Mail Gateway disk migration
Disk migration is the process of moving all data from one disk to another, usually done if running out of free disk space. For example, the VSP (virtual machine spam prevention) typically comes with 10 GB of storage. If you start using a quarantine, you might outgrow the disk.
Contents |
Disk structure
The VSP and SPG have the following disk structure:
| VSP file | SPG disk | Disk | Partition | Function | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| system.vmdk | CompactFlash | 1 | System disk | 512 MB | |
| 1 | 1 | Firmware (read-only) | 20 MB | ||
| 1 | 2 | H/OS (read-only) | 250 MB (approx.) | ||
| 1 | 3 | Configuration | 20 MB | ||
| storage.vmdk | SATA | 2 | Storage disk | User-configured (possibly RAM-disk) | |
| 2 | 1 | Storage and swap | Entire storage disk |
In other words, the only file that ever has to be replaced, upgraded or migrated, is the storage disk. That's where all the run-time data such as e-mail messages, statistics, logs, etc. is stored. The system disk on the other hand, should never be replaced or resized. The firmware and H/OS partition of the system disk is even read-only during normal operation.
Migrating to another disk
There are two approaches of migration. The preferred way is to have two storage disks in the same appliance; the original storage disk, and a new, empty target storage disk. It is referred to as automatic migration. The other way is to manually extract the files from the original storage disk using FTP, and later import them to another system. That method is not recommended.
Automatic storage disk migration
To migrate the storage disk, perhaps in order to use a larger disk, follow these steps. These examples are for a VSP running on VMware ESX. The procedure for other platforms are similar.
- Add a new disk to the virtual machine
- In the ESX administration (vSphere Client) press Edit Settings on the VSP
- Press Add... to add a new hard disk
- Use a disk device number (Virtual Device Node) that is higher than the storage disk you are migrating from
- The disk will appear on the Storage Management tab as in the first figure to the right
- The disk should have a higher device number than the currently used storage disk; for example "da2" if the current disk is "da1"
- Press the green refresh-button to the right of the Migrate To field if the disk doesn't appear
- As a last resort, restart the appliance if the disk doesn't appear
- Press the Migrate Storage button to start the process
- The appliance will restart, and begin the migration
- During the process, the console (VMware console on a VSP or RS-232 on an SPG) will show the progress, as in the second figure to the right
- Once ready, the console (VMware or RS-232) will prompt you remove the old storage disk
- In the ESX administration (vSphere Client) press Edit Settings on the VSP
- Remove the old storage disk
- The appliance will automatically restart once the old storage disk is removed, and return to normal operation
Manual storage disk migration
This method is not recommended. It is usually only employed if the file system of the storage disk has been corrupt. If so, please contact the support.
