440 Implementing the IBM Storwize V5000 Gen2 with IBM Spectrum Virtualize V8.1
Easy Tier is a performance optimization function that overcomes this issue because it
automatically migrates (or moves) extents that belong to a volume between different storage
tiers, as shown in Figure 9-1. Because this migration works at the extent level, it is often
referred to as
sublogical unit number (LUN) migration.
Figure 9-1 Easy Tier concept
You can enable Easy Tier for storage on a volume basis. It monitors the I/O activity and
latency of the extents on all volumes that are enabled for Easy Tier over a 24-hour period.
Based on the performance log, it creates an extent migration plan and dynamically moves
high activity or hot extents to a higher disk tier within the same storage pool. It also moves
extents in which the activity rate dropped off (or cooled) from higher disk tier managed disks
(MDisks) back to a lower tier MDisk.
To enable the migration between MDisks with different tier levels, the target storage pool must
consist of MDisks with different characteristics. These pools are named as
multi-tiered
storage pools
. IBM Storwize V5000 Gen2 Easy Tier is optimized to boost the performance of
storage pools that contain Flash, Enterprise and Nearline drives.
To identify the potential benefits of Easy Tier in your environment before you install higher
MDisk tiers (such as Flash), you can enable the Easy Tier monitoring on volumes in
single-tiered storage pools. Although the Easy Tier extent migration is not possible within a
single-tiered pool, the Easy Tier statistical measurement function is possible. Enabling Easy
Tier on a single-tiered storage pool starts the monitoring process and logs the activity of the
volume extents.
IBM Storage Tier Advisor Tool (STAT) is a no-cost tool that helps you analyze this data. If you
do not have an IBM Storwize V5000 Gen2, use the Disk Magic tool to get a better idea about
the required number of different drive types that are appropriate for your workload.
Easy Tier is available for all the IBM Storwize V5000 Gen2 internal volumes and volumes on
external virtualized storage subsystems (V5030).
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