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PRIMECLUSTERGlobal Disk Services Configuration and AdministrationGuide 4.5
FUJITSU Software

Glossary

active disk

The operating disk between disks that are connected to a switch group.

active slice

A switch slice.

Advanced Copy function

The copy function of ETERNUS Disk storage system. A generic term for EC (Equivalent Copy) and OPC (One Point Copy).
For details, see the ETERNUS Disk storage system manual.

alternative root volume

The alternative volume of the root volume.

alternative volume

A volume that is directly or indirectly related to the master or the proxy. The alternative volume of a master volume is the proxy volume. The alternative volume of a proxy volume is the master volume or another proxy volume related to the master volume.

array disk

See "disk array."

attach slice

To add the detached slice to mirror volume making it accessible again as a component of the mirror volume.

automatic resource registration

The function that automatically recognizes the configuration of physical connections of hardware units then registers the hardware with the resource database in the PRIMECLUSTER system. This is performed with the clautoconfig command or the [Tool]:[Automatic configure] menu accessed from the CRM main window in the Cluster Admin window, provided by PRIMECLUSTER CF. For details see "PRIMECLUSTER Installation and Administration Guide."

available size of a disk

The capacity on an SDX disk that is available for creating volumes. It equals the physical disk size rounded to a cylinder boundary, minus the private slice size.

available size of a group

The capacity that is available for a volume in a group.

background copy

The actual copying that takes place between master and proxy, after virtual completion of creating a snapshot or restoring the master when performing instant snapshot or instant restoring. When performing normal copy, the volume to which the data is being copied cannot be activated. However, when performing background copy, the volume to which the data is being copied can be activated for users to access the valid data.

backup object configuration

To output the configuration of objects within a class to a configuration file in configuration table format.

block

A unit for disk capacity or data transmission. Usually, one block is 512 bytes.
Sector is used as a synonym.

break

To cancel the master-proxy relationship, and make independent again.

class

  1. A disk class.

  2. The generic term for disk classes and shadow classes.

close down class

To make all objects within a class unavailable for reference.

close down volume

To make the volume unavailable (invalid).

cluster application

A resource categorized as a userApplication used to group resources into a logical collection.
For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

cluster control

A component contained in PRIMECLUSTER responsible for detecting various abnormalities and state transition.
For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

cluster system

A highly available and reliable system with multiple nodes connected via a special network.
For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

concatenate

To connect more than one physical disk. It is helpful when using multiple disks as one virtual mass disk.

concatenation

To concatenate.

concatenation group

A group whose type attribute is "concat." It is also the set of disks that will be concatenated.

configuration database

Database storing the configuration data of the objects managed by GDS. The configuration database is stored on a private slice.

configuration file

A text file that contains a configuration table.

configuration table

Text data that tabulates the object configuration of a class.

connect disk

To add an SDX disk to a disk group. User can also connect a keep disk, a single disk, or an undefined disk. Spare disk will be connected automatically by GDS when required.

connect group

To add a group to another group.
The former group is called a "lower level group," and the latter, a "higher level group."
For example, when more than one stripe group is connected to a mirror group that is the highest level group, the mirror volume that is created within the highest level group will be a logical device unit that will be both mirrored and striped.

convert configuration table

To change a configuration table according to a restoration environment in order to restore the object configuration of the class in the environment that is different from the original.

current root volume

The volume currently running as the root file system.

current volume

The master volume or the proxy volume that is described as a file system or a swap area in the /etc/vfstab file.

detach slice

To temporarily detach a mirror slice from a mirror volume, making it inaccessible as a component of the mirror volume.
Other than by user command, GDS will automatically detach slices to maintain synchronization when an I/O error of a mirrored slice is detected.

disconnect disk

To remove a disk from a disk group.

disconnect group

To remove the lower level group from a higher level group.

disk

  1. An SDX disk.

  2. The generic term for SDX disks and shadow disks.

disk array

A disk unit which combines multiple physical disks to be handled as one virtual disk. Spreading the access across multiple physical disks greatly improves performance and reliability. There are several access methods which are referred to as RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) levels. Main RAID level includes RAID 0 (striping), RAID 1 (mirroring), and RAID 5 (striping with parity).

disk class

A collection of SDX objects. Disk classes may be called "classes." Physical disks can be registered with a class and accordingly are managed by GDS. Classes are classified into root classes, local classes, and shared classes.

disk group

A collection of SDX disks and lower level groups. Disk groups may be called "groups." SDX disks and lower groups that belong to the same group become the unit of mirroring, striping, concatenating, or switching according to the type attribute of the group (mirror, stripe, concatenation, switch).

disk switch

To switch the roles of the active and inactive disks.

domain

One cluster system built by use of PRIMECLUSTER or SynfinityCluster.
A server (computer) that does not belong to a cluster system is also referred to as a domain.

