Logical Volume Manager (LVM) is a data management software
primarily used with UNIX-based systems. One of its functions is to
migrate data.
Not all UNIX-based systems use the same LVM, however, when it comes
to data migration all the versions use the same processes. The LVM
can be used to migrate data at a single logical volume level, a physical
volume (DDM) level, or entire contents of a volume group. The LVM
software provides complete control over all disks and file systems.
The primary tasks involved in migrating data using the LVM rely upon
the use of LVM commands that affect the following functions:
- Copying
- Mirroring
- Migrating
Direct copy is another method to migrate data. While this method
uses LVM, its main focus is on the use of the UNIX find command
and the cpio command.
The following list highlights some of the variations of LVM used
by UNIX based systems.
- AIX and HP-UX 10.xx ship with logical volume management
(LVM) software as part of the base operating system. LVM provides
complete control over all disks and file systems that exist on an
AIX system. HP-UX has similar volume management software.
- Sun Microsystems has a basic volume management product called
Solstice, which is available for the Solaris systems. You can also
purchase the Veritas Volume Manager (VxVM) and Veritas File System
(VxFS) as optional products for Solaris.
- Linux systems also use a variation of the LVM.