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Save storage array configuration

You can save a storage array's configuration information in a script file to save time setting up additional storage arrays with the same configuration.

Before you begin

The storage array must not be undergoing any operation that changes its logical configuration settings. Examples of these operations include creating or deleting volumes, downloading controller firmware, assigning or modifying hot spare drives, or adding capacity (drives) to a volume group.

About this task

Saving the storage array configuration generates a command line interface (CLI) script that contains storage array settings, volume configuration, host configuration, or host-to-volume assignments for a storage array. You can use this generated CLI script to replicate a configuration to another storage array with the exact same hardware configuration.

However, you should not use this generated CLI script for disaster recovery. Instead, to do a system restore, use the configuration database backup file that you create manually or contact technical support to get this data from the latest Auto-Support data.

This operation does not save these settings:

  • The life of the battery

  • The controller time-of-day

  • The nonvolatile static random access memory (NVSRAM) settings

  • Any premium features

  • The storage array password

  • The operating status and states of the hardware components

  • The operating status (except Optimal) and states of the volume groups

  • Copy services, such as mirroring and volume copy

Attention
Risk of application errors – Do not use this option if the storage array is undergoing an operation that will change any logical configuration setting. Examples of these operations include creating or deleting volumes, downloading controller firmware, assigning or modifying hot spare drives, or adding capacity (drives) to a volume group.
  1. Select Settings > System .
  2. Select Save Storage Array Configuration .
  3. Select the items of the configuration that you want to save:
    • Storage array settings
    • Volume configuration
    • Host configuration
    • Host-to-volume assignments

    Note
    If you select the Host-to-volume assignments item, the Volume configuration item and the Host configuration item are also selected by default. You cannot save Host-to-volume assignments without also saving Volume configuration and Host configuration .
  4. Click Save .

    The file is saved in the Downloads folder for your browser with the name storage-array-configuration.cfg .

After you finish

To load the saved storage array configuration onto another storage array, use the ThinkSystem SAN OS command line interface (SMcli) with the -f option to apply the .cfg file.

Note
You can also load a storage array configuration to other storage arrays by using the SAN Manager interface (select Manage > Import Settings).