Re: Windows Server 2003 Storport Action / Experiences ?

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

From: Andy Ball (ng_at_spamno77greenfell.com)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 03:02:22 -0000

Ryan,

thanks for that , good to hear someone using a similar config to ours is not
having probs. We are using McData switches.

Hear you re Firmware / Drivers etc, we have been very careful in the past
with this.

One thing I didn't mention is that we use EMC Powerpath for MPIO with 2
QL2340's in each host. We don't intend to use the Win2k3 MPIO.

thanks again,
Andy.

"Ryan Sokolowski [Avanade]" <ryan@newsgroups.avanade.com> wrote in message
news:%23UC4K6kAFHA.2012@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Yes, I've done implementations with almost this exact config...QLogic
> 2340s and EMC CLARiiON...also combined it with Boot-from-SAN (but was on
> Dell servers). Everything worked very nicely; be sure to get the
> EMC-specific Storport drivers directly from the QLogic web site for best
> results.
>
> Also, make sure everything is up-to-snuff with your HBA firmware, server
> BIOSes, etc. You wouldn't believe how minor differences can make a
> difference sometimes...
>
> I didn't notice any performance issues with the combination - I've always
> liked the QLogic HBAs as well as the Emulex ones (bonus: you can save some
> money as the QLogic ones can be less expensive). Many times your
> performance issues can be resolved by ensuring that you know what you are
> doing with regards to SAN switch zoning, multipathing, cabling, etc.
>
> EMC preaches "Single HBA Zoning" and I subscribe to that philosophy. EMC
> has some great documents on their site around HBA / hardware compatibility
> testing, so check there...Brocade (if that's your switch vendor [and I
> hope for you that they are]) also has good information on their Brocade
> Connect site...good resources abound...
>
> Best of luck to you!
>
> --
> Ryan Sokolowski
> MCSE, CCNA, CCDA, BCFP
> Avanade
> http://www.Avanade.com
>
> "A troubleshooter's best tool is the Event Viewer and understanding the
> events and messages contained therein."
>
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights.
>
> "Andy Ball" <ng@spamno77greenfell.com> wrote in message
> news:egc3v6GAFHA.1564@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> Looking to do a Windows Server 2003 build for Exchange \ SQL Server and
>> been researching about the new Storport driver model as per link below.
>>
>> All sounds good, seems the best way to go but wondering if anyone here
>> has real world experiences to share ? Number one concern is stability
>> obviously , but also would be interested to hear of any benchmark /
>> performance stuff. Aiming to do our own of course
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/storage/technologies/storport/default.mspx
>>
>> What I know already :
>>
>> - Vendor Driver / Firmware / Match up / HCL HCL HCL HCL HCL HCL HCL :-)
>> - Check Vendor support.
>> - Test Test Test Test with realistic workloads.
>> - Operational Testing / failover etc.
>> - Hotfixes -
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;883646
>>
>> Environment is HP DL580/585 QLogic 2340 HBA's , EMC Clariion Cx700
>>
>> cheers,
>> Andy.
>>
>
>