Create ODX Buffer Volume

Overview

This function creates a dedicated volume for the ODX function.

ODX is a function that offloads the load from data copying and migration to the storage system. ODX copies data at the time when a copy request is received. If a Write command is issued for the copy source data, this function backs up the previous data in the area that is to be overwritten. An ODX Buffer volume is used to store the backup data at this time.

The ODX function is for "Windows Server 2012" and later.

ODX Buffer Volume Specification

One ODX Buffer volume can be created in the storage system.
The type of the ODX Buffer volume is "Standard", "TPV", or "FTV".
The capacity of an ODX Buffer volume is 1 GB - 1 TB.

Caution

An ODX Buffer volume can be created when the ODX function is enabled.
The ODX Buffer volume must be created with the ODX function.
If the Thin Provisioning function is enabled, a "TPV" type ODX Buffer volume can be created.
When creating an "FTV" type ODX Buffer volume, use CLI. Web GUI cannot be used to create an "FTV" type ODX Buffer volume.
When the encryption mode is disabled, an ODX Buffer volume encrypted by CM cannot be created. Note that when SEDs are not installed in the storage system, an ODX Buffer volume encrypted by SEDs cannot be created.
If the maximum number of volumes is already registered in the storage system, an ODX Buffer volume cannot be created. For the maximum number of volumes for the storage system, refer to the [Create Volume] function.
If the maximum capacity for TPVs or FTVs is already registered in the storage system, a "TPV" type ODX Buffer volume cannot be created. For the maximum capacity, refer to the [Settings (Thin Provisioning)] function for details. The maximum capacity is the same as the maximum pool capacity.

Note

Only one ODX Buffer volume can be created in the storage system. Use the [Settings] screen to check whether an ODX Buffer volume is already created. Refer to the [Settings (Advanced Copy)] function for details.
An existing ODX Buffer volume can be checked by using the "Forbid Advanced Copy" field in the [Volume] screen. Refer to the [Volume (Basic Information)] function for details.
Even when the ODX Buffer volume capacity is insufficient, no error occurs in an ODX session that is already started. Windows Server suspends the use of ODX, and starts a normal copy process that uses Read and Write processes.
Monitoring the usage of an ODX Buffer volume is available. If insufficient capacity is detected, the storage system sends a notification. Refer to the [Setup Event Notification] function for details. If the ODX Buffer volume capacity is frequently insufficient, the benefit of using the ODX function is lost. Expand the ODX Buffer volume capacity as required. Refer to the [Expand Volume], [Start RAID Migration], or [Expand Thin Provisioning Volume] function for details.
An ODX Buffer volume can be deleted by using the same procedure as "Standard" and "TPV" type volumes if the ODX function is not used. Refer to the [Delete Volume] function for details. To delete an "FTV" type ODX Buffer volume, use CLI.
The volume capacity that is required for an ODX Buffer volume varies depending on the server system configuration and the applications that are being used. When using the ODX function for normal file copying or file migration with Microsoft Windows Server, creating a 10 GB ODX Buffer volume is recommended.
An ODX Buffer volume can be created by using the maximum free space that is available in a RAID group. Specifying a "Capacity" value is not required. "Standard" type volumes can be created using the maximum free space.

User Privileges

Availability of Executions in the Default Role

Default role	Availability of executions
Monitor
Admin
StorageAdmin
AccountAdmin
SecurityAdmin
Maintainer

Refer to User Roles and Policies for details on the policies and roles.

Settings

In this screen, specify the details of the ODX Buffer volume that is to be created.

