AX4-5 FAQs

Table Of Contents
Welcome! ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 Finding Information .................................................................................................................................. 1 Search Tips.............................................................................................................................................. 1 Printing Topics ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Top AX4-5 Questions.................................................................................................................................... 2 How do I change the storage system password? .................................................................................... 2 How do I recover a lost password? .......................................................................................................... 2 How do I change the IP address of a storage system SP? ...................................................................... 2 How do I update the AX4-5 Series software? .......................................................................................... 3 How do I uninitialize an AX-series storage system? ................................................................................ 3 Hardware........................................................................................................................................................ 4 What are the best configurations for high availability? ............................................................................. 4 Where is the Power button?..................................................................................................................... 4 Where is the storage system serial number label located?...................................................................... 4 How do I connect a serial cable between the storage system and a server?........................................... 5 How do I connect another host bus adapter (HBA) to the storage system?............................................. 5 How do I remove a host bus adapter (HBA) from the server? ................................................................. 5 How do I connect an additional server to an AX4-5 storage system?...................................................... 6 How do I uninitialize an AX-series storage system? ................................................................................ 6 How do I change the IP address of a storage system SP? ...................................................................... 6 How do I start a HyperTerminal session? ................................................................................................ 7 Software......................................................................................................................................................... 8 How do I update the AX4-5 Series software? .......................................................................................... 8 How do I upgrade to Navisphere Manager? ............................................................................................ 8 Navisphere Express...................................................................................................................................... 9 How do I open Navisphere Express?....................................................................................................... 9 How do I recover a lost password? .......................................................................................................... 9 How do I create a username and password?..........................................................................................10 How do I change the storage system password? ...................................................................................10 How do I change the IP address of a storage system SP? .....................................................................11 How do I enable the cache on the storage system? ...............................................................................11 Navisphere Initialization Utility ...................................................................................................................12 How do I start the Navisphere Initialization Utility? .................................................................................12 Navisphere Manager ....................................................................................................................................13 How do I upgrade to Navisphere Manager? ...........................................................................................13 Navisphere Server Utility.............................................................................................................................14 How do I start the Navisphere Server Utility? .........................................................................................14 PowerPath ....................................................................................................................................................15 Do I need a license key when I install PowerPath? ................................................................................15 How do I open PowerPath? ....................................................................................................................15

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Table Of Contents

Rebooting and Shutting Down....................................................................................................................16 How do I reboot a storage processor (SP)?............................................................................................16 How do I reboot the storage system? .....................................................................................................16 How do I shut down the storage system? ...............................................................................................16 Disk Management ........................................................................................................................................17 How do I add storage capacity to a server?............................................................................................17 How do I create a disk pool?...................................................................................................................18 How do I create a virtual disk?................................................................................................................18 How do I make a disk available to the operating system? ......................................................................19 How do I remove (destroy) a virtual disk from the storage system? .......................................................19 Why cant I destroy a disk pool that has no virtual disks? .......................................................................20 Snapshots.....................................................................................................................................................21 How do I create a snapshot for a backup?..............................................................................................21 How do I script backups using the snapshots feature? ...........................................................................22 Performance Problems................................................................................................................................25 How do I diagnose performance problems? ...........................................................................................25

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AX4-5 Frequently Asked Questions Welcome!

We have compiled answers to many questions that our technical support representatives are often asked about the AX4-5. If you are looking for an answer to a question, this is the place to start.

Finding Information
Use the navigation pane on the left side of the window to find answers to your questions: To view questions by category, click FAQs. To see a list of questions for a particular category, click the category name (or ) to expand it. To collapse a category, click the category name (or ) again. . You can To search for a word or phrase, click Search, type a phrase in the box, and then click also type a word or phrase in the Search box in the toolbar. The browser displays the results of your search in the Search pane.

Search Tips
Searches are not case-sensitive. You can search for any combination of letters and numbers. Punctuation marks (such as periods, commas, or hyphens) are ignored. Hint When searching for a filename that has an extension, enclose the filename in quotation marks (example: "filename.htm"). Otherwise, the period will break the filename into two separate terms. To narrow your search, you can use the boolean operators AND, OR, NOT, and NEAR. The default operation between terms is "AND." To search for... All of the words in your query Any of the words in your query The first word without the second word Both words in your query, within 8 words of each other Use... AND OR NOT NEAR Example IP AND address AND gateway HBA OR iSCSI disk NOT virtual snapshot NEAR backup

Printing Topics
To print a single topic: Click in the content pane, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and then click Print. To print all of the FAQs: 1. 2. In the toolbar, click Print All FAQs to open a printable PDF file. In Adobe Reader, click File > Print, or click the Print button in the toolbar.

