Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard: Additional Instructions for IRIX - XLV Logical Virtual Disks

Use the following procedure to create  on a  running IRIX 6.5 (or higher), using XLV logical virtual disks. Failure to complete the steps listed might result in an inaccurate point-in-time image of the .

For a process overview of the snapshot virtual disk creation process, refer to Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard: Process Overview - UNIX with Virtual Disk Manager Virtual Disks .

Snapshot virtual disks might be reused (for frequent or nightly backups) or may be created for one-time usage (speculative change or upgrade testing). For instructions on how to reuse a disabled snapshot virtual disk, see Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks.

Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk

Use the following procedure to create a snapshot virtual disk.

1

Start the storage management software.

2

Launch an  by selecting Tools >> Manage Storage Array.

The Array Management Window opens in a separate window.

3

Within the Logical View of the Array Management Window, select a , and create a snapshot virtual disk using one of the following methods:

  • Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard, accessed using an Array Management Window. For more information, see Using the  Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard.
  • Create a snapshot virtual disk by using either the Script Editor or a command line shell on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    create snapshotVirtual Disk

    For command reference information on creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

4

Assign a  between the snapshot virtual disk and the host that will access the snapshot virtual disk. Define virtual disk-to-LUN mappings using one of the following methods:

  • Storage Partitioning Wizard, which helps you to quickly define a single . It guides you through the major steps required to specify which host will access a virtual disk and the associated . For more information, see Using the Storage Partitioning Wizard.
  • Create a virtual disk-to-LUN mapping using either the Script Editor or a command line shell on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    create mapping virtual disk

    For command reference information on creating a virtual disk-to-LUN mapping, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

5

Perform a path scan; at the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

scsiha -rp <X> <X> ;ioconfig -f /hw; hinv

where <X> is the SCSI RAID controller module number.

After virtual disks have been created and virtual disk-to-LUN mappings have been defined, this step ensures that the operating system is aware of the newly created virtual disks, without having to complete reboot the system.

6

Run the  utility to associate the LUN with a host operating system  and to ensure that the snapshot virtual disk is recognized by the host.

After virtual disks have been created and virtual disk-to-LUN mappings have been defined, run the SMdevices utility to ensure that the virtual disk name and the operating system storage array name (assigned by the operating system) correlate.

7

Disable the snapshot virtual disk by using one of the following methods:

  • Select Virtual Disk >> Snapshot >> Disable in the Array Management Window. For more information, see Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk.
  • Disable a snapshot virtual disk using either the Script Editor or a command line shell on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    disableSnapshot virtual disk

    For command reference information on disabling a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

Important: All I/O activity to the source virtual disk should be stopped at this point (or data transfer suspended). This condition ensures that an accurate point-in-time image of the source virtual disk is captured.

8

Unmount the source virtual disk.

9

In the storage management software, re-create the snapshot virtual disk by using one of the following methods:

  • Select Virtual Disk >> Snapshot >> Re-create in the Array Management Window. For more information see Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk.
  • Re-create a snapshot virtual disk by using either the Script Editor or a command line shell on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    recreateSnapshot virtual disk

    For command reference information on re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

Important: If I/O activity to the source virtual disk was stopped or data transfer was suspended, resume I/O activity to the source virtual disk at this time (or re-enable data transfer).

10

Complete the followings steps to create a new snapshot logical virtual disk.

a

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

xlv_make

b

At the host prompt, type the following, then press Enter:

vol vmVol02

  • where vol is the create virtual disk command.
  • where vmVol02 is the name of the new snapshot virtual disk.

Result: The new XLV logical virtual diskvmVol102 is created.

c

At the host prompt, type the following, then press Enter:

data

d

At the host prompt, type the following, then press Enter:

ve dks<X>d<Y>l<Z>s0

  • where ve is the command to specify a new virtual disk element.
  • where <X> is the RAID controller module number.
  • where <Y> is the unit number.
  • where <Z> is the LUN number.
  • where s is the slice number.

Note: When defining a new virtual disk element where the LUN is 0, omit l<Z> from the command.

e

At the host prompt, type the following, then press Enter:

end

where end terminates the specification of the current object.

f

At the host prompt, type the following, then press Enter:

exit

The new snapshot virtual disk specified during this session is created.

11

Remount the source virtual disk (to its original host).

12

Mount the snapshot virtual disk to its intended host.

13

Use the snapshot virtual disk in conjunction with your backup application, for speculative testing, or with another application.

14

Important: You will be required to delete the XLV virtual disk for the snapshot virtual disk before disabling it in the storage management software. Refer to your operating system user documentation for information on deleting logical virtual disks.

Once the snapshot virtual disk is no longer required, disable the snapshot virtual disk.

If you disable the snapshot virtual disk instead of deleting it, you can retain the snapshot virtual disk and its associated . Then, when you need to create a different snapshot of the same source virtual disk, you can re-create the disabled snapshot virtual disk. This takes less time than creating a new snapshot virtual disk, and will stop any reduction in performance that might occur if the snapshot virtual disk remains available.

For information on disabling or re-creating a snapshot, see Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk and Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk. For information on deleting a snapshot virtual disk, see Deleting a Virtual Disk.

For command reference information on disabling, re-creating, and deleting a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks

Typically, once a snapshot virtual disk has been created, it is disabled until a new point-in-time image of the same source virtual disk is required. Use the following procedure to create a new point-in-time image of the same source virtual disk.

Important: All I/O activity to the source virtual disk should be stopped at this point (or data transfer suspended). This action ensures that an accurate point-in-time image of the source virtual disk is captured.

1

Unmount the source virtual disk.

2

In the storage management software, re-create the snapshot virtual disk by using one of the following methods:

  • Select Virtual Disk >> Snapshot >> Re-create in the Array Management Window. For more information, see Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk.
  • Re-create a snapshot virtual disk using either the Script Editor or a command line shell on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    recreateSnapshot virtual disk

    For command reference information on re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

3

Complete the following steps to create a new snapshot logical virtual disk.

a

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

xlv_make

b

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

vol vmVol02

  • where vol is the create virtual disk command.
  • where vmVol02 is the name of the new snapshot virtual disk.

Result: The new XLV logical virtual disk vmVol102 is created.

c

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

data

d

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

ve dks<X>d<Y>l<Z>s0

  • where ve is the command to specify a new virtual disk element.
  • where <X> is the RAID controller module number.
  • where <Y> is the unit number.
  • where <Z> is the LUN number.
  • where s is the slice number.

Note: When defining a new virtual disk element where the LUN is 0, omit l<Z> from the command.

e

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

end

where end terminates the specification of the current object.

f

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

exit

The new snapshot virtual disk specified during this session is created.

4

Remount the source virtual disk (to its original host).

5

Remount the snapshot virtual disk to its intended host.

6

Use the snapshot virtual disk with your backup application (or another application).

7

Important: You are required to delete the XLV virtual disk for the snapshot virtual disk before disabling it in the storage management software. Refer to your operating system user documentation for information on deleting logical virtual disks.

After the snapshot virtual disk is no longer required, disable the snapshot virtual disk.

If you disable the snapshot virtual disk instead of deleting it, you can retain the snapshot virtual disk and its associated snapshot repository virtual disk. Then, when you need to create a different snapshot of the same source virtual disk, you can re-create the disabled snapshot virtual disk. This action takes less time than creating a new snapshot virtual disk, and stops any reduction in performance that might occur if the snapshot virtual disk remains available.

For more information, see Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk and Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk. For command reference information on disabling and recreating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

Related Topics

Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard: Additional Instructions

Learn About Creating Snapshot Virtual Disks

Using the Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard