Driving Sales with the PowerVault MD3000 Premium Features

FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL USE

DELL CONFIDENTIAL 1

Agenda

What are the MD3000s Premium Features? Snapshot Virtual Disk Virtual-Disk Copy Value Propositions Activating Premium Feature Customer Scenarios and Implementing Premium Features Snapshot Virtual Disk Virtual-Disk Copy

Snapshot
A point-in-time (PiT) image of a virtual disk Logical equivalent of a physical copy Up to 4 snaps per virtual disk Features: Near-instantaneous Requires less disk space than virtual-disk copy Accessible by any host
C A B C Source virtual disk ABC Snapshot virtual disk

Read and write accessibility Primary uses: Disk-to-disk backup Restoration point Data mining / analysis

AC Snapshot Reserve Physical Logical

Virtual Disk Copy

Full PiT copy of a virtual disk (source) to another (target) within a storage system

Target virtual disk also referred to as a clone

Features:

Supports up to 8 concurrent active copies Configured via GUI or CLI

Five priority settings

Control speed of copy / impact on storage I/O Primary uses:

Production Server

Analysis Server

Full PiT data set available for analysis, mining, testing, backup
Eliminates I/O dependencies on the primary virtual disk
Source Virtual Disk

PiT Clone

Migrating data between storage tiers

Target Virtual Disk Copy

Snapshot and Virtual-Disk Copy

Copying the snapshot virtual disk creates a full PiT copy while I/O continues to base virtual disk
Virtual disk copy suspends writes to source virtual disk during the copy process to ensure PiT integrity

1. An instantaneous snapshot of the production virtual disk is created.

2. Normal I/O to the production virtual disk continues while the snapshot is copied.

Primary Virtual Disk

Snapshot Virtual Disk

Virtual Disk Copy

3. Once the copy is complete, the snapshot can be deleted leaving a full PiT copy

Premium Feature Value Propositions

1. Premium Features are value-add data protection functions that are key components of disaster recovery and business continuity plans
2. Provides greatest protection against data loss with the redundancy of additional copies for maximum uptime. 3. Advantages of array-based vs host-based replication 4. Easiest to implement and use GUI wizards with task-based interface Script-based commands for integrated solutions 5. Overall Single and simple methodology for data protection

Activating Premium Features

Activating Premium Features

1. Receive a Premium Feature Activation card with the MD3000 and follow the Activation Steps on the card 2. Verify that MD3000 is connected to the server, powered up and the MD Storage Manager is installed 3. Locate the following codes/ numbers: Feature Activation code (11-digit code on the upper right cover of The Premium Feature Activation card) Service Tag number and Feature Enable Identifier

Activating Premium Features (contd)

These Service Tag number and Feature Enable Identifier can be found in MD Storage Manager console go to View/enable premium features link in the Tools tab

Activating Premium Features (contd)

4. Go to http://www.md-storage.com and follow the web instructions to download the premium feature. Enter the:
Feature Activation code Service Tag Feature Enable Identifier Email address Click on Submit

5. Download the premium feature key

Activating Premium Features (contd)

5. Enable Snapshot in the MD Storage Manager Console Click the Enable a feature link Enter the key file as prompted Ensure that the screen is updated to indicate that Snapshot and Virtual Disk Copy are now enabled

Individual Scenarios and Utilizing Premium Features

Customer Scenarios and Implementing Premium Features

Application Service Levels are Degraded: Backups take too long

Solution: Snapshot Virtual Disk
Very quickly backup an application with minimal disruption No encroachment upon peak business hours Applications remains online with reduced backup impact
Tape Primary Snapshot Exchange & Advanced Client Backup Server

MD3000

Trying to keep up with Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Solution: Snapshot images of data that can be scheduled
This meets a broad range of new regulations which require point-in-time backup and recovery information

Data can be tracked, protected and accessible on demand In the US, regulations such as SEC 17a-4, StarBox section 404 and HIPPA, for example, are driving new mission-critical storage strategies based on snapshot capabilities

Creating Snapshot Virtual Disks

Before Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk

Destination of the repository is based on the free capacity available in the disk group Snapshot repository requires a min of 8MB of free capacity You can choose a preferred creation path: Simple or Advanced if you have the 8MB Advanced if you have under 8MB NOT valid source virtual disks Snapshot repository virtual disks, snapshot virtual disks, target virtual disks and virtual disks participating in a virtual disk copy are You cannot create a snapshot of a virtual disk that contains unreadable sectors No I/O requests are permitted on the source virtual disk while the virtual disk snapshot is being taken
Note: In a Windows Clustered Config, the Snapshot must be mapped to the cluster node that owns the source virtual disk ensuring the cluster node correctly recognizes the snapshot

Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk Simple Path

1. Configure tab 2. Select Create Snapshot Virtual Disks

About Advance Path

You have control over: Snapshot virtual disk name and snapshot repository virtual disk name Capacity allocation Percent full Snapshot repository virtual disk full conditions

And on to More Customer Scenarios

Theres No Time to Stop and Take a Backup

Solution: Snapshot and Virtual Disk Copy
Creation of a disk staging area before moving to tape This removes the copy-on-write penalty while you are doing the backup with Snapshot only Reduces the impact to the production system of a lengthy direct disk-to-tape backup Ability to keep several backups online for fast recovery
Tape

Source Virtual Disk

Snapshot Virtual Disk MD3000

PiT Clone

Target Virtual Disk Copy

*Snapshots can also be used as the source virtual disk for backup to tape instead of backing up the master virtual disk, backup the snapshot instead

I Need to Move My Data Larger Capacity Drives

Solution: Snapshot and Virtual Disk Copy
Copying data for improved access

Copy data to a virtual disk in a disk group that uses drives with larger capacity within the same storage array
Enables the movement of data to greater capacity physical disks

Production Server

Analysis Server

Source Virtual Disk

PiT Clone

Target Virtual Disk Copy

73GB SAS

300GB SAS

Recovering Data from Tape is Slow

Solution: Snapshot Virtual Disk (in a no HW failure scenario)
An inadvertently deleted file can be retrieved by accessing the last snapshot that contains the data required

Solution: Virtual-Disk Copy (if a HW failure occurs)

Using the Edit Host-to-Virtual Disk Mapping feature to recover data from the backup virtual disk. Mapping enables you to unmap the source virtual disk from its host and map the backup virtual disk to the same host.
Server

Tape Backup

Base virtual disk

Snapshot Virtualand or copy disk virtual disk copy

Physical

Logical

Introducing New Applications without Testing on Data Introduces Inherent Risks

Solution: Virtual-Disk Copy
Creating and releasing new versions of applications needs to be executed flawlessly

Supports efforts to pre-test the application with real production data without any impact to production servers and applications

Solution: Snapshot Virtual Disk

Its PiT capabilities allows an IT admin to go back in time if a new application release does not go as planned

Virtual Disk Copy

Virtual Disk Copy Highlights

The preferred method for creating a virtual disk copy is to copy from a snapshot virtual disk. This allows the original virtual disk used in the snapshot operation to remain fully available for read/write activity while the snapshot is used as the source for the virtual disk copy operation The source virtual disk can be: A standard virtual disk A snapshot virtual disk A source virtual disk of a snapshot virtual disk The target virtual disk can be: A standard virtual disk The source virtual disk of a failed or disabled snapshot virtual disk

Before Creating a Virtual Disk Copy

A virtual disk copy overwrites data on the target virtual disk. ** Before starting a virtual disk copy, ensure that you no longer need the data or back up the data** When a virtual disk copy is started, all data is copied to the target virtual disk the source virtual disk permissions are set to readonly until the virtual disk copy is complete To prevent error messages, do not attempt to access a source virtual disk that is participating in a virtual disk copy while the virtual disk copy is in progress

Creating a Virtual Disk Copy

1. Go to the Configure tab and select Create Virtual Disk Copies.

Note: Before you create a full copy of a source virtual disk, stop any data access (I/O) to the source and target virtual disk so that the source virtual disk has a stable version of the data to be copied.

Supported Replication Scenarios

Virtual Disk Copy

Source Virtual Disk

Virtual Disk Copy

Snapshot Virtual Disk

Virtual Disk Copy

Premium Feature Summary

Snapshot Virtual Disk Creates a point-in-time image of a source virtual-disk Key features: capacity efficient, near instantaneous Uses: backup image, restoration point, application testing Benefits: reduces backup window, decreases restore times Virtual-Disk Copy Creates a full point-in-time clone of the source Virtual Disk Uses: application testing, data analysis/mining, virtual-disk relocation Benefits: Independent copy of the data

Additional Premium Feature Functions

Increasing the Snapshot Repository Capacity

You can increase the snapshot repository capacity: Using free capacity available on the disk group of the snapshot repository virtual disk Add unconfigured capacity to the disk group of the snapshot repository virtual disk use this only when NO free capacity exists on the disk group You cannot increase the capacity of a snapshot repository if the snapshot repository has any of these conditions: The virtual disk has one or more hot spare drives in use The virtual disk has status other than Optimal Any virtual disk in the disk group is in a state of modification The controller that has ownership of the virtual disk is adding capacity to another virtual disk There is not free capacity on that disk group There is no unconfigured capacity available to be added

Increasing the Snapshot Repository Capacity

1. Go to the Modify tab and select Modify Snapshot Virtual Disks

Increasing the Snapshot Repository Capacity

2. At the Modify Snapshot Virtual Disks window, select Expand Snapshot Repository

Increasing the Snapshot Repository Capacity

2. Select the snapshot repository virtual disk you would like to expand. Click Next.

Increasing the Snapshot Repository Capacity

3. The Expand Snapshot Repository Increase Capacity window provides the current capacity of the source virtual disk and the snapshot repository. Select the amount of capacity you would like to increase the repository by. Click Finish.

