•Using spreadsheets to map external volumes
XP External Storage supports Configuration File Loader spreadsheets. These spreadsheets allow you to configure the mapping of multiple external volumes at the same time, which is efficient when mapping large numbers of volumes. For details, see “Using Spreadsheets for XP External Storage Operations” (page 101).
•Setting the remote command device
By using the remote command device, you can manipulate volumes in the external storage system from RAID Manager on host computers. For details, see “Remote Command Devices” (page 119).
Configuring XP External Storage
Before configuring the XP External Storage settings, answer the following:
•Which ports can be connected to external storage systems? (see “Choosing the External Port” (page 16))
•Which external storage system and volumes should be mapped as the internal volumes? (see “Choosing and Mapping External Volumes” (page 16))
•How will you configure external volume groups? (see “Registering a Volume to an External Volume Group (ExG)” (page 17))
•What external volume attributes will be configured? (see “Configuring External Volume Attributes” (page 17)).
•How will you configure
•How will you make volumes usable from the local storage system? (see “Connecting Mainframe Volumes” (page 25) and “Connecting Open Systems Volumes” (page 26))
Each item is explained in the following sections.
Choosing the External Port
The port used for XP External Storage must be set as the external port. When the external storage system is connected to the external port of the local storage system, you can view the information on the external storage system from the Remote Web Console computer. The external storage system cannot be connected to ports other than the external port.
In order to set the port attribute to external, any LU paths set to the port must be released. The attribute of the port where LU paths are already set cannot be changed to external. Therefore, you must identify ports whose attributes can be changed to external before starting the XP External Storage operations.
The ports whose attributes are set for remote copy software (for example, RCU target, initiator) or other features cannot be used as external ports for XP External Storage. In addition, change the port attribute to external if the port attribute is set to other than external.
For instructions on configuring port attributes, see “Setting Port Attribute for Local Storage System” (page 67).
Choosing and Mapping External Volumes
When connecting an external storage system to an external port, volumes in the external storage system (external volumes) become available for mapping as volumes in the local storage system
16 About XP External Storage Operations