How to Virtualise EMC DMX-4 Storage Array behind HP P9500 or HDS VSP storage arrays.
This article explains the configuration requirements and steps involved in virtualising a DMX storage array behind HP P9500. As you may be aware the HP P9500 is a rebadged HDS VSP storage array. Therefore the steps are identical whether you are using HDS VSP or HP P9500. This article assumes that you are a storage administrator/designer who has worked with both EMC and HP/HDS storage arrays and are familiar with the terminology.
1. Create a Cache Logical Partition (CLPR) of 4GB within the HP P9500/VSP.
The CLPR license is bundled with the base license. You can create up to 32 CLPRs without purchasing any additional license
It is recommended to use a dedicated CLPR for every external array that will be virtualized with P9500/VSP
2. Identify the CHA ports on the P9500 that will be used as “external” ports. You will need a minimum of two front end ports, one from each cluster. In this example, I use 5E (fabric A) and 6E (fabric B)
3. You may connect the P9500 ports directly to the DMX FA ports or using fabric switches. This example assumes that a fabric switch is being used. Set the external port properties as below.
Port Mode : External
Speed : 8Gbps (assuming your fabric switch supports this, if not set to match the switch port speed)
4. Ensure that the P9500/VSP external ports are connected to the same fabric where the EMC FAs are connected. In this example I am using FA ports 7A0, 7A1 connected fabric A and 10A0, 10A1 connected fabric B
5. Zone in P9500/VSP external ports to the EMC FA ports identified
The zones will look like this
Fabric A
P9500_5E to DMX_7A0
P9500_5E to DMX_7A1
Fabric B
P9500_6E to DMX_10A0
P9500_6E to DMX_10A1
6. Register the WWPNS of the P9500/VSP ports 5E and 6E on the corresponding DMX FA ports. Set the below port attributes for P9500 WWPNs on the DMX
Parameter Parameter setting
SC3 flag Enable
SPC2 flag Disable
7. Create a 10GB (or any size) test LUN on the DMX-4
8. Assign the test LUNs to P9500 WWPNs on FA ports 7A0,7A1 and 10A1 and 10B1
9. On the P9500, In Remote Web Console, select Add External Volumes from the General Tasks menu and
display the Add External Volumes window.
10. To create a new path group and add external volumes, select By “New External Path Group”
and click “Create External Path Group”, and then create a path group.
11. To add external volumes to the existing external path group, select By Existing External Path
Group, and select the desired path group from the Available External Path Groups list. Click Next.
12. Select external volumes from the Discovered External Volumes list and enter the external volume
group number and their sequential number in the Initial Parity Group ID box, and then click
Add. Select whether to create LDEVs in the external volume in Allow Simultaneous Creation of LDEVs.
If you want to take over the data of the external volume when you create LDEVs, select Yes in
Use External Storage System Configuration, and then enter an LDEV name in the LDEV Name
box. If you do not want to take over the data, select No in Use External Storage System
Configuration, and then enter an LDEV name in the LDEV Name box.You can
also set the attribute of the external volume by clicking Options.
Select the following options
CLPR : 1
Path mode : multi (This the multipathing policy for DMX arrays. IOS to the backend will be round robined)
Emulation :Open V
Cache mode : disable (IOs will be synchronously written to the DMX. In other words, the server will not be acknowledged until the IO hits the DMX cache and DMX acknowledges that data is safe)
Inflow control : disable (This setting controls the IO on the front end CHA port when there is an issue with the external storage system)
External Group Name: Exxxx (Select an External group name. This is similar to the Parity Group number in internal LUNs. If you have multiple external arrays, keep all the LUNs from one array under the same Ex group number or develop a standard suitable for your environment that will help you identify the LUNs in the future.)
Select the CU where the external LUN will be place and the LDEV number.
Click Finish to display the Confirm window.
13. Procees with LUN mapping to the front end CHA port as required.
Any issues/questions/concerns please post here or email me. I may be able to help.
Have fun virtualizing EMC DMX-4 Storage Array behind HP P9500 or HDS VSP storage arrays!