EC

Copying process using the EC (Equivalent Copy) function.

EC function

An abbreviation for Equivalent Copy function. It is one of the Advanced Copy functions provided by ETERNUS Disk storage system. It keeps duplicating disk data within a disk unit. By performing detaching control with software, a replicate of the disk will be created.
For details, see the ETERNUS Disk storage system manual.

EC session

EC request from the host (server) to ETERNUS Disk storage system.
For details, see the ETERNUS Disk storage system manual.

EFI

Extensible Firmware Interface

Abbreviation of Extensible Firmware Interface and one of the interface specifications of OS and firmware. In Solaris, GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) partition table (GPT) of EFI is adopted as the EFI disk label. Create the EFI label for disk which the capacity is 1 TB or larger.

emcpower disk

A virtual device that provides multiple access paths with the emcpower driver. Being able to use multiple paths enables spreading out of the load when accessing the disk, and increases the availability at the time of path failure.

FC-AL internal disk

An internal disk that is connected via an FC-AL (Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop) interface.

FDU/FU

A disk file unit with multiple physical disks mounted on a single enclosure.

GDS Management View

Software which allows various operations including GDS configuration setting and operation management using the Web screen.

GDS Mirroring

This is one of the methods to mirror the system disks by combining GDS and ZFS. It configures a ZFS storage pool with a GDS mirror volume. The disk is made redundant by the GDS mirroring function.

geometry

Physical properties of a disk such as the numbers and sizes of cylinders, heads, and sectors.

GFS Shared File System

Shared file system that features simultaneous accessibility that maintains consistency between multiple nodes to which a shared disk unit is connected and enables the continuation of processing on another node even if a certain node fails.
For details, see "PRIMECLUSTER Global File Services Configuration and Administration Guide."

Global File Services

Software that manages GFS shared file system.

For details, see "PRIMECLUSTER Global File Services Configuration and Administration Guide."

GR700 series

Disk array unit manufactured by Fujitsu.
For details see GR700 series manuals.

group

  1. A disk group.

  2. The generic term for disk groups and shadow groups.

hard copy

To copy disk data created within the device using the disk array's hardware function so that no load is imposed on the server or the SAN.

higher level group

A group to which another group belongs.

higher level shadow group

A shadow group to which another shadow group belongs.

hot spare

A feature realizing automatic mirroring recovery while maintaining data accessibility at times of mirror disk failure.

hot swap

A feature allowing users to exchange the faulty physical disk components without stopping the application in use. Also referred to as active exchange.

inactive disk

A standby disk between disks that are connected to a switch group.

inactive slice

A standby slice that will be the operating slice when the active disk of the switch group is changed through a disk switch. The standby slice is a gathering of physically continuous blocks in the standby disk that belongs to the switch group."

instant restore

To instantly restore the master's data, by overwriting the master using the parted proxy data. Instant restore can be created by using the -e instant option with the sdxproxy RejoinRestore command or the -e instant option with the sdxproxy Restore command.

instant snapshot

To create a snapshot of a master instantly by cooperation with the OPC (One Point Copy) function provided by ETERNUS Disk storage system. Also it is a created snapshot. Snapshots can be created by using the -e instant option with the sdxproxy Part command.

instant snapshot by OPC

See "instant snapshot."

join

To relate a pair of volumes or a pair of groups as a master and a proxy and synchronize the pair.

joined

The state when master and proxy are joined. Proxy volume in joined status cannot be accessed.

JRM

An abbreviation for Just Resynchronization Mechanism.

just resynchronization

A high-speed resynchronization copying process. Available when just resynchronization mode is valid.

