HP 3PAR StoreServ Concepts Guide: HP 3PAR OS 3.1.3

11 Enhanced Storage Applications
Overview
HP offers several enhanced storage features for managing data and improving system performance.
Optional features require you to purchase a separate license. You can use the HP 3PAR CLI and
the HP 3PAR Management Console to view the licenses that are currently enabled on your systems.
For a list of default HP 3PAR OS Software Suite features and optional features, see “HP 3PAR
Software” (page 10).
NOTE: Contact your local service provider to learn about adding optional features to enhance
your HP 3PAR storage systems.
HP 3PAR mySnapshot Software
The HP 3PAR mySnapshot Software utility does not require a separately purchased license. The
mySnapshot utility enables safe and easy copy and provisioning access to non-storage professionals,
such as database administrators, software developers, and test engineers working with systems.
Users can safely and easily restore their own copies of test data in seconds without relying on the
storage administrator.
The mySnapshot utility uses an access control list to associate a user with certain administrative
permissions and specified storage resources. After these administrative permissions are granted
for the specified resources, the user can replace and restore copies of their own test database.
This enables users who have only browse capabilities on the system to be able to update specific
snapshots with more recent snapshots. This results in faster turnaround times for developers who
must have their snapshots refreshed and alleviates workload for storage administrators. For more
information about roles and rights, see “HP 3PAR Storage System Users” (page 19).
Configuring the mySnapshot utility can only be performed with the HP 3PAR CLI. See the HP 3PAR
Command Line Interface Administrator’s Manual for instructions on performing this task.
HP 3PAR Dynamic Optimization Software
HP 3PAR Dynamic Optimization Software is an optional feature that allows you to improve the
performance of virtual volumes without interrupting access. Use this feature to avoid over-provisioning
for peak system usage by optimizing the layout of your virtual volumes. With dynamic optimization,
you can change the parameters, RAID levels, and set sizes of the virtual volume by associating the
virtual volume with a new CPG. You must purchase an HP 3PAR Dynamic Optimization license to
use this feature.
Dynamic optimization enables you to change volume parameters and update the layout of volumes
to take advantage of the current system configuration. For example, when a system is upgraded
by adding nodes, cages, or physical disks, the initial volume and LD layouts may no longer be
optimal for the new system configuration. Updating the system layout optimizes the use of all
physical resources in the system at a given time.
Dynamic optimization may improve system performance in several ways:
• Volume layout changes after hardware upgrades. Existing virtual volumes only take advantage
of resources that were present at the time of volume creation. When a system is upgraded by
adding nodes, cages, or disks, the original volume and LD layouts may no longer be optimal.
Changing the layout of a virtual volume enables volumes to take full advantage of new system
resources.
By default, TPVVs and their underlying CPGs dedicate space from all available resources as
they grow, both from pre-existing and new drive capacity resources. This natural expansion
54 Enhanced Storage Applications