IBM ESCC IBM Spectrum Scale Customized Workshop

IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Abstract
This module establishes the basic knowledge about IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts including a brief overview of IBM Spectrum Scale functions and use cases. It also provides deeper insights to cluster concepts including quorum, networking, storage, file systems, and files. During the hands-on session, the participants learn how to install General Parallel File System (GPFS) and create a cluster and file systems. They also learn how to make a cluster resilient using different GPFS quorum techniques.
Outline
IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Cluster concepts
Quorum, networking, and storage
File systems and files
Hands-on:
Verify the IBM Spectrum Scale installation prerequisites
Install GPFS on Red Hat Enterprise Linux by using standard method or installation toolkit
Plan and create cluster
Plan and create storage entities
Plan and create file systems
Quorum tests
Prerequisite
Experience with Linux administration across command line
Duration
Eight hours

IBM Spectrum Scale monitoring
Abstract
This module explains IBM Spectrum Scale monitoring and alerting concepts. It elaborates on using the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and Command Line Interface (CLI) for monitoring status, events, performance, and capacity. It also highlight the integration with IBM Spectrum Control and with external monitoring tools through Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), email, and a monitoring framework. Finally, it provides an overview of the IBM Spectrum Scale Representational State Transfer - Application Programming Interface (REST API) and the audit logging functions for commands and files.
In an optional hands-on session, the participants install and configure the GUI, explore various panels and work with CLI commands (mmhealth, mmperfmon).
Outline
Monitoring overview
Using the GUI
Using the CLI
Integration with external monitoring tools
IBM Spectrum Scale REST API
Hands-on:
Install and configure the GUI
Explore GUI panels
Use commands for monitoring
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
One hour plus one hour optional hands-on

IBM Spectrum Scale operational procedures
Abstract
In this module, the audience becomes familiar with operational procedures to be performed periodically in a IBM Spectrum Scale cluster. Guidance and best practices for software upgrades, storage migration, cluster expansions, network adjustments, node restoration and more are included.
Outline
Monitoring areas and tools
Software upgrades
Cluster expansion (nodes and disk)
Network adjustments
Structuring file systems
Restore cluster node
Automation of storage services
Hands-on:
Storage migration
Working with file sets
Changing the daemon interface
Restoring the configuration on a node
Prerequisite
Modules IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts, IBM Spectrum Scale monitoring, IBM Spectrum Scale configuration parameters
Duration
45 minutes presentation plus two hours hands-on

IBM Spectrum Scale configuration parameters
Abstract
This module gives an overview of configuration parameters for the cluster, nodes, file system, network, and storage. It further elaborates on configuration parameter for client and server nodes and explains its interaction.
Outline
Configuration parameter overview
Cluster and node configuration parameters
File systems and storage configuration setting
CES configuration parameters
Hands-on:
Check settings
Set parameters
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
One hour plus one hour optional hands-on

IBM Spectrum Scale performance monitoring
Abstract
This module gives an overview of tools available for performance monitoring and performance testing including dstat, mmperfmon, mmnetverify, gpfsperf, etc. In the second part, this module presents practical examples where performance monitoring was applied to investigate performance.
Outline
Performance monitoring tools
Performance testing tools
Practical examples
Hands-on:
Use performance monitoring and testing tools to investigate performance
Prerequisite
Modules IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts, IBM Spectrum Scale configuration parameters
Duration
One hour plus one hour optional hands-on

IBM Spectrum Scale Information Life-cycle Management and GPFS policies
Abstract
This module gives an overview of the ILM concepts in IBM Spectrum Scale and explains in detail how ILM policies regarding placement and migration are created and implemented. During the hands-on session, participants create and test their own placement and migration policies.
Outline
Overview of IBM Spectrum Scale ILM tools and techniques
Placement policies
Migration policies
Hints and tips
Hands-on:
Create and test placement policy
Create and test manual migration policy
Create and test automated migration policy
Use list policies and macros
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
Four hours

