Re: 2003 Cluster + SAN - do I need multipath software?

Yes, do NOT use the basic HBA drivers out of the box; move to the latest
supported STORPort drivers.

Again, to clarify the distinction: this does NOT solve the multi-path issue.
You will STILL need to install / configure multipathing software from your
SAN vendor (i.e. - EMC: PowerPath; HP - SecurePath).

--
Ryan Sokolowski
MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
MCSE, CCNA, CCDA, BCFP


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"Bruce Lautenschlager" <brucel.spamless@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eI6jxeAGIHA.5752@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yup, two HBAs going to two different SAN switches.

I guess the built in driver from the server OS isn't the same (even though
it reads the same version - 9.1.4.15) as the one on the Qlogic website,
because I see duplicates when I rescanned with Disk Management. I even
went about updating it using the SAN Surfer Driver Update Wizard, but
stopped because the versions matched.

I'll give that one on the website (which describes itself as a STOR
miniport driver) a try even though the versions are the same.

Thanks,
Bruce

"Ryan Sokolowski [MVP]" <ryan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23wXf6FAGIHA.5272@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
If you use 2 HBAs or have 2 SAN Switches or otherwise have 2 or more
paths to the storage, you should use multipath software (from your SAN
vendor) AND always use a certified STORPort HBA driver.

--
Ryan Sokolowski
MVP - Windows Server - Clustering
MCSE, CCNA, CCDA, BCFP


This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
"Bruce Lautenschlager" <brucel.spamless@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eG0Fv$$FIHA.1184@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I've created several clusters before, but always using direct attached
storage. Now I'm creating a new Windows Server 2003 cluster for a file
server using 2 nodes, both IBM X346 series servers with two IBM FAStT
FC2-133 HBAs (essentially a rebranded Qlogic QLA2340) in each server
connected to an IBM DS6800 SAN.

I'm reading everything I can about clustering and SANs...

From this link:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/0997f844-730c-47e2-bb2c-41123e8b3bf41033.mspx?mfr=true

I read that I need to install multi-path driver software...but it looks
like that's only for Windows 2000, because inserted in that paragraph
is:

"Windows Server 2003 will detect the fact that the same volume is being
exposed twice. If such a situation arise Windows Server 2003 will not
mount the volumes exposed by controller 2 that have were already exposed
by the controller 1."

So am I correct to assume that Windows Server 2003 is good to go with 2
HBAs in each node and won't get confused and need the multi-path driver
that a Windows 2000 based cluster would?

Thanks in advance,
Bruce Lautenschlager








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