HyperSwap system configuration details
You can create an IBM® HyperSwap® topology system configuration where each I/O group in the system is physically on a different site. When used with HyperSwap (copytype activeactive) relationships to create HyperSwap volumes, these configurations can be used to maintain access to data on the system when power failures or site-wide outages occur.
In a HyperSwap configuration, each site is defined as an independent failure domain. If one site experiences a failure, then the other site can continue to operate without disruption. You must also configure another site to host a quorum device or IP quorum application that provides an automatic tie-break in a link failure between the two main sites. The main site can be in the same room or adjacent rooms in the data center, buildings on the same campus, or buildings in different cities. Different kinds of sites protect against different types of failures.
If configured properly, the system continues to operate after the loss of one site. The key prerequisite is that each site contains one or more I/O groups that are used to access a copy of the HyperSwap volume. In the management GUI, the Modify System Topology wizard simplifies setting up HyperSwap system topology. After you complete the wizard, you have a HyperSwap system that spans the two configured sites with I/O groups, hosts, and external storage assigned to each site. In addition, the HyperSwap volume wizard automatically creates HyperSwap (copy_type activeactive) relationships and change volumes to manage replication between sites.
If you are using IBM Spectrum Virtualize 3-Site Orchestrator to include a third site for disaster recovery more configuration steps are required before you create HyperSwap volumes.
The system supports both Fibre Channel and Ethernet connections between nodes with a HyperSwap system. Ethernet connections are only supported through RDMA-capable adapters that must be installed and configured on each node within the HyperSwap system. If you are planning on extending your HyperSwap configuration with IBM Spectrum Virtualize 3-Site Orchestrator to a third site for disaster recovery, only Fibre Channel connections are supported between nodes in a HyperSwap system.
HyperSwap system configurations support Fibre Channel, Ethernet (iSCSI or iSER), and NVM Express® (NVMe) over Fibre Channel host attachment.