 External virtualization capability
        2. 6.2.2 Overview of the Storage Migration wizard
        3. 6.2.3 Storage Migration wizard tasks
        4. 6.2.4 Storage migration example configuration
        5. 6.2.5 Recording migration information
      3. 6.3 Storage migration example
    12. Chapter 7. Storage Pools
      1. 7.1 Working with internal drives
        1. 7.1.1 Internal Storage window
        2. 7.1.2 Actions on internal drives
      2. 7.2 Configuring internal storage
        1. 7.2.1 RAID configuration presets
        2. 7.2.2 Customizing initial storage configuration
        3. 7.2.3 Creating an MDisk and Pool
        4. 7.2.4 Using the recommended configuration
        5. 7.2.5 Selecting a different configuration
        6. 7.2.6 MDisk by Pools pane
        7. 7.2.7 RAID action for MDisks
        8. 7.2.8 More actions on MDisks
      3. 7.3 Working with Storage Pools
        1. 7.3.1 Create Pool option
        2. 7.3.2 Actions on Storage Pools
      4. 7.4 Working with Child Pools
        1. 7.4.1 Create Child Pools
        2. 7.4.2 Actions on Child Pools
        3. 7.4.3 Resizing a Child Pool
    13. Chapter 8. Advanced host and volume administration
      1. 8.1 Advanced host administration
        1. 8.1.1 Modifying Mappings menu
        2. 8.1.2 Unmapping volumes from a host
        3. 8.1.3 Renaming a host
        4. 8.1.4 Removing a host
        5. 8.1.5 Host properties
      2. 8.2 Adding and deleting host ports
        1. 8.2.1 Adding a host port
        2. 8.2.2 Adding a Fibre Channel port
        3. 8.2.3 Adding an SAS host port
        4. 8.2.4 Adding an iSCSI host port
        5. 8.2.5 Deleting a host port
      3. 8.3 Host mappings overview
        1. 8.3.1 Unmap Volumes
        2. 8.3.2 Properties (Host)
        3. 8.3.3 Properties (Volume)
      4. 8.4 Advanced volume administration
        1. 8.4.1 Advanced volume functions
        2. 8.4.2 Mapping a volume to a host
        3. 8.4.3 Unmapping volumes from all hosts
        4. 8.4.4 Viewing which host is mapped to a volume
        5. 8.4.5 Duplicating a volume
        6. 8.4.6 Renaming a volume
        7. 8.4.7 Shrinking a volume
        8. 8.4.8 Expanding a volume
        9. 8.4.9 Migrating a volume to another Storage Pool
        10. 8.4.10 Deleting a volume
      5. 8.5 Volume properties
        1. 8.5.1 Overview tab
        2. 8.5.2 Host Maps tab
        3. 8.5.3 Member MDisks tab
        4. 8.5.4 Adding a mirrored volume copy
        5. 8.5.5 Editing thin-provisioned volume properties
      6. 8.6 Advanced volume copy functions
        1. 8.6.1 Thin-provisioned menu
        2. 8.6.2 Splitting into a new volume
        3. 8.6.3 Validate Volume Copies option
        4. 8.6.4 Duplicate Volume option
        5. 8.6.5 Delete Volume Copy option
        6. 8.6.6 Migrating volumes by using the volume copy features
      7. 8.7 Volumes by Storage Pool
      8. 8.8 Volumes by Host
    14. Chapter 9. IBM Easy Tier
      1. 9.1 Generations of IBM Easy Tier
      2. 9.2 New Features in Easy Tier 3
      3. 9.3 Easy Tier overview
        1. 9.3.1 Easy Tier licensing
        2. 9.3.2 Tiered Storage Pools
      4. 9.4 Easy Tier process
        1. 9.4.1 I/O Monitoring
        2. 9.4.2 Data Placement Advisor
        3. 9.4.3 Data Migration Planner
        4. 9.4.4 Data Migrator
        5. 9.4.5 Easy Tier operating modes
        6. 9.4.6 Easy Tier status
        7. 9.4.7 Storage Pool Balancing
        8. 9.4.8 Easy Tier rules
      5. 9.5 Easy Tier configuration using the GUI
        1. 9.5.1 Creating multitiered pools: Enabling Easy Tier
        2. 9.5.2 Downloading Easy Tier I/O measurements
      6. 9.6 Easy Tier configuration using the CLI
        1. 9.6.1 Enabling Easy Tier measured mode
        2. 9.6.2 Enabling or disabling Easy Tier on single volumes
      7. 9.7 IBM Storage Tier Advisor Tool
        1. 9.7.1 Processing heat log files
