Hp-UX disk move to IBM Shark

[Coolmar]

We are moving our disk from a Hitachi disk array to the IBM Shark (ESS 800). I heard that we might have to install drivers in order to see the disk when it is setup. Usually we just do an ioscan and the disk is there, but I heard with IBM (The Shark) there may be IBM drivers required. Anyone have any experience with an HPUX box (11i) connected to a Shark?

[Pete Randall · Accepted solution]

Sally,

This might help some:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=134472

I did a forums search on "shark" and came up with quite a few hits that you might want to check as well.


Pete

[Julio Yamawaki]

Hi,

I installed an IBM Shark older than yours and it´s true that you can view all disks with ioscan.
Storage software is needed when your use more than one HBA just to make an load balance between stroage controllers.
In uour case, we installed two rp7400 with an shark with ServiceGuard.

Regards,

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom Sally,

I know you probably don't have a choice, but you may be introducing problems that will disrupt your HP-UX operation.

I think it is important to test this array with the IBM shark, pre-purchase.

IBM needs to make some kind of service committment prior to the migration or the risks are serious.

There have been a number of problem reports on these forums concerning IBM disk arrays.

SEP

[Tim Medford]

Hi Sally.

We've been connected to an IBM Shark for several years with no problems. We are attached via HP6795A fibre channel adapters.

IBM has a white paper that lists compatability with revs of HPUX and specific hardware sets. You may need to upgrade some firmware here and there, but it will work fine.

The one thing I avoided was installing their special multi-path software. You don't need it as long as you know how to setup alternate paths in lvm.

Good luck,
Tim

[TwoProc]

Sally,

I'd be looking for IBM to furnish you with the needed guidance and drivers. When I looked into possibly buying a Shark some years back (I didn't buy it), I asked them to provide in their bid a configuration service, in which they would show up and deliver drivers, and provide configuration assistance for the install. This assistance would come from an experienced service hand who was a former HPUX admin, and who was then an IBM storage techie, with prior multiple experiences configuring Sharks on HPUX - with references that I checked on. I also able to interview the tech before or after each tech presentation from sales.

So, my thinking while you should be doing your homework to make sure that you're on the right track regardless - much of your help should be coming from IBM and/or the proposed VAR in the solution.

[Coolmar]

Thanks for the advice all.

Tim - is the special multi-path software you are referring to that SDD? I have read in other threads that it causes lots of problems.

Thanks,
sally

[Tim Medford]

Hi Sally. Yes, I think that software was called SDD. Honestly it's been so long I don't remember.

I've attached a couple things, one is the results of an ioscan -funC disk. You can see the shark luns listed below. They will appear like any other drive in the system. You can then just use lvm to define your alternate physical paths without using the IBM software. (Assuming of course that you have at least 2 HBAs).

The IBM tech might argue and say "Yes, but you can define up to 17 (or so) paths with our software...but I say baloney!". I had nothing but trouble with SDD and the less software you run, the less that you have to support and the less that will fail!

I've also attached a PDF matrix from IBM that lists compatability with revs of HPUX. Hope it helps.

Tim


(saifdev)/> ioscan -funC disk
Class I H/W Path Driver S/W State H/W Type Description
==========================================================================
disk 0 0/0/1/1.2.0 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE SEAGATE ST39204LC
/dev/dsk/c1t2d0 /dev/rdsk/c1t2d0
disk 1 0/0/2/0.2.0 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE SEAGATE ST39103LC
/dev/dsk/c2t2d0 /dev/rdsk/c2t2d0
disk 2 0/0/2/1.2.0 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE HP DVD-ROM 305
/dev/dsk/c3t2d0 /dev/rdsk/c3t2d0
disk 15 0/1/0/0.8.0.0.36.0.0 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE IBM 2105800
/dev/dsk/c21t0d0 /dev/rdsk/c21t0d0
disk 17 0/1/0/0.8.0.0.36.0.1 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE IBM 2105800
/dev/dsk/c21t0d1 /dev/rdsk/c21t0d1
disk 16 0/3/0/0.8.0.0.36.0.0 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE IBM 2105800
/dev/dsk/c20t0d0 /dev/rdsk/c20t0d0
disk 18 0/3/0/0.8.0.0.36.0.1 sdisk CLAIMED DEVICE IBM 2105800
/dev/dsk/c20t0d1 /dev/rdsk/c20t0d1