Top AX4-5 Questions

How do I change the storage system password?
You change the storage system password in Navisphere Express by doing the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open Navisphere Express. Click System > Settings. Click the Change Password button. Enter all of the information requested in the Change Password window. Click Apply to accept the new password, or Cancel to keep the current password.

How do I recover a lost password?

In Navisphere Express, you cannot retrieve or reset a lost password. You must clear security settings and create a new username and password.

How do I change the IP address of a storage system SP?

Caution The SP will reboot when you make changes to its network parameters. To change the IP address of a storage system SP: 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Navisphere Express. In the navigation pane under System, click Settings. Click Network Settings to open the Network Settings page. In the IP address box, enter a new IP address, and then click Apply.

Note For detailed information, refer to the Navisphere Express online help.

Top AX4-5 Questions

How do I update the AX4-5 Series software?

Things to consider when updating AX4-5 Series software Make sure that the upgrade complies with the version restrictions and conditions defined in the EMC Support Matrix, EMC CLARiiON AX4-5 Support Matrix. To access this document, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. Before doing any upgrade, in Navisphere Express, make sure that: There are no faulted components. There are no running snapshots. All virtual disks are normal. Updating software on the storage system FLARE OE and Navisphere Express For instructions on upgrading FLARE OE and Navisphere Express on your storage system, go to the Service & Support page of the AX4-5 Support website, click Upgrade, and answer the questions that appear, selecting Upgrade FLARE OE as the upgrade type. Navisphere Manager For instructions on upgrading from Navisphere Express to Navisphere Manager, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Upgrade to Navisphere Manager list, select Upgrade to Manager guide. Updating software on the server Navisphere Initialization Utility and Navisphere Server Utility For detailed information on installing the Navisphere Initialization Utility or the Navisphere Server Utility, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Attach a host (server) list, select Svr Products Install for your operating system. PowerPath For detailed information on installing PowerPath, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Attach a host (server) list, select the PowerPath Install Guide for your operating system.

How do I uninitialize an AX-series storage system?

Uninitializing a storage system essentially means restoring the storage system to its factory settings, which is not a customer-supported operation. If you still want to perform this operation, please log a service request with your service provider. What do you want to do? Recover a lost password Create a username and password Change the storage system password Change the IP address of a storage system SP

Hardware
What are the best configurations for high availability?
Always refer to the EMC Support Matrix, EMC CLARiiON AX4-5 Support Matrix, for information about supported configurations and EMC recommendations. To access this document, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system.

Where is the Power button?

The following illustrations show the location of the Power button found on the rear of your storage system.

Figure 1

Power button on a single-SP system

Figure 2

Power buttons on a dual-SP system

Note Make sure to follow the instructions for powering up and powering down the storage system included in the AX4-5 Series Hardware and Operational Overview manual. To access this document, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system.

Where is the storage system serial number label located?

The storage system serial number that appears in your management software is also located on a blue label on the rear of the enclosure chassis, in the lower right corner. Figure 1 shows the label's position on the chassis.

Figure 1

Hardware

How do I connect a serial cable between the storage system and a server?
Connect the service serial cable between a server's or laptop's COM 1 or COM 2 port and the service port of the SP that does not boot. Note The service port is labeled with a wrench icon.

How do I connect another host bus adapter (HBA) to the storage system?
To connect another server HBA to the storage system and verify that it includes this new path to the AX storage system: 1. Install and configure the HBA as described in the adapter and server documentation. For detailed procedures on installing HBAs: Go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. On the home page, click Install, then click the Install link under the Create customized planning or installation documentation section of the page, and answer the questions. For storage-system status, select Existing, and for server status, select New. For Emulex HBAs: Go to http:// www.emulex.com and click Downloads > EMC, and select the applicable HBA model. For QLogic HBAs: Go to http://www.qlogic.com and click Downloads > EMC > EMC CLARiiON AX Series supported software, and select the applicable HBA model. 2. Start the Navisphere Server Utility and click Update to update all connected storage systems with the server information. For more information, see the Navisphere Server Utility online help. 3. 4. Open PowerPath and verify that the new paths to the new HBA appear. If the new paths did not show up in PowerPath, reboot the server.

