Media reorganization parameters

You can limit the number of tape drives used during the reorganization of a specified FSE partition (MaxNumDrivesRecall variable in the FSE partition configuration file) or system-wide (SystemMaxNumDrivesMaint variable in the FSE system configuration file). The priority of the FSE reorganization jobs is defined by the MaintPriority variable in the FSE partition configuration file.

The progress of the media reorganization process is logged to the FSE event log, while potential errors that are encountered during the process are logged to the FSE error log. If any of the reorganization jobs is interrupted, you must re-run it from the beginning.

You can start each media reorganization step and view the scan results using the FSE command-line interface. The fsepool, fsepartition and fsemedium commands provide special options for this purpose.

When triggering the FSE reorganizational scan job, you can specify two parameters that define which migrated file generations are treated as valid during scanning and thus preserved during copying. The parameters are in the form of arguments to the fsepartition command, and are the following:

Reorganization parameter	Argument to fsepartition

boundary migration date and time (mandatory)	"YYYY/MM/DD HH:mm:ss"

number of latest generations (optional)	NumberOfGenerations

CAUTION: With either parameter, only the migrated generations containing file contents count as file generations. The migrated generations that contain only file headers (name, standard and extended attributes, ACLs, ...) or changes to a file alternate data stream do not count as migrated file generations. Generally, these generations are not preserved during media reorganization.

The boundary migration date and time parameter

If only this parameter is specified, all migrated file data generations created after the boundary migration date and time parameter are considered as valid.

The number of latest generations parameter

This optional parameter limits the number of generations that would otherwise be considered as valid by the boundary migration date and time parameter alone.

If the parameter value is smaller than the number of valid generations determined by the boundary migration date and time parameter, then the set of valid generations is reduced to the number of latest generations value. Otherwise, the parameter has no effect.

Exceptions to the reorganizational rule

There are two exceptions to the rule defined by the reorganization parameters:

•The newest migrated generation is always preserved, even if it contains only file header changes or changes to a file alternate data stream.

•If no migrated generation (with file contents) is covered by the specified parameters, the latest generation with file contents is preserved.

Handling deleted files

Files that were deleted from the HSM file system before the reorganizational scan job (either during automatic deletion or manually) are handled in a special way. In certain situations, the exceptions above are not valid for these files.

CAUTION: Files that had been deleted from the HSM file system and whose last “empty” generations are not covered by the boundary migration date and time or the number of latest generations parameter are not preserved during media reorganization. All migrated generations of such files are permanently lost.

HP StorageWorks File System Extender Software user guide 109

File System Extender (FSE) specifications

HP File System Extender (FSE) is a sophisticated solution designed to optimize data storage management for enterprises that deal with large volumes of unstructured data. This technology addresses the challenges of data growth and the need for effective data retention strategies, enabling organizations to store and manage their information more efficiently.

One of the main features of HP FSE is its ability to intelligently migrate data between primary and secondary storage. By utilizing policies that determine when to move infrequently accessed files to lower-cost storage environments, FSE helps reduce the strain on primary storage systems and saves on costs associated with high-performance storage solutions. This tiered approach to data management ensures that organizations can access the data they need quickly while still maintaining an efficient overall storage architecture.

Another notable characteristic of HP FSE is its seamless integration with existing storage infrastructures. The solution works with a variety of storage systems, allowing organizations to utilize their current investments without the need for significant changes to their infrastructure. This interoperability is powered by advanced technologies that facilitate data migration and retrieval, ensuring a smooth transition for organizations looking to optimize their storage strategies.

Additionally, HP FSE is equipped with robust reporting and analytics capabilities. This functionality provides organizations with insights into their storage usage, helping them understand data patterns and optimize their storage environments accordingly. By having visibility into which files are accessed most frequently and which are rarely used, organizations can make informed decisions on data retention policies and storage management.

Security is paramount in data management, and HP FSE addresses this concern by implementing advanced data protection features. This includes data encryption, secure access controls, and compliance with industry regulations, ensuring that sensitive information is safeguarded throughout its lifecycle.

Overall, HP File System Extender is a comprehensive data storage solution that combines intelligent data management, seamless integration, insightful analytics, and robust security features. By leveraging these capabilities, organizations can efficiently manage their unstructured data, lower costs, and enhance operational efficiency, making it an invaluable tool in today’s data-driven landscape.