Moving an FC60 from Direct Attached to FC Fabric Switch

[Christophe MAILHE]

Hi all,

I am responsible for am HP9000 L2000 Server with a Direct Attached FC60. The FC60 is attached to the L Class using 2 A5158A HBAs.

We are in the process of implementing an EMC Clarion CX500 and I need to be able to see both storages from the L Class.

We are planning on attaching the FC60 and the L Class to the McData Sphereon FC Fabric switches and to install EMC PowerPath software on the L Class.

The L Class is up to date regarding patches and HBA Drivers required to link to the Clariion CX500.

Does anyone know of any issue, or has any previous experience or expertise on doing that?

I have heard of potential issues with LVM after the move of the FC60 to the FC Fabric switches and I would apparently have to export and re-import each volume groups on the FC60?

Any help and comments would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Christophe.

[Albert_31 · Accepted solution]

Hello Christopher,

Yes you are correct on the problems with LVM when you move from direct attach to fabric , since the following are bound to occur

1) device files names of the luns will change.

2) The hba's will be using nport id's and not loop id's and hence its device files names would also change.

Due to the above if you have put your boot disks on the fc you need to be extra cautious and note down the h/w path of the boot disks path and set it during the system reboot or your system will not boot.

Suggest you better export your volume groups in the fc with the -s option in vgexport command, as it does not take the device files but the vgid while exporting and importing.

Will get back if I come across anything.
best of luck.

Regards

Albert