Create External RAID Group

Overview

This function creates External RAID Groups from External Drives.

This function is available only if the Non-disruptive Storage Migration License has been registered.

The maximum number of External RAID Groups that can be created in the storage system varies depending on each model. The following list shows the maximum number of External RAID Groups that can be created for each model.

  • ETERNUS DX60 S5: 512

  • ETERNUS DX100 S5: 2048

  • ETERNUS DX200 S5: 4096

  • ETERNUS DX500 S5/DX600 S5: 8192

  • ETERNUS DX900 S5 or ETERNUS DX8900 S4: 16384

  • ETERNUS AF150 S3: 2048

  • ETERNUS AF250 S3: 4096

  • ETERNUS AF650 S3: 8192

Caution
  • Creating an External Drive is required in advance. Refer to the [Create External Drive] function for details.

  • The Controlling CM of the External RAID Group is automatically allocated. The Controlling CM cannot be changed.

  • The following operations are not available for the created External RAID Groups:
    • Changing the External RAID Group information (rename, change Controlling CM, expand capacity, modify parameters, and assign Eco-mode schedule)

    • Diagnosing External RAID Groups

    • Creating TPPs using External RAID Groups

Note
  • One External RAID Group consists of one External Drive. If multiple External Drives are selected, the same number of External RAID Groups are created with a single operation.

  • Created External RAID Groups are displayed in the [External RAID Group] screen. Refer to the [External RAID Group] function for details.

  • External RAID Groups can be deleted. Refer to the [Delete External RAID Group] function for details.

  • External RAID Groups can be recovered. Refer to the [Recover External RAID Group] function for details.

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

Input the name of the External RAID Group that is to be created and select the External Drive to create the External RAID Group.

New External RAID Group

Item Description Setting values

Name

Input an External RAID Group name that is to be created.

If one External Drive is selected and an External RAID Group is created, existing External RAID Group names cannot be used.

If multiple External Drives are selected and multiple External RAID Groups are created, the suffix number starting with "0" is added to the input name. Refer to "Naming Conventions for External RAID Groups" for details.

Up to 16 alphanumeric characters,

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

and spaces

External Drive List

Item Description

Checkbox to select External Drives

Select the checkbox for the External Drive that is to be used to create the External RAID Group.

Select the checkbox to the left of "No." to select all External Drives.

No.

The External Drive number is displayed.

Usage

The usage of the External Drive is displayed.

  • Migration

    An External Drive that is used for data migrations.

External LU Information

Whether the External Drive inherits the "External LU Information" is displayed.

If "External LU Information" is inherited, "Inherited" is displayed.

If "External LU Information" is not inherited, a "-" (hyphen) is displayed for this item.

Capacity

The capacity of the External Drive is displayed.

Naming Conventions for External RAID Groups

  • When creating multiple External RAID Groups at a time, a name is automatically added to an External RAID Group with the specified "Name" and a suffix number "x" (serial numbers starting with "0").

    (Example) Specified External RAID Group name: ExRAIDGroup_aa (14 characters) → Name for created External RAID Group: ExRAIDGroup_aa0, ExRAIDGroup_aa1, etc.

  • When an External RAID Group name including the suffix number "x" has more than 16 characters, the excess number of characters is deleted from the "Name", starting with the last character and a suffix number "~x" will be added.

    (Example) Specified External RAID Group name: ExRAIDGroup_abab (16 characters) → Name for created External RAID Group: ExRAIDGroup_ab~0, ExRAIDGroup_ab~1, etc.

  • When an External RAID Group name including the suffix number already exists, the suffix number is increased by one (+1). The suffix number is increased by one (+1) until no External RAID Group names overlap.

Operating Procedures

Create an External RAID Group.

  1. Click [Create] in [Action].

  2. Specify the External RAID Group detailed information, and click the [Create] button.

    → A confirmation screen appears.

    Note
    • Select the checkbox to the left of "No." to create External RAID Groups with all External Drives.

    • If no External Drives are selected, the [Create] button cannot be clicked.

    Caution
    • An error screen appears in the following conditions:
      • The "Name" is not entered

      • The "Name" does not satisfy the input conditions

      • The "Name" overlaps with an existing External RAID Group name (when one External RAID Group is created)

      • The status of the selected External Drive is not "Present"

      • The number of External RAID Groups for each model exceeds the maximum number

  3. Click the [OK] button.

    → External RAID Group creation starts.

  4. Click the [Done] button to return to the [External RAID Group] screen.