Requirements For Using A Virtual Manager - HP StoreVirtual 4000 User Manual

You should only use a virtual manager if you cannot use a Failover Manager or if manual failover
is preferred for a specific reason. See
about quorum, fault tolerance, and the number of managers.
Because a virtual manager is available to maintain quorum in a management group when a storage
system goes offline, it can also be used for maintaining quorum during maintenance procedures.
CAUTION:
undesirable effects when left running after quorum is recovered. Therefore, HP highly recommends
that you use the Failover Manager rather than the virtual manager.

Requirements for using a virtual manager

It is critical to use a virtual manager correctly. A virtual manager is added to the management
group, but not started on a storage system until the management group experiences a failure and
a loss of quorum. To regain quorum, you start the virtual manager on a storage system that is
operating and in the site that is operational or primary.
Table 41 Requirements for using a virtual manager
Requirement
Use a virtual manager with an even
number of regular managers running
on storage systems.
Add a virtual manager when creating
management group.
A virtual manager must run only until
the site is restored or communication
is restored.
Correct uses of a virtual manager are shown in
A virtual manager requires manual intervention to recover quorum and can have
Explanation
Disaster recovery scenario
Two separate sites with
shared data
Two storage systems in a
management group
You cannot add a virtual manager after quorum has been lost. The virtual
manager must be added to the management group before any failure occurs.
The virtual manager should run only until the site is restored and data is
resynchronized, or until communication is restored and data is resynchronized.
"Managers and quorum" (page 119)
Number of regular
managers running
Figure 51 (page
for detailed information
Total number of
managers, including the
virtual manager
4 5
2 3
128).
Using a virtual manager 127