Windows 2003 support for multipathing

[andy steven]

Hi

i am a bit confused about multipathing, a consultant recently told me that with windows 2003 u no longer need to use secure path to control multipathing as it is supported out of the box in win 2003.

i have found a web page on hp

http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/sanworks/softwaredrivers/multipathoptions/windows.html

that seems to suggest that hp have produced something that will allow this.

does anyone have anymore info ??

thanks

[Stephen Kebbell]

Hi Andy,

the MPIO software from HP provides multipath functionality for EVAs, XP and MSA (soon) under Win2003 (seperate module for each). It is limited in function:
- Max. 2 HBAs per server
- Max. 4 paths to each LUN
- No Load-Balancing
- Not directly manageable (e.g. manual path switching, preferred paths)

SecurePath provides extra functionality, but if all you need is path redundancy this module should be enough.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Stephen

[Uwe Zessin]

I haven't played with it, yet. I think the story is this:

There is no native multipathing in Windows - never was. It is not easy, because different storage arrays have different requirements.

Microsoft provides hooks in its operating system that have to be filled by a storage vendor writing an appropriate MPIO module.

[andy steven]

thanks for the imput.

i am using an msa so may give it a try when the MPIO drivers become available.

andy

[Derek_31]

So when is HP going to fully support MPIO and make that driver on par with Secure Path features?