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Adding, removing and resizing disks in PowerVS

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PowerVS has specific requirements for adding, removing and resizing volumes. This document discusses how to perform these actions using the toolkit command WRKCLDVOL and what to be aware of.
Each volume in PowerVS is comprised of two objects: The Cloud volume which is presented to the user on the GUI, WRKCLDVOL, etc. This is the object which users directly interact with. The second object is the Storage volume. This is the volume as it exists on storage which users do not have direct access to, and is where the actual data resides. Working with replication-enabled volumes requires special care to maintain the proper relationship between Cloud and Storage volumes. If there is ever any doubt as to the operations contact PowerVS Support.
 
The toolkit uses the term 'Consistency Set' to refer to PowerVS 'Volume Groups'. This may be changed in the future.
 
Deleting a Cloud volume which is replication-enabled will also delete the associated Storage volume it is replicating to or from, even if it is attached to a VSI.
 
Ending replication on a Cloud volume will delete the Storage volume it is replicating to or from, even if it is attached to a VSI.
 
Deleting a VSI can delete Storage volumes attached to it, even if the confirmation box "Delete associated volumes" is unchecked.
 
The primary documentation for adding, deleting and resizing GRS-enabled volumes is listed here:
 
 
This guide augments those instructions with specific details as they relate to IBM i and where the PowerHA Toolkit for IBM i can be used. If there is a conflict it is assumed that the PowerVS documentation is the most current and correct version.
 
Creating and adding GRS-Enabled Volumes to existing configurations
 
Creating and adding volumes to existing configurations is straight-forward. This assumes that there is also a consistency set - the process for creating a new consistency from already-replicating volumes is different.
 
If using a toolkit with build level older than December 1st, 2025:
 
  1. Use the PowerVS GUI to:
    - create the new volumes
    - start replication
  2. Wait for the volume replication state to reach "consistent_copying" or "consistent_copied".
  3. Use WRKCLDVOL option 8 to 'onboard' the volume.
    - NOTE: This will be performed with the volume outside of the consistency set.
    - After onboarding, the auxiliary volume will be available at the secondary site.
  4. At the primary site, use the PowerVS GUI to add the primary volume to an existing volume group.
  5. At the secondary site, use the PowerVS GUI to add the auxiliary volume to an existing volume group.
  6. Use the PowerVS GUI to attach the new primary volumes to the primary VSI.
  7. On the IBM i, use SST or DST to add the volume to an ASP.
  8. Use the PowerVS GUI to attach the auxiliary volume to a VSI at the secondary site.
 
If using a toolkit with build level newer than December 1st, 2025:
 
  1. Use the PowerVS GUI to:
    - create the new volumes
    - start replication
    - add the volume to an existing volume group
  2. Use WRKCLDVOL option 8 to 'onboard' the volume.
    - NOTE: This will be performed with the volume as a member of the consistency set.
    - After onboarding, the auxiliary volume will be available at the secondary site.
  3. Use the PowerVS GUI to attach the new primary volumes to the primary VSI.
  4. On the IBM i, use SST or DST to add the volume to an ASP.
  5. Use the PowerVS GUI to attach the auxiliary volume to a VSI at the secondary site.
 
Deleting Non-replicating (GRS) Volumes:
 
  1. On the IBM i, use SST or DST to remove the volume from the configuration.
  2. Detach the volume from the VSI using the PowerVS GUI.
    Note: If the volume is the Boot Volume, use WRKCLDVOL option 15 to set another volume to be the Boot Volume.
    A VSI must have at least one boot volume.
  3. Use WRKCLDVOL option 4 to delete the volume.
 
Deleting a Replication-enabled (GRS) Primary Volume:
 
PowerVS guidelines are here:
 
 

Where a procedure is not possible using the PowerVS GUI use WRKCLDVOL instead.

 
Deleting Replication-enabled (GRS) Auxiliary Volumes:
 
Deleting an auxiliary volume will also delete the associated primary volume.

Where a procedure is not possible using the PowerVS GUI use WRKCLDVOL instead.

 
Resizing Replicating (GRS) Volumes:
 
WRKCLDVOL does not support resizing volumes, but can be used in the resizing process.
 
See this page for instructions on how to resize a volume:
 
 
If your location requires that the volume be removed from the consistency set / volume group use WRKCLDVOL option 10.
 
 

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Document Information

Modified date:
01 December 2025

UID

ibm17171877

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