[ Contents ] [ Index ]

Using Standard Configuration

Read these instructions only if your array is not already configured or if you want to completely remove the existing configuration and start over. If you want to change portions of the existing configuration, refer to the topics under Updating/Changing Your Storage.

Use Standard Configuration Options to quickly configure all of the storage attached to an array controller using one RAID level. All you need to supply is the RAID controller, the optimization mode, and the RAID level. You also need to specify whether you want a standby drive. SANscape then automatically configures the storage for you, creating one or more logical drives, depending on the RAID level and the number of drives available. The write-back cache is selected by default.

(For multiple choices for configuring or reconfiguring logical drives with varying RAID levels and other RAID parameters, see Using Custom Configuration.)

You are able to see the resulting configuration and accept or reject it before it is completed.

CAUTION: Back up any existing data to an external device before using the Standard Configuration. Standard Configuration OVERWRITES any existing logical drive configuration. When the existing logical drive configuration is overwritten, all data is effectively erased.

  1. Log in as an ssconfig user.
  2. Select the RAID controller in the main window.

  3. Determine whether the optimization mode of the logical drive is to be Sequential I/O (default) or Random I/O. One optimization mode must be applied to all logical drives in an array. Your choice affects the maximum number of disks you can include in your array.

    Optimization is set in the Cache tab of the Change Controller Parameters window.
  4. Select Configuration > Standard Configure. A Standard Configuration Warning message is displayed. Click OK to continue.
  5. The Standard Configuration Options window is displayed. If you are not currently logged in as ssconfig, a login dialog is displayed.

    The options on the window might be disabled, depending on the number of drives available and whether you have a Windows NT operating system or Solaris operating environment on the server.

    The NT Cluster option creates a quorum RAID 5 logical drive (100 Mbyte), and then allocates the remaining capacity over two large RAID 5 logical drives. For this option, three or more physical drives are required.

  6. Verify the server and the controller IDs displayed at the top of the window are correct.
  7. If the server and the controller displayed at the top of the window are not correct for the new logical array, click Cancel to exit the configuration window and return to the main window. Select the appropriate device and select the window again.

  8. Indicate whether you want to use one of the drives as a standby drive.
  9. When you select Use a standby drive, SANscape deactivates the RAID levels that do not use standby drives. (For example, RAID 0 has no fault tolerance; therefore, a standby drive provides no benefit.)

  10. From the RAID levels made available, select the appropriate RAID level for the logical drive you are configuring.
  11. For definitions of the RAID levels, refer to RAID Levels.

    If you select RAID 3 or 5, the Standard Configuration normally configures one logical drive. However, if the array has more than 31 physical drives, more than one logical drive is created. Also, you need a minimum of three drives to use RAID 3 or 5.

    If you select RAID 1, every logical drive requires two physical drives with a maximum of 44. Note that if you select four or more drives, a logical drive with a RAID 1+0 is created.

    If you select RAID 0 and the array has more than 44 drives, more than one logical drive is created.

  12. (Solaris only). If you want the new logical drive to be automatically added to the operating environment without rebooting, click Write a new label to the new LD.
  13. After you select a RAID level, click OK. The Confirm Configuration Operation window is displayed showing the new configuration.
  14. Click OK to accept the configuration as indicated; otherwise, click Cancel to return to the SANscape Console.
[ Contents ] [ Index ]