IBM Spectrum Scale Active File Management
Abstract
This module gives an overview of the AFM concepts and use cases and explains in detail how AFM works. During the hands-on session, participants create and test an AFM file set in Single Writer or DR Mode.
Outline
Overview of IBM Spectrum Scale AFM and use cases
Technical details
Implementation guidance
Hands-on:
Plan AFM setup
Create Network File System (NFS) export in home server
Create AFM file set in cache server
Use different AFM functions
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
Four hours

IBM Spectrum Scale Cluster Export Services and clustered NFS (cNFS)
Abstract
This module gives an overview of the CES architectures and concepts. It also gives technical details and implementation guidance. During the hands-on session, participants create and test CES export by using NFS or Server Message Block (SMB) (optionally object).
Outline
Overview of IBM Spectrum Scale CES
Technical details
Implementation guidance
Hands-on:
Plan CES setup
Prepare cluster and file system
Create CES export (NFS, SMB)
Use export
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
Four hours

IBM Spectrum Scale backup and recovery
Abstract
This module explains and differentiates various IBM Spectrum Scale backup and recovery methods including snapshots, mmbackup command with Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM), and Scale Out Backup and Restore (SOBAR). During the hands-on session, participants create snapshots and test recovery from snapshots as well as snapshot management.
Outline
Overview of IBM Spectrum Scale backup and recovery
Snapshot
Backup using mmbackup command
SOBAR
Hands-on:
mmbackup command:
Install and configure TSM client
Run mmbackup command initially
Restore files and directories
Run mmbackup command for file sets
Optional snapshots:
Create snapshots
Restore files from snapshot
Restore entire file system or file set from snapshot
List and delete snapshots
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
Four hours

IBM Spectrum Scale snapshots
Abstract
This module gives a brief introduction to IBM Spectrum Scale snapshots. During the hands-on session, participants create snapshots with different scopes and work with it.
Outline
Overview of IBM Spectrum Scale snapshot
Hands-on:
Create snapshots
Restore files from snapshot
Restore entire file system or file set from snapshot
List and delete snapshots
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
Two hours

IBM Spectrum Scale Redundant Array of Independent Disks and Elastic Storage Server
Abstract
This module introduces the ESS, explains how IBM Spectrum Scale RAID (GPFS Native RAID (GNR)) works and highlights its advantages. It also provides guidance for solution design, installation planning, and implementation. A brief demonstration of ESS handling provide insights on appearance and handling of the system.
Outline
ESS introduction
Introduction to IBM Spectrum Scale RAID and advantages
Installation guidance
Hands-on:
Demonstration of ESS GUI
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts
Duration
Two hours

IBM Spectrum Scale installation toolkit
Abstract
This presentation gives an overview of the installation and explains step by step how to use the IBM Spectrum Scale installation toolkit to install, deploy, and upgrade a cluster. In addition, it includes some screen captures for the installation GUI.
Outline
Overview about installation methods
Installation toolkit
Installation GUI
Hands-on:
None,  partially integrated with other hands-on session such as quorum and CES
Prerequisite
Module IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts, IBM Spectrum Scale internals
Duration
30 minutes

IBM Spectrum Scale problem determination
Abstract
This module gives the audience the ability to perform problem determination in a real IBM Spectrum Scale cluster during various hands-on sessions. This module starts with a recap of important cluster concepts and highlights essential techniques for problem determination. Then, the instructors ingest errors to the clusters and the participants isolate, analyze, and repair the failure. At the end of each hands-on session, the symptoms are summarized accompanied by essential hints and guidance. At the end of the session, the participants understand the essential commands, log files, and trace capabilities to analyze and fix problems in a IBM Spectrum Scale cluster.
Outline
Cluster concepts and internals
Problem determination approach
Hands-on session with summary
Supplemental information
Hands-on:
Cluster problem
File system problems
Network problems
Configuration issues
File system and disk problems
Prerequisite
Modules IBM Spectrum Scale architectures and concepts, IBM Spectrum Scale monitoring, IBM Spectrum Scale configuration parameters
Duration
One hour plus four hours hands-on