How to perform data migration from an existing array to a new array using SFW

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Article ID: 100023198

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Description

Problem

How to perform data migration from an existing array to a new array using SFW

 

Solution

When updating older model arrays to new storage arrays, there is a simple process available using SFW for ensuring data is transferred from one to the other, without the requirement for large service outages.

The following steps will allow for a simple data migration without the need to edit current cluster configurations or existing Disk Groups within Storage Foundation for Windows.

Note: Although the steps below should be transparent to the cluster and to the applications, as with any major disk related operation, it is recommended if possible to schedule a downtime just in case or at least offline the application resources and if VCS environment, freeze the service group also to prevent any non-intended failovers.
 
  1. Present the new LUNs from the new array to the server where the target diskgroup is currently imported.
  2. Add the required amount of new harddisks into the Disk Group(s) where the needed data can be found.
  3. Ensure that the sum of space on the new harddisks match or are greater than the existing volumes in the diskgroup.
  4. Right click on one of the existing volumes in the Disk Group and select the option for Add Mirror and follow the wizard instruction. Make sure to manually select the new harddisks if possible to ensure that the mirror is created to the new disks.
  5. Repeat Step 4 for all the volumes to be migrated in the diskgroup and allow the mirrors to be completely synchronized.
  6. Click on the volume on the left tree list and select the 'Mirrors' tab. Note the 2 mirrors and the harddisks that they reside on. We need to now break off the side of mirror that reside on the old disks. Right click on the volume and break the mirror. Make sure to break off the side on the old disks. (This will leave the drive letter/mount intact on the plex of the new disks and hence is transparent to the application) Note that we didn't "remove" the mirror. In most scenarios, it is better to just break than to remove so that there is a backup on the old disks until the migration is fully complete.

Now there are 3 possible solutions:

 

  1. You can delete the volume on the old disks and then remove the old disks from the diskgroup. Then de-present the old LUNs from the system via the SAN.
  1. Simply de-present the old disks from the SAN so that the disks are no longer visible on the system. If the latter option was taken, you will end up with missing disks showing up. That is normal behaviour and you can simply delete the missing volume entry from the diskgroup then remove the missing disks from the diskgroup. (This procedure will obviously leave the copy of the data still intact on the old disks as a temporary backup)
  1. If you currently have Flashsnap installed and licensed, you can simply right click on the diskgroup and choose to Split the Diskgroup. Then choose the old disks to split off. This will result in a brand new diskgroup with only the old disks inside. You are free to keep or destroy this diskgroup as required without impacting the other original diskgroup which should now consist of only the new disks.

 

     7. Now the migration should be complete. Verify that data / application is all good and working.


NOTE : You can also use the Migrate Option, when trying to migrate storage to a new array. This brings up the Migrate Wizard. 

 

Issue/Introduction

How to perform data migration from an existing array to a new array using SFW
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