This document explains a feature on the StorEdge 9900 series (9910 and 9960 arrays) called Virtual LVI/LUN, also known as Custom Volume Size (CVS). Virtual LVI refers to the mainframe environment and Virtual LUN in the Open Systems environment.

Often each array group will have free space available after the standard fixed-size LDEVs for the group have been defined. Virtual LVI/LUN formats one or more LDEVs in a volume into free space that can be used to install variable-sized, custom volume(s) or left as free space to be defined later.

Virtual LVI/LUN creation rules:

1) This is a licensed feature. Check that you have the correct option installed. Administrator or Virtual LVI/LUN privledges are needed.

2) At least one LDEV must remain defined as a normal volume in each array group. All LDEVs in a parity group cannot be selected for Virtual LVI/LUN operations.

3) LUSE, Hitachi SANtinel, Open-L and Open-M volumes are not available for CVS operations. Open systems CVS volumes must be of Open-3, Open-8, Open-9, Open-K or Open-E emulation types. LDEVs to be converted to a custom volume must be in the same parity group.

4) Volumes must be unmounted/offline from the host(s) and can have no scsi paths assigned to them (indicated by a + next to the LDEV). This error will be displayed when trying to initialize the volume: "The target has connected SCSI channel port. Please delete the connected SCSI Path first."

5) The maximum number of volumes per parity group, including fixed-size LDEVs and VLVI volumes, is 128. The maximum number per subsystem is 4096.

6) The minimum size of a custom volume for Open Systems is 35 MB. The maximum size depends on emulation type: The sizes listed are the maximum size that can be defined by the administrator. Note that the total size of the Virtual LUN volume will include this size in MB, plus a control area. Open-K =1788 MB, Open-E= 13893 MB, Open-3= 2347 MB, Open-8= 7007 MB, Open-9= 7042 MB

Troubleshooting Tips:

If the above rules are not followed, any or all options within the Virtual LVI/LUN windows may be greyed out, including the add and/or delete buttons. Also note that buttons will be greyed out when they are not applicable to the CVS function that you selected. The clear button in the "Device Emulation Configuration" window is not available from the Remote Console, and can only be used on the SVP.

Steps for using the Virtual LVI/LUN option:

Select Virtual LVI/LUN (CVS on older versions of microcode) from the Remote Console or from the SVP, Install->Change Configuration->CVS Configuration. This will bring up a window where 4 options are displayed. These are explained below.

View configuration: View the current configuration, but no changes can be made.

Volume to Space: Allows one or more existing LDEVs to be deleted, converting it back to free space in that parity group.

After a warning message and verifying the # of CUs configured, you will see "Device Emulation Configuration". Select the parity group in which the LDEVs will be converted to free space and select Detail. This will bring up the "Customized Volume Size Define" window. Select the LDEVs you wish to turn into free space and click Delete. This space will now show as empty with its size where the deleted LDEVs were listed. Selecting OK will show the "Device Emulation Configuration" window again. Clicking on the Next button and then OK will complete the change to the Virtual LVI/LUN configuration. That free space can now be used to create custom volumes (see Install CV).

Install CV: Defines new Virtual LVI/LUN volumes from available free space in the group. The Install CV process is similar to the Volume to Space option in that the same screens are used, but with different options enabled.

After a warning message and verifying the # of CUs configured, you will see "Device Emulation Configuration". Select the parity group that contains the free space required for the creation of the custom volumes and select 'Detail', bringing up the "Customized Volume Size Define" window. Choose the desired emulation type and size of the volume you are creating and select 'Add'. This volume will now show in the list as [CVS]. This step can be repeated to add multiple custom volumes. Selecting OK will show the "Device Emulation Configuration" window with the updated parity group information. Clicking 'Next' will open "Logical Device ID Configuration", select the incomplete parity group to define the LDEV ID assignment scheme, either dispersed or linear, and assign unique SSID, if needed. Click 'Next' to bring up a confirmation panel. 'OK' will complete the custom volume creation.

Volume Initialize: Converts a Virtual LVI/LUN volume back to a normal volume.

After a warning message and verifying the # of CUs configured, you will see "Device Emulation Configuration". Select the parity group that contains the CVS volume, click 'Initialize'. Confirm action by clicking OK. Then selecting Next will then take you through the "Logical Device ID Configuration" windows described in the Install CV section above .

Note: The Volume to Space and Volume Initialize are destructive operations. Data on the affected LDEVs/volumes will be lost.

After the Virtual LVI/LUN volumes are created, scsi paths can be defined or it can be allocated for Flash Access (DCR) to be resident in cache for higher performance.

See the Virtual LVI/LUN User's Guide for more specific instructions and screen shots of the windows.

Internal Summary

• Reference Manual: Virtual VLVI/LUN User's Guide
• Applies to microcode levels 01-13-xx and above