Hi.
Yes, the ability to import existing volume groups when creating a partition was added in 8.6.3. So if you create a new volume group, or set of volume groups, as appropriate for the host/app environment, and move the existing volumes into those volume groups, you can then import that volume group when creating the partition. That will move the volume group, volumes and hosts into the partition. That's all non-disruptive; the host is unaware of any changes.
You could then either add HA onto the partition, with a view to removing the original copy later on (so you can reconfigure the original system when you're ready), or simply migrate the partition between systems. Version 8.7.3 would be recommended for partition migration, as it has GUI support and a much better user experience and workflow:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/sanvolumecontroller/8.7.x_cd?topic=migration-migrating-storage-partitions-between-systems
Note that at the moment, updating to 8.7.3 is not possible with data reduction pools ( release note here https://public.dhe.ibm.com/storage/san/sanvc/release_notes/873_releasenotes.html )so if you're looking to do this change very soon, before that restriction is lifted, you're perhaps better to plan to add and then remove HA using an earlier version.
Support for different host operating systems has been added to partitions over several releases, so be sure to check the product documentation for the host OS and protocols you intend to use, e.g.
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/sanvolumecontroller/8.7.x_cd?topic=availability-supported-host-operating-systems-high
Hope that helps,
Chris
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Chris Canto
Software Developer
IBM
Hursley
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Original Message:
Sent: Wed March 19, 2025 03:47 AM
From: Subodh Jaiswar
Subject: PBHA Between FS7300 and FS7200
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your reply, the existing hosts in the FS7200 are not partitioned based they are hosting as a traditional volume host mapping. Please advice if that is do-able to migrate to migrate the non-partition based host to partition, after doing the code update to 8.7.0.x. So we consider this option going forward and also for other customers.
Secondly on FS7200 the mdisk has been expanded couple of time and we are not getting the full benefit of the stripe width.
Thirdly on the FS7200 the current Pool is with DATA REDUCTION, with this refresh we would probably go without DATA REDUCTION.
Subodh Jaiswar
AIX and Storage Implementation
GBM - Dubai
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Subodh Jaiswar
Original Message:
Sent: Tue March 18, 2025 08:24 AM
From: Chris Canto
Subject: PBHA Between FS7300 and FS7200
Yes, that's do-able. Adding HA to the partition will replicate the partition to the partner.
But I'm curious why they'd use host-based migration to migrate all the data to the FS7300 at the start. Why not just add HA from the existing FS7200 system (perhaps after upgrading it, if required)? Are they actively wanting to set it up as a fresh system, perhaps? You can add existing volume groups (which will pull in the volumes+hosts) to a partition at the point you create the new partition, then add HA to that.
For reference, here's the 'Policy-based Replication and High Availability Compatibility Cross Reference' page on the support site, showing which versions can be used together on their two systems: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7161922
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Chris Canto
Software Developer
IBM
Hursley
Original Message:
Sent: Mon March 17, 2025 10:38 AM
From: Subodh Jaiswar
Subject: PBHA Between FS7300 and FS7200
Hi,
I have a customer already using FS7200, and they have procured new FS7300, customer wants to have PBHA between FS7300 and FS7200, using the below approach.
1) Setup FS7300 as a new storage and define the partition.
2) Migrate all the data from FS7200 to FS7300 using VMWare Vmotion.
3) Once the FS7200 is freed and all data is migrated completely free, setup FS7200 as the fresh system with same code level of FS7300.
4) Add the FS7200 as a PBHA for the FS7300 and setup PBHA. (the existing partitioned defined in FS7300 will be expanded to FS7200 ?)
The question is that.
1) Is the above approach do-able
2) Or when we add FS7200 as a PBHA with FS7300 we will have to setup a new partition and migrate the partition which was setup during FS7300 initial setup of FS7300.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Subodh Jaiswar
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Subodh Jaiswar
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