Host Multipathing; Connecting The Disk Array; Setting Up Virtual Machines (Vms) And Guest Operating Systems; Setting The Scsi Disk Timeout Value For Windows Vms - HP XP7 Configuration Manual

Host multipathing

For XP7 LUNS, the ESXi host detects and uses the VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA Storage Array Type
Plugin (SATP). The plugin has these possible Path Policies (PSP):
VMW_PSP_FIXED (default)
VMW_PSP_RR (HP recommended setting)
VMW_PSP_MRU
IMPORTANT:
VMW_PSP_RR.

Connecting the disk array

The HP service representative performs the following steps to connect the disk array to the host:
1. Verifying operational status of the disk array channel adapters, LDEVs, and paths.
2. Connecting the Fibre Channel cables between the disk array and the fabric switch or host.
3. Verifying the ready status of the disk array and peripherals.

Setting up virtual machines (VMs) and guest operating systems

Setting the SCSI disk timeout value for Windows VMs

To ensure Windows VM's (Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003) wait at least 60 seconds
for delayed disk operations to complete before generating errors, you must set the SCSI disk timeout
value to 60 seconds by editing the registry of the guest operating system as follows:
CAUTION:
file.
1. Start the registry editor: select Start > Run, enter regedit.exe, and click OK.
2. In the directory tree in the left panel, select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > System >
CurrentControlSet > Services > Disk.
3. In the right pane locate the DWORD entry "TimeOutValue." and right click. Select Modify,
then set the data value to x03c (hexadecimal) or 60 (decimal).
NOTE:
enter the name "TimeOutValue."

Sharing LUNs

To share LUNs between VMs within a single ESX server, set the SCSI controller to virtual mode. To
share LUNs across multiple ESX servers or in a virtual to physical configuration, set the SCSI
controller to physical mode.
56 VMware
The default Path Policy is VMW_PSP_FIXED; however, HP recommends using
Before making any changes to the registry file, make a back up copy of the existing
If the DWORD "TimeOutValue" does not exist, click Edit > New> DWORD value and