ODX Buffer Volume

Item	Description	Setting values
Name	Input the ODX Buffer volume name. An existing volume name cannot be specified. Volume names starting with "$SYSVOL", "$VVOL_META", or "$DATA_CNTNR" cannot be used.	Up to 32 alphanumeric characters, symbols (except "," (comma) and "?"), and spaces
Capacity	Specify the ODX Buffer volume capacity and select the unit of capacity. Up to a 15-digit number including the "." (decimal point) can be input. Note that when "MB" is selected, the specified value is rounded down to the nearest whole number. When "GB" or "TB" is selected, the specified value is converted to "MB" and rounded down to the nearest whole number. Caution If "Use all Largest Free Space" is selected, inputting the capacity is not required. The specified value and unit are not used. Note If the same capacity is entered in the same format (digits and units (GB/TB)) as the "Largest Free Space", all of the largest free space is used. To add the capacity without adjustments, input the capacity in units of MB. The number of entered characters includes the "." (decimal point) and the "0" before the decimal point. (Example) 0.1234567890123 (15 characters)	1 GB - 1 TB (numeric characters) Unit: GB (Default)/TB
Type	Select the ODX Buffer volume type. If a Thin Provisioning function is disabled, "Standard" is displayed in this field. Standard Volumes that are created in RAID groups. Thin Provisioning Volume Volumes that are created in Thin Provisioning Pools. Note If a Thin Provisioning function is disabled, "Thin Provisioning Volume" is not displayed in this field. There are three types of ODX Buffer volumes: "Standard", "TPV", and "FTV". This is independent of the copy source volume type or the copy destination volume type. Select the copy type according to your environment. When creating an ODX Buffer volume in a RAID group, select "Standard" for the volume type. When creating an ODX Buffer volume in a TPP, select "Thin Provisioning Volume" for the volume type. When creating an ODX Buffer volume in an FTRP, use CLI.	Standard Thin Provisioning Volume
Use all Largest Free Space	Select the "Enable" checkbox to create an ODX Buffer volume with the largest available free space in the RAID group. This checkbox can be selected or cleared only when "Type" is "Standard". If the "Enable" checkbox is selected, an ODX Buffer volume with the maximum capacity is created with the available space displayed in the "Largest Free Space" field for the selected RAID group. Caution When the "Enable" checkbox is selected, the input capacity and the selected unit are disabled. An ODX Buffer volume cannot be created if the "Largest Free Space" is less than 1 GB or larger than 1 TB. The capacity for the created ODX Buffer volume is not displayed. Use the [Volume] screen to check the volume capacity after volume creation is complete.	"Enable" checkbox Selected Cleared
Encryption by CM	Select the encryption status of the ODX Buffer volume. This item is not displayed in the following conditions. Encryption mode is disabled The ETERNUS DX60 S5 is being used On Create a volume that is encrypted by CM. Off Create a volume that is not encrypted by CM. Caution When "Thin Provisioning Volume" is selected for "Type", selecting on or off for this item is not available. When "On" is selected, a RAID group that is configured with SEDs cannot be selected. When creating an ODX Buffer volume in a RAID group that is configured with SEDs, select "Off".	On Off
Allocation	Select the allocation mode for the ODX Buffer volume. This item is available only when the ODX Buffer volume is "Thin Provisioning Volume". Thin Physical area is allocated to the target area of the volume when a write I/O is received. Thick Physical area is allocated to the whole area of the volume when volumes are created.	Thin Thick

Item

Description

Setting values

Name

Input the ODX Buffer volume name.

An existing volume name cannot be specified. Volume names starting with "$SYSVOL", "$VVOL_META", or "$DATA_CNTNR" cannot be used.

Up to 32 alphanumeric characters,

symbols (except "," (comma) and "?"),

and spaces

Capacity

Specify the ODX Buffer volume capacity and select the unit of capacity.

Up to a 15-digit number including the "." (decimal point) can be input. Note that when "MB" is selected, the specified value is rounded down to the nearest whole number. When "GB" or "TB" is selected, the specified value is converted to "MB" and rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Caution

If "Use all Largest Free Space" is selected, inputting the capacity is not required. The specified value and unit are not used.

Note

If the same capacity is entered in the same format (digits and units (GB/TB)) as the "Largest Free Space", all of the largest free space is used. To add the capacity without adjustments, input the capacity in units of MB.
The number of entered characters includes the "." (decimal point) and the "0" before the decimal point.

(Example) 0.1234567890123 (15 characters)

1 GB - 1 TB (numeric characters)

Unit: GB (Default)/TB

Type

Select the ODX Buffer volume type.

If a Thin Provisioning function is disabled, "Standard" is displayed in this field.

Standard

Volumes that are created in RAID groups.
Thin Provisioning Volume

Volumes that are created in Thin Provisioning Pools.

Note

If a Thin Provisioning function is disabled, "Thin Provisioning Volume" is not displayed in this field.
There are three types of ODX Buffer volumes: "Standard", "TPV", and "FTV". This is independent of the copy source volume type or the copy destination volume type. Select the copy type according to your environment.
- When creating an ODX Buffer volume in a RAID group, select "Standard" for the volume type.
- When creating an ODX Buffer volume in a TPP, select "Thin Provisioning Volume" for the volume type.
- When creating an ODX Buffer volume in an FTRP, use CLI.

Standard

Thin Provisioning Volume

Use all Largest Free Space

Select the "Enable" checkbox to create an ODX Buffer volume with the largest available free space in the RAID group. This checkbox can be selected or cleared only when "Type" is "Standard".

If the "Enable" checkbox is selected, an ODX Buffer volume with the maximum capacity is created with the available space displayed in the "Largest Free Space" field for the selected RAID group.

Caution

When the "Enable" checkbox is selected, the input capacity and the selected unit are disabled.
An ODX Buffer volume cannot be created if the "Largest Free Space" is less than 1 GB or larger than 1 TB.
The capacity for the created ODX Buffer volume is not displayed. Use the [Volume] screen to check the volume capacity after volume creation is complete.

"Enable" checkbox

Selected

Cleared

Encryption by CM

Select the encryption status of the ODX Buffer volume.

This item is not displayed in the following conditions.

Encryption mode is disabled
The ETERNUS DX60 S5 is being used

On

Create a volume that is encrypted by CM.
Off

Create a volume that is not encrypted by CM.

