This section describes an overview of the major functions of this product for VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes.
In VMware environments with VMFS, recognizing volumes in VM hosts in order to configure the VMFS datastore, setting access paths (FC switch zoning and host affinity for the ETERNUS Disk storage system) between the VM host and the ETERNUS Disk storage system was required.
Even in VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes environments, access path settings are required. However, since a VVOL datastore is not a volume, unlike the previous host affinity setting, the host affinity setting is required so the VVOL datastore can be recognized.
This product offers the function to manage access paths between VM host and VVOL datastore as well as the function to manage access paths between ETERNUS Disk storage system and VM host.
From now on, access paths other than VVOL access path are referred to as "access path".
VVOL datastore is a logical area for locating Virtual Volumes created for the control of a virtual machine. In this product, one VVOL datastore is comprised of one Tier pool or multiple Tier pools. Where Tier pools in the VVOL datastore Virtual Volumes are located is automatically determined by a policy specified for the virtual machine.
In the End to End view (VMware), the relationship from virtual machines to Virtual Volumes is displayed, and detailed information of the components of each related device can be displayed.
Performance information for each Virtual Volume is collected from the ETERNUS Disk storage system, displayed in a graph, and the load status and performance analysis of each virtual machine is supported.
The structure of VM storage policies is a standard function of VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes. By preparing for the requirements of the virtual machine and storage device as a policy in advance, a VVOL datastore that meets the policy in accordance with various operations of the virtual machine (new virtual machine creation, snapshot, clone, Storage vMotion) can be selected.
In this product, by defining various settings for Automated Storage Tiering, Automated QoS, and virtual machine backup functions as a policy, VVOL datastores and Tier pools that satisfy the policy can be selected, and collective control can be enforced for created Virtual Volumes and virtual machines.
In an environment using VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes, by using the Advanced Copy function of the ETERNUS Disk storage system, the function to perform a high speed backup/restore for each virtual machine is provided.
The features of this function are as follows:
High speed copy that does not put load on the business systems.
By using the Advanced Copy function of the ETERNUS Disk storage system, backups that do not put load on virtual machines and business servers are possible.
Policy-based backup operation
By configuring a policy with VMware, backup operations are performed based on the policy.
The initial setting of the backup policy is performed by selecting a policy when creating a virtual machine on VMware. This helps reduce configuration mistakes.
Acquisition of a Snapshot backup and a Clone backup
The following two backups are acquired with data consistency ensured:
Snapshot backup using VMware Snapshot
Clone backup with a physical disk failure
In addition, Clone backup makes copies of the minimum amount of data using a differential copy (QuickOPC), thereby reducing the time spent on the physical copy.
Generation management of Snapshot backups
Snapshot generations are managed according to a set policy. Because unnecessary resources are automatically removed, efficient operation of storage resources is possible.
Auto execution of backups
Backups are executed according to the schedule set for the policy.
Purpose dependent restoration
Multiple restore methods are provided depending on the purpose.
Restore Snapshot backup
Use for recovery from logical data fault.
Restore Clone backup
Use for recovery from physical fault.
Single item restore
Use for recovery on a per file basis.
Note
The following functions do not support VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes.
Reporting function
Storage Cluster function
Backup management function
Replication management function
