Mpxio Overview - HP StorageWorks MPX200 User Manual

MPxIO overview

The Sun multipathing software (MPxIO) provides basic failover and load-balancing capability to HP
StorageWorks EVA4x00/6x00/8x00 storage arrays. MPxIO allows the merging of multiple SCSI
layer paths, such as an iSCSI device exposing the same LUN through several different iSCSI target
names. Because MPxIO is independent of transport, it can multipath a target that is visible on both
iSCSI and FC ports. This section describes only the iSCSI implementation of MPxIO with the MPX200.
For more information about MPxIO, see the Solaris Fibre Channel and Storage Multipathing
Administration Guide, available at http://docs.sun.com/source/819-0139.
Preparing the host system
To verify that MPxIO is enabled:
1. Enter the following command:
cat kernel/drv/iscsi.conf
2. Verify the MPxIO setting:
mpxio-disable="no"
If the setting is yes, change it to no, and then reboot:
Reboot -- -r
Example: MPxIO on all iSCSI port settings in /kernel/dev/iscsi.conf
# Copyright 2006 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.
# Use is subject to license terms.
#
#ident "@(#)iscsi.conf 1.2 06/06/12 SMI"
name="iscsi" parent="/" instance=0;
ddi-forceattach=1;
#
# I/O multipathing feature (MPxIO) can be enabled or disabled using
# mpxio-disable property. Setting mpxio-disable="no" will activate
# I/O multipathing; setting mpxio-disable="yes" disables the feature.
#
# Global mpxio-disable property:
#
# To globally enable MPxIO on all iscsi ports set:
# mpxio-disable="no";#
# To globally disable MPxIO on all iscsi ports set:
# mpxio-disable="yes";
#
mpxio-disable="no";
#
Enabling MPxIO for an HP EVA storage array
This section explains how to configure a Solaris server to recognize an HP storage array in an iSCSI
multipath environment with the MPX200.
Editing the scsi_vhci.conf file
HP storage arrays are supported with MPxIO:
• As symmetric devices only
88 MPX200 iSCSI configuration rules and guidelines