MSA1000 + 2 MSA20: from active/passive to active/active

[Diego Castelli]

Hi all, i'm in the process of migrating our MSA1000 from active/passive to active/active.

We have :
SAN: 2 controllers, 2 MSA20 shelf populated, 2 SAN Switches 2/8 for MSA (inside the rear of msa case) configured for WWN zoning

SERVERS: 2 servers (a Windows 2003 cluster) with 2 HBA mounted but just one FC cable connected.
The second SAN switch is already configured for WWN zoning.


OBJECTIVE: Gain more speed in the SQL env by using MPIO Full Featured and paths in LB.


What do i think to do?:
-Backup backup backup!
-install MPIO full featured on the servers (the 2nd one first, reboot and check if disks GUID are preserved or not) if correct, proceed with the first one.
-hot-remove the passive controller.
-shutdown the entire cluster but the second node, on which i stop all the cluster groups and the cluster service.
-flash the first controller ***
-reboot the server, after done, and check if the disk GUID/LUNS are preserved or what.
-Start the cluster service and groups to check functionality.
-start the first node and check moving groups.
-Configure the MPIO to LB, reboot and check
-if everything's OK, done.



What do you think about it???

[Greybeard · Accepted solution]

Looks ok but if you bring the MSA up with a single controller then you should expect a FC link down error from the MSA and of course the alternate path will not be found by the servers until the second controller is up, I too prefer to upgrade one controller with the second removed as this allows failback. Also since the full featured MPIO DSM actually "talks" to the MSA controllers the startup and discovery on boot will take a bit longer than before so don't panic.

[Diego Castelli]

Thank you GreyBeard, i forgot to mention that i want to insert the second controller if LUNS and disks GUID are OK after the flash and cluster service and groups starts fine.

:-)

Thanks again.