HP 3PAR InForm OS 3.1.1 Concepts Guide

have a user space size at least as large as the user space of the base volume being copied, and
must not be exported.
For additional information on physical copies, see “Physical Copies” (page 45).
NOTE: With an HP 3PAR Remote Copy Software license, physical copies can be copied from
one HP 3PAR Storage System to another using Remote Copy. For additional information, see the
HP 3PAR Remote Copy User’s Guide.
Virtual Copy Snapshots
A snapshot is a virtual copy of a base volume. The base volume is the original volume that is
copied. Unlike a physical copy which is a duplicate of an entire volume, a virtual copy only records
changes to the base volume. This allows an earlier state of the original virtual volume to be recreated
by starting with its current state and rolling back all the changes that have been made since the
virtual copy was created.
You can make snapshots of: fully-provisioned virtual volumes, TPVVs, physical copies, or another
virtual copy snapshot. Snapshots are created using copy-on-write techniques available only with
the HP 3PAR Virtual Copy Software license. Thousands of snapshots of each virtual volume can
be created assuming that there is sufficient storage space available. For additional information on
virtual copies, see “Virtual Copy Snapshots” (page 46).
NOTE: Creating virtual copies requires the HP 3PAR Virtual Copy license. For more information,
see “HP 3PAR InForm OS Software” (page 15).
Exporting Virtual Volumes
For a host to see a virtual volume, the volume must be exported as a Logical Unit Number (LUN).
Volumes are exported by creating Virtual Volume-LUN pairings (VLUNs) on the system. When you
create VLUNs the system produces both VLUN templatesthat establish export rules, and active
VLUNs that the host sees as a LUN or attached disk device. For more information about active
VLUNs, VLUN templates, and VLUN template types, see “Exporting Virtual Volumes” (page 49).
HP 3PAR InForm OS Software
In addition to the 3PAR InForm OS Software Suite, 3PAR offers separately licensed optional features
and a set of host-based software applications. You can use the HP 3PAR InForm Command Line
Interface (CLI) Software and the HP 3PAR InForm Management Console Software to view the
licenses currently enabled on your system.
NOTE: To learn about adding optional products and features to enhance your HP 3PAR Storage
Systems, contact your local service provider.
InForm OS Software Suite
All HP 3PAR Storage Systems include the HP 3PAR InForm OS Software Suite. The InForm OS
Software Suite is the core set of storage management software.
The HP 3PAR InForm OS Software Suite includes:
• HP 3PAR InForm Operating System Software, independent instances of the operating system
running on each controller node.
• HP 3PAR InForm OS Command Line Interface Software, command line user interface for
monitoring, managing, and configuring HP 3PAR Storage Systems.
• HP 3PAR InForm OS Management Console Software, graphical user interface for monitoring,
managing, and configuring HP 3PAR Storage Systems.
• HP 3PAR Access Guard Software, provides volume security at logical and physical levels by
enabling you to secure hosts and ports to specific virtual volumes.
HP 3PAR InForm OS Software 15