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unex's avatar
unex
Level 3
13 years ago

SFW Dynamic Multi Pathing Feature required for MSCS setup with MS MPIO?

Hi,

having implemented a two-node Server 2008 R2-based MSCS with multipathing (MS MPIO) I experienced some problems to create dynamic disk cluster group while configuring SFW. Doing some tests, also with SCSIcmd tool, I was able to identify the multipathing as potential cause of the problems. I found the following page https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/veritas-storage-foundation-windows-dynamic-multi-pathing-competitive-comparisons but it doesn't state that SFW dynamic multipathing feature would be generally a REQUIREMENT to operate SFW on a MSCS. So:

My first question is, if Symantec SFW dynamic multipathing feature is required to operate my setup.

The second question would be what I can do if my disk arrays aren't listed in the DSM support list.

Environment:

Nodes: 2x Dell PowerEdge T710 servers with Broadcom 10G dual-port iSCSI HBAs; Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 fully patched

Storage: EonStor InforTrend S16E-G1240 disk arrays; each configured as RAID5; EonPath (InforTrend DSM for MPIO) is installed; node addressing by Microsoft iSCSI-Initiators.

Both the Microsoft cluster and the MPIO setup works perfectly without SFW. SFW is required for storage virtualization and VVR.

 

Thanks in advance!

Bob

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  • Wally_Heim's avatar
    Wally_Heim
    13 years ago

    Hi Bob,

    DMP is not a requirement to use the MSCS option.  The MSCS option can be used in a single path configuration without issues.

    If you are using DMP, then you need to use either SFW's DMP option with a supported array or use a SFW tested and approved third party Array and DMP solution.

    The SFW HCL (http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH138719) does list third party DMP solutions that Symantec has tested SFW with for specfic arrays.

    It sounds like you need to single path your configuration to get it work properly since you do not have an array or DMP solution that is on the SFW HCL.

    Thanks,

    Wally

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  • Wally_Heim's avatar
    Wally_Heim
    Level 6
    13 years ago

    Hi Bob,

    DMP is not a requirement to use the MSCS option.  The MSCS option can be used in a single path configuration without issues.

    If you are using DMP, then you need to use either SFW's DMP option with a supported array or use a SFW tested and approved third party Array and DMP solution.

    The SFW HCL (http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH138719) does list third party DMP solutions that Symantec has tested SFW with for specfic arrays.

    It sounds like you need to single path your configuration to get it work properly since you do not have an array or DMP solution that is on the SFW HCL.

    Thanks,

    Wally