Glyph cy-misan-v User Guide
28
Setting Up the miSAN
Cybernetics
UM-MV-86-B1-0801
Virtual Standalone Drives
Standalone drives are useful in cases where tapes are not assigned for different
uses (e.g., when backups are typically large scale, spanning multiple tapes). For a
virtual standalone drive, the miSAN-V-Series can automatically change the
mounted tape, a method called autoloading, when using multiple tapes during a
backup or restore. The “Autoload” feature is user-selectable for each virtual drive .
IIf not set to “autoload” tapes, virtual tapes must be changed by a client using the
Web Control Panel.
uses (e.g., when backups are typically large scale, spanning multiple tapes). For a
virtual standalone drive, the miSAN-V-Series can automatically change the
mounted tape, a method called autoloading, when using multiple tapes during a
backup or restore. The “Autoload” feature is user-selectable for each virtual drive .
IIf not set to “autoload” tapes, virtual tapes must be changed by a client using the
Web Control Panel.
Virtual Stacker Drives
Stacker drives are more appropriate when tapes are designated for specific uses
(e.g., when tapes are grouped into “full” and “incremental” media pools or are des-
ignated for backing up specific host systems). Virtual tapes assigned to the
stacker appear to a host as conventional slotted tapes. Virtual stackers behave in
random access mode. Thus, stacker virtual tapes can be used independently.
Since a host can see all the available tapes and slots, a virtual stacker drive is
effective for performing different backup operations initiated by one or more hosts.
(e.g., when tapes are grouped into “full” and “incremental” media pools or are des-
ignated for backing up specific host systems). Virtual tapes assigned to the
stacker appear to a host as conventional slotted tapes. Virtual stackers behave in
random access mode. Thus, stacker virtual tapes can be used independently.
Since a host can see all the available tapes and slots, a virtual stacker drive is
effective for performing different backup operations initiated by one or more hosts.
For miSAN-V-Series models configured with Tape Library Control support, a vir-
tual stacker is required for direct host access to an external tape library (physical
stacker). When setting the number of virtual stacker drives, consider the number
of physical drives in the external tape library. You should create the same number
of virtual drives as there are physical drives, so that if you enable direct host
access, each physical drive will have a corresponding virtual drive.
tual stacker is required for direct host access to an external tape library (physical
stacker). When setting the number of virtual stacker drives, consider the number
of physical drives in the external tape library. You should create the same number
of virtual drives as there are physical drives, so that if you enable direct host
access, each physical drive will have a corresponding virtual drive.
You can enable host access with the physical stacker’s popup menu . Access
from a virtual stacker pairs the physical stacker slots and drives with the virtual
stacker slots and drives. A host can access the physical stacker directly by proxy
using the virtual stacker.
from a virtual stacker pairs the physical stacker slots and drives with the virtual
stacker slots and drives. A host can access the physical stacker directly by proxy
using the virtual stacker.
Deciding How to Assign Virtual Tapes
Whenever virtual components are configured, virtual tapes must be assigned to the
virtual devices afterward. Tapes are assigned to a virtual device individually or in con-
tiguous groups or can be left unassigned. Unassigned tapes are inaccessible to a
host system. When assigning virtual tapes to a virtual standalone drive, the operation
is similar to stacking a portion of the available tapes next to each tape drive. For a vir-
tual stacker, the operation is similar to loading the stacker slots with a portion of the
available tapes. The result is, the virtual devices have exclusive use of their tapes.
virtual devices afterward. Tapes are assigned to a virtual device individually or in con-
tiguous groups or can be left unassigned. Unassigned tapes are inaccessible to a
host system. When assigning virtual tapes to a virtual standalone drive, the operation
is similar to stacking a portion of the available tapes next to each tape drive. For a vir-
tual stacker, the operation is similar to loading the stacker slots with a portion of the
available tapes. The result is, the virtual devices have exclusive use of their tapes.
Creating Virtual Tapes
The miSAN-V-Series can be configured to provide up to the maximum number of vir-
tual tapes based on the miSAN-V-Series model.
tual tapes based on the miSAN-V-Series model.
1. Connect to the miSAN-V-Series using the Web Control Panel in a web browser.
2. Select the “Tools” option from the main menu bar, once the Web Control Panel
has loaded.