Netware/MSA-1000/DL380

[Ayman Altounji]

Hi, our distributors are not very helpfull w/ this small task. We need to build a 3 node Netware 6 cluster w/ a very small(50GB) data partition. The 8000 series would be overkill for this task so we thought that we would try it w/ the MSA1000. I've found infos stating that the MSA1000 supports Netware and some that say it doesn't. Don't really know what to believe...The configuration that we would like to have contains the following: 1x MSA1000 and 3x DL380s. Can anyone tell me if this works and if it does give me the part numbers for the required hard and software components? According to the quick specs secure path is not supported w/ Netware and M$ cannot share the MSA1000 w/ other OSs. Will these be supported in the future? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Daryn

[Ayman Altounji]

Support for Novell Clusters in single path configurations will be available next week (approx. Oct. 1). You will need to get a firmware download for the MSA1000 from the MSA web site at http://www.compaq.com/products/storageworks/msa1000/index.html. This FW download is for Netware only. You will also need one FCA 2210 Host Bus Adapter in each server, plus an FC switch. (More info on the FCA 2210 at http://www.compaq.com/products/storageworks/msa1000/index.html).

SecurePath for Netware and MSA1000 (to allow dual path) will be available in late October/early November. Check the above web sites around that time for more info.

You will be able to share an MSA1000 with Netware and Windows clusters in November. Check the ProLiant High Availability web site at http://www.hp.com/servers/proliant/highavailability in mid-November for updates.

Hope this helps,
Doug

[Ayman Altounji]

Hi Doug,

thanks for your GREAT and prompt answer! Glad to hear that the MSA1000 is going in the right direction(Secure Path/Multi OS Support/...). That is exactly what we S.I.s need to get the "scared of SAN" customers on board.
This is exactly what we are trying to do with this task. The customer has a large base of DAS servers(HPUX, Linux, Netware, MS,...). Each one, doing only one or two tasks. The three node Netware cluster will consolidate 7 old ones that have little to do but have to online at all times(health care provider). If we successfully implement the MA1000 here then the sales of a 8000 series or greater wouldn't present any problem. I'm sure you know the excuses("SAN is expensive, complicated, too new, ...). The 8000 series(learned to love and respect it) would be the best initial solution for this company, but the doubts concerning SAN dampen the discussions. Enough sales...

Could you give more more information(part numbers/suggestions/tips...) regarding the initial(3 node Netware) configuration I described in my initial post? Infos are scarce concerning this and some of our "distis" won't even make an offer because they don't know if it will work.

Thanks again for your prompt answer.

Daryn