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 Spectrum Control Base server as a storage provider in VMware vCenter.

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

Ensure that your system is running version 7.6.0 or later.
Ensure that Spectrum Control Base (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 and the Spectrum Control™ Base server. NTP ensures that time settings are consistent between the system and the Spectrum Control Base server.
Confirm that you have the network information for both VMware vCenter and Spectrum Control Base: 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 Spectrum Control Base 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 Spectrum Control Base 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 Spectrum Control Base server. Defining the user account for the Spectrum Control Base server automatically configures a new user with the VASA Provider role. Spectrum Control Base 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 to record these storage credentials. You need them to configure your Spectrum Control Base server.
Note: The VASA Provider role is used only by the Spectrum Control Base 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.
For more information about configuring Spectrum Control Base, see the Spectrum Control Base documentation.

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 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. For a single storage pool, enter the following command:
```
svctask mkmetadatavdisk -mdiskgrp mdiskgrpid
```
For multiple storage pools, enter the following command:
```
svctask mkmetadatavdisk -mdiskgrp mdiskgrpid_1:mdiskgrpid_2
```
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
```
For more information about configuring Spectrum Control Base, see the IBM Spectrum Control Base documentation.