Configuring a system for an IBM i host

Configure a DS8000 storage system for an IBM Power Systems host with an IBM i operating system by creating fixed block (FB) pools and volumes. After you complete these steps, connect the volumes to a host system.

1. Create a pair of FB pools, one for each processor node, by using the Create Pool Pair action in the Arrays by Pool page.
   The DS8000 Storage Management GUI automatically creates a pair of pools, which balances the workload between the two nodes.
2. In the Create Pool Pair window, select the number of arrays that you want to assign to the pool pair, according to your performance needs as determined in the storage planning process.
   If you have multiple drive classes on your storage system, decide how many of each drive class you want in each pool. An array consists of eight drives. The DS8000 Storage Management GUI configures the selected arrays for FB storage and distributes them evenly between the two pools.
   Note: If you prefer to balance arrays manually, you can use the Assign action in the Arrays by Pool page.
3. Create a set of FB volumes by using the Create Volumes action in either the Volumes page or the Volumes by Pool page. Use the quick volume creation option to conveniently create volumes with standard provisioning. Use the custom volume creation option to create volumes with thin provisioning and specify logical subsystems (LSSs). For more information, see Creating volumes for IBM i hosts by using quick creation or Creating volumes for IBM i hosts by using custom creation.
4. Add the host system that accesses data on the volumes by using the Add Host action on the Hosts page.
   1. Select the IBM i host type.
   2. Assign host ports to the host.
5. Map the volumes to the host by using the Map to Host action on the Volumes by Host page.
   The volumes are now accessible through all of the I/O ports on the storage system.
6. Set the I/O port protocols of the I/O ports that the host uses to communicate with the storage system. Use the Modify I/O Port Protocols action on the System page to set the I/O port protocol to SCSIFCP.
7. Optional: You can limit the I/O ports that can access the volumes by using the Modify I/O Port Mask action on the Hosts page.
8. To ensure that the I/O ports are visible to the host system, configure the fabric that connects the host to the storage system. See online product documentation about configuring IBM Power Systems hosts running IBM i.