Introduction
EMCStorage Integrator forSAPLandscape Virtualization Management(ESIforSAPLVM) isEMC'sintegrationthathelpscompleteSAP'svision to simplifymanagementand operationsofSAPsystemsandlandscapesrunningontraditional, virtual, orcloud infrastructures.ESIforSAPLVMprovidesSAP application virtualizationandtheabilityto automateandmanageSAPsystemclone, copy, andrefreshprocesses.
Inthe picture below, ontheSAPManagementserver, ESIforSAPLVMimplementsthe SAP LVM central storage adapter and (together with EMC's SMI-S adapter) manages centralstorage. OnttieSAPManagedNode, EMC'sSolutionsEnabler(SE) implementsthe SAPLVM storage libraryforEMCSANstorageusingEMCprovenstoragereplication technologyforstorage clonesand snaps. EMC SE also contains alibraryforOS-specific filesystemoperations:attach, detach, mount, unmount. In vSphere environments, ESI forSAPLVMusestheVMwareweb servicesSDK torescanHBAsaswellasmountand unmountVMwareVMDKsandRDMsusingvCenterServer. TheVMwaredatastoresare cloned usingEMC's storage-basedreplicationfor storagecloningandsnapping. SAPhosts canbephysical servers orVMware vSpherevirtualmachines.
EMC offers a fourth software component, a lightweight Admin console, which allows storage administrators to grant access to storage pools, thus pre-approving controlled storage rights specifically to the SAP Administrator who will be using SAP LVM. The storage credentials are stored in an open-source Java database that is encrypted and kept within ESI. The name of this admin console is EMC High-level storage library Administration Console or EHAC. VMware Admins can also use EHAC to manage VMware vCenter hosts.
EMC customers using NAS storage need two EMC software components to integrate their storage with SAP LVM:
- ESI for SAP LVM
- EHAC
EMC customers using SAN storage need four EMC software components to integrate their storage with SAP LVM:
- ESI for SAP LVM
- Solutions Enabler
- SMI-S provider
- EHAC
ESI for SAP LVM adapter began first with a NAS version adapter for SAP LVM. Since then, EMC has been adding integration for the EMC storage family. Correspondence between ESI version and LVM version numbers is shown in the table below.
ESI version | SAP LVM version | Available EMC (1), (2) | EMC storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESI 1.5 | LVM 1.0 | Support ended June 2014 | Supported EMC storage:
|
| ESI 3.0.0.18 | LVM 2.0 | ControlledDelivery: First install deliveredviabasicEMCProfessional Service to train, install, configure customer POC environment to ensure customer success.
Upgradesandfuture ESI for SAP LVM installations for return customers via self-serviceor EMC Professional Services mayberequested. | Add support for VMware vSphere virtual environment with EMC storage-based replication with multiple VMDKs or RDMs per VMware datastore (and VM) and multiple LUNs per VMware datastore. Add EMC storage:
|
| ESI 3.3.x.x | LVM 2.1 | Controlled delivery as above, target TBD 2015 | Add VMware enterprise-readiness with SAN storage including automated support for VMware:
|
| ESI 4.0.x.x | LVM 2.1 | Controlled delivery as above, target TBD 2015 | Add:
|
About EMC integration with SAP LVM 2.0
EMC integration with SAP LVM 2.0 supports EMC NAS file storage and EMC SAN block storage in physical as well as VMware-virtualized environments. Unique features of EMC's integration with SAP LVM 2.0:
- EMC's storage-based cloning uses SAP's application virtualization to only copy VMware datastores, not hosts and their OS as in virtual-based cloning
- VMware VMDK/RDM storage-based cloning (faster for bigger storage volumes than VMware virtual-based cloning a.k.a. VAAI)
- Multiple VMDKs or RDMs per VMware datastore (and VM) and multiple LUNs per VMware datastore
- EMC proven storage replication technology for clones or snaps on EMC storage layer with VMware datastore VMDK or RDM formats
- EMC FAST VP storage pooling and tiering
- EMC VPLEX cloning at active-active metro-distance
- v3.0.x.x ESI limitation: requires existing target "Use Existing Host” option
For scenarios not covered in the standard configurations shown below, please contact SAP or EMC to learn about possible options which leverage custom cloning. Due to the complexity of the integration, including understanding correct VMware datastore layouts and mapping to EMC physical storage and SAP systems, EMC integration is offered through an EMC basic professional service that includes working with the customer to plan, install, implement, and test to ensure customer success.
