EMC® FAST Cache

for VNX OE for Block

Version 05.31.000.5.008

Release Notes
P/N 300-011-980
Rev A02

May 6, 2011

These release notes contain supplemental information about EMC FAST

Cache version 05.31.000.5.008. Topics include:
◆ Revision history .................................................................................... 2
◆ Product description.............................................................................. 2
◆ New features and enhancements ....................................................... 3
◆ Environment and system requirements ............................................ 3
◆ Known problems and limitations ...................................................... 4
◆ Fixed problems ..................................................................................... 5
◆ Technical notes ...................................................................................... 5
◆ Documentation ..................................................................................... 6
◆ Software media, organization, and files............................................ 7
◆ Installation ............................................................................................. 7
◆ Troubleshooting and getting help ...................................................... 7

1
Revision history

Revision history
The following table presents the revision history of this document.

Revision Date Description

A02 May 6, 2011 Updated for patch version 05.31.000.5.008; see

“Fixed problems” section for details.

A01 February 24, 2011 Initial release

Product description
EMC® FAST Cache uses Enterprise Flash Drives and helps with both
read and write performance for frequently accessed data when this
feature is enabled for a LUN (or LUNs).
When enabled on LUNs composed of standard rotating hard disk
drives, FAST Cache will automatically migrate frequently accessed
data from the hard drives onto Flash drives for improved access
times and higher I/O rates.
FAST Cache is configurable for a maximum capacity of up to 2
terabytes (TB). These capacities will improve FAST Cache’s ability to
track a significant number of the active requests in a system at any
given time, increasing the effectiveness of the cache.
FAST Cache works with EMC VNX™ for Block DRAM cache to
provide improved response for active workloads. By shifting more
accesses to the faster Flash drives, fewer system resources are tied up
waiting for responses from slower media.
FAST Cache also improves storage efficiency by allowing increased
use of high-capacity, slower rotating disk drives. These high-capacity
drives can store application data at lower cost, and when the
application is active, data is migrated to the FAST Cache to provide
the highest level of performance.
FAST Cache can be enabled for either FLARE LUNs or storage pools.

2 EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes

 New features and enhancements

Configuration limits
Table 1 on page 3 lists the maximum capacity (in GB) of each VNX
system.
Table 1 FAST Cache limits

VNX7500 VNX5700 VNX5500 VNX5300 VNX5100

Maximum capacity, GB 2100 1500 1000 500 100

Easy-to-use, web-based application

EMC FAST Cache is integrated into EMC Unisphere™ software, the
easy-to-use, web-based management tool for EMC VNX storage
systems. Unisphere lets you easily configure and manage FAST
Cache.

Navisphere Secure CLI

You can also manage FAST Cache with the command-line-based
EMC Unisphere Secure CLI.

New features and enhancements

New features in 05.31.000.5.008

There were no new features in this release. The Fixed problems section
on page 5 contains changes made in this version.

Environment and system requirements

Hardware
This version of EMC FAST Cache software runs on the following
EMC VNX storage systems: VNX5100, VNX5300, VNX5500,
VNX5700, VNX7500.

EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes 3

Known problems and limitations

Storage-system software
This version of EMC Fast Cache is integration within the VNX Block
Operating Environment. In addition, the FAST Cache enabler must
be installed.

Unisphere management software

EMC FAST Cache is compatible with the following minimum
revisions of EMC Unisphere management software:
◆ Unisphere 1.0.0
◆ Navisphere CLI 7.31.0.x.x

Known problems and limitations

This section identifies:
◆ Current bugs likely to be of interest to all customers
◆ Functionality that is intentionally not included, but may be
expected
◆ Issues, such as known performance limits under certain
conditions
Visit the EMC Support Issue Tracker website at
http://Support.EMC.com for the most recent updates and
information about EMC FAST Cache software.

4 EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes

 Fixed problems

Fixed problems

Version
05.31.000.5.008 The following issues were fixed in release 05.31.000.5.008.

