va7100 in two node cluster

[vaibhav_1]

I want to use VA7100 disk array as a shared data storage for TWO node cluster .
I found there are only two ports behind the disk array . Is it possible that I get two Fiber channel cards , put one card each in the each node and connect it to disk array ?

Do I need to buy a fiber channel switch or hub .

[linuxfan]

Hi Vaibhav,

I myself have never used VA7100, but looking at the product description and the diagram of the array http://www.hp.com/products1/storage/disk_arrays/midrange/va7100/infolibrary/high_availability_features.pdf) , it looks like the FCs on the array are on different controller so it will be a limited redundancy in the sense there is no standby for a FC failure on the node itself. But i definitely don't see why can't you connect the array directly to the nodes to setup the MC-SG cluster

-HTH
I am RU

[melvyn burnard]

The supported connectivity for a VA7100 array in a=n MC/SG cluster is to have two FC hubs, each one connetced to a different port on the VA7100. You then have 2 FC cards in EACH node, one of which goes to one hub, the other goes to the second hub, thus giving you the redundancy youi need.
This results in each node can get to the VA7100 via two paths, so if you lose a host FC card, or a cable, or a hub, or the VA7100 fc port, you still have the second path.
HTH

[John Tyler]

Does the VA7100 support fabric mode or is it still only FC-AL enabled?

I am about to get two N-class servers with two VA7100s and i would like to connect them with a couple of brocade switches instead of
hubs.

What is the supported config for ServiceGuard
on 2 node N -Class cluster with 2 VA7100s.

Also, Is the firmware available for VA7100 to be configured as RAID 5DP? The initial version of firmware supported only RAID 0/1.

TIA.