Converting a storage pool

Storage pool conversion moves data from a primary pool to an existing cloud-container pool or directory-container pool. Container pools provide inline data deduplication and compression, and are typically easier to manage than traditional volume-based pools.

About this task

You can convert storage pools that use the FILE device class, a tape device class, or a virtual tape library (VTL). During conversion, all eligible data from the source pool moves to the target pool. The access mode of the source pool is changed to read-only when conversion starts.

As files are successfully converted, any copies that are stored in copy pools or active-data pools are deleted. When the conversion process finishes, you must manually delete the storage pool by using the DELETE STGPOOL command.

Restrictions:
  • If the source pool is specified as a backup, archive, or migration destination in an active policy set that has pending changes, you must activate those changes before you can convert the pool.
  • The following data types are not eligible for conversion: table of contents (TOC) backups, virtual volumes, and Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) data. These data types must be manually deleted from the source pool, moved to another primary pool, or allowed to expire based on policy settings.
  • You must create the directory-container pool or cloud-container pool where data will be moved before you start the conversion operation.
  • To convert a FILE pool to a directory-container pool, the target pool requires approximately 30% more free space than the capacity used by the source pool. When converting from a VTL or tape-based source pool to a directory-container pool, the target pool requires at least as much free space as the capacity used by the source pool.

    For more information about sizing for storage pool conversion, see Best practices for IBM Spectrum Protect storage pool conversion on the IBM Support website.

  • If the source storage pool is used to store TOC backups, another primary storage pool must be available to store new TOC backups. Existing TOC backups are not moved during conversion.

    The TOC pool must use a NATIVE or NONBLOCK data format and a device class other than Centera. To avoid mount delays, use a DISK or FILE device class.

Procedure

To convert a storage pool, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Storage Pools page of the Operations Center, select the storage pool from which you want to move data.
  2. Click More > Convert, and follow the instructions in the Convert Storage Pool wizard.

What to do next

  • If your storage hierarchy is configured to migrate data to the source pool, update the next pool settings and schedules.
  • To monitor storage pool conversion, view the Status column on the Storage Pools page. For more details, hover over the conversion status value that is shown in the column.
  • A Cleanup status means that conversion is complete, but one or more files were not moved. To troubleshoot this issue, double-click the storage pool name and open the Unconverted Data page.

For more information about using IBM Spectrum Protect commands and managing storage pools, see the IBM Spectrum Protect documentation.