Visara VI-5990A Manual

VI-5990A/L Virtual Tape Appliance/Library
Installation and Configuration Manual
P/N 707166-001

VI-5990 Installation and Configuration Manual
707166-001 iii
Revision Information
Issue/Revision Schedule
Comments Revision Number Date
Initial Release 707166-001 12/11/14

VI-5990 Installation and Configuration Manual
707166-001 v
Table of Contents
Revision Information.........................................................................................................iii
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................v
Chapter 1. VI-5990 Installation .......................................................................................1-1
VI-5990A Product Overview......................................................................................1-1
VI-5990L Product Overview ......................................................................................1-2
VI-5990A/L.................................................................................................................1-2
Initial Installation........................................................................................................1-3
Chassis Installation .....................................................................................................1-3
Rack Installation .........................................................................................................1-6
Cabling the VI-5990A for Power................................................................................1-8
Cabling the VI-5990L for Power................................................................................1-8
Cabling for FICON.....................................................................................................1-9
Cabling for Ethernet..................................................................................................1-10
Local Console Control..............................................................................................1-11
Editing the VTA.ini File...........................................................................................1-12
Powering up the VI-5990.......................................................................................... 1-13
Chapter 2. Configuration Overview................................................................................. 2-1
Initial Configuration of the VI-5990...........................................................................2-2
Initial Connection Panel..............................................................................................2-3
Login Panel.................................................................................................................2-4
VI-5990 Status Panel ..................................................................................................2-5
Making Configuration Updates...................................................................................2-6
Network Options Panel...............................................................................................2-7
Field Definitions ....................................................................................................2-8
Button Definitions..................................................................................................2-9
Server Options Panel.................................................................................................2-10
Field Definitions ..................................................................................................2-10
Button Definitions................................................................................................2-11
Security Options Panel..............................................................................................2-12
Changing Passwords............................................................................................2-12
Enable/Disable Network Services........................................................................2-13
Button Definitions...........................................................................................2-13
Tape Pools.................................................................................................................2-13
Tape Drives...............................................................................................................2-13
Save/Restore Configuration Panel............................................................................2-14
Booted Configuration...........................................................................................2-15
Current Configuration..........................................................................................2-15
Default Configuration..........................................................................................2-15
Copying the Current Configuration to a File.......................................................2-16
Creating a New Default Configuration................................................................2-16
Deleting a Configuration......................................................................................2-16

vi 707166-001
Activating a Stored Configuration.......................................................................2-17
Copy the Current Configuration to a USB Drive.................................................2-17
Copy Configuration Files from a USB Drive......................................................2-18
Chapter 3. Configure Tape Pools.....................................................................................3-1
Field Definitions .........................................................................................................3-2
Button Definitions....................................................................................................... 3-4
Chapter 4. Configure Tape Drives...................................................................................4-1
Configuring LPARs.................................................................................................... 4-2
Field Definitions ....................................................................................................4-3
Button Definitions..................................................................................................4-3
Configuring Path’s......................................................................................................4-4
Field Definitions ....................................................................................................4-4
Button Definitions..................................................................................................4-5
Configuring Tape CU’s Panel.....................................................................................4-6
Field Definitions ....................................................................................................4-6
Button Definitions..................................................................................................4-7
Chapter 5. Configure HBA Interface...............................................................................5-1
Chapter 6. Configure Infiniband Interface.......................................................................6-1
Chapter 7. Configure for iSCSI .......................................................................................7-1

VI-5990 Installation and Configuration Manual
707166-001 1-1
Chapter 1. VI-5990 Installation
The purpose of this manual is to document the VI-5990A Virtual Tape Appliance and
VI-5990L Virtual Tape Library, providing specifics and procedures related to the
installation and configuration of these products.
VI-5990A Product Overview
The Visara VI-5990A Virtual Tape Appliance provides an interface between one or more
host mainframe systems and data storage, usually hard drive storage. It is called a Virtual
Tape Appliance because it appears to the host(s) as if it were one or more IBM 3490 or
IBM 3590 tape controllers. The VI-5990A may appear as if it were as many as sixteen
different tape controllers, with each tape controller having up to sixteen virtual tape
drives. Fully configured the VI-5990 may appear to have as many as 256 (virtual) tape
drives. Data storage used by the VI-5990A is external. Storage may be interfaced through
Host Bus Adapters (HBAs), Infiniband Adapters, or through Ethernet iSCSI. Two built in
10 Gbps Ethernet interfaces may be configured to be used with iSCSI.
The VI-5990A is housed in an enterprise class 3U server which may be installed in any
standard 19” rack, and comes with dual processors, dual redundant hot-swappable power
supplies, and two 10Gbps Ethernet interfaces. Each power supply is capable of
completely running the platform. A pair of hard drives, set up in a mirrored-RAID
configuration supports the Linux operating system and VI-5990 server software. Failure
of a single hard drive is permissible without interrupting the operation of the platform.
Five hot-swappable fans provide cooling.
Hardware monitoring of the power supplies, hard drives, fans, and cooling can be viewed
through a browser connection. Optionally you may configure the VI-5990A to generate
emails to warn of the same hardware failures if they were to occur.
Configuration and management of the platform is performed through a secure browser
connection (HTTPS), through either a locally-attached console (directly attached
keyboard, mouse, and monitor), or remotely through an Ethernet connection. The
VI-5990A ships with a default configuration including a default IP address.
Once configured, the VI-5990A is capable of running independently, without human
intervention. That is, if power is lost and regained, it will automatically boot back into
service using the stored configuration. You can manage the platform using the same
secure web browser connection from anywhere. Multiple management console interfaces
are supported by the VI-5990A.

