After Installation and Initial Setup

Software Updates, Host Integration, Groups, Volumes (iSCSI and FC)

Continue your configuration by following instructions in the Nimble Storage GUI Administration Guide or Nimble Storage CLI Administration Guide to create performance policies, set up serial and direct connections, and complete setup in the Nimble Setup Manager. Nimble supports both iSCSI and Fibre Channel protocols, and provides information for your specific host connection method to create initiator groups and volumes. Additional configuration options include creating and managing storage pools, volume collections, snapshots, replication strategies, security policies, plus performance monitoring.

Learn about these post-installation configuration tasks in the Nimble Storage GUI Administration Guide or the Nimble Storage CLI Administration Guide.

Windows Environments

The Nimble Windows Toolkit, mentioned briefly in this guide, includes features that go beyond setting up the array. The Nimble VSS requester and the Nimble VSS hardware provider enable you to take application-consistent snapshots on a Nimble array. The Nimble Connection Manager (NCM) sets up the optimum number of data connections, and finds the best data connection to use under MPIO. The Nimble Windows Toolkit includes a Nimble DSM kernel driver that claims and aggregates data paths for the Nimble array.

See the Nimble Storage Windows Integration Guide for more information.

VMware Environments

Nimble's VMware integration consists of features preinstalled in the NimbleOS and features installed separately. vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI) enables the WRITE SAME, UNMAP, ATS, Copy Offload, and XCOPY APIs. The Nimble vCenter plugin creates and manages datastores on the Nimble array. NimbleOS also includes a VASA Provider for vVol support. VMware Synchronized Snapshots enables application consistent snapshots within VMware environments. SRA for SRM lets you set up disaster recovery plans. NCM installs on the ESXi host. NCM consists of two components:

Nimble Connection Service – CIM provider. Optimized connection management.
Nimble Path Selection Plugin – Optimized path management.

See the Nimble Storage VMware Integration Guide for more information.

Linux Environments

The Nimble array fits well into a generic Linux environment. For help setting up MPIO in a Linux environment, see the Nimble Storage Linux Configuration Guide.

Best Practices

Nimble Storage offers a collection of Best Practices Guides, covering the following topics (including, but not limited to):

Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft Hyper-V R2
Microsoft Exchange 2010
VMware vSphere 5
VMware View VDI
Architecting Storage in Virtualized Environments

The Nimble Storage Best Practices Guides are available for free download from the Nimble Storage InfoSight portal at https://infosight.nimblestorage.com.

Using the NimbleOS

The NimbleOS has a multitude of features only touched upon in this document. And over time, you might need to update your network settings, performance policies, or replication partners, as well as create new volumes and groups and make administrative changes to your Nimble array.

Anytime you have a question, in the GUI, click Help at the top right of the NimbleOS screen.

In the CLI type ? to see a list of commands.

Also refer to the Nimble Storage GUI Administration Guide, the Nimble Storage CLI Administration Guide, or the Nimble Storage Command Reference.

Updates and Upgrades

When the time comes to update the NimbleOS on your array, refer to the Nimble Storage GUI Administration Guide or the Nimble Storage CLI Administration Guide for information on how to update the NimbleOS using the GUI or CLI.

The Nimble Storage Command Reference also covers updates.

Depending on which model of Nimble array you have, there are upgrade paths for the controllers and cache drives. When you are ready to upgrade, contact Nimble Storage Support first.

See the quick start guide that ships with the upgrade component. The Nimble Storage Hybrid Flash Array Hardware Guide also covers upgrades.

Maintenance and Repair

The Nimble array is a proven and reliable product. But on occasion, you may need to replace a controller, power supply, HDD, or other component.

Refer to the Nimble Storage Hybrid Flash Array Hardware Guide for more information.

How do I obtain these Guides?

The Guides discussed here are available for free download from the Nimble Storage InfoSight portal at https://infosight.nimblestorage.com.

Questions?

Nimble Storage Support offers troubleshooting and other guidance by phone and by email.

See Support.