How do I remove a host bus adapter (HBA) from the server?

Note In a single-HBA environment, you will lose all connections between the server and the storage system. In a dual-HBA environment, you will lose path redundancy to that server. To remove an HBA from the server: 1. 2. 3. 4. Shut down the server that contains the HBA. Unplug all network connections to the HBA. Delete the old HBA registration entry from the Navisphere Express Connections page. Remove the HBA from the server as described in the server and HBA documentation. For Emulex HBAs: Go to http:// www.emulex.com and click Downloads > EMC, and select the applicable HBA model. For QLogic HBAs: Go to http://www.qlogic.com and click Downloads > EMC > EMC CLARiiON AX Series supported software, and select the applicable HBA model. 5. Boot the server as described in the server documentation.

AX4-5 FAQs

How do I connect an additional server to an AX4-5 storage system?

Note For detailed information on installing a server and storage system, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. On the home page, click Install, then click the Install link under the Create customized planning or installation documentation section of the page, and answer the questions. For storage-system status, select Existing, and for server status, select New. To connect an additional server to an AX4-5 storage system: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Install any host-bus adapters (HBAs) in the server. Install all network connections between the additional server and the storage system. Power up the server. Install the HBA drivers. Install the PowerPath software. Install the Navisphere Server Utility on the server. Reboot the server. Start the Navisphere Server Utility and register the server. Open Navisphere Express, create virtual disks and assign them to the server.

How do I uninitialize an AX-series storage system?

Uninitializing a storage system essentially means restoring the storage system to its factory settings, which is not a customer-supported operation. If you still want to perform this operation, please log a service request with your service provider. What do you want to do? Recover a lost password Create a username and password Change the storage system password Change the IP address of a storage system SP

How do I change the IP address of a storage system SP?

Caution The SP will reboot when you make changes to its network parameters. To change the IP address of a storage system SP: 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Navisphere Express. In the navigation pane under System, click Settings. Click Network Settings to open the Network Settings page. In the IP address box, enter a new IP address, and then click Apply.

Note For detailed information, refer to the Navisphere Express online help.

Hardware

How do I start a HyperTerminal session?

A HyperTerminal session lets you interact with a device connected over a COM port, such as a storage processor (SP). Note Before starting a HyperTerminal session, make sure that you have a serial connection between the server and the storage system. To start a HyperTerminal session: 1. 2. 3. 4. In Microsoft Windows, click Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal. In the Connection Description dialog box, enter a name for the connection (for example, AX4-5), and click OK. From the Connect using drop-down list, select either COM1 or COM2, and click OK. Select the following settings, and click OK. Bits per second: 9600 Data bits: 8 Parity: None Stop bits: 1 Flow control: None As you can see from the timer displayed in the lower left corner of the window, the HyperTerminal session is now running. Use this session to communicate with the SP.

Software
How do I update the AX4-5 Series software?
Things to consider when updating AX4-5 Series software Make sure that the upgrade complies with the version restrictions and conditions defined in the EMC Support Matrix, EMC CLARiiON AX4-5 Support Matrix. To access this document, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. Before doing any upgrade, in Navisphere Express, make sure that: There are no faulted components. There are no running snapshots. All virtual disks are normal. Updating software on the storage system FLARE OE and Navisphere Express For instructions on upgrading FLARE OE and Navisphere Express on your storage system, go to the Service & Support page of the AX4-5 Support website, click Upgrade, and answer the questions that appear, selecting Upgrade FLARE OE as the upgrade type. Navisphere Manager For instructions on upgrading from Navisphere Express to Navisphere Manager, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Upgrade to Navisphere Manager list, select Upgrade to Manager guide. Updating software on the server Navisphere Initialization Utility and Navisphere Server Utility For detailed information on installing the Navisphere Initialization Utility or the Navisphere Server Utility, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Attach a host (server) list, select Svr Products Install for your operating system. PowerPath For detailed information on installing PowerPath, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Attach a host (server) list, select the PowerPath Install Guide for your operating system.

How do I upgrade to Navisphere Manager?

For instructions on upgrading from Navisphere Express to Navisphere Manager, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Upgrade to Navisphere Manager list, select Upgrade to Manager guide.

Software

Navisphere Express
How do I open Navisphere Express?
To open Navisphere Express: 1. 2. 3. Open an Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, on the server or on any host with access to the LAN on which the storage system resides. Enter the IP address of a Storage Processor (SP) on the storage system Log in to Navisphere Express, entering the username and password that was assigned to the storage system when it was initialized.

