can be created from, , or on the using the Create Virtual Disk Wizard.
Use the following procedure to create virtual disks.
Important:
The might have specific limits on how many virtual disks the can access. Consider these limits when creating virtual disks for use by a particular host.
Many hosts will be able to have 256 mapped per , but the number varies per operating system. See Restricted Logical Unit Number (LUN) Mapping for a list of operating systems with restrictions.
When the is in use, there are limits to the number of virtual disks that are supported on a given storage array. The 5884 and 4884 storage arrays support up to 255 virtual disks.
After creating one or more virtual disks and assigning a , you must register the virtual disk with the operating system and ensure
that the host recognizes mapping between the physical storage array name and virtual disk name. If available for your operating system, run the host-based utilities, and . To verify that these utilities are available for your operating system and how to run these utilities, refer to your operating system-specific storage management software installation guide.
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Use one of the following methods to start the Create Virtual Disk Wizard:
To create a virtual disk from unconfigured capacity on the storage array:
Note: Multiple Unconfigured Capacity nodes might displayed if your storage array contains mixed . Each physical disk type will have an associated Unconfigured Capacity node displayed under the Total Unconfigured Capacity node if are available in the expansion enclosure.
Select an Unconfigured Capacity node in the Logical View, and then select Virtual Disk >> Create.
To create a virtual disk from free capacity on a :
Select a Free Capacity node in the Logical View, and then select
Virtual Disk >> Create.
To create a virtual disk from unassigned physical disks on the storage array:
Note: You cannot create a disk group and subsequent virtual disk from different physical disk technology types. Each physical disk that comprises the disk group must be of the same physical disk type.
Select one or more unassigned physical disks of the same physical disk type in the Physical
View, and select Virtual Disk >> Create.
Follow the directions on each Wizard dialog, and click Next
when you are ready to move to the next dialog.
Preview of the Create Virtual Disk Wizard
The following list describes the dialogs you encounter when you use the Create Virtual Disk Wizard:
The Introduction dialog of the Wizard describes how the Create Virtual Disk Wizard assists you
with allocating the capacity needed for creating a virtual disk or disk group on your storage array.
The capacity of the selected , free capacity node, or unassigned physical disks is displayed.
Using Unconfigured Capacity or Unassigned Physical Disks
The Specify Disk Group dialog
enables you to specify the level of the disk group that meets your virtual disk data storage and protection requirements, and to select the physical disks that will comprise the disk group. This dialog also
enables you to specify whether you want to use the automatic physical disk selection option or the manual physical disk selection option to specify the disk groups capacity.
If you chose the automatic physical disk selection choice, you can select from the list of pre-calculated capacities for the disk group you are creating. The Specify Capacity/Name dialog is displayed next and enables you to specify the capacity for the virtual disk, the virtual disk name, and whether you want to use recommended advanced virtual disk settings or customize the advanced virtual disk settings for this virtual disk.
If you chose the manual physical disk selection choice, you can manually select the specific physical disks you want to use to obtain the appropriate disk group capacity. The Specify Capacity/Name dialog is displayed next, and
it enables you to specify the capacity for the virtual disk, the virtual disk name, and whether you want to use recommended advanced virtual disk settings or customize the advanced virtual disk settings for this virtual disk.
If you chose to customize advanced virtual disk parameters, the Customize Advanced Virtual Disk Parameters dialog is displayed. This Wizard dialog enables you to specify the virtual disk I/O characteristics that apply to the virtual disk based on the needs of your application. You may also enable or disable dynamic cache read ??or set a custom and .
The Specify Virtual Disk-to-LUN Mapping dialog is the last step in the
wizard, and it enables you to specify how you want a logical unit number (LUN) to be mapped to the individual.
When the virtual disk creation process is finished, a confirmation dialog is displayed. Use this dialog to restart the Wizard to create another virtual disk.
Using Free Capacity
The Specify Capacity/Name dialog enables you to specify the capacity for the virtual disk, the virtual disk name, and whether you want to use recommended advanced virtual disk settings or customize the advanced virtual disk settings for this virtual disk. Customizing the advanced virtual disk settings using the Customize Advanced Virtual Disk Parameter dialog
enables you to tailor the virtual disk to your specific application needs.
If you chose to use the recommended settings, the Specify Virtual Disk-to-LUN Mappings dialog is displayed. This is the last step in the
wizard, which allows you to specify how you want a logical unit number (LUN) to be mapped to the individual virtual disk.
When the virtual disk creation process is finished, a confirmation dialog is displayed. Use this dialog to restart the Wizard to create another virtual disk.
Creating Multiple Virtual Disks
The Create Virtual Disk Wizard: Allocate Capacity dialog enables you to create another new virtual disk using either free capacity or unconfigured capacity available on your storage array. This dialog
is displayed after you have successfully created a and clicked Yes to create another new virtual disk.
