HP P2000 Software Plug-in for VMware VAAI vSphere Release Notes

HP Part Number: 652430-005

Published: November 2013

Edition: 5

Version:

VAAI Plug-in for VMware vSphere 4.1:	1.00
VAAI Plug-in for VMware vSphere 5.x:	2.00

Description

Included in VMware vSphere solutions, the vStorage API for Array Integration (VAAI) can be used to off-load certain functions from the target VMware host to the storage array. With the tasks being performed more efficiently by the array instead of the target VMware host, performance is greatly enhanced.

The HP P2000 Software Plug-in for VMware VAAI vSphere (VAAI Plug-in) allows offloading the following functions (primitives) to the MSA array:

Full copy—enables the array to make full copies of data within the array, without the ESX server having to read and write the data.
Block zeroing—enables the array to zero out a large number of blocks to speed up provisioning of virtual machines.
Hardware assisted locking—provides an alternative means to protect the metadata for VMFS cluster-file systems, thereby improving the scalability of large ESX server farms sharing a datastore.

When activated, the VAAI Plug-in creates log entries in the VMware kernel log. For a list of example log entries, see the HP MSA Software Tools User Guide, available on the HP Manuals website: http://www.hp.com/support/manuals.

Update recommendation:

VAAI Plug-in for VMware vSphere 4.1:	Recommend
VAAI Plug-in for VMware vSphere 5.x:	Recommend, version 2.00

Product models

HP P2000 G3 MSA Array Systems (P2000 G3 MSA)

Operating systems

VMware Infrastructure (ESX/ESXi 4.1)
VMware Infrastructure (ESXi 5.x)

Enhancements

Support for ESXi 5.x Hypervisor.

Prerequisites

VMware operating system:	ESX/ESXi 4.1, ESXi 5.x
VMware management station:	VMware vCenter 4.1, 5.x
VMware administration tools:	ESX/ESXi 4.1 environments: vCLI 4.1 (Windows or Linux) or vMA 4.1 ESXi 5.x environments: Not applicable
HP P2000 G3 MSA System controller firmware:	TS250

Installation instructions

Depending on user preference and environment, choose one of the following three methods to install the HP P2000 VAAI Plug-in:

“Installing the HP VAAI Plug-in using ESX host console utilities”
“Installing the HP VAAI Plug-in using vCLI/vMA”
“Installing the HP VAAI Plug-in using VUM”

The following table compares the three installation methods:

Comparison of installation methods

Installation method	Required deployment tools	Host Operating System	Client operating system	VMware commands used	Scriptable
ESX host console utilities—Local console	N/A	ESX 4.1	N/A	esxupdate esxcli	Yes (`hpmsa-vaaip.sh`)
ESX host console utilities—Remote console	SSH tool, such as PuTTy	ESX 4.1	Any computer running SSH	esxupdate esxcli	Yes (`hpmsa-vaaip.sh`)
VMware CLI (vCLI)	VMware vSphere CLI	ESX 4.1 ESXi 4.1 ESXi 5.x	Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Linux x86Linux x64	vicfg-hostops.pl vihostupdate.pl	Yes (`hpmsa-vaaip.pl`)
VM Appliance (vMA)	N/A	ESX 4.1 ESXi 4.1 ESXi 5.x	N/A	vicfg-hostops.pl vihostupdate.pl	Yes (`hpmsa-vaaip.pl`)
VMware Update Manager (VUM)	VMware vSphere Server, VMware Update Manager	ESX 4.1 ESXi 4.1	Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008	VUM graphical user interface	No

Installation overview

Regardless of installation method, key installation tasks include:

Obtaining the HP VAAI Plug-in software bundle from the HP website.
Extracting files from HP VAAI Plug-in software bundle to a temporary location on the server.
Placing the target VMware host in maintenance mode.
Invoking the software tool to install the HP VAAI Plug-in.
Automated installation steps include:
1. Installing the HP VAAI plug-in driver (hp_vaaip_p2000) on the target VMware host.
2. Adding VIB details to the target VMware host.
3. Creating VAAI claim rules.
4. Loading and executing VAAI claim rules.
Restarting the target VMware host.
Taking the target VMware host out of maintenance mode.

After installing the HP VAAI Plug-in, the operating system executes all VAAI claim rules and scans every five minutes to check for array volumes that may have been added to the target VMware host. If new volumes are detected, they are VAAI enabled.

