Simple LUN allocation steps – VNX

In one of our post earlier, we have seen the allocation steps in VMAX. Now let’s see the case with the mid-range product, EMC VNX. LUN allocation in VNX is quite simple with the Unisphere Manager GUI. Lets see the steps here.

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Creating a LUN : You need to have the information like the Size of the LUN required, the disk type and RAID type (if there are any specific requirement) etc… Based on these requirements, you have to decide the pool to go with. Based on the disk type and RAID type used in different pools, you will have to select the correct pool. From Unisphere, under Storage>LUNs you have to click the Create button.

You have to furnish the data including the Size, Pool (Video below from EMC on Pool creation) etc…in the screen. You will have to select the checkbox depending on whether the LUN need to be created as a Thin/Thick. Once all the fields are filled in, you have to note the LUN-ID and you can submit the form. Done..! You have created the LUN, you can find the new LUN from the list and verify the details..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr7Sndqz_cA

Adding a new host : Yes, your requirement may be to allocate new LUN to a new host. Once host is connected via fabric and you have done with the zoning, the host connectivity should be visible in Initiators list (Unisphere> Hosts> Initiators). If you have the Unisphere Host Agent installed on the host or if it is an ESXi host, the host gets auto-registered and you will see the host details in the Initiators list.

Else you will see only the new host WWNs in the list. You have to select the WWNs and do a register. You have to fill in the host details (Name and IP) and the ArrayCommpath and failover mode settings. Once the host is registered, you will see the host in the hosts list (Unisphere > Hosts > Hosts).

 

Storage Group : You now have to make the LUN visible to the hosts. Storage Group is the way to do this in VNX/Clariion. You will have to create a new storage group for the hosts (Unisphere > Hosts > Storage Groups). You can name the new storage group to match the host/cluster name for easy identification and then add the hosts to the group.

If there are multiple hosts which will be sharing the LUNs, you have to add the hosts in the storage group. And you also have to add the LUNs to the Storage Group. You have to set the HLU for the LUNs in the SG and have to be careful in giving the HLU. For changing the HLU, you will have to take a downtime as it can not be modified on-the-fly.

Once the LUNs and hosts are added to the Storage Group, you are done with the allocation..! You can now request the host team to do a rescan to see the new LUNs.

Hope this post helped you. For more Celerra/VNX posts click here