Introduction: The Hitachi VSP One Block High End (BHE) is the flagship of Hitachi’s enterprise storage portfolio, engineered to meet the demands of mission‑critical workloads and AI‑driven environments. Its all-flash NVMe storage platform that provides high-performance, highly reliable, and scalable access for mission-critical enterprise workloads. It has intelligent management through Hitachi Ops Center and VSP 360, ensuring operational efficiency.
Oracle Solaris 11.4 on SPARC servers providing a proven enterprise operating environment with integrated virtualization, robust security. Native multipathing (MPxIO), fault management, and workload isolation further enhance reliability and performance.
Together, the VSP One BHE and Solaris 11.4 deliver a powerful foundation for enterprises seeking high availability, secure data management, and optimized performance. This document outlines the configuration steps required to configure VSP One BHE with Solaris 11.4 (SPARC).
Environment:
Configuring VSP One BHE with Oracle Solaris 11.4 (SPARC) with the help of following components:
· VSP One BHE
· A management host (Red Hat Linux) for Command control interface (CCI). Here used Red Hat Enterprise Linux release 8.4 & version 01-87-00/06.
· Server SPARC T8-1
· HBA Oracle 7335902 (Oracle Storage Dual-Port 32 Gb Fibre Channel)
· Switch Brocade G710 (64G ports) (Firmware v9.2.2a)
· Cisco MDS 9148V (64G ports) (Firmware v9.4(3b))
Diagram Layout:
The following image shows the basic setup diagram of VSP One BHE with Oracle Solaris 11.4 (SPARC).
Figure1: Block diagram of VSP One BHE with Oracle Solaris 11.4 (SPARC) Server
Configuration steps:
1. Install Solaris 11.4 (SPARC) in Server SPARC T8-1 through Oracle ILOM Web Interface or if you have Automated Installer (AI) of Solaris 11.4 (SPARC) configured in another Server, then you can install using AI also.
a) Using ILOM Web Interface: Type the management port IP address in a browser and login. Then mount the ISO image and install the OS. For details, please read the following document: https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E79179_01/html/E80507/z400237a1422399.html#scrolltoc
b) Using Automated Installer: If you have Automated Installer Service configured in another server otherwise you can configure the AI server using the oracle document https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E26502_01/html/E28980/gkfaa.html.
Then you can install the Solaris 11.4 (SPARC) with the AI installer as below procedure:
The following output showing Automated Installer Service configured in another Sparc Server.
root@T2000-3:~# installadm list
Service Name Status Arch Type Alias Aliases Clients Profiles Manifests
------------ ------ ---- ---- ----- ------- ------- -------- ---------
S11UP4SPARC on sparc iso no 0 7 1 2
default-i386 on i386 iso yes 0 0 0 1
default-sparc on sparc iso yes 0 0 0 1
s11-sparc on sparc iso no 0 1 0 1
root@T2000-3:~#
Then register the client server (where you want the Solaris OS) MAC address to S11UP4SPARC service as following:
root@T2000-3:~# installadm create-client -e XX:XX:XX:XX:35:CA -n S11UP4SPARC
Created Client: ' XX:XX:XX:XX:35:CA'
root@T2000-3:~#
[You can find the MAC address from SPARC client server “banner” obp command.]
Verify after successful register:
root@T2000-3:~# installadm list -c -n S11UP4SPARC
Service Name Client Address Arch Secure Custom Args Custom Grub
------------ -------------- ---- ------ ----------- -----------
S11UP4SPARC 00:10:E0:3D:F7:3E sparc no no no
XX:XX:XX:XX:35:CA sparc no no no
root@T2000-3:~#
Set the OBP environment variable on your SPARC client server as following:
setenv network-boot-arguments host-ip=<client server IP>,router-ip=<client server default gateway>,subnet-mask=<client server subnet>,file=http://<AI server IP>:5555/cgi-bin/wanboot-cgi
[http://<AI server IP>:5555/cgi-bin/wanboot-cgi is a URL used by a Solaris automatic installation server to provide a boot file to a client system. The wanboot-cgi program, located at this address, is used by SPARC server to start a network-based installation for an AI server. A web server running on port 5555 and this process involves configuring the client's network boot parameters to point to this URL.]
A sample output shown here for reference:
{0} ok setenv network-boot-arguments host-ip=172.XX.XX.XX,router-ip=172.XX.XX.X,subnet-mask=255.XXX.XXX.X,file=http://172.XX.XX.XXX:5555/cgi-bin/wanboot-cgi
After changing OBP variables, perform reset-all to ensure they take effect:
{0} ok reset-all
NOTICE: Entering OpenBoot.
NOTICE: Fetching Guest MD.
NOTICE: Starting slave cpus.
NOTICE: Initializing LDCs.
NOTICE: Probing PCI devices.
