Coneverting single path cluster to a multipath one

[deepak bajpai]

Hi,

I am having a 4 DL380-G3 node single path cluster attached to MSA 1000 and 1 hp 2/16 fiber channel switch.

Now, I need to convert this cluster into a multipath cluster.Its is known that I would need second fiber channel switch for a multipath cluster.

What all steps I would need to take in order to convert the existing cluster to a multipath one and what cautions I should take.

Thanks,
Deepak

[Stephen Kebbell]

Hi Deepak,

this topic was recently covered here (Windows cluster):
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=850246

There are a few hints on what to look out for.

You will need more than a 2nd switch. You also need a 2nd controller for the MSA1000 (with same cache config as 1st controller), a 2nd HBA for each server, and multipathing software (either SecurePath or MPIO)

Regards,
Stephen

[Uwe Zessin]

I've looked after the MPIO drivers yesterday, but it looks like they are still only supported on Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 EE.

I wonder if support for a plain Windows Server 2003 x86 is now available, but the web pages have not been updated. Does anybody happen know? Stephen?

[Stephen Kebbell]

Hmm, just checked that myself. On the first page for MPIO
http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/sanworks/softwaredrivers/multipathoptions/windows.html
it says it's only supported on 2000 Server and 2003 EE, but when I select the link for the MSA MPIO module
http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/22184.html

I get this:
OPERATING SYSTEMS:
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 64-bit for Itanium-based Systems

And the Docs included in the download make no distinction between 2000 Server and Advanced Server or 2003 Server and 2003 EE.
So it looks like standard Win2003 server is supported.

Regards,
Stephen

[Uwe Zessin]

Hmm, I must have missed that ;-)
It is always good to have somebody else to cross-check - thanks!