How do I recover a lost password?

In Navisphere Express, you cannot retrieve or reset a lost password. You must clear security settings and create a new username and password.

AX4-5 FAQs

How do I create a username and password?

To create a new username and password, complete the following steps: 1. On an SP, press the white security button to the far right of the power button to put the SP in a special reset state (Figure 1). The amber SP fault light turns on. The special reset state gives you 15 minutes to reset the storage systems security settings. This 15-minute window stays active until one of the following occurs: You log in to the storage system with a valid username and password. You create a new user account. You modify an existing user account. The 15 minutes is up.

Figure 1 2. a. b. c. d. 3. 4. 5.

Security button on each SP (dual-SP system shown)

After 2 minutes, start Navisphere Express on the storage system: Open an Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Mozilla, on the management host. Enter the IP address of an SP in the storage system. This address is the one that you assigned when you initialized the storage system. Either log in to Navisphere Express as you normally would or without a username and password.

In the navigation pane, under System, click Settings. In the System Settings pane, select User Management. Modify or create user accounts; then exit Navisphere Express. For detailed information on modifying or creating user accounts, refer to the Navisphere Express online help.

6.

Test the new credentials by restarting Navisphere Express and logging in to it with the new username and password.

How do I change the storage system password?

You change the storage system password in Navisphere Express by doing the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open Navisphere Express. Click System > Settings. Click the Change Password button. Enter all of the information requested in the Change Password window. Click Apply to accept the new password, or Cancel to keep the current password.

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Software

How do I change the IP address of a storage system SP?

Caution The SP will reboot when you make changes to its network parameters. To change the IP address of a storage system SP: 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Navisphere Express. In the navigation pane under System, click Settings. Click Network Settings to open the Network Settings page. In the IP address box, enter a new IP address, and then click Apply.

Note For detailed information, refer to the Navisphere Express online help.

How do I enable the cache on the storage system?

To enable the cache (cache memory card), reboot the storage system. Note You cannot enable write caching for single-controller AX4-Series storage systems. To find the current state of the cache: 1. 2. 3. Open Navisphere Express. Click View > Components. Check the current state of the cache.

Note If this does not work, you may need to replace the cache memory card. Replacing the card automatically enables the cache. To replace a cache memory card, refer to the AX4-5 Series Support website as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system.

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AX4-5 FAQs

Navisphere Initialization Utility

How do I start the Navisphere Initialization Utility?
Microsoft Windows To start a pre-installed copy of the Navisphere Initialization Utility, click Start > Programs > EMC > Navisphere > Navisphere Storage System Initialization. -orTo run the Navisphere Initialization Utility from the AX4-5 Series Service Support CD that shipped with the AX4-5 storage system: 1. 2. 3. Insert the CD into the CD ROM drive of the server that does not see the virtual disks. From the main menu of the AX4-5 Series Server Support CD, click Run Products from the CD. On the Run Products screen, click Navisphere Storage System Initialization Utility. This opens the Navisphere Storage System Initialization Wizard dialog box. Note If a File Download or similar dialog box appears, click Run. Linux To start the Navisphere Initialization Utility on a Linux server, enter: cd /opt/Navisphere/bin ./naviinittoolcli Novell NetWare To start the Navisphere Initialization Utility on a NetWare server, enter: load sys:\emc\naviinit\naviinit

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Software

Navisphere Manager
How do I upgrade to Navisphere Manager?
For instructions on upgrading from Navisphere Express to Navisphere Manager, go to the Install page of the AX4-5 Support website. In the Upgrade to Navisphere Manager list, select Upgrade to Manager guide.

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AX4-5 FAQs

Navisphere Server Utility

How do I start the Navisphere Server Utility?
Microsoft Windows To start a pre-installed copy of the Navisphere Server Utility, click Start > Programs > EMC > Navisphere > Navisphere Server Utility. -orTo run the Navisphere Server Utility from the AX4-5 Series Service Support CD that shipped with the AX4-5 storage system: 1. 2. 3. Insert the CD into the CD ROM drive of the server that does not see the virtual disks. From the main menu of the AX4-5 Series Service Support CD, click Run Products from the CD. On the Run Products screen, click Navisphere Server Utility. This opens the Navisphere Server Utility dialog box. Note If a File Download or similar dialog box appears, click Run. The Navisphere Server Utility automatically scans for connected AX4-5 Series storage systems and displays a list of the ones that it finds under Connected Storage Systems. Linux To start the Navisphere Server Utility on a Linux server, enter: cd /opt/Navisphere/bin ./naviserverutil The Navisphere Server Utility automatically scans for connected AX4-5 Series storage systems and displays a list of the ones that it finds under Connected Storage Systems. Novell NetWare To start the Navisphere Server Utility on a NetWare server, enter: load sys:\emc\navihost\navihost The Navisphere Server Utility automatically scans for connected AX4-5 Series storage systems and displays a list of the ones that it finds under Connected Storage Systems.

