Setting up Secure Path

[Ken Englander]

I need some guidance in setting up Secure Path. I am using version 3.0F on HP-UX 11.23 connected to an XP1024 using the active-active version.

I do not see documentation or understand how to get the SAN devices to configure with Secure Path. I have the impression that a new device (that incorporates both paths) will show up once I have it configured correctly, but I do not have a clue how to get to that point.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Chauhan Amit]

Hi Ken,

Please find below the link from where you can download the document.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual〈=en&cc=us&docIndexId=179111&taskId=101&prodTypeId=18964&prodSeriesId=471465

Hope this helps,
Amit

[Sivakumar TS]

Hi Ken,

Securepath is ONLY to manage the multiple link/paths to acccess the same divice/disk ( refered as alternate links in LVM). We can configure loadbalancing and failover features for the available links. In SAN scenario it becomes more usual to come across such stuations where more than one path is available to a single disk.

We cant configure any SAN devices using this software.

Check this doc on installing and configuring securepath,

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00588262/c00588262.pdf

[Zeev Schultz]

Ok,in the active-active version you bascially use command "autopath".Flags are:

display - to see what arrays/LUNs/controllers you have connected

add/replace - to add/replace LUN either by WWN (found with "fcmsutil /dev/... get remote all")
where /dev/... is FC HBA device file

discover - to see new links/LUNs

set - to config load balancing policy

Notice,that you need also ULM-Service product to use with Active-Active version of Secure Path.

Suggested document is: Install & Reference guide - http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/CoreRedirect.jsp?redirectReason=DocIndexPDF&prodSeriesId=471465&targetPage=http%3A%2F%2Fh20000.www2.hp.com%2Fbc%2Fdocs%2Fsupport%2FSupportManual%2Fc00248387%2Fc00248387.pdf

[Ken Englander]

All - Sorry I neglected to mention I have already perused the standard doc that you all provided. The documentation does NOT clearly show how to get a device under the control of Secure Path.

Sivakumar - I am using multi-pathed devices on a SAN. I simply need to know how to get these devices set up within Secure Path so it will provide load-balancing and failover. I have it installed already, but there is NO information about how to utilize it once it is installed.

Zeev - According to the release notes I do not need ULM with 11 v2. I have used the discover command and I see the devices I expect, but what do I do next?

[Zinky · Accepted solution]

autopath discover
autopath set (load balancing and failover)

After you checked that all your LUNS are in order (via xpinfo -- various options), then start configuring the LUNs under LVM -- configure the primary path as shown in "autopath display". The other path will just be auto-config'd in (I honestly still do not understand why this is..)

BTW, DO NOT EVER USE VxVM with AutoPath (aka SecurePath for VA/XP Arrays)!!!

We have dropped using AutoPath outright as most of our XP storage are managed by VxVM which has its own pathing and load-balancing feature in DMP (dynamic multi pathing). I urge you to look at using VxVM (the full version which will give you DMP). Note that VxVM is practically already ready to use on any 11.11/11.23 environment.. all you need is just to activate it's full features by installing the VxVM depot which is unlocked via a code-word (IF purchased via HP). Note also that you will need to have the ASL or Array Support Library for XP - which can be sourced either from HP or Veritas (now Symanteec).

[Basheer_2]

Ken,

Since I installed about 5 of them Ver 3.OF

1) download or use your CD's and Read the PDF's
Read Release Notes Titled HP Storage works Secure Path 3.0F ofr hp-ux 11i v1.0, 11i V2.0 and hp-ux 11i v1.o, 11i v2.o workgroup Edition.
this has all the Requirements ( patches)
dont proceed without these patches.

2) when you install, it will auto reboot

3) connect your FCA's cabling to SAN

4) Create Host, Vdisks etcc

5) ioscan

6) fcmsutil /dev/td0 ( one for each FCA)
/dev/td1 for the 2nd one etcc.. and make sure it says ON-LINE

7) insf -e -C disk

8) you should see your Vdisks Now

9) let me know if you need more info

[Ken Englander]

Nelson and Basheer,

Thanks for the help. Now, I am wondering is there some way to know it is working other than the output from autopath display?

BTW, we are not using VxVM because of the added cost and complexity it would add right now to the project in progress.

[Zinky]

If you've balancing and failover set up, aside from "autopath display" -- you most certainly can test by cable pull of one of the fibre channel connections -- physical or through the fibre switch - and observe the autopath display output change as well as a stream of syslog messages telling you of the failover actions Autopath/Securepath is doing.

[paolo barila]

Maybe I'm wrong,
I haven't seen yet in this post so I try:

# spmgr display

[Zinky]

Paolo,

SecurePath since 3.0D came in two bundles -- SecurePath for HSV/HSG controllers (active/passive - EVA arrays - where you can use "spmgr") AND SecurePath for VA/XP which is also called AutoPath and where your lone command is "autopath". You do not use spmgr with SecurePath 3.0D/E/F on XP arrays and the like.

[Ken Englander]

Neglected to close this last year. Resolved.