Datasheet

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4 IBM i using direct attach storage
The capability to use open storage directly attached to IBM i has been around for a while, but only
on SANs that can support 520 bye sectors such as the DS8000’s. In more recent releases of
IBM i the capability to handle the processing of 512 byte sectors has expanded the list of SANs
that can be directly attached. The DS5300 and DS5100 are on this list. The following sections
address a high level view of the configuration steps involved.
4.1 IBM i SAN configuration steps
4.1.1 IBM i host kits
On the DS5100 and DS5300 you have to purchase and install an IBM i host kit in order to map
volumes to an IBM i host. DS8000 does not have a host kit concept.
4.1.2 Configure SAN switch zoning
Use either the command line interface (CLI) or the graphical user interface (GUI) for the SAN
switch(es) to configure zoning to tie the IBM i host’s world-wide port name (WWPN) of the fibre
channel adapter ports on the adapter that is owned by the IBM i partition to the SAN’s host port
WWPNs. Use the System Service Tools, Hardware Service Manager interface to drill down to
the FC adapter level to see the WWPNs.
4.1.3 IBM i host configuration
Use either the command line interface (CLI) or the graphical user interface (GUI) for the SAN to
configure a host connection tied to the WWPN. Doing the zoning first should help facilitate the
host configuration.
4.1.4 Configure SAN storage for IBM i
Both SANs support RAID sets across multiple disk drives. Choose the optimal RAID level for
your IBM i workload. The result is a pool or array of storage that can be divided into logical
volumes or LUNs. Even numbers of LUNs and similar sized LUNs perform well.
4.1.5 Map the SAN LUNs to the IBM i host
Once the LUNs are created, map them to the IBM i host that you created above. Use either the
CLI or GUI.
4.2 Add drives to the IBM i ASP
Now the LUNs should be seen from IBM i. Use the System Service Tools interface to see the
new drives and to add them to the targeted auxiliary storage pool (ASP).