Im not getting how FAST is configured , I'm in my learning phase , it would be great if you can help me understand how FAST is configured from scratch . I'll start off by telling you what I know .
I've read alot about FAST and understand how it works , I kinda know how its configured but Im missing the most basic part and been splitting my head about it .
Create Storage Tiers
Create Policies
Associate storage groups with policies
Provided the data/performance movement window
Storage Tiers - Where are these tiers created from , are they created from an existing thin pool ? or are they a stand alone pool specially meant for FAST .
For e.g - If I have an existing thin pool of FC drives will a FC storage tier be created from this pool ?
Im basically confused between the standard thin pools and fast pools --- are these the same ?
I have lot of doubts , I've just started with a couple of questions . Want to get my basics right .
A good starting place for your questions is a document that takes you step by step through the entire process of configuring FAST VP from the controller to the policies using either Unisphere or the Solutions Enabler CLI. Complete with lots of great screenshots!
Implementing Fully Automated Storage Tiering for Virtual Pools (FAST VP) for EMC VMAX Series Arrays
The quick answer to your question though is that a Tier is a logical object that can include one or more Thin Pools (all the Thin pools added to a Tier must be of the same type, speed, and RAID configuration). And yes they are just standard thin pools.
Glad to help. So the document above is the 'how to configure'. If you want to look at the theory and best practices surrounding FAST VP I highly recommend this one:
FAST VP for Symmetrix VMAX Theory and Best Practices for Planning and Performance
Yes, that is the intent. You create your devices, bind them to a pool, place them in a storage group, then associate the storage group to a policy.
You can either use the storage group used in the masking view or create storage groups just for fast policy assignment. The simplest approach will use the masking view storage group but using a separate storage group for you policy assingment gives you more flexibility.
AranH1
2163 Posts
1273
1
Posted June 19th, 2014 13:00
AE,
A good starting place for your questions is a document that takes you step by step through the entire process of configuring FAST VP from the controller to the policies using either Unisphere or the Solutions Enabler CLI. Complete with lots of great screenshots!
Implementing Fully Automated Storage Tiering for Virtual Pools (FAST VP) for EMC VMAX Series Arrays
https://support.emc.com/docu31001_Implementing_Fully_Automated_Storage_Tiering_for_Virtual_Pools_(FAST_VP)_for_EMC_VMAX_Series_Arrays.pdf?language=en_US
The quick answer to your question though is that a Tier is a logical object that can include one or more Thin Pools (all the Thin pools added to a Tier must be of the same type, speed, and RAID configuration). And yes they are just standard thin pools.