Installing the HP VAAI Plug-in using ESX host console utilities

Depending on environment, choose one of the following methods to install the HP VAAI Plug-in:

“Installing VAAI Plug-in version 1.00, in the ESX/ESXi 4.1 environment”
“Installing VAAI Plug-in version 2.00, in ESX/ESXi 5.x environments”

The following device status values apply to both methods.

Possible VAAI device status values

Value	Description
Unknown	The array volume is hosted by a non-supported VAAI Array (such as the MSA2000 G1 or MSA2000 G2)
Supported	The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3) and all three VAAI commands completed successfully.
Not supported	The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3), but all three VAAI commands did not complete successfully.



	NOTE: VAAI device status is Unknown until all VAAI primitives are attempted by ESX on the device and completed successfully. Upon completion, VAAI device status is Supported.

Installing VAAI Plug-in version 1.00, in the ESX/ESXi 4.1 environment

Obtain the VAAI Plug-in software package and save to a local folder on the target VMware host (for example, /root/vaaip).
1. Go to the HP Support “Downloads” website at http://www.hp.com/support/downloads.
2. Navigate through the display to locate and download the HP P2000 Software Plug-in for VMware VAAI to a temporary folder on the server.
Install the VAAI Plug-in.
From the ESX service console, enter
esxupdate --bundle hp_vaaip_p2000-xxx.zip --maintenancemode update
Restart the target VMware host.

Verify the installation.

Check for new HP P2000 claim rules.

Using the service console, enter

esxcli corestorage claimrule list -c VAAI

The return display is similar to the following:

Rule Class  Rule   Class     Type     Plugin            Matches
VAAI        5001   runtime   vendor   VMW_VAAIP_HPMSA   vendor=HP model=P2000
VAAI        5001   file      vendor   VMW_VAAIP_HPMSA   vendor=HP model=P2000

Check for claimed storage devices.

esxcli vaai device list

The return display is similar to the following:

aa.600c0ff00010e1cbc7523f4d01000000
   Device Display Name: HP iSCSI Disk (naa.600c0ff00010e1cbc7523f4d01000000)
   VAAI Plugin Name: hp_vaaip_P2000

naa.600c0ff000da030b521bb64b01000000
   Device Display Name: HP Fibre Channel Disk (naa.600c0ff000da030b521bb64b01000000)
   VAAI Plugin Name: hp_vaaip_P2000

Check the VAAI status on the storage devices.

esxcfg-scsidevs -l | egrep "Display Name:|VAAI Status:"

The return display is similar to the following:

Display Name: Local TEAC CD-ROM (mpx.vmhba5:C0:T0:L0)
VAAI Status: unknown
Display Name: HP Serial Attached SCSI Disk (naa.600508b1001052395659314e39440200)
VAAI Status: unknown
Display Name: HP Serial Attached SCSI Disk (naa.600c0ff0001087439023704d01000000)
VAAI Status: supported
Display Name: HP Serial Attached SCSI Disk (naa.600c0ff0001087d28323704d01000000)
VAAI Status: supported
Display Name: HP Fibre Channel Disk (naa.600c0ff000f00186a622b24b01000000)
VAAI Status: unknown

Installing VAAI Plug-in version 2.00, in ESX/ESXi 5.x environments

Obtain the VAAI Plug-in software package and save to a local directory on the target VMware ESX host (for example, /vaaip).
1. Go to the HP Support “Downloads” website at http://www.hp.com/support/downloads.
2. Navigate through the display to locate and download the HP P2000 Software Plug-in for VMware VAAI to a temporary folder on the server or desktop.
3. Unzip the compressed file (hp_vaaip_p2000_210.zip to hp_vaaip_p2000_210.
4. Using WinSCP or comparable file transfer tool, copy the hp_vaaip_p2000_210 VAAI plug-in file to the ESX server directory (for example, /vaaip).
Install the VAAI Plug-in.
1. Using Putty or a comparable ssh client, log into the ESX server and change the directory to the target temporary directory (for example, /vaaip).
2. Enter the following command: esxcli software vib install -d /vaaip/hp_vaaip_p2000_210/hp_vaaip_p2000_offline-bundle-210.zip
Restart the target VMware host.

