HP 6400.8400 Enterprise Virtual Array - Manual (Page 34)

3 EVA6400/8400 operation
Best practices
For useful information on managing and configuring your storage system, see the HP 4400 and
6400/8400 Enterprise Virtual Array configuration best practices white paper available at:
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/storage/arraywhitepapers.html
Operating tips and information
Reserving adequate free space
To ensure efficient storage system operation, a certain amount of unallocated capacity, or free
space, should be reserved in each disk group. The recommended amount of free space is influenced
by your system configuration. For guidance on how much free space to reserve, see the HP 4400
and 6400/8400 Enterprise Virtual Array configuration best practices white paper. See
“Best
practices” (page 34) .
Using FATA disk drives
FATA drives are designed for lower duty cycle applications such as near online data replication
for backup. These drives should not be used as a replacement for EVA's high performance, standard
duty cycle, Fibre Channel drives. Doing so could shorten the life of the drive.
For useful information on managing and configuring your storage system, see the HP 4400 and
6400/8400 Enterprise Virtual Array configuration best practices white paper. See
“Best practices”
(page 34) .
Using solid state disk drives
The following requirements apply to solid state disk (SSD) drives:
•
Supported in the EVA4400 and EVA6400/8400 only, running a minimum controller software
version of 09500000 for the 72 GB drive and 09534000 for the 200 GB and 400 GB drives
•
SSD drives must be in a separate disk group
•
The SSD disk group supports a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 drives per array
•
SSD drives can only be configured with Vraid5 or Vraid1 (Vraid1 requires controller software
version 09534000 or later)
•
Supported with HP P6000 Business Copy
•
Not supported with HP P6000 Continuous Access
•
Dynamic Capacity Management extend and shrink features are not supported
Use of these devices in unsupported configurations can lead to unpredictable results, including
unstable array operation or data loss.
QLogic HBA speed setting
In a Linux direct connect environment with QLogic 4 Gb/s HBAs, auto speed negotiation is not
supported. The QLogic HBA speed setting must be set to 4 Gb/s.
EVA6400/8400 host port negotiates to incorrect speed
The EVA6400/8400 might not correctly negotiate to 4 Gb/s when connected to an HP M-Series
4400, 4700, or 6140 switch with ports set to autonegotiate. The workaround is to set the switch
port to 4 Gb/s.
34 EVA6400/8400 operation