NOTICE: Finished PCI probing.
NOTICE: Probing USB devices.
NOTICE: Finished USB probing.
SPARC T8-1, No Keyboard
Copyright (c) 1998, 2019, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
OpenBoot 4.43.3, 64.0000 GB memory installed, Serial #XXXXXXXXX.
Ethernet address X:XX:XX:XX:35:ca, Host ID: XXXXXXXX.
{0} ok
Start the OS installation as following and complete the process:
{0} ok boot net
Boot device: /pci@300/pci@1/network@0 File and args:
1G link up
<time unavailable> wanboot info: WAN boot messages->console
<time unavailable> wanboot info: configuring /pci@300/pci@1/network@0
1G link up
<time unavailable> wanboot info: http://XXX.XX.XX.XXX:5555/cgi-bin/wanboot-cgi
<time unavailable> wanboot progress: wanbootfs: Read 368 of 368 kB (100%)
<time unavailable> wanboot info: wanbootfs: Download complete
wanboot progress: miniroot: Read 408100 of 408100 kB (100%)
wanboot info: miniroot: Download complete
SunOS Release 5.11 Version 11.4.0.15.0 64-bit
Copyright (c) 1983, 2018, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Remounting root read/write
Probing for device nodes ...
NOTICE: emlxs0: Physical link is functional.
NOTICE: emlxs1: Physical link is functional.
Preparing network image for use.
Downloading http://<AI Server host name>:5555/export/auto_install/solaris11_4-sparc/solaris.zlib
% Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current
Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
100 183M 100 183M 0 0 62.6M 0 0:00:02 0:00:02 --:--:-- 62.6M
Downloading http://<AI Server host name>:5555/export/auto_install/solaris11_4-sparc/solarismisc.zlib
..
..
Done mounting image
Configuring devices.
Hostname: solaris
Welcome to the Oracle Solaris installation menu
1 Install Oracle Solaris
2 Install Additional Drivers
3 Shell
4 Terminal type (currently xterm)
5 Reboot
[Select 1 Install Oracle Solaris, give all the required details and complete the installation.]
2. After OS install, need to update the kernel with available latest OS Patch kernel. Here we have used the following Patch 38101862: ORACLE SOLARIS 11.4.83.195.1 IPS Repository (SPARC/X86 (64-bit)) and Patch 28488987: ORACLE SOLARIS 11.4 IPS REPOSITORY (SPARC/X86 (64-BIT)) for the kernel update.
Download both the Patch from My Oracle Support for platform as Oracle Solaris on SPARC (64-bit) and copy to the AI server used previously. Then unzip it and export file systems over NFS.
3. Mount both the NSF shared file system in client server as following:
Create two directory with /repo1 & /repo2 and mount the nfs shared file system.
root@T8-2:~# mount -F nfs <AI server IP>:/< Patch 28488987 extract location> /repo1
root@T8-2:~# mount -F nfs < AI server IP >:/< Patch 38101862 extract location> /repo2
root@T8-2:~# pkg set-publisher -g file:///repo1/ solaris
root@T8-2:~# pkg set-publisher -g file:///repo2/ solaris
root@T8-2:~# pkg publisher
PUBLISHER TYPE STATUS P LOCATION
solaris origin online F file:///repo1/
solaris origin online F file:///repo2/
root@T8-2:~#
Check current kernel level as following:
root@T8-2:~# uname -a
SunOS T8-2 5.11 11.4.0.15.0 sun4v sparc sun4v
Perform Kernel update as following:
root@T8-2:~# pkg update --accept
------------------------------------------------------------
Package: pkg://solaris/release/notices@11.4-11.4.83.0.1.195.1:20250626T054833Z
License: lic_OTN
Packages to remove: 94
Packages to install: 152
Packages to update: 357
Mediators to change: 6
Create boot environment: Yes
Create backup boot environment: No
DOWNLOAD PKGS FILES XFER (MB) SPEED
Completed 603/603 22417/22417 428.2/428.2 --
PHASE ITEMS
Removing old actions 21290/21290
Installing new actions 24920/24920
Updating modified actions 13742/13742
Updating package state database Done
Updating package cache 451/451
Updating image state Done
Creating fast lookup database Done
Updating package cache 1/1
A clone of solaris exists and has been updated and activated.
On the next boot the Boot Environment be://rpool/solaris-1 will be
mounted on '/'. Reboot when ready to switch to this updated BE.
