How many OS's per host port on an array in a SAN?

[Donald Scott Nelson]

Is there any possible way to run mutiple OS's simultaneously on a single host port on an array? In other words what limits you to how many OS's you can install on an array and access simultaneously? I know different array's can come with different number of host ports, are the host ports what limits you on the number of OS's you can install and use simultaneously? I am just trying to get a better grasp on this. Any information will be greatly appreaciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[SG4]

Hi,

when you are connecting OS to array you
must set "emulation type for specific OS" to array host port. Some OS have the same emulation type and there is posibility to
connect more OS to one hostport, but you have to have software to limit access to LUN (ex. Secure Manager).

In HDS (Hitachi Data Systems) array there is
Virtual Domain on array host port which allows to create a lot of "logical host ports".

[Donald Scott Nelson]

So would the below be a true statement?

One VA7400 (with attached JBOD) can have 100 different hosts connected to it through a FC switches booting 100 different OS's off the same VA7400 simultaneously? If the statement is not true, why not? I just used the number 100 just as an example, I know the number might be a lot smaller but the idea is still the same. So software can make the above happen, and can this be said about linux, windows and or hpux?

I would like to try this if I can get my hands on all the equipment I need, which I bet I can :)

If I wanted to setup this configuration besides the host, VA, and switch what else would I need?

Thanks for any and all help you can provide.

Thanks,
Scott

[David Child_1]

Scott,

There is a limited number of hosts that you can connect to any array front end port. It all depends on the array model, host director card model, etc. You need to refer to the specific documentation for your array.

Of course there numbers are what the manufacturer will support. It doesn't mean you can't add more hosts, but you need to take into consideration how heavily the hosts on the port are using it.

An example would be EMC sugguests a 6 to 1 fan out ratio (meaning 6 hosts for each front end port on the array). You can add more hosts if they aren't hitting it too hard, but EMC might not want to give you much support in troubleshooting performance problems in this case.

Hope this answers your question. I may have read it wrong and went down the wrong track.

David

[Donald Scott Nelson]

Again thanks for all the input, this is helping me slowly get a better understanding of this.

I know different arrays contain a different number of ports. So if the array I have supports 6 hosts per array host port, would I then be able to load windows, linux and hpux all on the same array and have them boot simultaneously all off the same array host port from three different hosts? If this is not possible then what about 3 different versions HPUX all booting simultaneously on the same array host port. Slawomir had mentioned using software (secure manager) to accomplish this but I don't understand how any software could make this possible. After reading about secure manager it looks like it is just an extra security level for your LUNs.

I am in the process of connecting a longspeak and another host to a FC64 switch. I already have one array host port connected to the FC64 switch. So theoretically I should be able to load HPUX on each host simultaneously and boot simultaneously through one array host port?
If not, why not?

Thanks,
Scott