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Software

PowerPath
Do I need a license key when I install PowerPath?
The EMC PowerPath kit that ships with an AX4-5 series storage system does not include a license key because a key for AX4-5 systems is bundled with the software. Refer to the table below for the PowerPath requirements to provide path management (path failover and load balancing) for all storage systems attached to the same host as an AX4-5 series storage system. Note PowerPath iSCSI 1.1 does not include load balancing. Storage systems attached to the host One AX4-5 Multiple AX4-5 AX4-5 and AX150 and/or AX100 AX4-5 and CX4-120 and/or CX3-10c AX4-5 and CX300 and/or CX300i* AX4-5 and CX4, CX, and/or CX3** For path management for all storage systems attached to the host... Install the version of PowerPath that shipped with the AX4-5 storage system. No license key is required. Install the highest version of PowerPath that shipped with any of the storage systems. No license key is required. Install the highest version of PowerPath that shipped with any of the storage systems. No license key is required. Install the highest version of PowerPath that shipped with any of the storage systems and the license key that shipped with that version. Install the highest version of PowerPath that shipped with any of the storage systems and the license key that shipped with that version. Purchase and install PowerPath and the license key that shipped with it.

* Only for CX300 and CX300i storage systems purchased after February 9, 2007 ** All CX4-, CX-, and CX3-series storage systems except the CX4-120 and the CX3-10c, and all CX300 and CX300i storage systems purchased before February 10, 2007

How do I open PowerPath?

Microsoft Windows To open PowerPath on the Windows desktop, click Start > Programs > EMC > PowerPath > PowerPath Administrator. Linux PowerPath for Linux consists of a set of powermt CLI commands that you can use to monitor path conditions. Note For information on powermt commands, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. Novell NetWare PowerPath for NetWare consists of a set of powermt CLI commands that you can use to monitor path conditions. Note For information on powermt commands, go to the AX4-5 Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system.

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Rebooting and Shutting Down

How do I reboot a storage processor (SP)?
Note For detailed information, refer to the Navisphere Express online help. To reboot an SP: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Stop all I/O to the SP that you want to reboot.. Open Navisphere Express. Click System > Services. Click the Reboot button. Select either SP A or SP B to reboot.

Note If you reboot the SP that you are running Navisphere Express on, you will lose the Navisphere Express session. Wait several minutes before trying to reconnect to Navisphere Express.

How do I reboot the storage system?

This procedure describes how to reboot the entire storage system. If you want to reboot only one SP, see How do I reboot a storage processor (SP)? Note For detailed information, refer to the Navisphere Express online help. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Stop all server I/O to the storage system. Open Navisphere Express. Click System > Services. Click the Reboot button. Click the Storage System button. The storage system will shutdown and then power up. Wait at least 3 minutes before trying to access the storage system through Navisphere Express.

How do I shut down the storage system?

Notes: Do not power down the uninterruptible power supply (UPS). For detailed information, refer to the Navisphere Express online help. To shut down the storage system: 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Navisphere Express. Click System > Services. Click the Shutdown button. In the System Shutdown window, click Shutdown to shut the storage system down, or Cancel to leave it running. Note A message stating that the storage system is shutting down and powering off is displayed. If the storage system does not shut down within 2 minutes, press the Power button on the storage system. If the storage system still does not power down, unplug all power cords from the storage system power supplies. Do not remove the power supplies!