Updating package cache 1/1
root@T8-2:~#
Then reboot the client server and check the current kernel level:
root@T8-2:~# uname -a
SunOS T8-2 5.11 11.4.83.195.1 sun4v sparc sun4v non-virtualized
4. Shutdown the client and install the required Adapter Oracle 7335902, make connectivity as per the diagram, power on it and check the adapter status as following:
root@T8-2:~# fcinfo hba-port
HBA Port WWN: 100000109b21c076
Port Mode: Initiator
Port ID: c50380
OS Device Name: /dev/cfg/c11
Manufacturer: Emulex
Model: 7115461
Firmware Version: 7115461 12.8.542.44
FCode/BIOS Version: Boot:12.8.542.44 Fcode:4.10a09
Serial Number: 4925382+1733000013
Driver Name: emlxs
Driver Version: 3.3.3.1 (2025.04.11.12.00)
Type: N-port
State: online
Supported Speeds: 8Gb 16Gb 32Gb
Current Speed: 32Gb
Node WWN: 200000109b21c076
NPIV disabled
HBA Port WWN: 100000109b21c075
Port Mode: Initiator
Port ID: 10200
OS Device Name: /dev/cfg/c12
Manufacturer: Emulex
Model: 7115461
Firmware Version: 7115461 12.8.542.44
FCode/BIOS Version: Boot:12.8.542.44 Fcode:4.10a09
Serial Number: 4925382+1733000013
Driver Name: emlxs
Driver Version: 3.3.3.1 (2025.04.11.12.00)
Type: N-port
State: online
Supported Speeds: 8Gb 16Gb 32Gb
Current Speed: 32Gb
Node WWN: 200000109b21c075
NPIV disabled
You can find the Adapter information using command “prtdiag -v”:
======================================== IO Devices =======================================
Slot + Bus Name + Model Max Speed Cur Speed
Status Type Path /Width /Width
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/SYS/MB/PCIE6 PCIE SUNW,emlxs-pciex10df,e300 7115461 8.0GT/x8 8.0GT/x8
/pci@301/pci@1/SUNW,emlxs@0
/SYS/MB/PCIE6 PCIE SUNW,emlxs-pciex10df,e300 7115461 8.0GT/x8 8.0GT/x8
/pci@301/pci@1/SUNW,emlxs@0,1
5. Make necessary zoning in switch between Adapter and storage ports and you can see now that both the adapter ports status using the following Solaris command:
root@T8-2:~# luxadm -e port
/devices/pci@301/pci@1/SUNW,emlxs@0/fp@0,0:devctl CONNECTED
/devices/pci@301/pci@1/SUNW,emlxs@0,1/fp@0,0:devctl CONNECTED
You can check the zoning by below command:
root@T8-2:~# luxadm -e dump_map /devices/pci@301/pci@1/SUNW,emlxs@0/fp@0,0:devctl
Pos Port_ID Hard_Addr Port WWN Node WWN Type
0 10600 0 50060e8034118040 50060e8034118040 0x0 (Disk device)
1 10200 0 100000109b21c075 200000109b21c075 0x1f (Unknown Type,Host Bus Adapter)
root@T8-2:~# luxadm -e dump_map /devices/pci@301/pci@1/SUNW,emlxs@0,1/fp@0,0:devctl
Pos Port_ID Hard_Addr Port WWN Node WWN Type
0 c503a1 0 50060e8034118050 50060e8034118050 0x0 (Disk device)
1 c50380 0 100000109b21c076 200000109b21c076 0x1f (Unknown Type,Host Bus Adapter)
6. Configure the VSP One Block High End Storage using CCI by creating a HORCM configuration file. This is a sample HORCM file created to configure Hitachi VSP One BHE:
[root@cciserver ~]# cat /etc/horcm7010.conf
HORCM_MON
#ip address service poll(10ms) timeout(10ms)
HXX.XX.XX.XX horcm7010 1000 3000
HORCM_CMD
\\.\IPCMD-XXX.XX.XX.XX-31001 \\.\IPCMD-XXX.XX.XX.XX-31002
[root@cciserver ~]#
For the HORCM detailed procedure, see the following document: https://docs.hitachivantara.com/v/u/en-us/command-control-interface/01-78-03/mk-90rd7009
Create Pool in Storage using raidcom command:
a) Check available parity group with following:
raidcom get parity_grp -fx -IH7010
b) Create basic Ldev and format the Ldev:
raidcom add ldev -ldev_id 00:32 -parity_grp_id 1-3 -capacity 200G -IH7010
raidcom initialize ldev -ldev_id 00:32 -operation fmt -IH7010
c) Create pool:
raidcom add dp_pool -pool_name VSP_Pool -ldev_id 00:32 -IH7010
d) Create volume from created pool:
raidcom add ldev -pool 1 -ldev_id 00:52 -capacity 10G -capacity_saving deduplication_compression -drs -request_id auto -IH7010
Ldev ID 00:53 created same way.