Verify the installation by using the ssh command on the ESX server again, and run the following commands:

Check for new HP P2000 claim rules by running:

esxcli storage core claimrule list -c VAAI

The return display is similar to the following:

Rule Class  Rule   Class     Type     Plugin            Matches
VAAI        5001   runtime   vendor   HP_VAAIP_P2000   vendor=HP model=P2000 G3 FC
VAAI        5001   file      vendor   HP_VAAIP_P2000   vendor=HP model=P2000 G3 FC

Check for claimed storage devices by running:

esxcli storage core device vaai status get

The return display is similar to the following:

naa.600c0ff000da42ee56eb3d5101000000
   VAAI Plugin Name: hp_vaaip_p2000
   ATS Status: supported
   Clone Status: supported
   Zero Status: supported

Installing the HP VAAI Plug-in using vCLI/vMA



	NOTE: This installation method is supported for use only with VAAI Plug-in version 1.00, in ESX/ESXi 4.1 environments.

Obtain the VAAI Plug-in software package and save it on the server that has vSphere client installed.
1. Go to the HP Support “Downloads” website at http://www.hp.com/support/downloads.
2. Locate the HP P2000 Software Plug-in for VMware VAAI and download it to a temporary folder on the server.
Enter maintenance mode.
vicfg-hostops.pl --server Host_IP_Address --username User_Name--password Account_Password -o enter
Install the VAAI Plug-in using vihostupdate.
vihostupdate.pl --server Host_IP_Address --username User_Name --password Account_Password --bundle hp_vaaip_p2000-xxx.zip --install
Restart the target VMware host.
vicfg-hostops.pl --server Host_IP_Address --username User_Name--password Account_Password -o reboot -f
Exit maintenance mode.
vicfg-hostops.pl --server Host_IP_Address --username User_Name--password Account_Password -o exit
Verify the claimed VAAI device.
1. Check for new HP P2000 claim rules.
  esxcli --server Host_IP_Address --username User_Name --password Account_Password corestorage claimrule list –c VAAI
  The return display is similar to the following:
```
Rule Class  Rule   Class     Type     Plugin            Matches
VAAI        5001   runtime   vendor   hp_vaaip_p2000   vendor=HP model=P2000
VAAI        5001   file      vendor   hp_vaaip_p2000   vendor=HP model=P2000
```
2. Check for claimed storage devices.
  List all devices claimed by the VAAI Plug-in.
  esxcli --server Host_IP_Address --username User_Name --password Account_Password vaai device list
  The return display is similar to the following:
```
naa.600c0ff00010e1cbc7523f4d01000000
   Device Display Name: HP iSCSI Disk (naa.600c0ff00010e1cbc7523f4d01000000)
   VAAI Plugin Name: hp_vaaip_p2000

naa.600c0ff000da030b521bb64b01000000
   Device Display Name: HP Fibre Channel Disk (naa.600c0ff000da030b521bb64b01000000)
   VAAI Plugin Name: hp_vaaip_p2000
```
3. Check the VAAI status on the storage devices. Use the vCenter Management Station as listed in the following section.

Possible VAAI device status values

Value	Description
Unknown	The array volume is hosted by a non-supported VAAI Array (such as the MSA2000 G1 or MSA2000 G2)
Supported	The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3) and all three VAAI commands completed successfully.
Not supported	The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3), but all three VAAI commands did not complete successfully.



	NOTE: VAAI device status is Unknown until all VAAI primitives are attempted by ESX on the device and completed successfully. Upon completion, VAAI device status is Supported

Installing the HP VAAI Plug-in using VUM



	NOTE: This installation method is supported for use with VAAI Plug-in version 1.00, in ESX/ESXi 4.1 environments.

Installing the VAAI Plug-in using VUM consists of two steps:

“Importing the VAAI Plug-in to the vCenter Server”
“Installing the VAAI Plug-in on each ESX/ESXi host”

Importing the VAAI Plug-in to the vCenter Server

Obtain the VAAI Plug-in software package and save it on the system that has VMWare vSphere client installed:
1. Go to the HP Support Downloads website at http://www.hp.com/support/downloads.
2. Locate the HP P2000 Software Plug-in for VMware VAAI and download it to a temporary folder on the server.
3. Expand the contents of the downloaded .zip file into the temporary folder and locate the HP P2000 VAAI offline bundle file. The filename is in the following format: hp_vaaip_p2000-xyz.zip or hp_vaaip_p2000_offline-bundle-xyz.zip, where xyz varies, depending on the Plug-in version.
Open VUM:
1. Double-click the VMware vSphere Client icon on your desktop, and log in to the vCenter Server using administrator privileges.
2. Click the Home icon in the navigation bar.
3. In the Solutions and Applications pane, click the Update Manager icon to start VUM.
  
