Prepare environment for migration

Fibre Channel connections

If you are migrating external storage systems that connect to the system that uses Fibre Channel or Fibre Channel over Ethernet connections, ensure that you complete appropriate zoning changes to simplify migration. To use Fibre Channel connections, the system must have the optional Fibre Channel host interface adapter installed.

Use the following guidelines to ensure that zones are configured correctly for migration:

Zoning rules

For every storage system, create one zone that contains this system's ports from every node and all external storage system ports, unless otherwise stated by the zoning guidelines for that storage system.

This system requires single-initiator zoning for all large configurations that contain more than 64 host objects. Each server Fibre Channel port must be in its own zone, which contains the Fibre Channel port and this system's ports. In configurations of fewer than 64 hosts, you can have up to 40 Fibre Channel ports in a host zone if the zone contains similar HBAs and operating systems.

Storage system zones

In a storage system zone, this system's nodes identify the storage systems. Generally, create one zone for each storage system. Host systems cannot operate on the storage systems directly; all data transfer occurs through this system's nodes.

Host zones

In the host zone, the host systems can identify and address this system's nodes. You can have more than one host zone and more than one storage system zone. Create one host zone for each host Fibre Channel port.

SAS connections

For the storage system that you are migrating, ensure that your system is cabled to the external storage system that uses SAS connections. For SAS-attached external storage systems, the system supports only wide port SAS connections and requires that the external storage system is directly attached to the system. The system supports multiple I/O groups; however, when migrating data from an external storage system, use the node canisters in one I/O group. Using the SAS cables, connect the external storage system to both node canisters in that I/O group before you begin the migration.All of the SAS ports except port 4 can be used for data migration from external storage to the system. Port 4 is used exclusively to connect the control enclosure to expansion enclosures.

iSCSI connections

To migrate iSCSI external storage requires that the system and the storage system are connected through an Ethernet switch. Symmetric ports on all nodes of the system must be connected to the same switch and must be configured on the same subnet. Cable the Ethernet ports on the storage system to fabric in the same way as the system and ensure that they are configured in the same subnet. Use Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) support to define network traffic for the system ports. See Modify VLAN for details on setting up VLAN for storage systems. For full redundancy, configure two Ethernet fabrics with separate Ethernet switches. If the source system nodes and the external storage system both have more than two Ethernet ports, additional redundant iSCSI connections can be established for increased throughput.