        2. 9.7.2 Storage Tier Advisor Tool reports
    15. Chapter 10. Copy services
      1. 10.1 FlashCopy
        1. 10.1.1 Business requirements for FlashCopy
        2. 10.1.2 FlashCopy functional overview
        3. 10.1.3 Planning for FlashCopy
        4. 10.1.4 Managing FlashCopy using the GUI
        5. 10.1.5 Managing FlashCopy mappings
        6. 10.1.6 Managing a FlashCopy consistency group
      2. 10.2 Remote Copy
        1. 10.2.1 Remote Copy concepts
        2. 10.2.2 Global Mirror with Change Volumes
        3. 10.2.3 Remote Copy planning
      3. 10.3 Troubleshooting Remote Copy
        1. 10.3.1 1920 error
        2. 10.3.2 1720 error
      4. 10.4 Managing Remote Copy using the GUI
        1. 10.4.1 Managing cluster partnerships
        2. 10.4.2 Managing stand-alone Remote Copy relationships
        3. 10.4.3 Managing a Remote Copy consistency group
    16. Chapter 11. RAS, monitoring, and troubleshooting
      1. 11.1 Reliability, availability, and serviceability
      2. 11.2 IBM Storwize V3700 components
        1. 11.2.1 Enclosure midplane assembly
        2. 11.2.2 Node canisters: Ports and light-emitting diode (LED)
        3. 11.2.3 Node canister replaceable hardware components
        4. 11.2.4 Expansion canister: Ports and LED
        5. 11.2.5 Disk subsystem
        6. 11.2.6 Power supply unit
      3. 11.3 Configuration backup procedure
        1. 11.3.1 Generating a manual configuration backup by using the CLI
        2. 11.3.2 Downloading a configuration backup by using the graphical user interface
      4. 11.4 Updating software
        1. 11.4.1 Node canister software
        2. 11.4.2 Upgrading drive firmware
      5. 11.5 Event log
        1. 11.5.1 Managing the event log
        2. 11.5.2 Alert handling and recommended actions
      6. 11.6 Collecting support information
        1. 11.6.1 Support information from the GUI
        2. 11.6.2 Support information from the Service Assistant
        3. 11.6.3 Support information to USB stick
      7. 11.7 Powering on and powering off the IBM Storwize V3700
        1. 11.7.1 Powering off the system
        2. 11.7.2 Powering on
      8. 11.8 Tivoli Storage Productivity Center
        1. 11.8.1 Tivoli Storage Productivity Center benefits
        2. 11.8.2 Adding IBM Storwize V3700 in Tivoli Storage Productivity Center
      9. 11.9 Using Tivoli Storage Productivity Center to administer and generate reports for an IBM Storwize V3700
        1. 11.9.1 Basic configuration and administration
        2. 11.9.2 Generating reports by using Java GUI
        3. 11.9.3 Generating reports using Tivoli Storage Productivity Center web console
    17. Appendix A. Command-line interface setup and SAN Boot
      1. Command-line interface
      2. Upgrading Drive Firmware using the CLI
    18. Related publications
      1. IBM Redbooks
      2. IBM Storwize V3700 publications
      3. IBM Storwize V3700 support
      4. Help from IBM
    19. Back cover
    20. IBM System x Reference Architecture for Hadoop: IBM InfoSphere BigInsights Reference Architecture
      1. Introduction
      2. Business problem and business value
      3. Reference architecture use
      4. Requirements
      5. InfoSphere BigInsights predefined configuration
      6. InfoSphere BigInsights HBase predefined configuration
      7. Deployment considerations
      8. Customizing the predefined configurations
      9. Predefined configuration bill of materials
      10. References
      11. The team who wrote this paper
      12. Now you can become a published author, too!
      13. Stay connected to IBM Redbooks
    21. Notices
      1. Trademarks

    Product information

    • Title: Implementing the IBM Storwize V3700
    • Author(s): Paulo Tomiyoshi Takeda, Chris Tapsell, Lee Sirett, Adam Lyon-Jones, Jon Tate
    • Release date: March 2015
    • Publisher(s): IBM Redbooks
    • ISBN: 9780738440361