Format Volume

Overview

This function formats the selected volume. The data stored in the volume will be deleted by formatting.

Standard type volumes, WSVs, SDVs, SDPVs, TPVs, and FTVs can be formatted.

Caution

  • When formatting a TPV where the allocation method is "Thin", the physical allocation area that is used by the target TPV is released.

  • When formatting a TPV where the allocation method is "Thick", the physical allocation area that is used by the target TPV is not released. The physical allocation area that is used by the target TPV is released when the TPV is deleted.

  • This function cannot be used under the following conditions:

    • The RAID group diagnosis is being performed in the storage system

    • The disk diagnosis is being performed in the storage system

    • Pinned data exists in the storage system

  • The following volumes cannot be formatted:

    • Volumes for which "Status" is "Broken", "Data Lost", or "Not Ready"

    • Volumes undergoing RAID Migration

    • A copy source volume or a copy destination volume of an Advanced Copy (local/remote) that is being performed

    • Volumes registered in a RAID group undergoing LDE

    • ODX Buffer volumes undergoing ODX

    • NAS user volumes that contain shared folders

    • Volumes that are used for the Storage Cluster function

    • Deduplication/Compression Volumes when the status of the Data Container Volume that is created in the TPP to which the relevant volumes belong is "Readying", "Not Ready", "Broken", or "Data Lost"

    • A Data Container Volume that belongs to the TPP where Advanced Copy or RAID Migration is being performed for the created Deduplication/Compression Volumes

    • Deduplication/Compression Volumes and Data Container Volume that belong to the TPP where the capacity is insufficient

  • Do not format the volumes with Storage Migration paths.

  • For the ETERNUS DX900 S5 or the ETERNUS DX8900 S4, up to 1024 volumes can be formatted at a time. Note that this limitation does not apply to other models.

  • If a Data Container Volume format is stopped due to a hardware error or drive error, restart the volume format.

  • If Deduplication/Compression Volumes larger than the logical capacity of the Data Container Volume are deleted or formatted repeatedly, creation of the Deduplication/Compression Volume may fail due to a temporary capacity shortage.

  • If Deduplication/Compression Volumes belonging to a TPP with an insufficient capacity are formatted, an error occurs. In this case, the data and the used physical allocation area are released, but the target Deduplication/Compression Volumes cannot be used normally. Expand the TPP capacity and format Deduplication/Compression Volumes again.

  • If the error message "An internal resource is insufficient." appears after volumes are formatted, a format of volumes may have failed. Check the "Status" of the formatted volumes in the [Volume] screen. Refer to the [Volume (Basic Information)] function for details. Volumes in the "Readying" state have not been formatted. Wait until the current formatting process is complete and then reformat the relevant volumes.

Note

  • Formatting newly created volumes is not required since these volumes are formatted automatically.

  • To format NAS system volumes and Data Container Volumes, "Maintenance Operation" policy is required.

  • The allocation method for the volume can be checked in the [Volume] screen. Refer to the [Volume (Basic Information)] 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.

Operating Procedures

  1. Select the volume to be formatted (multiple selections can be made) and click [Format] in [Action].

    → A confirmation screen appears.

    Caution
    • [Format] cannot be clicked under the following conditions:

      • The selected volume is used for the Virtual Volume function

      • The usage of the selected FTV is "System"

      • NAS expanded system volumes are selected

      • For the ETERNUS DX900 S5 or the ETERNUS DX8900 S4, the number of selected volumes exceeds 1024

      • External Volumes (or volumes whose "Usage" is "Migration") are selected

    • If the format target TPV fulfills all of the following conditions, an error screen appears.

      • Allocation method is "Thick"

      • The volume status is "Readying"

      • The free space in the TPP to which the TPV belongs is insufficient

  2. Click the [OK] button.

    → Formatting of a volume starts.

  3. Click the [Done] button to return to the [Volume] screen.