Managing reserved storage device pools

You can manage the reserved storage device pool that is configured on a server by using the Hardware Management Console (HMC).

The reserved storage pool has storage devices assigned to save data for partitions that are suspended, or for active partitions that are configured with shared memory. The required storage device space is approximately 110% of the configured maximum memory size of the partition.

A reserved storage device pool contains reserved storage devices, also known as paging space devices. These devices are similar to shared memory pools with memory size zero. To suspend a partition, a storage device must have a paging space.

One Virtual I/O Server (VIOS) must be associated as the paging service partition to the reserved storage device pool. Additionally, you can associate a second VIOS with the reserved storage device pool, to provide a redundant path, and to provide higher availability for the paging space devices.

During a suspend operation, an HMC assigns a storage device from reserved storage device pool. It automatically selects an unused and suitable device from this pool to store partition suspend data. The reserved storage device must be available in the reserved storage device pool while suspending a partition.

Note: You must not suspend a partition when the alt_disk_install command is running in the VIOS on which the storage is provisioned for the client.

You can complete the following management tasks on the reserved storage device pool interface:

Add a VIOS to the reserved storage device pool
Remove a VIOS from the reserved storage device pool
Add reserved storage devices to the reserved storage device pool
Remove reserved storage devices from the reserved storage device pool

Important: You cannot delete a reserved storage device pool when partitions are configured to use the pool. The partitions must be removed or their configuration must be changed before you delete the reserved storage device pool.

When a shared memory pool is created, a reserved storage device pool is also created. When a shared memory pool is deleted, a reserved storage device pool is not automatically deleted.

A reserved storage device pool is created when a shared memory pool is created. You must create the reserved storage device pool to use the Partition Suspend and Resume capability where a shared memory pool is not configured.

To change or remove a reserved storage device pool, complete the following steps:

Choose one of the following navigation options depending on the interface type of the Hardware Management Console (HMC):
- If you are using an HMC Enhanced interface, complete the following steps:
  1. In the navigation pane, expand Systems Management > Servers.
  2. In the work pane, select the server on which you want to change or remove a reserved storage device pool.
  3. Select Manage PowerVM by using one of the following options to open the PowerVM Configuration page:
    - Click the menu next to the server name and select Manage PowerVM.
    - In the work pane, click Manage PowerVM.
- If you are using an HMC Enhanced+ interface, complete the following steps:
  1. In the navigation pane, click the Resources icon .
  2. Click All Systems. The All Systems page is displayed.
  3. In the work pane, select a system and click Actions > View System Properties. You can view and change the properties of the system that are listed under the PowerVM area.
In the PowerVM area, click Reserved Storage Pool. The Reserved Storage Pool Management page opens. Choose one of the following steps:
- Select one or more Virtual I/O Servers to assign to the reserved storage device pool.
- Select reserved storage devices from the table and click Select Device(s) to assign a device.
- Select reserved storage devices from the table and click Remove to remove the reserved storage device pool from the VIOS.
Click Apply to apply the changes.

Last updated: Tue, June 12, 2018