Just Resynchronization Mechanism

A mechanism realizing just resynchronization. Abbreviated as JRM.

keep disk

A disk that retains the disk format and data when being registered with a class or being connected to a group.


local class

A "local" type class. Objects that belong to a local class can be used only on the current node. With the local class, disks connected to the current node, excluding system disks, can be registered.

local object

An object that belongs to a "local" class.

logical slice

The component of a logical volume. A logical slice consists of contiguous blocks of one physical disk or multiple blocks of multiple physical disks. A mirror volume consists of one or more logical slices that are mirrored. A single volume, a stripe volume, a volume in a concatenation group, and a switch volume consist of a single logical slice. Logical slices may be called "slices."

logical volume

A logical disk device that provides the user with a block device interface and a character (raw) device interface as well as a physical slice (disk partition). The user can access data on a physical disk through accessing the logical volume. Logical volumes are classified into single volumes, mirror volumes, stripe volumes, the volumes in concatenation groups, and switch volumes. Logical volumes may be called "volumes."

lower level group

A group that belongs to another group. A volume cannot be created within the lower level group.

lower level shadow group

A shadow group that belongs to another shadow group. A shadow volume cannot be created in the lower level shadow group.

master

See "master object."

master group

The original group from which the proxy group is copied.
The term "master" can refer to both master group and master volume.

master object

A generic term for master volume and master group.
Also simply referred to as "master."

master volume

The original volume from which the proxy volume is copied.
Volumes within master group are also called master volumes.
The term "master" can refer to both master volume and master group.

mirror group

A group whose type attribute is "mirror." It is the set of disks and lower level groups, which will be mirrored each other.

mirror slice

A logical slice that composes a mirror volume. A mirror volume is created by mirroring more than one logical slice. For each mirror volume, there will be one logical slice in each disk and each lower level group belonging to the mirror group.

mirror volume

A volume that is created within a mirror group. Its data will be made redundant by mirroring.

mirroring

To maintain redundancy by allocating the same data to multiple slices. A feature which allows you to continue access to a volume if one or more valid slices exist in the volume, even if some failures occur on the other slices.

MPHD disk

A virtual device that provides multiple access paths with the mphd driver. The user will be able to continue operation, even if an access path failure occurs.

MPLB disk

A virtual device that provides multiple access paths with the mplb driver. Being able to use multiple paths enables spreading out of the load when accessing the disk, and increases the availability at the time of path failure.

node

One computer (with one operating system).
For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

node identifier

A general name for each node within a PRIMECLUSTER system.

node name

The name returned with the uname -n command

NVURM

An abbreviation for Non-Volatile Update Region Map. This is information of the updated volume region stored on a private slice for just resynchronization.

object

  1. An SDX object. Objects are the generic term for classes, groups, disks, volumes, and slices.

  2. The generic term for SDX objects and shadow objects.

offline backup

To create backups from a volume after stopping applications that use the volume.

online backup

To create volume backup while an application is accessing the volume.

online disk migration

To change from one disk to another without stopping applications accessing the disk data.

online snapshot

To create a volume snapshot while an application is accessing the volume.

OPC

Copying process using the OPC (One Point Copy) function.

OPC function

An abbreviation for One Point Copy function. It is one of the Advanced Copy function provided by ETERNUS Disk storage system. Disk data within the disk unit at a certain point will be instantly copied to separate area in the disk unit. The logical copying process is completed immediately after the request to start copying is sent from the server. The actual copying process will be performed later in the background.
For details, see the ETERNUS Disk storage system manual.

OPC session

OPC request from the host (server) to ETERNUS Disk storage system.
For details, see the ETERNUS Disk storage system manual.

part

To temporarily separate proxy from master so that it may be accessed independently. The parted proxy becomes a snapshot with master data of the moment it was parted. Although parted, the master-proxy relationship is maintained.

parted

The status of a proxy isolated from the master. When a proxy volume is parted, access to the proxy that is independent of access to the master is available.

physical disk

A storage media possible of handling random input and output of data. Mainly used to refer to a set of physical slices.

physical scope

A group of nodes to which physical disks are connected.

physical slice

A part of physical disk and a series of physically continued blocks. The starting sector number and the number of sectors occupied by the physical slice is registered with the disk label (partition table).

physical special file

A device special file of a physical disk, such as /dev/[r]dsk/cXtXdXsX and /dev/FJSVmplb/[r]dsk/mplbXsX.