Impact Level High severity

Symptom Desc. Binding LUNs after performing LUN migrations can result in storage processor bugchecks (0x
05900000). 394198

Fix Fixed in code

Exists in versions 05.31.000.5.006 and 05.31.000.5.007

Platforms affected VNX5300, VNX5500, VNX5700, and VNX7500

Impact Level Medium severity

Symptom Desc. A single storage processor bugcheck (0x 05a00000) can occur with FAST Cache enabled while running
I/O to Thin LUNs. 406615

Fix Fixed in code

Exists in versions 05.31.000.5.006 and 05.31.000.5.007

Platforms affected VNX5100, VNX5300, VNX5500, VNX5700, and VNX7500

Technical notes
This section includes information that is important and does not
appear anywhere else.

Generic notes (apply to all platforms)

Turning on FAST Cache with layered features
FAST Cache is compatible with all other layered features available for
the VNX platform.

EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes 5

Documentation

LUNs being destroyed and offline LUNs

You cannot turn FAST Cache on or off if the LUN is being destroyed
or offline.

Software upgrade (NDU)

FAST Cache settings and operation will continue during an NDU.

Turning on FAST Cache for pool LUNs

FAST Cache may be enabled or disabled on a pool basis. It cannot be
enabled on individual LUNs within the pool.

Turning off FAST Cache

When you turn off FAST Cache on a LUN, updates stored in the cache
must be transferred to the rotating media drives. Depending on the
number of updates, this process may take some time, as the rate is
adjusted to allow other system resources to continue to operate
efficiently.

Turning on FAST Cache on a Flash LUN

There is no benefit in performance when FAST Cache is enabled for
LUNs that are already composed of Flash devices. Therefore, FAST
Cache is disabled by default for Flash LUNs

Documentation
Table 2 on page 6 lists the documents and help that apply to EMC
FAST Cache. The most up-to-date documentation and help are
available on the EMC Support website (http://Support.EMC.com).
Table 2 Available documentation

Part number Publication

Online help Unisphere help (available in the Unisphere UI)

The Unisphere online help 1.1 describes how to configure and manage File,
Block, and Unified systems using the Unisphere GUI. The help system is
also available from the Unisphere help buttons and help icons.

6 EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes

 Software media, organization, and files

Software media, organization, and files

Table 3 on page 7 lists the applicable software media for this product
version.
Table 3 Fast Cache media

Part number Description

053-002-345 FAST Cache Enabler

Installation
To enable FAST Cache functionality on a storage system, use the
Unisphere Service Manager (USM) to install the FAST Cache enabler.
You can download the USM from the EMC Online Support website.

Installation notes
IMPORTANT - When you install new software on a storage system,
do not remove or reboot a storage processor while installation is in
progress. If you do, you risk leaving the storage system in a transient
state where it cannot be restarted. Wait for the entire upgrade process
to complete and automatically reboot the storage processors.

Troubleshooting and getting help

This section provides specific instructions for contacting EMC
Customer Support and obtaining additional information about EMC
products.

Where to get help

EMC support, product, and licensing information can be obtained as
follows:
Product information — For documentation, release notes, software
updates, or for information about EMC products, licensing, and
service, go to the EMC Online Support website (registration required)
at: http://Support.EMC.com

Troubleshooting — Go to the EMC Online Support website. After

logging in, locate the appropriate Support by Product page.

EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes 7

 Technical support — For technical support and service requests, go
to EMC Customer Service on the EMC Online Support website. After
logging in, locate the appropriate Support by Product page and
choose either Live Chat or Create a service request. To open a service
request through EMC Online Support, you must have a valid support
agreement. Contact your EMC Sales Representative for details about
obtaining a valid support agreement or to answer any questions
about your account.

Note: Do not request a specific support representative unless one has been
assigned to your particular system problem.

Copyright © 2011 EMC Corporation. All rights reserved.

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information is subject to change without notice.
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8 EMC® FAST Cache Version 05.31.000.5.008 Release Notes