topic Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers in HPE EVA Storage

MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

Pyric — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 02:47:42 GMT

I am wondering if the MSA2000 can mix controllers, can I put a 2000fc and a 2000i controller in the same shelf?

Also can I put a 2300sa and a 2000fc together on the same shelf ?

I dont care about failover this is more for other reasons HA is not required, I just want to know if the different controllers can share the same volumes and present them over both iscsi and fc from the same box

Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

Johan Guldmyr — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 05:22:56 GMT

Hey!

Interesting topic! I wonder if anybody's actually tried this, but maybe there is some kind of compatibility list somewhere..
It would indeed be quite nice. Maybe the quickspecs can tell you more? Have you looked in them?

I would expect that one requirement is that the controllers are from the same generation. Like that the MSA2000fc G1(MSA2012 or MSA2212fc) would fit with the MSA2000i G1 (MSA2012i).

The MSA2312sa or MSA2324sa is G2. The firmware is different between the generations.

Checked a little now on the firmwares
MSA2000fc G1 - J201R09
MSA2000sa G2 - M111R06
MSA2000fc G2 - M111R06
MSA2000sa G1 - J301R09

If you want to check yourself:

http://h20180.www2.hp.com/apps/Nav?h_pagetype=s-001&h_lang=en&h_cc=us&h_product=1143841&h_client=S-A-R163-1&h_page=hpcom〈=en&cc=us

Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

Patrick Terlisten — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:19:22 GMT

Hello,

mixed usage of controllers in a controller enclosure isn't supported and I don't think that this is working. The controller have a inter-controller link and I don't think that communication and failover will work with different controllers.

Regards,
Patrick

Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

mcflee — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:49:14 GMT

well, I thought stuff it I will just try it anyways cause I wanted FC+ISCSI for my home SAN :)

I got it to work by disabling partner firmware upgrade. So now i can move my volumes around from ISCSI controller to FC controller at the click of a button :P

If you leave partner firmware enabled, they
go into a bit of a flashing loop.

I will test one of my 2312 controllers in the mix at a later date

Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

Johan Guldmyr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:55:18 GMT

Nicely done mate :)

I also want a little SAN at home

Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

Pyric — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:14:44 GMT

yes indeed, they make awsome home san, msa2012fc i use to boot all my pc's from and present luns to my home esxi box. I have pretty much everything diskless :P
if your intersted in a cheap one you can email me i have quite a few of them :P
lotux11@gmail.com

Re: MSA2000 Mixed Controllers

Johan Guldmyr — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:29:17 GMT

If only I had the space or a basement :)