If necessary, free capacity can be added to this virtual disk group by adding an unassigned drive as well.

Increasing the Snapshot Repository Capacity

4. A notice will then pop up, advising of the time it will take to increase the capacity of the snapshot repository and is not cancellable once it starts. The snapshot and source virtual disk will remain accessible. Select Yes to continue. 5. The Expand Snapshot Repository Started window will confirm that the process of increasing capacity to your snapshot repository has begun.

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks

You can disable a snapshot when you no longer need it (such as when the back up is complete). You can re-create and reuse it the next time you need it

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Disable

1. Go to the Modify tab and select Modify Snapshot Virtual Disks

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Disable

2. At the Modify Snapshot Virtual Disks window, select Disable Snapshot Virtual Disks

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Disable

3. At the Disable Snapshot Virtual Disks screen, select the snapshot virtual disk you would like to disable. Click Disable.

4. A pop-up window will then ask you to confirm. Type yes and OK.

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Re-creating the Snapshot

1. Go to the Summary tab and select Disk Groups & Virtual Disks link to ensure that the snapshot virtual disk is in disabled status.

Note: Follow the additional instructions for your OS. Failure to follow these additional instructions can create unusable snapshot virtual disks.

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Re-creating the Snapshot

2. Go to the Modify Tab and select Modify snapshot virtual disks link.

3. Select Re-create Snapshots Virtual Disks

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Re-creating the Snapshot

4. Highlight the snapshot to re-create and select the Re-create button.

5. A warning window will explain that if the virtual disk was not already disabled, re-creating it will disable it first - making the point-in-time image unusable. Type yes and OK to confirm it is ok to continue.

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks Re-creating the Snapshot

6. A confirmation window Re-create Snapshot Virtual Disks will open to inform you that the snapshot was successfully recreated.

Recreating a snapshot repository virtual disk uses the previously configured snapshot name and parameters..

Managing Virtual Disk Copies

The Manage Virtual Disk Copies task screen is accessible from the Modify tab and allows you to recopy, stop the copy process, set permissions, set priority or remove virtual disk copies.

The following slides will review some of the tasks accessed from the Managing Virtual Disk Copies.

Managing Virtual Disk Copies Stopping a Virtual Disk

From the Manage Virtual Disk Copies task screen, select the virtual disk copy operation that is in process and that you would like to stop. Click Stop.

Only one operation can be stopped at a time. You will be asked to confirm that you would like to stop the copy operation. Click Yes.

Managing Virtual Disk Copies Recopying a Virtual Disk

From the Manage Virtual Disk Copies task screen, select the virtual disk copy that you would like recopied and click Recopy.

Only one operation can be recopied at a time. At the Recopy dialog box, set the priority setting, type Yes and click OK.

Creating a Virtual Disk Copy for a MSCS Shared Disk

Create a snapshot of the virtual disk and then use the snapshot virtual disk as the source for the virtual disk When creating a snapshot virtual disk, map the snapshot virtual disk to one node in the cluster Mapping the snapshot to the host group or both nodes in the cluster may cause data corruption by allowing both nodes to concurrently access data

Note: Directly creating a virtual disk copy for an MSCS shared disk, instead of a snapshot virtual disk, will fail with the following error The operation cannot complete because the selected virtual disk is not a source virtual disk candidate.

Reference Information

Supported Replication Scenarios

Virtual Disk Copy

Source Virtual Disk

Virtual Disk Copy

Snapshot Virtual Disk

Virtual Disk Copy

Data Replication Comparison

Attribute Industry term Replication type Copy location relative to source Time required to create / establish copy Performance impact of creating copy Ongoing impact of maintaining copy Maximum copies Copy dependence on source Data restoration from copy Application access to source and target Snapshot Virtual Disk Snapshot or Image Referenced PiT image of source Same storage system Virtual-Disk Copy Clone or Copy Complete PiT copy of source Same storage system Dependent on size and prioritization setting Primarily dependent on prioritization settings None 8 active copies Available if source is lost Designed for easy file and/or source restore Source is read-only during copy process. No access to copy during copy process

Near Instantaneous
Efficient method Some performance strain due to processing against both the data source and the table of pointers 4 per virtual disk/ 128 per system Lost if source is lost Designed for easy file and/or source restore Full read/write access while Snapshot remains active