Array Controller - HP StorageWorks 7110 - Virtual Array Service Manual

Array Controller

24 Product Overview
The array controller contains the intelligence and functionality required to
manage the operation of the array. Its functions include:
Implementing HP
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and cost-efficient data storage.
Managing all communication between the host and the disk drives via one
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(single array controller) or two (dual array controller) Fibre Channel
arbitrated loops.
Maintaining data integrity.
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Rebuilding the array in the event of a disk failure.
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Monitoring the operation of all hardware components, including the array
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controller itself.
In a dual array controller configuration, two controllers provide redundant
paths to array data. Dual array controllers operate together in active-active
concurrent access mode, allowing a possible increase in I/O performance
while providing data redundancy. In active-active mode, memory maps on
both controllers are constantly and simultaneously updated. By maintaining a
mirror image of the maps, the second controller can take over immediately if
the first controller fails.
Each array controller card includes the following components:
— 1 or 2 Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs)
— 1 Battery
— VA 7100 Only - 1 Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC)
— Motorola 8240 PowerPC processor (VA 7100 and VA 7400)
— IBM 440 processor (VA 7410)
VA 7410 Fibre Channel Ports
The VA 7410 enhances flexibility, availability, and performance by adding an
additional host port to each controller. This increases the number of paths from
the host systems to the array. The VA 7410 also adds a second disk port to
each controller, resulting in four back-end ports. This creates two independent
Fibre Channel loops between the controller enclosure and the disk enclosures.
Back-end performance is enhanced by distributing the disks across both loops.
™
AutoRAID
technology to ensure optimum performance