HP XP P9000 Command View Advanced Edition Software - Manual (Page 25)

3 Setting up and operating a SAN
environment
This module describes setting up and operating a Storage Area Network (SAN).
Virtualizing storage
This module describes how to virtualize storage.
About virtualizing volumes
Virtualizing volumes is the process of mapping volumes in a source storage system to a target storage
system. The volumes in the source storage system (registered and referred to as
external volumes )
can then be managed in the same way as the volumes in the target storage system (registered and
referred to as
internal volumes ).
Virtualizing volumes allows you to use P9000 Command View AE Software to centrally manage
volumes in multiple source storage systems from a single storage system.
External volumes can be used for various purposes, including:
• External volumes can be allocated to hosts the same as internal volumes are.
• Important data on internal volumes can be backed up to external volumes.
• Infrequently accessed data on internal volumes can be moved to external volumes for archiving.
NOTE:
To virtualize volumes, External Storage Software must be installed on the target storage system.
Prerequisites for virtualizing volumes
Before virtualizing volumes, verify the following:
• The internal and external storage systems are registered in P9000 Command View AE Software.
• External Storage Software is installed on the target storage system.
• The external storage system is connected to one or more external ports of the internal storage
system.
In addition, determine:
• The required number and capacity of volumes you are virtualizing.
• The number of paths between the external and internal storage systems.
User Guide 25