Planning and Implementation services for EMC Integration using ES for SAP LYM product are available through EMC Professional Services. You will receive joint support from EMC, SAP and VMware through our joint Professional Services agreement. Please contact your SAP and/or EMC account representative for more details.
| Customer Profile | Operating System | Server File System | Multi-pathing | Volume Manager | Storage Management Software (minimum versions) | Storage Array | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NAS (file): physical or virtual environment |
| NFS | N/A | Any |
|
| Now |
SAN (block): physical | IBM AIX 6.1 or 7.1 | JFS2 | Powerpath | Native LVM |
|
| Now |
SAN (block): physical | Windows 2008 | NTFS | Powerpath | Dynamic Disks |
|
| Fall 2014 |
SAN (block): physical | Linux RHEL 6.x on x86_64 | EXT4 | Native multipath | Native LVM |
|
| Now |
SAN (block): physical | SuSe Linux x86_64 Enterprise Edition 11 | EXT3 | Native multipath | Native LVM |
|
| Now |
SAN (block): virtual | AIX LPAR, VIO (vers. 7.1) | JFS2 | Powerpath with NPIV | Native LVM |
|
| Now |
SAN (block): virtual | Linux RHEL 6.x on x86_64 | EXT4 VMDK RDM | Native multipath | Native LVM |
|
VNX, or VNX2)
| Now |
SAN (block): virtual | SuSe Linux x86_64 Enterprise Edition 11 | EXT3 VMDK RDM |
| Native LVM |
|
VNX, or VNX2)
| Now |
SAN (block): virtual | Windows 2008 | NTFS VMDK RDM | Powerpath | Native LVM |
|
VNX, or VNX2)
| Fall 2014 |
What is coming next?
Currently we are planning for the following future topics (2):
- EMC storage technology integration
- EMC's storage-based consistency used by default (note: storage consistency is only offered by BM and EMC)
- Automated SAN support with VMware vMotion, HA, DRS, Fault Tolerance, SRM
- Single-click provision new VMware VMs
- EMC's all-flash with de-dupe storage XtremIO
- EMC's software-defined storage called ViPR
- EMC's next generation VMAX3
- Support SAP LVM 2.1when it is Generally Available
- Support EMC Hybrid Cloud, SAP Private and Public Clouds, VMware Hybrid Cloud
- Support OpenStack
Installation of ESI for SAP LVM
The high-level installation instructions are:
- Install SAP LVM in your SAP landscape, see SAP Landscape Virtualization Management 2.0, Enterprise Edition – SAP Help Portal Page
- Get your hands on ESI for SAP LVM, see below
- Deploy EMC's ESI for SAP LVM adapter, see EMC's Software Implementation Guide
- Configure EMC's adapter in the SAP LVM Configuration > Infrastructure > Storage Managers screen
How to get your hands on ESI for SAP LVM
There is one option for the first-time install:
- 1st time install, request EMC Professional Service offering: PS-BAS-SAPESI Service Kit
Two options for return customer updates and future installs either:
- customer self-service from support.emc.com
- customer request EMC Professional Services
To get started, contact your SAP and/or EMC account team.
Additional Information
SAP Resources
EMC Resources
- ESI for SAP LVM product support page. EMC customers and partners should already have a login, but if not self-registration is available at http://powerlink.emc.com.
- Storage Integration with SAP Landscape Virtualization Management Software Implementation Guide
- EMC vLab hands-on training, priority given to EMC sales/presales staff
- Controlled Availability request for latest ESI for SAP LVM installation with joint EMC/SAP/VMware Professional Services can be made by contacting your SAP and/or EMC account team.
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Notes
(1) Dates and version numbers are subjed: to change.
(2) Subject to change - this document is updated on a regular basis, the list of topics may not reflect the most current strategy.