Fujitsu 2.1 1.2 Functions

Chapter 1 ETERNUS VSS Hardware Provider

1.2 Functions

ETERNUS VSS Hardware Provider 2.1 User’s Guide

For VSSHP supported storage systems, copy types, OSes, requester, and writer, refer to the following

web page.

http://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/computing/storage/eternus/tools/vsshp.html

1.2 Functions

VSSHP uses the Advanced Copy functions of the ETERNUS Disk storage system to create a Shadow

Copy. The Advanced Copy functions allow the ETERNUS Disk storage system to carry out high-speed

data copying operations on its own, with no need for server CPU intervention. The logical copy of a

source volume to a replication volume is very quickly completed within the ETERNUS Disk storage

system. The replication volume is accessible as soon as the logical copy completes. The replicated

volume is a point-in-time copy of the source volume, allowing backup to tape while the source volume is

being updated.

The following two operation types for VSSHP are supported. Which method is used depends on how

the volumes for the Shadow Copy destination are managed.

•Target disk pool operation

The user does not specify the Shadow Copy destination explicitly.

•Copy set operation

The user specifies the Shadow Copy destination explicitly.

Both of these modes cannot be used at the same time.

Although VSSHP creates a Shadow Copy of a source data, a user does not need to specify the volume

that is to be a Shadow Copy destination. VSSHP manages Shadow Copy destination volumes that are

registered in a target disk pool. This management function for Shadow Copy destination volumes is

called the "Target disk pool management function". An operation mode that uses this function is called

a "Target disk pool operation".

Create a Shadow Copy destination volume and register the volume in the target disk pool management

function in advance. When backup is started by a requester, VSSHP automatically selects an

appropriate volume from the registered volumes in the target disk pool, and creates a Shadow Copy of

the source disk in the volume. After backup has completed, data in the Shadow Copy destination

volume become invalid, and the volume is reused as a Shadow Copy destination at next backup.

Provider Component that reads and writes data to a disk and creates a snapshot

(software provider provided by OS, hardware provider provided by storage

system vendor).

VSSHP is a hardware provider that is provided by Fujitsu.

Coordinator (OS) Basic service that properly controls requester, writer, and provider process.

Classification Description