FAST on Symmetrix VMAX

If you look at any device that is in a storage group under fast control you will see a new tab which will show you how much data of that device is in what tier.

Try this on SYMCLI host.

symfast -sid XXXX show -association -sg Prod1_SG

My output is:

C:\symfast -sid ++++ show -association -sg SG_TEST

Symmetrix ID          : ++++++++++++

Storage Group         : SG_TEST

Thin Devices(4)
    {
    --------------------------------------------------
         Flags Dev        Total Bound        Allocated
    Sym    P   Emul      Tracks Pool Name       Tracks
    ---- ----- ----- ---------- ------------ ---------
    01E5   N   FBA       819750 VP_Tier1        819108
    01E6   N   FBA       819750 VP_Tier1        819072
    01ED   N   FBA        16500 VP_Tier3           276
    01EE   N   FBA        16500 VP_Tier3           216

    Total            ----------              ---------
    Tracks              1672500                1638672
       GBs                  102                    100
    }

Policy Name          : Silver
Priority             : 2

Tiers(2)
    {
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Max SG       Target
    Tier Name                        Type  Percent Tech  Protection
    -------------------------------- ---- -------- ----- -------------
    FC_RAID-5_3plus1_VP_1            VP        100 FC    RAID-5(3+1)
    SATA_RAID-6_6plus2_VP_1          VP        100 SATA  RAID-6(6+2)
    }

Legend:
Tier Type: DP = Disk Group Provisioning, VP = Virtual Pools
Flags:
   (P)inned : Y = Device is Pinned, N = Device is not Pinned

Yes I see an extra Tab but doesnt look different from when FAST was enabled?

Have you got answer for your question ??

No not really, I was expecting to see changes in the swap move history?  Not sure how you know it is working?  We were told that after you set it up you can have it so it analyses first then you can see what it wants to move between the tiers?  Understand that it will be automatic but knowing what has actually moved to what tier.

I recall we wondered about something similar, when we hadn't set up a MTW (Move time window) entry, other than the default MTW which is disallowed.

When we created a new MTW entry which was allowed and inclusive (anytime) we've started seeing some movement across our virtual pools.

Worth a check perhaps ?

John

Hi,

The recommendation is to have both the Data Collection and Data Movement time windows for FAST/VP bet set to 24/7.  There is no good reason to prevent promotion if the host becomes active.  You would be introducing performance problems that could have been prevented.

Hi,

I think you are thinking about the original FAST or Symm Optimizer.  That was a analyze and move process that happened over several days and moves were planned and approved.

FAST VP is completely different.  It is a real-time process which is moving small extents all the time that the move time window is open.  You cannot see each of these moves since they are small and dynamic.  The way to see the movement itself is within Unisphere using the Virtual Pools in Performance section.  You will see two metrics: ingress / egress.  Both are tracks per second that are moved by Fast either into or out of that pool.  So for example, the ingress to FC would probably be the egress from SATA as extents get promoted.

As shown above, you can always see exactly where a TDEV lives right now, how many tracks in each pool.  FAST VP was never intended to need any customer approval or management nor will it provide extent level history.

EMC recommends that the Collection and Movement Time windows for FAST/VP be set to 24/7 since there is no reason to prevent a promotion from happening if the host is active.