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Disk Management
How do I add storage capacity to a server?
The following steps are a brief outline of how to add storage capacity. You may have already performed some of the following tasks. See the appropriate procedure for your operating system. For detailed information on configuring an existing storage system and preparing disks to receive data, go to the AX4-5 Series Support website as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. Click the appropriate link to open the installation document for your connection and operating system. For detailed information on PowerPath and powermt commands, go to the AX4-5 Series Support website as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. Microsoft Windows 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Linux 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. If needed, add new drives to the storage system. If needed, create a hot spare using Navisphere Express. If needed, create an additional disk pool on the drives using Navisphere Express. Create additional virtual disks using Navisphere Express. Assign the new virtual disks to the server using Navisphere Express. Verify that the new virtual disks were assigned to the server using Navisphere Express. On the server, verify that all virtual disks have entries in the /proc/scsi/scsi directory and in the file for the HBA in the /proc/scsi directory. On the server, verify that PowerPath sees all of the paths to the virtual disks. Use the powermt command: powermt display dev=all class=clariion 9. Make the virtual disk available to the operating system. Partition the disk and then create and mount a file system. If needed, add new drives to the storage system. If needed, create a hot spare using Navisphere Express. If needed, create an additional disk pool on the drives using Navisphere Express. Create additional virtual disks on the disk pools using Navisphere Express. Assign the new virtual disks to the server using Navisphere Express. Verify that the new virtual disks were assigned to the server using Navisphere Express. On the server, start PowerPath and verify that PowerPath sees all of the paths to the virtual disks. Prepare the virtual disks to receive data. Run the Navisphere Server Utility to register the storage system information with the server.

10. Verify the configuration using PowerPath.

10. Run the Navisphere Server Utility to register the storage system information with the server. 11. Save the PowerPath configuration using the powermt save command. 12. Verify the configuration using the powermt display command. Novell NetWare 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. If needed, add new drives to the storage system. If needed, create an additional disk pool on the drives using Navisphere Express. If needed, create additional virtual disks using Navisphere Express. Assign the new virtual disks to the server using Navisphere Express. Verify that the new virtual disks were assigned to the server using Navisphere Express. On the server, verify that PowerPath sees all of the paths to the virtual disks. Use the powermt command: powermt display dev=all class=clariion

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AX4-5 FAQs

7. 8.

Create NWFS partitions or volumes on the virtual disks. Make the virtual disk available to the operating system. On the virtual disks, you will either create and mount NWFS partitions, or create and mount NetWare NWFS volumes, or create and mount NetWare NSS partitions or volumes. Save the PowerPath configuration using the powermt save command.

9.

How do I create a disk pool?

Note For detailed information on creating a disk pool, refer to the Navisphere Express online help. The following steps briefly outline how to create a disk pool: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open Navisphere Express. Click Manage > Disk Pools. Click Create New Disk Pool. Select the disks for the new pool, and click Apply. Continue by creating virtual disks as needed.

How do I create a virtual disk?

Notes: Adding a virtual disk can take a long time! For detailed information on creating a disk pool, refer to the Navisphere Express online help. The following steps briefly outline how to create a new virtual disk: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Open Navisphere Express. Click Manage > Virtual Disks. Click Create New Virtual Disk. Select the disk pool, define the disk name and size, and select the server to assign the disk to. Click Apply.

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Disk Management

How do I make a disk available to the operating system?

The following steps roughly outline how to make a virtual disk available to the operating system. The process is operating system dependent. This procedure assumes that you have already created the virtual disk. Note For detailed information on making disks available to the operating system, go to the AX4-5 Series Support home page as described in the support information that shipped with your storage system. On the AX4-5 Series home page, click Install, and then click the appropriate link to open the installation document for your connection and operating system. Microsoft Windows 1. 2. 3. Linux 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. Open Navisphere Express, click Help Center, and follow the procedure for "Preparing virtual disks to receive data" for Linux. Partition the virtual disk. Create and mount a file system on the partition. Open Navisphere Express, click Help Center, and follow the procedure for "Preparing virtual disks to receive data" for NetWare. Create NetWare partitions on the virtual disks. Create and mount volumes. Open Navisphere Express, click Help Center, and follow the procedure for "Preparing virtual disks to receive data" for Microsoft Windows. Write a signature to the disk and upgrade it to a dynamic disk. Create either partitions for a basic disk or volumes for a dynamic disk.

Novell NetWare

How do I remove (destroy) a virtual disk from the storage system?

To destroy (remove) a virtual disk from the storage system: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Make sure that any needed data is copied from the virtual disk to another location. Remove any operating system access to the disks. Remove any partitions or volumes. Open Navisphere Express. Click Manage > Virtual Disks. Select the disk to remove (destroy). Make sure that it is the disk that you want to destroy. Click the Destroy Virtual Disk button. Warning All the data on the virtual disk will be destroyed and cannot be restored. Click No to cancel the disk destruction and return to the Virtual Disk Details page, or click Yes to destroy the virtual disk.