PRIMECLUSTER

Software to configure the Cluster System. For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

PRIMECLUSTER system

A cluster system configured using PRIMECLUSTER. For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

private slice

A special slice used by GDS for control. Part of the SDX disk. Cannot be used as a logical slice.

proxy

See "proxy object."

proxy group

Replication group of master group.
It has the same volume configuration as the master group, and each volume is the proxy volume of the master volume that is within the master group.
The term "proxy" can refer to both proxy group and proxy volume.

proxy object

A generic term for proxy volume and proxy group.
Also simply referred to as "proxy."

proxy volume

A replication volume of a master volume. This may be called an alternative volume.
Proxy volumes and proxy groups may be called "proxies" collectively.


REC

Copying process by REC (Remote Equivalent Copy) function.

REC function

An abbreviation Remote Equivalent Copy function. It is one of the Advanced Copy function provided by ETERNUS Disk storage system. REC is EC function available between ETERNUS Disk storage system boxes. For details, see the ETERNUS Disk storage system manual.

register disk

To add a physical disk to a certain class.
The registered disk is managed by GDS subsequently.

rejoin

To rejoin the parted proxy with master.

relate

To relate a pair of volumes or a pair of groups as a master and a proxy and leave them parted.

remove disk

To remove an SDX disk from disk class.

resource

The concept describing the elements managed by PRIMECLUSTER among hardware and software that compose the PRIMECLUSTER system. In a PRIMECLUSTER system, physical disks and GDS disk classes are managed as resources.
For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

resource database

The database that manages resource information in a PRIMECLUSTER system. The resource database is managed by the PRIMECLUSTER CF cluster resource management facility. For details, see the PRIMECLUSTER manual.

restore

To restore the master's data, by overwriting the master using the parted proxy data.

restore object configuration

To create object configuration of a class according to the configuration table backed up to a configuration file.

resynchronization copying

To copy data between mirror slices to recover mirroring state when rebooting after a system failure, after a cluster failover, or after reattaching a detached slice to a volume.
Or, to copy data between master and proxy to match their data when rejoining a parted proxy to a master.

root class

A "root" type class. Objects that belong to a root class can be used only on the current node. With the root class, disks connected to the current node, including system disks, can be registered.

root disk

A disk to which the root file system will be mounted. Also referred to as "boot disk."

root object

An object that belongs to a "root" class.

root volume

The volume mounted as the root file system.

SAN

An abbreviation for "Storage Area Network." It is a network connecting multiple servers and storage devices. Usually, Fibre Channel is deployed for connection.

SAN boot

The function that boots the OS from a disk array unit connected to the SAN instead of an internal disk.

scope

One of the class attributes. The scope indicates a group of nodes on which objects of the class are available.

SDX disk

A disk registered with a disk class. SDX disks may be called single disks, keep disks, spare disks, and undefined disks according to their usage. SDX disks may be called "disks."

SDX object

A virtual resource managed by GDS. SDX objects are the generic term for classes, groups, disks, volumes, and slices. SDX objects may be called "objects."

sector

See "block."

shadow class

A collection of shadow objects. Disk classes and shadow classes may be called "classes" collectively. Physical disks managed as SDX disks in another domain and those as the hard copy destinations of SDX disk data copied with disk unit copy functions can be registered with a shadow class and accordingly can be managed and accessed as shadow objects. Objects that belong to a shadow class can be used only on the current node.

shadow disk

A disk registered with a shadow class. SDX disks and shadow disks may be called "disks" collectively.

shadow group

A group created in a shadow class. The shadow group is a collection of shadow disks and lower shadow groups. Disk groups and shadow groups may be called "groups" collectively.

shadow object

A virtual resource managed by GDS. Shadow objects are the generic term for shadow classes, shadow groups, shadow disks, shadow volumes, and shadow slices. These shadow objects are available on a node where GDS Snapshot has been implemented. SDX objects and shadow objects may be called "objects" collectively.

shadow slice

The slice that composes a shadow volume. Logical slices and shadow slices may be called "slices" collectively.

shadow volume

A volume created in a shadow group. Logical volumes and shadow volumes may be called "volumes" collectively.

shared class

A "shared" type class. Objects that belong to a shared class are available on multiple nodes. With the shared class, disks connected to multiple nodes, including the current node, can be registered. Shared classes are also the units of resources used by cluster applications.

shared objects

An object that belongs to a "shared" class.

single disk

An SDX disk which does not belong to any group and is capable of creating single volumes.

single node

A node that is not Cluster System configuration.

