Conversion from XP128 to a VA7410

[Bob Ferro]

I need to migrate data off of a XP128 SAN to a VA7410. Both SANs are connect to an 11.23 HP Server via different HBAs. I have everything in place for both SANs including different VG (vgx1-vgx6 to vg01-vg06), LVs and different mount points (/u01/oracle, etc. to /va7410/u01/oracle, etc.). There are 89 mount points. This is great for testing but my real question is how to do this for the actual live conversion. My steps would be:

1) Bring down all Oracle Databases
2) Run Backup for all XP128 89 mount points.
3) When backup is complete, run restore to the VA7410 89 mount points.
4) Umount all XP128 mountpoints from XP128.
5) Mount the new mountpoints from VA7410.
6) If everything is ok, I can unplug the FC cables from the HBA connected to the XP128.

Does anybody see any problems? Poke some holes.

[TTr · Accepted solution]

> Both SANs are connect to an 11.23 HP Server via different HBAs

> 2) Run Backup ... When backup is complete, run restore to the VA7410 89 mount points.


Why not use a straight copy. Mount the VA volumes under temp mount points, copy from XP mount points to VA mount points and then flip the VA mount points from the temp names to the actual database mount points

[Torsten.]

Bob, I assume you will create new VGs on the VA. In this case:

5a) vgexport the old (XP) VGs
5b) rmsf the old XP related device files

[Bill Costigan]

If all the Oracle stuff you want to move is in volume groups, you can use LVM to migrate the data without even taking down the database.

Create LUNs on the va with the same size as the LUNs on the XP. Add these LUNs into the volumegroup using vgextend.

You can then execute a pvmove from an XP LUN to a va LUN. Once there are no extents left on the XP LUN you can remove it from the volume group using vgreduce.

After all the XP LUNs have been removed from all volume groups you can disconnect the XP

[Bob Ferro]

Everyone, thanks for the replies. Let me ponder your answers and see which will work best for me. As for the backup/Restore procedure, I can kick off the backup at midnight on a Friday and it takes a good 6 hours to back up. I could come in on Saturday morning to begin the restore which takes at least 6 hours. Having a tape, I can save it indefinitely in case something is missing.

[Tim Nelson]

On my last three array upgrades/replacements I simply migrated the data online by using Mirror/UX.

Add the new luns into the existing vgs, mirror, then reduce the old luns.

Can be done online over the course of a couple days depending on the amount of data.

No one will ever notice the change. Except that the XP probably out performs the VA big time.

[Bob Ferro]

Thanks to all.