Configuring Virtual Volumes

After you ensure that your environment meets the prerequisites for VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes, you must first enable the function by using the management GUI or the command-line interface (CLI). You then configure and register the IBM Spectrum® Connect server as a storage provider in VMware vCenter.

Before you configure Virtual Volumes, the following prerequisites must be met:

Ensure that IBM Spectrum Connect (version 2.2.1 or later) is installed.
Ensure that you are running VMware vSphere (ESXi hosts and vCenter) version 6.0 (or later).
Ensure that Network Time Protocol (NTP) server is configured on the system along with the IBM Spectrum Control Base server. NTP ensures that time settings are consistent between the system and the IBM Spectrum Control Base server.
Confirm that you have the network information for both VMware vCenter and IBM Spectrum Connect: the IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and fully qualified domain name (FQDN) such as hostname.domain.com.

Using the management GUI

To enable Virtual Volumes, complete the following tasks on your system before you configure any settings within the IBM Spectrum Connect server:

In the management GUI, click Settings > System > VVOL.
Select On to enable Virtual Volumes. A utility volume is automatically created to store critical metadata that is required for Virtual Volumes. This utility volume is managed by the IBM Spectrum Connect server.
Select a storage pool to store the utility volume. If possible, store a mirrored copy of the utility volume in a second storage pool that is in a separate failure domain. For example, use a storage pool that is made from MDisks that are presented from different storage systems or a different I/O group.
Create a user account for the IBM Spectrum Connect server. To create the VMware vSphere API for Storage Awareness (VASA) provider role, complete these steps:
1. In the management GUI, select Access > Users > Create User Group.
2. Enter any valid name for user group and select VASA Provider for the role and click Create.
3. On the User page, click Create User.
4. Enter a user name that is used by the IBM Spectrum Connect server and select the user name that you created previous for the User Group. Enter a valid password and click Create.
IBM Spectrum Connect server uses these storage credentials and role privileges to access the system and to run the automated tasks that are required for Virtual Volumes. Ensure that you record these storage credentials. You need them to configure your IBM Spectrum Connect server.
Note: The VASA Provider role is used only by the IBM Spectrum Connect server. Users must not directly log in to the management GUI or CLI with an account that has the VASA Provider user role and complete system tasks, unless they are directed to by support.
In the management GUI, select Hosts > Hosts.
To create a new host object, select Add Host.
Enter the name of an ESXi host server that will access storage from the system and enter connection information. Select VVOL for the host type. Click Add Host. Repeat this step for each ESXi host server.
If the ESXi host was previously configured, the host type can be changed by selecting the ESXi host. Click Action and select Properties. On the Overview panel, select Edit and change the host type to VVOL.

Using the command-line interface

To enable Virtual Volumes by using the command-line interface (CLI), complete these steps:

A utility volume is required to store critical metadata for Virtual Volumes. To create a utility volume for a single storage pool, enter the following command:
```
svctask mkmetadatavdisk -mdiskgrp mdiskgrpid
```
To create a utility volume for multiple storage pools, enter the following command:
```
svctask mkmetadatavdisk -mdiskgrp mdiskgrpid_1:mdiskgrpid_2
```
To create the utility volume on the system, you must have either the administrator or the security administrator user role. If possible, have a mirrored copy of the utility volume that is stored in a second storage pool in a separate failure domain. Use a storage pool that is made from MDisks that are presented from a different storage controller or a different I/O group.
On the system, create the user group and specify the VASA Provider role. Enter the following command:
```
mkusergrp -role VasaProvider -name VasaProvider
```
On the system, create the user for the VASA Provider role. The user who has the VASA Provider role is given specific permissions that restrict access to only those functions that are related to Virtual Volumes management. Enter the following command:
```
mkuser -usergrp VasaProvider -name myVasaProvider -password
    'password'
```
To add a host that represents the ESXi host server that accesses the pool for Virtual Volumes, enter the following command:
```
mkhost -fcwwpn 210100E08B251EE6:210100F08C262EE7 -type adminlun 
-iogrp io_grp0:io_grp1:io_grp2:io_grp3 
```
The parameter -type adminlun indicates that the host is used for Virtual Volumes.
To change an existing host that accesses the pool for Virtual Volumes, enter the following command:
```
chhost -type adminlun host_id
```