Creating new storage for VMware vSphere Virtual Volumes

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The system supports VMware Virtual Volumes, which are referred to as vVols, which allow VMware vCenter to automate the management of system objects like volumes and pools.

When VMware vCenter administrators need extra storage from the system for new applications or virtual machines, they can request the storage administrator to complete one of the following tasks:
  • Expand existing storage resources (child pools)
  • Create additional storage resources

Both of these tasks must be completed by using the IBM Spectrum® Connect management GUI.

The VMware vCenter administrator needs to provide the following information to the storage administrator:
  • Capacity requirements of the new storage
  • Information on the storage capabilities required (if adding storage resource)

IBM Spectrum Connect administrator

Expanding an existing storage resource
  1. Using the IBM Spectrum Connect management GUI, expand an existing storage resource. For more information about expanding an existing storage resource, see the IBM Spectrum Connect documentation.
Creating additional storage resources
  1. Using the IBM Spectrum Connect management GUI, you can create either a new child pool and add it to an existing capacity or you can create a new child pool and add it to a new capacity . For specific details on these options, see the IBM Spectrum Connect documentation.

VMware vCenter administrator

After the IBM Spectrum Connect administrator adds the additional storage through either of these methods, the VMware vCenter administrator, must complete one of the following tasks:
  1. If the IBM Spectrum Connect administrator added expanded additional storage resources, then the VMware vCenter administrator must rescan the system to pick up changes to an existing storage capacity.
  2. If the IBM Spectrum Connect administrator created additional storage resources, then the VMware vCenter administrator must create new vVol data stores by using the newly defined storage capacity.

For more information on completing these tasks, see the IBM Spectrum Connect User's Guide.