Caution

When "Thin Provisioning Volume" is selected for "Type", selecting on or off for this item is not available.
When "On" is selected, a RAID group that is configured with SEDs cannot be selected. When creating an ODX Buffer volume in a RAID group that is configured with SEDs, select "Off".

On

Off

Allocation

Select the allocation mode for the ODX Buffer volume.

This item is available only when the ODX Buffer volume is "Thin Provisioning Volume".

Thin

Physical area is allocated to the target area of the volume when a write I/O is received.
Thick

Physical area is allocated to the whole area of the volume when volumes are created.

Thin

Thick

Target RAID Group/Thin Provisioning Pool

In this screen, select the RAID group or the TPP in which the ODX Buffer volume is created.

When "Type" is "Standard"

Item	Description
Radio buttons to select a RAID group	Select the RAID group in which the ODX Buffer volume is created. Caution When "Encryption by CM" is "On", a RAID group that is configured with SEDs cannot be selected. RAID groups in the following conditions are not displayed in the target RAID group list: RAID groups that are registered in TPPs RAID groups that are registered in FTRPs RAID groups that are registered as REC Disk Buffers RAID groups that are registered as Extreme Cache Pools RAID groups in which 128 volumes are already created RAID groups for which "Usage" is "Temporary" RAID groups for which "Largest Free Space" is less than 1 GB External RAID Groups
RAID Group Name	The RAID group name is displayed.
Drive Type	The type of drive that configures the RAID group is displayed. Online Nearline SSD Online SED Nearline SED SSD SED
RAID Level	The RAID level is displayed. High Performance (RAID1+0) High Capacity (RAID5) High Reliability (RAID6) High Reliability (RAID6-FR) Reliability (RAID5+0) Mirroring (RAID1) Striping (RAID0)
Number of Drives	The number of drives that configure the RAID group is displayed.
Total Capacity	The total capacity of the RAID groups is displayed.
Total Free Space	The total capacity of free space in the RAID group is displayed. "Free space" means an area in the RAID group where no volume is created, and dispersed areas which became free by creating and deleting a volume.
Largest Free Space	The maximum capacity of free space in the RAID group is displayed.

When "Type" is "Thin Provisioning Volume"

Item	Description
Radio buttons to select a TPP	Select the TPP in which the ODX Buffer volume is created. Caution FTRPs and FTSPs are not displayed in the target Thin Provisioning Pool list.
Thin Provisioning Pool Name	The Thin Provisioning Pool name is displayed.
Drive Type	The type of drive that configures the TPP is displayed. Online Nearline SSD Online SED Nearline SED SSD SED
RAID Level	The RAID level is displayed. High Performance (RAID1+0) High Capacity (RAID5) High Reliability (RAID6) High Reliability (RAID6-FR) Mirroring (RAID1) Striping (RAID0)
Total Capacity	The total capacity of the TPPs is displayed.
Total Free Space	The total capacity of free space in the TPP is displayed. "Free space" means an area in the TPP where no volume is allocated, and dispersed areas which became free by creating and deleting a volume.
Encryption	The TPP encryption status is displayed. CM Encryption by CM "-" (hyphen) The TPP is not encrypted. SED Encryption by SED

Operating Procedures

Click [Create ODX Buffer Volume] in [Action].
Specify the detailed information of the ODX Buffer volume and select the RAID group or TPP in which the ODX Buffer volume is to be created. Click the [Create] button.
Note
- When using the maximum free space in the RAID group to create an ODX Buffer volume without specifying the capacity, select the "Enable" checkbox for "Use all Largest Free Space". A "Standard" type volume can be created using the maximum free space.
→ A confirmation screen appears.
Caution
- An error screen appears in the following conditions:
  - The "Name" is not entered
  - The "Name" does not satisfy the input conditions
  - The "Enable" checkbox for "Use all Largest Free Space" is cleared and "Capacity" is not entered
  - The "Enable" checkbox for "Use all Largest Free Space" is selected and the capacity of the created ODX Buffer volume is less than 1 GB
  - The "Enable" checkbox for "Use all Largest Free Space" is selected and the capacity of the created ODX Buffer volume is larger than the maximum capacity
  - The "Capacity" does not satisfy the input conditions
  - The maximum number of volumes that can be created is exceeded
  - Free space in the RAID group or TPP is insufficient
  - LDE is being performed in the RAID group to which the ODX Buffer volume belongs
  - When the allocation mode is "Thick" and the free space in the TPP is insufficient
Click the [OK] button.

→ ODX Buffer volume creation starts.
Click the [Done] button to return to the [Settings] screen.
Caution
- If the "Provisioned Capacity" (or the total logical capacity) of the volumes that exist within the TPP exceeds the total capacity of the TPP (or if the "Provisioned Rate" (or the capacity rate) exceeds "100 %") when ODX Buffer volumes (TPVs) are created, a warning message appears in the result screen. Check the TPP used state and add drives to expand the TPP capacity as required. Check the [Thin Provisioning Pool Detail] screen for "Provisioned Rate". Refer to the [Thin Provisioning Pool (Basic Information)] function for details.