e) Configure host group for Solaris OS:
raidcom get host_grp -port CL5-A -IH7010
raidcom add host_grp -port CL5-A-1 -host_grp_name VSP-SOL -IH7010
raidcom modify host_grp -port CL5-A-1 VSP-SOL -host_mode 9 -host_mode_opt 7 -IH7010
[Here used 09 as Host mode and 7 as Host mode options]
For details, please follow the document:
https://docs.hitachivantara.com/r/en-us/svos/9.6.0/mk-98rd9015/managing-logical-volumes/configuring-hosts/host-modes-for-host-groups
raidcom add hba_wwn -port CL5-A-1 -hba_wwn 100000109b21c075 -IH7010
Now verify if the solaris host group created properly:
[root@ilab-cci ~]# raidcom get host_grp -port CL5-A -IH7010
PORT GID GROUP_NAME Serial# HMD HMO_BITs
CL5-A 0 5A-G00 970016 LINUX/IRIX
CL5-A 1 VSP-SOL 970016 SOLARIS 7
[root@ilab-cci ~]#
raidcom add lun -port CL5-A-1 -lun_id 0 -ldev_id 00:52 -IH7010
raidcom add lun -port CL5-A-1 -lun_id 1 -ldev_id 00:53 -IH7010
Now check to verify if the LUN mapped properly:
[root@ilab-cci ~]# raidcom get lun -port CL5-A-1 -fx -IH7010
PORT GID HMD LUN NUM LDEV CM Serial# HMO_BITs
CL5-A 1 SOLARIS 0 1 52 - 970016 7
CL5-A 1 SOLARIS 1 1 53 - 970016 7
[root@ilab-cci ~]#
Map the LUN in the same way to other host group created on port CL6-A.
f) Storage LUN scan in Solaris OS:
Scan the newly added disk using “devfsadm -c disk”. If you are still not able to see the disks, then identify the controller ports in OS using “cfgadm -al” command, then configure the controller again as following:
root@T8-2:~# cfgadm -al
Ap_Id Type Receptacle Occupant Condition
c12 fc-fabric connected configured unknown
c12::50060e8034118040 disk connected configured unknown
[50060e8034118040 this Storage port wwn]
root@T8-2:~# cfgadm -c configure c12
Now see the storage lun multipathing status with below command:
root@T8-2:~# mpathadm list lu
/dev/rdsk/c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0s2
Total Path Count: 2
Operational Path Count: 2
/dev/rdsk/c0t60060E80341180000091118000000052d0s2
Total Path Count: 2
Operational Path Count: 2
Oracle Solaris I/O multipathing is enabled by default for SPARC based and x86 based systems. If not enabled, you can run “stmsboot -e” to enable it.
g) Format both the disk and create file system as below:
root@T8-2:~# format
Searching for disks...done
c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0: configured with capacity of 10.00GB
c0t60060E80341180000091118000000052d0: configured with capacity of 10.00GB
AVAILABLE DISK SELECTIONS:
2. c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0 <HITACHI-OPEN-V -SUN-A001-10.00GB>
/scsi_vhci/disk@g60060e80341180000091118000000053
3. c0t60060E80341180000091118000000052d0 <HITACHI-OPEN-V -SUN-A001-10.00GB>
/scsi_vhci/disk@g60060e80341180000091118000000052
Specify disk (enter its number): 2
selecting c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0 <HITACHI-OPEN-V -SUN-A001 cyl 2728 alt 2 hd 15 sec 512>
c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0: configured with capacity of 9.99GB
[disk formatted]
Disk not labeled. Label it now? y.
Check the current partition table:
partition> p
Current partition table (default):
Total disk cylinders available: 2728 + 2 (reserved cylinders)
Part Tag Flag Cylinders Size Blocks
0 root wm 0 - 34 131.25MB (35/0/0) 268800
1 swap wu 35 - 69 131.25MB (35/0/0) 268800
2 backup wu 0 - 2727 9.99GB (2728/0/0) 20951040
3 unassigned wm 0 0 (0/0/0) 0
….
6 usr wm 70 - 2727 9.73GB (2658/0/0) 20413440
7 unassigned wm 0 0 (0/0/0) 0
partition>
Partition 2 always represents the entire disk. You should not change the partition. Create file system on the partition 6:
newfs /dev/rdsk/c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0s6
h) Mount the file system and start IO:
mount /dev/dsk/c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0s6 /fs1
root@T8-2:~# df -h /fs1
Filesystem Size Used Available Capacity Mounted on
/dev/dsk/c0t60060E80341180000091118000000053d0s6
9.59G 9.75M 9.48G 1% /fs1
root@T8-2:~#
Conclusion: The integration of Hitachi VSP One High End (BHE) with Oracle Solaris 11.4 (SPARC) delivers a resilient, high‑performance storage foundation that aligns with enterprise standards for availability, scalability, and auditability. By standardizing configuration steps across array provisioning, SAN zoning, and Solaris MPxIO enablement, this framework ensures consistent outcomes, seamless failover, and transparent audit records.
#VSPOneBlockHighEnd