Migrating from RA4100 to MSA1000

[Dusan Bajic]

Hi,

I am quite new in storage problems, so I hope someone can help me a little bit. Customer has RA4100 system (4 w2k & w2k3 servers with 2 Compaq 64-bit/66-MHz Fibre Channel Host Adapters each, 2 FC-AL 8 switches, 2 RA4100). Since customer is on low budget, they are considering migrating step by step. Questions are:
1. Can they simply connect MSA1000 (with I/O module or 2/3 hub) to existing FC-AL switches and upgrade switches later?
2. If not, can they keep old Compaq 64-bit/66-MHz Fibre Channel Host Adapters to connect servers to new MSA SAN 2/8 Switches, using LC-SC cables?

Thanks for your help in Advance.
Dusan

[Stephen Kebbell]

Hi Dusan,

according to the MSA1000 Compatibility Matrix, those older HBAs are still supported.
http://h200001.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00222327/c00222327.pdf

You may need newer drivers, though.
It does not mention anything about the FC-AL Switch, so I'm not sure if it would work there. I can't see any reason why not, because the MSA1000 supports arbitrated loop. But do not connect the MSA Hub 2/3 to an FC-AL Switch! Use the I/O Module.
If that does not work, then option 2 should be OK (using newer MSA Switch and LC/SC Cables)

Regards,
Stephen

[Dusan Bajic]

Stephen,
thanks for your reply.
I found this document:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c00036615
If I understood corectly, it confirms that FC-AL is supported with MSA1000? You say that MSA1000 supports arbitrated loop, but I couldnt find it in specs. Can you please give me the link to the document and page please, so I can show it to my boss.

Regards,
Dusan

[Stephen Kebbell]

Hi Dusan,

that link you posted is quite old (it refers to version 1.xx of the MSA firmware - we're now at 4.48)
But since an option for the MSA1000 is the 2/3 Hub, it MUST support FC-AL, because that's all a Hub can do.
Quickspecs:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11033_div/11033_div.html

Regards,
Stephen

[Dusan Bajic]

Hi Stephen,

That info about 2/3 hub clears the issue. Thanks for your help!

Regards,
Dusan