HP StorageWorks MSA 2.8 SAN Switch - Manual (Page 147)

Updating Switches to the Core PID Addressing
147 Fabric OS Procedures Version 3.1.x/4.1.x User Guide
■ Detailed Update Procedures for HP/UX and AIX provides examples of
step-by-step instructions for certain PID-bound devices. These procedures are
applicable to any of a broad class of routine maintenance tasks; indeed, they
would apply to these devices in many scenarios with any Fibre Channel
switch in any addressing mode.
Note: It is recommended not to use drivers that bind by PID. There are several routine
maintenance procedures which may result in a device receiving a new PID.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
■ Changing “Compatibility Mode” settings
■ Changing switch Domain IDs
■ Merging fabrics
■ Relocating devices to new ports or new switches (that is, for Add, Move, and
Change type operations)
■ Updating the core PID format
■ Using hot spare switch ports to deal with failures
In every case where devices bind by PID, any such procedure becomes difficult or
impossible to execute without downtime.
In some cases, device drivers allow the user to manually specify persistent
bindings by PID. In these cases, such devices must be identified and an
appropriate update procedure created. If possible, the procedure should involve
changing from PID binding to WWN binding.