Planning to use external storage

Review and complete important planning tasks before you configure and enable the system to use external storage.

1. Review the required hardware for external storage in the following list. If necessary, order these items through an IBM System and Technology Group (SWG) storage specialist.
   • One of the following SAN Volume Controller (SVC) devices. You must plan to rack-mount these devices in close proximity to your IBM® Cloud Pak System Software in your datacenter:
     • Any IBM® Storwize® V7000
     • IBM FlashSystem V9000
     • IBM SVC appliance model with firmware version 7.3.0.4 or later
     • IBM FlashSystem FS7200
   • Fiber channel transceivers for IBM System Storage SAN64B-6 Scalable Switch
   • 32Gb SFP Transceivers and the port activation licenses are already installed on the switches.
   • Ethernet transceivers for Top of Rack (ToR) switch: 1 Gb SFP 1000BaseT Copper transceiver.
     • You must have at least 2 Ethernet transceivers.
     • You must have two available ToR data ports.

   For IBM representatives ordering hardware through the Advanced Administrative System (AAS): Order the transceivers along with the SVC. If you are unable to order the transceivers with the SVC, use the Bulk MES process to place orders for components that do not carry a Machine Type Model (MTM) designation. Enter the order with a dummy serial number, #00000, and set the Bulk MES indicator feature to 0004.

2. Configure the external storage device by creating the RSA public and private keys and adding the management IPv6 address to the cluster IP on port 1. The address must start with FD8C:215D:178E:C0DE:<xxxx>:<xxxx>:<xxxx>:<xxxx>. For more information, see the documentation for the specific device.
   Note: Although non-superuser with administrator authority is supported, superuser is recommended for administrative tasks.
3. Create a volume on the external storage device. For more information, see the documentation for the specific device.
4. Contact IBM to open a case for enabling the system, obtain required licenses if necessary, and schedule your onsite installation and configuration support.