Abstract; Required Hardware; Supported Firmware Versions; Supported Fibre Channel Switches - Compaq BL10e - HP ProLiant - 512 MB RAM Instructions Manual

Booting from a storage area network

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Abstract

Traditionally, HP ProLiant servers boot operating systems (OSs) from internal SCSI and IDE storage

devices. Now, certain HP ProLiant server, StorageWorks Fibre Channel host bus adapter (HBA), and

RAID array combinations support external OS booting. Customers can choose to eliminate server-

based internal boot devices. Booting from an external device decreases downtime by enabling faster

server replacement in the event of a server failure and provides other benefits, including the following:

• Redundant storage paths

• Disaster recovery

• Improved security

• Minimized server maintenance

• Reduced impact on production servers

• Reduced backup time

This paper consolidates available resources with information about booting from SAN, points

customers to vital information, and contains procedures for deploying OSs.

To avoid issues when booting a ProLiant server from a SAN, it is essential to verify that your

hardware configuration supports booting from SAN and that you have the required firmware

installed.

Outdated firmware is a common cause of server problems. Firmware updates provide the latest

available fixes and are essential for optimal system performance and system stability.

For information on the latest firmware versions for server and storage systems, visit the HP website at

http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/support.html?jumpid=hpr_R1002_USEN.

The matrix at

ftp://ftp.compaq.com/pub/products/servers/support/Boot_from_SAN_Fibre_Channel_Switch_Supp

ort_Matrix.pdf

lists which ProLiant servers are supported for Fibre Channel switch and HP

StorageWorks array combination that supports booting from SAN.

Verifying compatibility and support among system products can help avoid problems in the future.

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