md3000i and snapshots?

[Nick_Parrott at Dell.com]

Scott,

Snapshots are by default (in simple mode) stored in the disk group
remaining space, so when creating a disk group and then VD, consider the
amount of space required for snapshot changes, a threshold can be set,
so that when the SS VD reaches say, 50% of the original VD, you'll be
alerted.

It's also possible using the advanced mode in the snapshot wizard to
specify another disk group for storing snapshot meta-data.

This doc page may assist; (for 3000i however is same for both
3000/3000i)
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/md3000i/en/UG/HTML/sn
apshot.htm#wp1001413

You'll have to create the VD first before you look to configure
snapshots. There is also a CLI tool for the host that enables you to
script such procedures;
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/md3000i/en/CLI/HTML/i
ndex.htm
http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/md3000i/en/CLI/HTML/s
napshot.htm#wp1074424

Regards,

Nick


-----Original Message-----
From: linux-poweredge-bounces at dell.com
[mailto:linux-poweredge-bounces at dell.com] On Behalf Of Scott R. Ehrlich
Sent: 28 July 2008 22:28
To: linux-poweredge-Lists
Subject: md3000i and snapshots?

I have a new md3000i connected to a new PE2950 running CentOS 5.0
64-bit, 
out of box.

I'm talking to the md3000i find now, and am learning how the
configuration 
manager works.  I've enabled snapshot capability that we've paid for.

What would be _really_ nice, that I don't see in the March 2008 CD I
have 
for installation of the configuration manager, is the magical 
incorporation of snapshot allocation into the virtual disk building 
process.   If I select drives for logical volumes, I would hope there 
would either be allocated space for snapshoting afterwords, or that the 
feature would be part of the configuration/build process.

It can take several hours to build an array, only to realize that I
didn't 
leave enough space.   With the design of Dell's GUI management tool, the

least I could ask is for as seemless a configuration as possible.

Now I have to take a lot of extra time to figure out if I want one
massive 
RAID 5, and if so, how many disks, then wonder/hope I leave enough space

for snapshotting.  If not, delete the RAID, hours again rebuild a
smaller 
one, then create the snapshot stuff.

Is there an easier way to manage/incorporate snapshotting with RAID
volume 
creations?

Snapshotting is why I went with the 3000i to start with instead of the 
much more expensive netapp.  I expect to get the most out of it, if I
can 
figure out an easy to get to it...

Thanks.

Scott

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