642 Implementing the IBM Storwize V5000 Gen2 with IBM Spectrum Virtualize V8.1
11.1 Planning for external storage virtualization
This section describes how to plan for virtualizing external storage with the IBM Storwize
V5030. Virtualizing the storage infrastructure with the IBM Storwize V5030 makes your
storage environment more flexible, cost-effective and easy to manage. The combination of
the IBM Storwize V5030 and an external storage system allows more storage capacity
benefits from the powerful software functions within the IBM Storwize V5030.
The external storage systems that are incorporated into the IBM Storwize V5030 environment
can be new systems or existing systems. Any data on the existing storage systems can be
easily migrated to an environment that is managed by the IBM Storwize V5030, as described
in Chapter 7, “Storage migration” on page 349.
11.1.1 License for external storage virtualization
From a licensing standpoint, when external storage systems are virtualized by the IBM
Storwize V5030, a per-enclosure External Virtualization license is required.
You can configure the IBM Storwize V5030 licenses by clicking the Settings icon and then
System → Licensed Functions. For more information about setting licenses on the IBM
Storwize V5030, see Chapter 2, “Initial configuration” on page 35.
For assistance with licensing questions or to purchase any of these licenses, contact your
IBM account team or IBM Business Partner.
11.1.2 SAN configuration planning
External virtualization is only supported by using Fibre Channel or Fibre Channel over
Ethernet (FCoE). Therefore, it is a prerequisite to install a pair of the optional 16 Gb Fibre
Channel adapter cards (or a pair of the optional 10 GbE adapter cards if you use FCoE).
External storage controllers that are virtualized by the IBM Storwize V5030 must be
connected through storage area network (SAN) switches. A direct connection between the
IBM Storwize V5030 and external storage controllers is not supported.
1. Ensure that the switches or directors are at the firmware levels that are supported by the
IBM Storwize V5030 and that the port login maximums that are listed in the restriction
document are not exceeded. The configuration restrictions are listed on the IBM Support
home page, which is available at this website:
https://ibm.biz/BdjSJx
The suggested SAN configuration is based in a dual fabric solution. The ports on external
storage systems and the IBM Storwize V5030 ports must be evenly split between the two
fabrics to provide redundancy if one of the fabrics goes offline.
Migration: If the IBM Storwize V5030 is used as a general management tool, you must
order the correct External Virtualization licenses. The only exception is if you want to
migrate existing data from external storage systems to IBM Storwize V5030 internal
storage and then remove the external storage. You can temporarily configure your External
Storage license for a 45-day period. For more than a 45-day migration requirement, the
correct External Virtualization license must be ordered.
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