Replacing a Volume in a Virtual Volume

Primary or secondary volumes in a virtual volume can be replaced with other available candidate volumes. The candidate volumes must be from the same server.

If a mirrored virtual volume is served to an application server, a volume from the primary (preferred) or alternate server can be replaced without the application server losing access to the virtual volume.

Replacing a volume will adjust all mirror and application server mappings. Mirrors will be synchronized after replacement with a full recovery, but data is not copied in the case of linear virtual volumes.

Special considerations for replacing volumes:

• If a volume to be replaced is a member of a snapshot relationship or AIM set, disable the snapshot relationship or AIM set before replacing the volume. Replacing a volume in an enabled snapshot relationship or AIM set can produce unpredictable results.

• After replacing volumes in a mirror, you must allow time for synchronization before making other configuration changes to the virtual volume.

• If mapped, replacements must be equal to or greater than the virtual volume size.

• If the virtual volume is mapped, candidate volumes will originate from servers that have target channels of the same type (iSCSI or FC) as the original initiator channels on the application server. (Although the storage or application server channel may be disconnected at the time of replacement, the potential to make a connection must exist.)

• Must be the same type. Static volumes can only be replaced by other static volumes. Volumes from dynamic pools can only be replaced by other volumes from dynamic pools. There are some exceptions to this rule:  

• • Static volumes (partition-based volumes or static NMVs) can be replaced by dynamic NMVs if:

1. 1. 1. Dynamic pools must have sufficient SAUs available.

      2. The virtual volume must be unmapped. (Unmap and apply before running replacing your volume.)

If you are upgrading from static volumes to dynamic in a mirror, replace both volumes before mapping to the application server.

1. • In special cases, such as when a pool is offline, it may be necessary to replace a dynamic volume with a static volume. If this is the case, you must select the Allow Mixed Static and Dynamic Mirrors check box in the Replace dialog box. This option will remain enabled until cleared. Review Allow Mixed Static and Dynamic Mirrors.

 

To replace a volume in a virtual volume:

1. In the Virtual Volumes snap-in, select the virtual volume containing the volume to replace and choose Properties from the context menu.

2. On the Volumes tab, select the volume to replace from the list and click Replace.

3. In the Replace dialog box, select the replacement volume from the candidates list.

 

4. In special cases, it may be necessary to replace static volumes (partition-based volumes or static NMVs) with dynamic volumes (dynamic NMVs), or dynamic volumes with static volumes. Refer to Allow Mixed Static and Dynamic Mirrors before enabling the Allow Mixed Static and Dynamic Mirrors check box in the dialog box.

5. Click OK to close the Replacement dialog box and click OK on the Volumes tab to close the Properties dialog box.

6. Apply the configuration changes.

 

 

 

Replacing a Volume in a Virtual Volume