About optimizing hba configurations, Related topics – HP XP Array Manager Software User Manual

Page 174

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When using Smart pools, important data is allocated to the lower hardware tier because it has
fewer I/O accesses. To prevent unwanted relocations, set a specific hardware tier for the Smart
pool by configuring tiering (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3).

When using Smart pools, use the flexibility of tiering to spread the data in a host volume across
multiple layers of parity groups (high-speed, next highest speed, and low-speed) that are contained
in a pool structured for this purpose.

When using Smart pools, understand that if different drive types and/or RAID levels are mixed in
a single tier, they will all be considered equal for data placement regardless of page access fre-
quency. As a result I/O performance will be dependent on the drive type characteristics and RAID
level on which any given page resides.

If the load on a volume is too high when volume data is backed up to tape, create a copy pair
for the volume. Then do a tape backup by using the copied volume (as a secondary volume).

If it is not possible to assign a high-performance volume to a host because all unassigned volumes
are low performance, perform volume migration so that less frequently used data is migrated to
a low-performance volume, and then assign the now available high-performance volume to an
appropriate host.

If the usage frequency of an application increases, you can add an HBA and increase LUN paths
to improve data transmission performance and throughput requirements.

Related topics

About data mobility

, page 180

About data migration

, page 185

About optimizing HBA configurations

, page 174

Creating a CLPR

, page 176

About optimizing HBA configurations

Using XP7 Command View AE, optimize or maintain server HBA configurations in support of high
availability and performance/throughput requirements.

The initial allocation of volumes to a server typically occurs with the allocate volumes dialog. LUN
paths are established at this time. Host groups are used to control access to ports and volumes,
meaning all the hosts in the group are using the same ports to access allocated volumes for the hosts.

Over time, heavily used servers might exhibit the need for improved high-availability, and/or improved
I/O and throughput performance. XP7 Command View AE provides for the optimization and
maintenance of server HBA configurations, as follows:

For optimizing a server HBA configuration, you can add one or more HBAs to a server, and sim-
ultaneously identify one or more HBAs (WWNs) in the host group for the purpose of inheriting
existing LUN path information for the newly added HBAs. This provides a fast and easy way to
add HBAs, for example increasing from one HBA to two HBAs, or two HBAs to four HBAs.

In terms of maintaining current performance levels, you can remove a failed HBA and add a new
HBA, or you can add a new HBA then remove the failed HBA after the new HBA is in service.

Note that redundant HBAs can provide improved high availability, performance and throughput for
a server, unless the server itself fails. The solution for server failure is clustering.

Related topics

Adding an HBA

, page 175

Optimizing storage performance

174

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