This post is more than 5 years old
96 Posts
0
1246
VPLEX question
IHAC would like to move data from IBM to EMC VMAX. Data size 20TB.
Recommended EMC-VPLEX or SVC to migrate data by the customer shortlisted vendor. The concern any appliance used will be taken out after migration.
Query
Since VPLEX or SVC would be a leasing kit (cutomer do not want this hardware); can we take out the appliance once data moved to VMAX?
Thanks in advance
vsevolod1
12 Posts
2
August 19th, 2014 02:00
You still need downtime to integrate any virtualization level into existing infrastructure. I can't really understand what is the purpose to avoid host-base migration.
Well, lets see the virtualization integration steps to perform in the invironment:
1. You need to prepare new zones for the virtualization appliance.
2. You need to plan and prepare the detialed config for the appliance itself and for the underliging array(s).
3. Downtime goes -> here <-
4. Unmount volumes\Deport volume groups on the host-side.
5. "Hide" volumes from the old "place".
6. Show volumes to virtualization appliance.
7. Configure data structures on virtualization appliance to show volumes "outside".
8. Reconfigure mpath\vol mgr on host to see new LUNS (totaly new ids\wwns etc.).
9. Start everything.
The way back out of the appliance is possible but all steps are just similar.
So if you have a good plan you can minimize the downtime. But it seems to me, that this approach is too complex for the temporary presence of appliance.
We have a deal with a huge distance between sites. I believe that the latency would be the limitting factor here. The only method is an asynchronous replication, which is more complex to configure on the vplex (not sure for svc). But you should take care of channels accurate. There are some strict limitation on that.
If I were you I would look to vsphere replication (not vmotion due to distance) and LVM migrations\standby databases. But it's only my point. Maybe someone have dealt with such migrations on the forum.
vsevolod1
12 Posts
1
August 19th, 2014 01:00
Hello!
I wonder if you really need any type of appliance. VMAX has it's own kind of virtualization (FTS) free of charge (by the way).
Which host type(s) do you need to migrate? For VMWare, Oracle and most UNIX systems it's much easier to make migrrations by means of native volume manager or database. This aproach negates the need of any downtime in most cases.
pmenon5
96 Posts
0
August 19th, 2014 01:00
Thanks Vsevolod..
Customer would like to avoid any host based; VMotion is there in the plan.
*And the source DC based in NY (US) and target London (UK).
*40%VM and remaining are Unix AIX or Citrix and Windows platform
Due to downtime challenges; going ahead with VPLEX or SVC if possible...any thoughts?
pmenon5
96 Posts
0
August 19th, 2014 03:00
So uninstall of the appliance is possible (after migration..).. I will check with IBM for SVC... Thanks Vsevolod...
garyo
89 Posts
2
August 20th, 2014 12:00
Just curious - why take downtime and host disruption each and every time you want to refresh the storage-arrays? VPLEX is designed to be a one time disruption to the host, and then if left in place, will never require host downtime ever again for array tech refresh. Migrations from that point forward are completely invisible from the host's standpoint.
If asynchronous replication is required, then deploy VPLEX w/ Recoverpoint CRR (continuous remote replication.) VPLEX handles the data mobility piece of things, and RecoverPoint handles the remote asynchronous replication. Many happy customers using this today.
Gary