  NOTE: If the Solutions and Applications pane is missing, the VUM Plug-in is not installed on your vCenter Client system. Use the vCenter Plug-ins menu to install VUM.
Import the Plug-in:
1. Select the Patch Repository tab.
2. Click Import Patches in the upper right corner. The Import Patches dialog window appears.
3. Browse to the extracted HP P2000 VAAI offline bundle file. The filename is in the following format: hp_vaaip_p2000-xyz.zip or hp_vaaip_p2000_offline-bundle-xyz.zip, where xyz varies, depending on the Plug-in version. Select the file and click Next.
4. Wait for the import process to complete.
5. Click Finish.
Create a new Baseline set for this offline plug-in:
1. Select the Baselines and Groups tab.
2. Above the left pane, click Create.
3. In the New Baseline window:
  - Enter a name and a description. (Example: HP P2000 Baseline and VAAI Plug-in for HP P2000 G3)
  - Select Host Extension.
  - Click Next to proceed to the Extensions window.
4. In the Extensions window:
  - Select HP P2000 VAAI Plug-in for VMware vSphere x.x, where x.x represents the Plug-in version.
  - Click the down arrow key to add the Plug-in in the Extensions to Add panel at the bottom of the display.
  - Click Next to proceed.
  - Click Finish to complete the task and return to the Baselines and Groups tab.
The HP P2000 Baseline should now be listed in the left pane.

Importing the VAAI Plug in is complete. To install the Plug-in, see “Installing the VAAI Plug-in on each ESX/ESXi host”.

Installing the VAAI Plug-in on each ESX/ESXi host

From the vCenter Server, click the Home icon in the navigation bar.
Click the Hosts and Clusters icon in the Inventory pane.
Click the DataCenter that has the ESX/ESXi hosts that you want to stage.
Click the Update Manager tab. VUM automatically evaluates the software recipe compliance for all ESX/ESXi Hosts.
Above the right pane, click Attach to open the Attach Baseline or Group dialog window.
Select the HP P2000 Baseline entry, and click Attach.
To ensure that the patch and extensions compliance content is synchronized, click the DataCenter that has the ESX/ESXi hosts that you want to stage. In the left panel, right-click the DataCenter icon and select Scan for Updates. When prompted, ensure that Patches and Extensions is selected, and then click Scan.

Stage the installation:

Click Stage to open the Stage Wizard.
Select the target VMware hosts for the extension that you want to install, and click Next.
Click Finish.



	NOTE: The hostname of the vCenter Management Server must have DNS resolution to each ESX/ESXi host. If DNS is not established: In VUM Configuration tab, expand the IP Address or host name for the patch store drop-down box, and select the vCenter Management Server. Restart the VUM service

Complete the installation:
1. Click Remediate to open the Remediation Wizard.
2. Select the target VMware host that you want to remediate, and click Next.
3. Make sure that the P2000 VAAI extension is selected, and click Next.
4. Fill in the related information, and click Next.
5. Click Finish.

The VAAI Plug in installation is complete. View the display for a summary of which /ESXi Hosts are compliant with the vCenter patch repository.



	NOTE: In the Tasks & Events section, the following tasks should have a Completed status: Remediate entry, Install, and Check. If any of the above tasks has an error, click the task to view the detail events information.

Verifying VAAI status

From the vCenter Server, click the Home Navigation bar and click Hosts and Clusters.
Select the target VMware host from the list and click the Configuration tab.
Click the Storage Link under Hardware.

Possible VAAI device status values

Value	Description
Unknown	The array volume is hosted by a non-supported VAAI Array (such as the MSA2000 G1 or MSA2000 G2)
Supported	For ESX/ESXi 4.1:The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3) and all three VAAI commands completed successfully. For ESXi 5.x: The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3) and at least one of the three VAAI commands completed successfully.
Not supported	The array volume is hosted by a supported VAAI array (such as the HP P2000 G3), but all three VAAI commands did not complete successfully.

Supersedes history

Software version	Release date
2.00	March 2013
2.00	March 2012
1.00 (initial release)	June 2011

Effective date

November 2013



	NOTE: If the Solutions and Applications pane is missing, the VUM Plug-in is not installed on your vCenter Client system. Use the vCenter Plug-ins menu to install VUM.