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AX4-5 FAQs

Why cant I destroy a disk pool that has no virtual disks?

Verify the state of the disk pool. In Navisphere Express, open the Manage Disk Pool page. If the state of the disk pool is Unused, the disk pool is empty, and you should be able to delete it. If the state is Normal, the disk pool is not empty. There are either snapshot resources or virtual disk expansion resources remaining on the disk pool. If you still want to destroy the disk pool, you must determine which snapshot or expanded virtual disk is causing the problem and destroy it. Navisphere Express does not explicitly identify the snapshot or expanded virtual disk, but it does provide information that will help you make that determination. Determining if snapshot disk resources are on the disk pool When you prepare a snapshot, Navisphere Express attempts to allocate 20% of the source virtual disks capacity (in increments of 10 Gbytes) to the snapshot disk resources. It attempts to create the disk resources in the same disk pool as the source virtual disk, but if that disk pool has less than 10 Gbytes of free space, it creates the disk resources in a different disk pool. It is these disk resources of that are preventing you from destroying the disk pool. 1. 2. In Navisphere Express, open the Manage Disk Pools page. Determine how much free space is available in the disk pool in which the snapshots source virtual disk resides. Note To list the virtual disks in a disk pool, click the name of the disk pool. 3. If there is less that 10Gbytes of space available in the disk pool, it is very likely that snapshot disk resources have overflowed to another disk pool (the disk pool you are trying to destroy).To destroy this disk pool, you would need to destroy all the snapshots that have their source LUNs in the disk pool with reduced capacity. We recommend that you do not destroy the disk pool until you are sure that you can destroy the snapshots. Note For step-by-step instructions on destroying a snapshot, refer to the Navisphere Express online help. Determining if expanded virtual disk resources are on the disk pool Important When you destroy a virtual disk, you destroy all the virtual disks data. The data cannot be recovered. When you expand a virtual disk, a portion of the added capacity may reside on a disk pool other than the disk pool on which the source virtual disk resides (a normal virtual disk not expanded cannot reside on two different disk pools). If this condition exists, Navisphere Express lists the names of both disk pools in the Virtual Disk Details page. 1. 2. 3. In Navisphere Express, open the Manage Disk Pools page, and then click the name of the disk pool you are unable to destroy. On the Disk Pool Details page, click the name of the virtual disk that might be an expanded virtual disk. On the Virtual Disk Details page, look to see if the virtual disk resides on more than one disk pool, and if one of the disk pools is the one that you are unable to destroy. If yes, then this is an expanded virtual disk. You will need to destroy this virtual disk before you destroy the disk pool. If no, click the browsers Back button to return to the Disk Pool Details page, and go back to step 2.

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Snapshots
How do I create a snapshot for a backup?
This page outlines how to create a snapshot point-in-time copy for a backup. Managing snapshots is done through Navisphere Express using a browser. Note For detailed information on snapshots, open Navisphere Express and click Help Center to open the Navisphere Express online help. Once in the online help, click Managing your storage environment > Managing snapshots. To prepare to take a snapshot: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Open Navisphere Express. Click Manage > Snapshots. In the Manage Snapshots pane, click Prepare New Snapshot. Select the virtual disk(s) for which you want to create a snapshot. Assign a server to the snapshot. Click Apply to allocate the snapshot disk resources. Wait until the snapshots state is Ready. Continue as described in the snapshot pages in the Navisphere Express online help to: Start a snapshot. Access a snapshot. Remove access to a snapshot. Stop a snapshot. Destroy a snapshot.

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AX4-5 FAQs

How do I script backups using the snapshots feature?

This FAQ explains how to automate backups by performing the following tasks: Preparing servers Preparing a snapshot on the storage system Performing AdmSnap commands on the attached servers as a proof of concept Creating a script using the AdmSnap commands Creating a batch file with the AdmSnap scripts Scheduling a batch file to run periodically Preparing Servers To use the snapshot feature, you must configure two serversone hosts the source and the other mounts the snapshot of that source. 1. 2. Set up your AX-Series storage system as outlined and detailed on the documentation CD or website. Configure two servers. In the example below, there are two hostsa production server and a backup server. The production server should have a virtual disk created and assigned to it. In this example, the production server has mounted the virtual disk as the S: drive.

