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Introducing IBM Storage Virtualize Plugin for vSphere 1.3.0

By Abhishek Mehta posted Wed August 07, 2024 05:27 AM

@Anushka Gupta @Abhishek Mehta @Nilesh Khankari @Shubham Srivastava

Introduction:

Over the last few years, we've been working hard to improve the integration and usability of using IBM storage within VMware environments.
The primary objective was to simplify the provisioning and management of (multiple) IBM storage system(s) in VMware vSphere environments. Additionally, we wanted to expose the rich capabilities of IBM SVC & FlashSystems, and allow them to be consumed by VMware administrators in a familiar, easy-to-use interface.

The IBM Storage Virtualize Plugin for vSphere 1.3.0 is now live. This release includes performance improvements and major enhancements including: support for non-standard topologies such as Enhanced Stretched Cluster and Hyperswap, ability to create and manage host clusters, improved plugin appliance management and increased capabilities such as the ability to view volume groups, datastores and additional details about registered storage systems in the storage dashboard.

Users can now add storage systems configured in non-standard topologies and create VMFS HA datastores using these storage systems.
All standard operations like expansion, deletion, taking snapshot, clone are available now for HA datastores as well.

Note: You can refer to the blog for features introduced in the previous release, IBM Storage Virtualize Plugin for vSphere 1.2.0

Highlights of IBM Storage Virtualize Plugin for vSphere 1.3.0:

Manage storage systems configured with non-standard topologies.
Manage VMFS datastores and their associated snapshots using non-standard topologies.
Copy to new datastore using a snapshot for non-standard topology storage system.
Manage hosts and host clusters for configured storage systems.
IBM Storage Dashboard enhancements provide the ability to view volume groups and datastores.
Performance improvements in creating multiple VMFS datastores.
Manage IBM-plugin appliances and update Photon OS packages through the new “ibm-vm” utility.

Major updates in IBM Storage Virtualize Plugin for vSphere 1.3.0:

Manage non-standard configured storage systems
- Add Storage System
  Users can now add storage systems configured with non-standard topologies like HyperSwap and Enhanced Stretched Cluster to
  the plugin. After validating the storage system with credentials, users can add an alias name to it and select required pools.
  While adding storage with non-standard topology, users should select pools from both sites (i.e., Site1 and Site2).
  
  Add Storage Systems support standard and non-standard topology
- Edit Storage System
  Once a storage system is integrated into the plugin, modifications can be made to authentication, alias details, and managed pools for standard and non-standard configured storage systems.
  
  Edit Storage Systems support standard and non-standard topology
  
  For detailed information on Manage Storage Systems, please refer IBM KC documentation https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/svpfv/1.3.0?topic=managing-storage-systems-in-plugin-dashboard
Manage VMFS Datastores using non-standard topology storage system
- Create datastores using stretched topology storage system.
  Users can only create HA datastores with the stretched topology storage system. In the Create Datastore wizard, after selecting a stretched topology storage system, users must choose registered pools from both Site1 and Site2 on the pool selection page to create HA datastores.
  
  Pool selection to create HA datastore(s) using stretched topology storage system
  
  Summary of HA datastore using stretched topology storage system
- Create datastores using hyperswap topology storage system
  Users can create both HA and non-HA datastores with the hyperswap topology storage system. To create HA datastores, after selecting a hyperswap topology storage system, users must choose registered pools from both site1 and site2 on the pool selection page, as the 'Create HA Datastores' switch is toggled on by default. To create non-HA datastores, after selecting a hyperswap topology storage system, users should toggle off the 'Create HA Datastores switch and select the registered pool on the pool selection page.
  
  Pool selection to create HA datastore(s) using hyperswap topology storage system
  
  Summary of HA datastore created using hyperswap topology storage system
  
  Pool selection to create non-HA datastore(s) using hyperswap topology storage system
  
  Summary of non-HA datastore using hyperswap topology storage system
  
  Users can also perform actions such as expanding the size of a datastore (Expand datastore), taking a snapshot of a datastore
  (Take snapshot), and deleting a datastore (Delete datastore) created using a non-standard topology system.
  
  For detailed information on Create VMFS Datastore(s), please refer IBM KC documentatio https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/svpfv/1.3.0?topic=datastores-creating-vmfs-datastore
Create New Datastore from Snapshot (Copy to new datastore)

With the new update, users can now choose their preferred storage pool to copy a datastore from safeguarded/non-safeguarded snapshot. This workflow is also supported for non-standard topology.
- Copy to new datastore support on Enhanced Stretched Cluster (ESC) topology configured storage systems
  - Supported on storage system running code level 8.6.0.0 and higher.
  - For storage systems with code levels from 8.6.0.0 to 8.6.2.0, you will be prompted to select a single pool, resulting in a
    standard cloned volume.
  - For storage systems with code level from 8.6.2.0 and higher, by default the generated cloned datastore would be HA
    datastore and for this you need to choose two pools (one from each site) before proceeding.
  - To generate a standard clone datastore on code level from 8.6.2.0 and higher, switch off the toggle Clone HA datastores
    and you will be prompted to select a single pool.
  Copy to New Datastore support on enhanced stretched cluster topology
- Copy to new datastore support on Hyperswap topology systems
  Copy to new datastore support on hyperswap topology systems is available for storage systems running code level 8.5.1.0 and higher, where a single pool selection will be prompted, resulting in a standard cloned datastore.
  
  Copy to New Datastore support on hyperswap topology
  
  For detailed information on Copy to New Datastore, please refer IBM KC documentation https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/svpfv/1.3.0?topic=snapshots-copying-new-datastore

Manage hosts and host clusters
To see the Host Cluster Management view, select a vSphere cluster within the vCenter inventory, navigate to the Configuretab and scroll to IBM Storage > Host Connections.
- Manage Host Cluster:
  - Manage Host Cluster button is disabled when all hosts in VCSA cluster are already part of a host cluster in storage system
  - Select the IBM Storage System in which you wish to manage the host or host cluster and click Manage Host Cluster.
  - Verify host names and status and click on next. Users have to select a site for non-standard storage systems while adding
    new host.
  - Users can select existing cluster from given list or create a new cluster by clicking on toggle switch.
  - Review host cluster summary and click on create, verify recent tasks for manage host cluster.
    
    Manage Host Cluster support standard and non-standard topology
    
    For detailed information on Manage Host Cluster, please refer IBM KC documentatio https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/svpfv/1.3.0?topic=configuration-host-cluster-management
- Add Host:
  - Add Host button is disabled when host already exists on storage system.
  - Select the IBM Storage System that you wish to create the host > Select Add Host.
  - Verify and edit host details. For non-standard storage system users have to select a site for the host.
  - Verify and select host adapter(wwpn’s) and click on next.
    
    Add Host support standard and non-standard topology
    
    For detailed information on Manage Host, please refer IBM KC documentation https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/svpfv/1.3.0?topic=configuration-creating-esxi-host-definitions
IBM storage dashboard enhancement

IBM Storage Dashboard enhancement provides the ability to view lists of pools, volume groups, datastores and additional details about registered storage systems.Users can explore each storage system configured by the plugin using the "»" expansion arrow.