Can splitvg be used with PowerPath on AIX

Summary: to migrate data from one kind of array to another, there are different tools available either involving the host or completed on the SAN directly. This article is presenting splitvg as an alternate method to migrate data while keeping a copy on the source array. ...

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Symptoms



Environment : AIX (any release)
DELL EMC SW: PowerPath for AIX
 
From the man page :

The splitvg command can split a single mirror copy of a fully mirrored volume group into a separate  snapshot  volume group. 

From the man page:

The splitvg command splits a single mirror copy of a fully mirrored volume group into a snapshot volume group. The original volume group VGname will stop using the disks that are now part of the snapshot volume group SnapVGname. Both volume groups will keep track of the writes within the volume group so that when the snapshot volume group is rejoined with the original volume group consistent data is maintained across the rejoined mirrors copies.


Note:

  • To split a volume group, all logical volumes in the volume group must have the target mirror copy and the mirror must exist on a disk or set of disks. Only the target mirror copy must exist on the target disk or disks.

  • The splitvg command will fail if any of the disks to be split are not active within the original volume group.

  • In the unlikely event of a system crash or loss of quorum while running this command, the joinvg command must be run to rejoin the disks back to the original volume group.

  • New logical volumes and file system mount points will be created in the snapshot volume group.

  • When the splitvg command targets a concurrent-capable volume group which is varied on in non-concurrent mode, the new volume group that is created will not be varied on when the splitvg command completes. The new volume group must be varied on manually.

Resolution

AIX SNAPSHOT

A mirror copy can be broken into a snapshot : this is a full copy of the data and the synchronization of the mirror is just stopped. The resulting "snapshot" (which would rather be called a "clone" in the DELL EMC terminology) can be mounted either locally or  on a distant server where it can be used as a source for a backup. It is also possible to re-synchronize the mirror. The commands used for these operations are splitvg, joinvg and syncvg.

[testu21@root] /root> lsvg -p testvg testvg: PV_NAME PV STATE TOTAL PPs FREE PPs FREE DISTRIBUTION hdiskpower0 active 78 37 06..00..00..15..16 hdiskpower1 snapshotpv 46 5 00..00..00..00..05


The command is supported with PowerPath devices. However, the method itself has not been qualified by E-lab. The mechanism itself is therefore supported by IBM.

For a full DELL EMC support for a particular activity, an RPQ should be submitted.

Affected Products

PowerPath for AIX

Products

PowerPath for AIX
Article Properties
Article Number: 000064334
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 17 Oct 2025
Version:  4
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