VSM Master Configuration File (MCF)
HSM HSM VSM master configuration file (MCF).
The master configuration file (MCF) resides in /etc/opt/vsm/mcf.
The MCF holds information for how devices managed by VSM are interrelated and how they communicate with other parts of the system. The MCF holds specific information about the devices and file systems that are included in the environment and enables administrators to identify and organize the disk partitions for the file system.
The MCF (example below) is processed by the system when sam-fsd is started. Changes may be made to the MCF at any time. They will not, however, take effect until sam-fsd is restarted or until the command samd configuration is entered. There are six fields inside the mcf—four that are required and two that are optional.
tas-mdc1# more /etc/opt/vsm/mcf # # # # Equipment Eq Eq Fam. Dev. Additional # Identifier Ord Type Set State Parameters #----------- --- -- ------ ------ ------------------ tasfs1 20 ma tasfs1 on shared /dev/mapper/md0 21 mm tasfs1 on - /dev/mapper/dc0000 22 mr tasfs1 on - /dev/mapper/dc0001 23 mr tasfs1 on - /dev/mapper/dc0002 24 mr tasfs1 on - /dev/mapper/dc0003 25 mr tasfs1 on - /dev/mapper/dc0004 26 mr tasfs1 on - /dev/mapper/dc0005 27 mr tasfs1 on - # # T200 with 2 LTO6 # # Equipment Eq Eq Fam. Dev. Additional # Identifier Ord Type Set State Parameters #----------- --- -- ------ ------ ----------------- - /dev/tape/by-id/scsi-1SPECTRA_PYTHON_9410005694 100 rb T200 on /dev/tape/by-id/scsi-321130090a5005694-nst 102 tp T200 on /dev/tape/by-id/scsi-321140090a5005694-nst 103 tp T200 on /dev/tape/by-id/scsi-321120090a5005694-nst 104 tp T200 on /dev/tape/by-id/scsi-321110090a5005694-nst 105 tp T200 on
Follow these rules when entering data into the MCF:
- Use space/tab between the fields of the file
- Use the number sign character (
#) to begin a comment line - Use the dash character (
-) to indicate the field has no meaningful information when entering data in optional fields
The following fields are required:
- Equipment identifier
- Equipment number
- Equipment type
- Family set
- The following fields are optional:
- Additional parameters
- Device state
MCF Equipment Identifier
The Equipment Identifier field identifies a file system or an automated library. This field names a file system along with the file system disk devices or it names an automated library with the library tape devices. When the equipment identifier field identifies the name of a file system, it is restricted to 31 characters. For other content, however, it can display up to 127 characters. File system names must begin with a letter. They can only contain alphabetical characters and numeric characters or the underscore character (_).
The file system name can only contain 31 characters. It must also be the same as the name in the family set (Fam. set) field. The master configuration file (MCF) must define the disks/devices that are included in the file system. More than one file system may be included in the MCF.
MCF Disk Partition or Slice Description
The disk partition or slice description may contain up to 127 characters. To identify a disk partition or a slice, use a /dev/mapper device. Set the nodev keyword for the mm device on a shared client if the client is not connected to the metadata device.
MCF Automated Library Description
The automated library description may contain up to 127 characters. To identify an automated library, use a /dev/mapper device.
MCF Tape Drive Description
The tape drive description may contain up to 127 characters. To identify a tape drive entry, use a /dev/mapper device.
Equipment Number
The equipment number field (eq) may contain numerous rows. Each row in this field must have its own unique identifier for every device that is defined. This number must be an integer between one and 65,534. The number will represent every disk and removable media device that is configured for the system. The equipment number is used to specify that device in the VSM commands. Use low numbers in the equipment number field to identify each device. Keep the internal archive tables small.
Equipment Type
ms | A file system that stores data and metadata together on the same device. |
ma | A file system that stores metadata on a separate device. The metadata is stored on mm devices and the data is stored on a md or mr device. |
md | A round-robin or a striped disk device using dual allocation to store the file data. In a ms file system, data and metadata is stored on this md device. In a ma file system, only data is stored on this device. |
mm | A device that stores the metadata information (inodes, directories, etc.). More than one metadata device can be defined. Round-robin is the default allocation used for multiple metadata devices. All metadata on a ma file system is stored on separate devices from the data devices. |
mr | A round-robin or striped device using single allocation to store file data. |
rb | A SCSI attached library which is automatically configured by VSM. It is also a STK library configured in SCSI emulation mode by ACSLS. |
tp | A generic tape drive which is automatically configured by VSM. |
hy | The historian, the on-the-shelf media catalog. |
MCF Family Set Field
The family set is a user-defined name for a group of devices. The name must begin with a letter. It can only contain numeric, alphabetic, and the underscore (_) characters. The family set name is used to associate related groups of related devices. These names can be a file system name, an automated library identifier, or a dash (-) character. The dash character must be used only for a standalone removable tape device.
When the name of an automated library identifier is established, then the library (and all the drives associated with that library) must use the same identifier. When a family system name is established, every disk device attached to the file system must—in the family set field—share the same file system name. VSM uses this field to group all the devices together as a file system or an automated library. Use the sammkfs command to record the family set name for all of the devices connected to the file system. The samfsck -F -R command can also be used to rename the family set name.
MCF Device State and Additional Parameters Field
state field displays either on or off. All devices are set to be on, by default. The device state field is optional and can be any of the following:-
on(default) offunavaildownidlereadonlynoalloc
- Disk devices
- Libraries
- Drives
- Any other system-attached devices
The Additional Parameters field contains information that is not vital to the system. It may display the path to a library catalog or it might display an interface file. This field cannot exceed 127 characters. This field can also be left blank using the dash character (-). Use this field to specify a new path to the library catalog file in the mcf file (/tas_admin/vsm/var/catalog/catalog_name). In a shared file system, the path must include the keyword shared in the additional parameters field.