Networker

Re: [Networker] Multipath to our new Scalar i500 Library

2009-11-05 08:55:41
Subject: Re: [Networker] Multipath to our new Scalar i500 Library
From: Manel Rodero <manel AT FIB.UPC DOT EDU>
To: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:51:15 +0100
Hi,

Yes. I've read about the multipath. I've installed the MPIO feature in Windows Server 2008 but I don't know how to continue.

For example, I don't know if I must get a DSM (device specific module) and, if yes, from who? Quantum? I've searched a lot, and I didn't found anything related to DSM for the Scalar i500.

Other thing is how to specify "mpio-ed devices" in the MPIO management tool (it must ve vendor + device but I don't know how to obtain this number/string).

So, at this moment I'm lost. If we don't use this multipath technique we will see all drives/library duplicated in our OS, then in Legato.

We've tried to change some config in the Scalar for supporting "failover". Then, we can see only 1 time each drive and library, but after a problem with the path, the library does the failover and when the OS sees the drive/library, they have different names (i.e. Tape0 -> Tape3) and we must to reconfigure Legato.

So, the question is that is possible to use this library with their feature of having 2 different paths for the drives (using the I/O Blade) but being transparent to Legato. Can we define some device in the OS and use this name in Legato? Which Legato version is multipath, failover, etc. aware? We will try to use 7.4.4 as in our old server.

I hope someone with more experience in SAN/FC can give some ideas about how to follow.

Thank you very much.

Rudy Munguia wrote:
Hello,

You will want to install your multipathing agents. This will keep track of the 
active path ( some will even allow the two paths to be used simultaneously ) 
and only present a single device instance to the OS, you can then point 
Networker at this device instance, and it should only see 1 instance of each 
drive.

Your mileage may vary based on the revision of networker you have implemented, 
older revisions will want to use their own device drivers to address the drives 
directly which will interfere with the multipathing agents.

Rudolfo




________________________________
From: Manel Rodero <manel AT FIB.UPC DOT EDU>
To: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 4:04:49 AM
Subject: [Networker] Multipath to our new Scalar i500 Library

Hello,

We've recently purchased an Scalar i500 library from Quantum (including the I/O 
Blade module too).

Our library has 2 LTO-4 FC drives connected to our backup server through the 
I/O blade. Our backup server has 2 x HBA QLE2460 (1 port each one) so we can 
connect the 2 host output of the I/O blade to the 2 ports on the server.

But, as expected, under Windows (we're using Windows Server 2008) we see 4 
drives (instead of 2) and 2 libraries (instead of 1) as them are presented by 
two paths.

As I'm very new to all the SAN concepts, zones, failover, etc. I would like to 
ask for some tips about how to set this environment for having dynamic 
multipath for every drive and the library.

If I change some settings in the library I finally got it presenting to the 
host only 2 drives + 1 library (something related to poin-to-point and failover 
ports). But, if I configure Legato using these settings, when we disconnect one 
FC and the library presents the drives using another path, Legato see the 
drives with another name (i.e. initially \\.\Tape0 and \\.\Tape1 and after the 
change as \\.\Tape2 and \\.\Tape3).

So I suppose I need to use aliases, isn't it? Or must I install multipath 
software in Windows Server 2008? I've installed the optional feature but I 
don't know how to continue with this setup.

If someone can give me some tips/info about what to read or look for, I'll be 
very grateful.

Thank you very much!


--

       Manel Rodero Blánquez
o o o  IT Systems Manager
o o o  Laboratori de Càlcul
o o o  Facultat d'Informàtica de Barcelona
U P C  Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - Barcelona Tech

       E-mail : manel AT fib.upc DOT edu
       Tel.   : +34 93 401 0847
       Web    : http://www.fib.upc.edu/

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