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Re: How to change the SCSI ID on a smart array controller card

 
Marc Devos
New Member

How to change the SCSI ID on a smart array controller card

We have a tape-library that needs to be connected to two smart array host controllers. In order to acomplish that, we need to change the SCSI ID of one of these smart array host controllers in order to be able to connect them both on the same SCSI bus. Can anyone help us with some information on how to change the SCSI ID of a smart array host controller?

Thanks in advance.

Marc.
4 REPLIES 4
Vincent Fleming
Honored Contributor

Re: How to change the SCSI ID on a smart array controller card

Marc,

Please explain what you are trying to accomplish... because you can't put a tape on a smart array controller - it's for disk drives only. Also, you cannot dual-initiate tape drives; they just don't work right if you try.

You will need a plain SCSI card to hook up the tape unit.

Vince
No matter where you go, there you are.
Marc Devos
New Member

Re: How to change the SCSI ID on a smart array controller card

Hi Vince,

We have two DL580 machines, of which we want to form a cluster. Those machines have an integrated smart array controller. We also have al Tape Library. When we connect the tape-library to the external port of the integrated smart array controller, the tape library is been seen just fine, and works fine under Arcserve 2000. Arcserve 2000 is also cluster aware. To be able to use the cluster functions of Arcserve, we need to attach the tape-library to the two host controllers in both servers. That is the reason that we need to change the SCSI ID of one of the adapters.
Gert Luyten
Respected Contributor

Re: How to change the SCSI ID on a smart array controller card

Tape libraries are not supported on any embedded SA controller like Integrated Smart Array or SA-5i.
Only standalone tape drives are.

Take the advice of the hp engineer and buy yourself two separate SCSI adapters, your backup throughput and stability will benefit greatly.
A Proliant a day keeps the competition away!
Vincent Fleming
Honored Contributor

Re: How to change the SCSI ID on a smart array controller card

Marc,

We also don't support connecting a tape library in the manner you describe - multi-initiator.

In case you're not familiar with the term, and in case some other user reads this, here's some background...

In SCSI, the SCSI card in the host computer is called an Initiator. Drives/devices are Targets. This is because ALL communication is started by the Initiator (it Initiates the communcation).

When you have multiple Initiators (hosts or SCSI cards) on the same SCSI bus, that's a Multi-Initiator environment.

You are very correct that the two Initiators must have different SCSI addresses so the Targets can tell them apart.

Now, Tape devices do not work properly in Multi-Initiator environments.

When we hook up a Tape Library to multiple systems, it's done so that each system has a separate SCSI bus to the library. So, one host has the robotics and at least one tape drive on a bus - the other host(s) have dedicated tape drives on their own SCSI busses.

The robotics owner must coordinate access to the tape unit - and load tapes for the other hosts, who then perform their own backups. Your backup software needs to be aware of this configuration - most do handle this senario.

Good luck,

Vince
No matter where you go, there you are.