IBM DS8000 Management console, HMC considerations, Different code versions across storage images

While the installation process described above may seem complex, it will not require a great deal of user intervention. The code installer will normally just start the process and then monitor its progress using the S-HMC.

S-HMC considerations

Before updating the DS8000 code, the Storage Hardware Management Consoles should be updated to the latest code version. This could usually be done at any time prior to the change window, since the DS8000 can continue to operate without an S-HMC, provided no Copy Services or configuration changes are planned while it is unavailable. If you have two S-HMCs you could perform Copy Services operations or configuration changes using the second S-HMC.

Different code versions across storage images

If the DS8000 is partitioned into multiple storage images, it is possible to run each storage image on a different LIC version. This could be beneficial if one image was being used as a production image, while the other was being used for testing.

If this was desired, steps one to four would still affect both storage images since they affect common hardware. However, it is possible to then perform steps 5 and 6 on only one storage image and leave the other storage image downlevel. This situation could then be left until a testing regimen has been performed. At some point the downlevel image could then be updated by performing just steps 5 and 6 on that image.

4.9 Management console

The DS8000 management network consists of redundant Ethernet switches and redundant Storage Hardware Management (S-HMC) consoles.

S-HMC

The S-HMC is used to perform configuration, management, and maintenance activities on the DS8000. It can be ordered to be located either physically inside the base frame or external for mounting in a customer-supplied rack.

If the S-HMC is not operational then it is not possible to perform maintenance, power the DS8000 up or down, or perform Copy Services tasks such as the establishment of FlashCopies. It is thus recommended to order two management consoles to act as a redundant pair.

Ethernet switches

Each DS8000 base frame contains two 16-port Ethernet switches. Two switches are supplied to allow the creation of a fully redundant management network. Each server in the DS8000 has a connection to each switch. Each S-HMC also has a connection to each switch. This means that should a single Ethernet switch fail, all traffic can successfully travel from either S-HMC to any server in the storage unit using the alternate switch.

4.10 Summary

This chapter has described the RAS characteristics of the DS8000. These characteristics combine to make the DS8000 a world leader in reliability, availability, and serviceability.

82DS8000 Series: Concepts and Architecture