Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Hitachi Universal Volume Manager

hitachivantara.com

WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit hitachivantara.com
Spec score 7.3 #16 of 25 in Storage Migration Software

What it is

Hitachi Universal Volume Manager connects external block storage to a local storage system and maps its volumes for host access. Hosts can use those mapped volumes in the same way as volumes held in the local system. Documented uses include assigning external volumes to hosts, backup, and moving data from an older storage system. Connections use Fibre Channel; iSCSI is also available for VSP One Block. The guide identifies supported third-party systems and provides a generic Fibre Channel profile for systems that meet part of the standard SCSI Primary Commands set. Operations are available through the REST API, Storage Advisor Embedded, and CCI. Mapped volumes can be used with other storage products, including Dynamic Provisioning, TrueCopy, ShadowImage, and Universal Replicator. For VSP One Block, up to 4,096 external storage systems and eight mapping paths per external volume are supported. Each mapped external volume is limited to 256 TB; data above that capacity cannot be accessed. The feature requires a license on the local storage system, and pricing is on request.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Universal Volume Manager virtualizes storage devices so different storage system models can be used as one storage system.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Support
The guide advises contacting customer support for connection type details and says support can install and connect external storage using the generic UVM profile.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Headquarters
Santa Clara, California, USARead 28 Sep 2026 · hitachivantara.com
Compatible storage type
Only block storage can be connected as an external storage system; non-block storage is unsupported.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Connections
External paths use Fibre Channel, with iSCSI also available for VSP One Block 85.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Interoperability
The guide documents supported external systems from other vendors and provides a generic Fibre Channel profile for systems conforming to a subset of standard SCSI Primary Commands.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Limits
For VSP One Block, up to 4,096 external storage systems can be connected and each external volume can have up to eight mapping paths.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Management interfaces
The documentation identifies REST API, Storage Advisor Embedded, and CCI as interfaces through which UVM operations can be performed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Related storage software
Mapped external volumes can be used with products including Dynamic Provisioning, Global-active device, ShadowImage, TrueCopy, Universal Replicator, and Volume Migration.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Use cases
The documentation lists backup, allocating external volumes to hosts, and migrating data from an older storage system as uses for external volumes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Volume capacity
The documented maximum mapped external volume capacity is 256 TB per volume, and data beyond that capacity cannot be accessed.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Volume mapping
Mapped external volumes can be used from the host in the same way as volumes in the local storage system.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com
Who it is for
The documentation describes the feature for configuring and managing storage connections and volumes on a local storage system, with hosts accessing external volumes through that system.Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com

Plans and prices

Universal Volume Manager license Priced on request Requires a license on the local storage system Read 2 Oct 2026 · docs.hitachivantara.com

Every Hitachi Universal Volume Manager plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Hosts use mapped volumes like local volumes
  • Supports backup, host allocation, and data migration
  • REST API, Storage Advisor Embedded, and CCI interfaces
  • Up to 4,096 external systems on VSP One Block

Limits

  • Requires a license on the local storage system
  • Pricing is on request
  • Non-block external storage is unsupported
  • Mapped volumes are limited to 256 TB each

Who it suits

It suits storage administrators configuring external storage connections and volumes on a local storage system for host access. It is limited to external block storage; non-block storage is unsupported.

Verdict

Universal Volume Manager presents supported external block volumes through a local storage system and documents several operational uses and management interfaces. Check system compatibility, licensing, and the 256 TB per-volume limit before planning a deployment.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Hitachi Universal Volume ManagerAll alternatives →