PowerProtect Data Manager 19.17 Storage Array User Guide

Road map for PowerMax storage group protection

The following road map provides the steps that are required to configure the PowerMax array in PowerProtect Data Manager in order to run protection policies.

1. Review the compatibility information to verify that PowerProtect Data Manager supports the PowerMax system version, and to determine the HotFix that is required.
   The E-Lab Navigator provides software compatibility information for the PowerProtect Data Manager software.

   CAUTION:Failure to apply the HotFix can have a critical impact on the PowerMax system during backup operations.
2. Review the section PowerMax solution architecture to verify the following:
   1. The SAN and LAN prerequisites for component connectivity (Unisphere, PowerMax, ESXi hosts, PowerProtect DD, PowerProtect Data Manager).
   2. All LAN connections are available (for example, TCP ports are open and VLAN is configured).
   3. If VLAN separation is required, the data VLAN is added into PowerProtect Data Manager to separate management and data traffic between PowerProtect Data Manager, Block Volume protection engines, DD, and Unisphere.
3. Add a PowerMax asset source. Go to the PowerProtect Data Manager UI Infrastructure > Asset Sources window, enable the PowerMax asset source, and then add the Unisphere for PowerMax server in PowerProtect Data Manager.
   NOTE:Both the embedded and external Unisphere are supported.
4. Upon successful discovery of the Unisphere, select the detected PowerMax array, and then select More Actions > Enable Management to discover and protect the assets of the PowerMax storage arrays using this Unisphere.
5. Add a storage system.
   The PowerProtect Data Manager Administrator Guide provides instructions for adding protection storage.

   NOTE:It is recommended that you use a minimum 25 GbE network for accessing this storage system.
6. Configure SAN zoning and the PowerMax backup storage group:
   1. Create SAN zoning between PowerMax and the ESXi hosts where the Block Volume protection engines are deployed.
   2. Create a storage group with the name PPDM_BV_PROXY_SG with Storage Resource Pool set to None on the PowerMax array with a gatekeeper device added to it.
   3. Create a masking view for the ESXi host hosting the block volume protection engines, and add the storage group PPDM_BV_PROXY_SG.
      PowerProtect Data Manager uses this storage group to map volumes to protection engines during protection and restore operations.

      NOTE:The storage group name can be changed using the sdmng configuration file. More information about the settings that can be changed in this file is provided in the Troubleshooting Appendix.
   4. Add one empty volume (which can be the gatekeeper) to the proxy storage group, which is required for masking this storage group to the ESXi hosts.
   5. Create the masking view between the proxy storage group and the ESXi host HBA initiators where the Block Volume protection engines are going to be deployed.
7. Deploy one or more Block Volume protection engines:
   1. Add a Block Volume protection engine for PowerMax workloads. In the Infrastructure > Protection Engines window, click Add and then provide the details for the Block Volume protection engine.
      NOTE:Protection engines must be deployed on the ESXi host that is masked to the PPDM_BV_PROXY_SG storage group.

      If management and data traffic are separated, add a VLAN to the protection engine.

   2. After a successful deployment of the protection engine, perform a discovery on the PowerMax array to ensure efficient use of the protection engines during backup and restore operations. Go to Infrastructure > Asset Sources > PowerMax, select the PowerMax array, and click Discover to update the number of available protection engines in PowerProtect Data Manager.
8. Set the PowerMax storage group protection level for parent and child storage groups, based on your protection requirements. Go to Infrastructure > Assets > PowerMax Block, select a parent or child storage group, and then select More Actions > Change Protection Level.
9. Set the asset stream count. Go Infrastructure > Assets > PowerMax Block, select a storage group, and then select More Actions > Set Stream Count. Setting the asset parallelism is optional and allows you to control the maximum number of Block Volume protection engines used during the backup session of this asset.
10. If application-consistent backups are required:
    1. Install the File System agent on the host.
       The PowerProtect Data Manager File System User Guide provides instructions.
    2. Add pre-scripts and post-scripts for block volume protection. Use the Protection > Scripts window to add scripts into PowerProtect Data Manager with parameters that are specific to the protected application.
       NOTE:MEDITECH is not supported for PowerMax.
    3. Add asset groups to associate scripts with block volumes. On the Infrastructure > Assets > PowerStore Block tab, click to switch to group view, and then click Add to create one or more asset groups.
    4. Add the storage groups on which the application is running to the asset groups.
    5. Associate the application host to run the scripts, the operating system user, pre/post scripts, timeouts, and values for parameters that are specific to the particular application instance.
11. Add a protection policy for PowerMax block volume protection. Go to the Protection > Protection Policies window to add a protection policy for PowerMax block volume protection.