Preparing a Snapshot on the Storage System 1. 2. 3. 4. Open Navisphere Express. In the navigation pane, under Manage, click Snapshots. Click Prepare New Snapshot, and follow the on-screen instructions. The State field on the screen that appears shows the percent complete. Once the State field indicates Ready, proceed to the next section to learn how to use the AdmSnap Utility on the server to manage the snapshot.

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Snapshots

Performing AdmSnap Commands on the Attached ServersProof of Concept 1. Open a Command Prompt window on the production server with the source virtual disk, and type the following AdmSnap command to start your snapshot: admsnap_win2k3 start -s snapsession -o x: where x is the drive letter assigned to the virtual disk on the production server. 2. Open a Command Prompt window on the destination server, and type the following AdmSnap command to make your snapshot accessible: admsnap_win2k3 activate -s snapsession -d x: where x is the drive letter assigned to the virtual disk on the destination server. 3. Double-click My Computer. A new T: drive is now available.

The contents of the T: drive is a snapshot of the previously mentioned S: drive.

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AX4-5 FAQs

Creating a Script Using the AdmSnap Commands Note Scripting is not supported by EMC; it is a Microsoft feature. Once you see that the AdmSnap commands work, create the scripts and schedule them using Windows scheduler. For this backup scenario, we created 3 scriptsone for the production server and two for the backup server: Production server script. The virtual disk assigned to the production server is mounted on the S: drive. This script is run about 5 minutes before the scheduled backup. admsnap_win2k3 stop -s snapsession -o s: admsnap_win2k3 start -s snapsession -o s: Backup server activate script. The snapshot assigned to the production server is mounted on the T: drive. This script is run about 1 minute before the scheduled backup. The backup server will back up the T drive. admsnap_win2k3 activate -s snapsession -d t: Backup server deactivate script. This script is run after the scheduled backup is complete, or just before the next backup is started. admsnap_win2k3 deactivate -s snapsession Creating a Batch File with the AdmSnap Scripts 1. Double-click My Computer, browse to the Navisphere Server Utility directory, right-click in the window, and then click New > Text Document. The default location is C:\Program Files\EMC\Navisphere Server Utility (AX). 2. 3. 4. Rename the file with an extension of .bat to create the batch file, and then click Yes to confirm the action. Right-click on the new batch file, and then click Edit. Type the following commands in Notepad, and then save the file. admsnap_win2k3 stop -s snapsession -o s: admsnap_win2k3 start -s snapsession -o s: Scheduling a Batch File to Run Periodically 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Click Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks, and then doubleclick Add Scheduled Task. When the Scheduled Task Wizard opens, click Next, and then click Browse. Browse to the batch file in the Navisphere Server Utility (AX) folder, select the file, and then click Open. Select the frequency needed for the task, and then click Next. Complete the scheduling information, and then click Next. Enter your login information, click Next, and then click Finish.

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Performance Problems
How do I diagnose performance problems?
This page attempts to help you determine whether or not you have a performance problem and if you do, how you might correct it. Note If your Windows server contains network cards (NICs) attached to an iSCSI AX4-5 Series storage system, you may want to make a change to the Windows registry that will improve performance. For more information, contact your service provider. Do you have a performance loss problem? If your storage system seems to be running at a degraded speed, then you may have a performance loss problem. If you have performance loss, check the following factors: Have you made any changes that would affect performance? These changes might include adding new users or running disk-intensive applications. Are you rebuilding a disk? Are you binding a LUN? Are you performing backups? Performance loss will be apparent while performing backups; therefore, it is best to perform backups at a time when disk usage is low. Factors that require configuration information: Check the number of users on the storage system and the demand that the users have on it. If the storage system is supporting many users running disk-intensive applications, you will see a loss of performance. Reduce the number of users to obtain optimal performance. Look for some type of system failure: Run PowerPath and check for red icons indicating a problem. If you see red icons in PowerPath or encounter another problem, refer to the PowerPath documentation that shipped with your storage system. Check the LEDs on the storage system for system fault indicators. For information about LED indicators, refer to the hardware overview guide on the Learn page of the AX4-5 support website. In your management software, check for system fault alerts. To resolve the problem, follow the instructions in the alert. If the storage system is recovering from a failure, performance will be degraded until the recovery operation has completed. Recoveries such as rebuilding a disk consume storage-system access cycles. Note If you are running Navisphere Manager on a dual-processor AX4-5 storage system, you can use Navisphere Analyzer to do detailed performance analysis. Navisphere Analyzer is an optional product that must be purchased separately.

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