Chapter 1. Installation
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VI-5990L Product Overview
The Visara VI-5990L Virtual Tape Library provides an interface between one or more
host mainframe systems and data storage, usually hard drive storage. Like the VI-5990A
it appears to the host(s) as if it were one or more IBM 3490 or IBM 3590 tape controllers.
The VI-5990L may appear as if it were as many as sixteen different tape controllers, with
each tape controller having up to sixteen virtual tape drives. Fully configured the VI-5990
may appear to have as many as 256 (virtual) tape drives. Data storage used by the
VI-5990L can be internal or external. Up to 120 TB of local storage may be installed
directly on the VI-5990L. External storage may be interfaced through Host Bus Adapters
(HBAs), Infiniband Adapters, or through Ethernet iSCSI. Two built in 10 Gbps Ethernet
interfaces may be configured to be used with iSCSI.
The VI-5990L is housed in an enterprise class 4U server which may be installed in any
standard 19” rack, and comes with dual processors, dual redundant hot-swappable power
supplies, and two 10Gbps Ethernet interfaces. Each power supply is capable of
completely running the platform. A pair of hard drives, set up in a mirrored-RAID
configuration supports the Linux operating system and VI-5990 server software. Failure
of a single hard drive is permissible without interrupting the operation of the platform.
Seven hot-swappable fans provide cooling.
Hardware monitoring of the power supplies, hard drives, fans, and cooling can be viewed
through a browser connection. Optionally you may configure the VI-5990L to generate
emails to warn of the same hardware failures if they were to occur.
Configuration and management of the platform is performed through a secure browser
connection (HTTPS), through either a locally-attached console (directly attached
keyboard, mouse, and monitor), or remotely through an Ethernet connection. The
VI-5990L ships with a default configuration that includes a default IP address.
Once configured, the VI-5990L is capable of running independently, without human
intervention. That is, if power is lost and regained, it will automatically boot back into
service using the stored configuration. You can manage the platform using the same
secure web browser connection from anywhere. Multiple management console interfaces
are supported by the VI-5990L.
VI-5990A/L
Since the VI-5990A and VI-5990L run the same basic software and function very
similarly, they will collectively be referred to as the VI-5990 throughout this manual,
unless specifics to one model or the other need to be made.

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Initial Installation
Installation of the VI-5990 consists of multiple steps, and may involve more than one
person. The VI-5990 can be locally or remotely configured. Tasks required to complete
an installation include:
1. Mounting the hardware platform (if desired) in a rack or placing the platform
within the necessary proximity of all of the network connections required to
satisfy the configuration. The VI-5990A requires a 3U space when mounted in
a rack, and the VI-5990L requires a 4U space.
2. Cabling the unit for power, FICON, and Ethernet connections as needed.
Locally configuring:
3. Attach monitor, mouse, and keyboard directly to the unit.
4. Once booted, select Start>Programs>Firefox.
Remotely configuring:
3. Editing the VTA.ini file if necessary to provide access to a web browser
capable platform, such as a PC, or change the IP address on a web browser
capable platform to be compatible to the VI-5990 default address.
4. Powering up the unit with a USB drive containing the VTA.ini file.
5. Connect to the platform with a web browser to finish the configuration.
Chassis Installation
Tools needed:
1. Phillips Screw Driver
2. Antistatic Strap
Installing Chassis Rails:
Please make sure that the chassis covers and chassis rails are installed on the chassis
before you install the chassis into the rack.
To avoid personal injury and property damage, please follow all the safety steps listed
below.
Before installing the chassis rails:
1. Enclose the chassis with chassis covers.
2. Unplug the AC power cord(s).
3. Remove all external devices and connectors.

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Procedures to install chassis rails:
1. Included in the shipping package is a pair of rail assemblies. In each rail
assembly, locate the inner rail and the outer rail.
2. Press the locking tab to release the inner rail from its locking position and pull out
the inner rail from the rail assembly. (The inner rails are to be attached to the
chassis and the outer rails are to be installed in the rack.)
3. Locate the five rail buttons and each side of the chassis and locate the five
corresponding holes on each of the inners rails.
(Please note that one end of the hole is larger than the other end of the hole.)
VI-5990A
VI-5990L