single slice

A logical slice that consists a single volume. Single volume consists of one single slice. It is also a series of physically continued block in a single disk.

single volume

A volume that is created within a single disk that does not belong to a group. Its data is not made redundant.

size of a group

The total of available size of a group and the size of one private slice.

slice

  1. A logical slice.

  2. The generic term for logical slices and shadow slices.

snapshot

To create a replica of a volume at a certain moment in another. It is also a created replica. GDS provides snapshot functions by slice detachment and by proxy volumes. Through use of proxy volumes, snapshot by synchronization and instant snapshot by OPC are available.

snapshot by slice detachment

To create a snapshot of a volume at a moment to a slice by detaching a slice from a mirror volume temporarily. Also it is a created snapshot.

snapshot by synchronization

To create a snapshot of a master at a moment to a proxy by parting the master and proxy which were previously joined and synchronized. Also it is a created snapshot.

soft copy

To copy disk data, using the GDS 's driver.

spare disk

A reserved disk to recover mirroring when a mirrored disk fails.
When an I/O error is detected in a disk belonging to a mirror group or its lower level group, this spare disk will automatically be connected to recover normal mirroring.

SRDF

Dell EMC's software. An abbreviation for Symmetrix Remote Data Facility. Using Symmetrix hardware functions, disk data is copied between Symmetrix cases. For details see the SRDF manual.

start volume

To make volume accessible.

stop volume

To make volume inaccessible.

Storage Area Network

See "SAN."

stripe column

Disks and lower level groups by which striping is conducted. In other words, disks and lower level groups belonging to a stripe group.

stripe group

A disk group whose type attribute is "stripe." This is a group of disks and lower level groups by which striping is conducted.

stripe volume

A volume that is created within a stripe group. Stripe volume can distribute the I/O load among multiple disks with its striping function. Its data will not be redundant.

stripe width

The size of divided data when striping.

striping

To divide data into a certain size and then allocate the divided data alternately to multiple slices. Striping distributes the I/O load across multiple physical disks.

swap

To swap the slices comprising master and proxy that are joined and synchronized.

switch

Disk switch.

switch group

A group of the switch type. This is a gathering of an active disk and an inactive disk that are switched.

switch slice

An operating logical slice comprising a switch volume. A switch volume consists of one switch slice. The switch slice is a gathering of physically continuous blocks in the active disk that belongs to the switch group.

switch volume

A volume created in a switch group. With the disk switch function, the roles of the active and inactive disks can be switched. Data will not be redundant.

Symmetrix

Storage devices from Dell EMC.
For details, refer to a guide to Symmetrix.

synchronization

The state when mirroring is operating normally.
Or, a state when the master and proxy data are the same.

synchronization copying

To copy data from a volume to an attached slice in order to make a mirrored state or to increase the multiplicity of the mirroring configuration, or to copy data between a master and a proxy in order to make their contents equivalent.

synchronized

The state when synchronization is maintained.

system disk

The disk that contains Solaris running on the system. It refers to the entire disk containing slice operating as one of the following file systems (or a swap area).

/, /usr, /var, or a swap area

system volume

The volume currently running as one of the following file systems (or a swap area).

/, /usr, /var, or a swap area

the highest level group

A group that does not belong to any other group. Volumes can be created within the highest level group.

the highest level shadow group

A shadow group that does not belong to another shadow group. A shadow volume can be created in the highest level shadow group.

TimeFinder

Dell EMC's software. Using Symmetrix hardware functions, disk data is copied within a Symmetrix case. For details see the TimeFinder manual.

undefined disk

An SDX disk that is neither a single disk, keep disk or a spare disk. Its usage is not specified yet.

update

To copy (overwrite) data from a master to a parted proxy. The updated proxy is a snapshot that retains an image of the master at a certain moment.

volume

  1. A logical volume.

  2. The generic term for logical volumes and shadow volumes.

VTOC

Abbreviation for Volume Table Of Contents and one for the format of a disk label.

Web-Based Admin View

Software for system operation and management using the Web screen.
For details, see "Web-Based Admin View Operation Guide."

ZFS Mirroring

This is one of the methods to mirror the system disks by combining GDS and ZFS. It configures a ZFS storage pool with GDS's two single volumes (or two mirror volumes with a multiplicity of 1). The disk is made redundant by the ZFS mirroring function.