Configuring the system to use external storage devices

When you enable the use of external storage devices, you can assign volumes to cloud groups as block or block shared volume types.

1. Configure the external storage link.
   1. Log in to the console as a hardware administrator with full permissions.
   2. Click System > Network Configuration.
   3. Expand the VLANs and Links view.
      Note: In the VLANs section, a VLAN of type External Storage is displayed. This VLAN is predefined on the system for external storage configuration and must not be changed.
   4. Click Add Link.
   5. Create a link with the following characteristics:

      Link Name

      Create a unique link name to identify the link.

      Ports

      Select a port from the available list.

      Transceiver

      Select an available transceiver for the link to use.

      Aggregation

      Select the type of aggregation. Select LACP.

      Port Type

      Select Access. This port type provides access to a single VLAN.

      VLAN Name

      Select the external storage VLAN.

   6. After you select all options, click Confirm, then click Save to add the link. The external storage VLAN enables both the ToR Ethernet management connection and the fiber channel connections to the rack.

      When you click Confirm, only the user interface updates are applied. To apply the changes to the database, you must click Save.

   7. Connect the cables to the storage controller device. The system recognizes that the cables are connected after a few minutes.
2. Create a new external storage controller.
   1. Click Hardware > Storage Devices > New.
   2. Click Add External Storage tab.
   3. Enter the host address and the RSA private key file you used to configure the external storage device.
   4. Click Test connection, and wait for the results.
      When the status is displayed as Available, click OK.
   When the external storage controller is successfully created and included in the system's inventory, it is listed as available on the Storage Devices page.
3. Enable the system to discover the volumes you created on the external storage device.
   On the Storage Devices page, click Discover.
4. Assign the volume to a cloud group.
   1. Log in to the console as a cloud group administrator with full permissions.
   2. Click Cloud > Volumes.
   3. Click the name of the volume to open the details page.
   4. Select the cloud group type in the In cloud group field, and click Save.
      For example, assign the volume to a cloud group of type Virtual Manager.
5. Change the type of the volume.
   1. Click Edit next to the Type field.