VxVM, LVM, and MirrorDisk/UX

[Gerald Virden]

I am putting together my first 11i system and need some confirmation on things.
From what I have read, my understanding is that once a disk is set up under VxVM, LVM will not see it and can't be used in any way to work with the disk. Is this true?
Also, I realize that VxVM has its own mirroring capabilities in the next level of software but can I use MirrorDisk/UX with VxVM?

[James R. Ferguson]

Hi:

A disk belongs to LVM or to VxVM but not both. The indication of an LVM or a VxVM disk is physically written onto a disk header.

To utilize mirroring, you need to purchase the MirrorDisk/UX license for LVM (or on 11.11, license the appropriate OE (operating environment). The base version ov VxVM(*without* mirroring also comes free with 11.11, but to add mirroring is a separate product. See here for the features of VxVM by add-on:

http://docs.hp.com/hpux/onlinedocs/B7961-90023/B7961-90023.html

Regards!

...JRF...

[PIYUSH D. PATEL · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You can either use LVM or VxVM and not both for a disk. Mirror facilty does not come by default with VxVM and you will have to purchase mirror product for VxVM seperately.

B9116AA - VERITAS Volume Manager 3.2 for HP-UX
( for mirroring facilty )

You cannot use Mirror/UX with VxVM.

Piyush

[melvyn burnard]

....once a disk is set up under VxVM, LVM will not see it and can't be used in any way to work with the disk. Is this true?

Yes, any attempt to try to run LVM commands against this disk will fail. To re-use it under LVM you will have to remove any VxVM definitions on the disk, easily done with dd.

... VxVM has its own mirroring capabilities in the next level of software but can I use MirrorDisk/UX with VxVM?

No you cannot. They are completely separate and different "technologies". MirrorDisk is for LVM, and VxVM has it's own purchaseable add-on upgrade to Full VxVM

[Gerald Virden]

Thanks for the quick responses and info.