HP MSA 1040 SAN Storage - Manual (Page 29)

Host system requirements 29
4 Connecting hosts
Host system requirements
Data hosts connected to HP MSA 1040 arrays must meet requirements described herein. Depending on
your system configuration, data host operating systems may require that multi-pathing is supported.
If fault-tolerance is required, then multi-pathing software may be required. Host-based multi-path software
should be used in any configuration where two logical paths between the host and any storage volume
may exist at the same time. This would include most configurations where there are multiple connections to
the host or multiple connections between a switch and the storage.
• Use native Microsoft MPIO DSM support with Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012. Use
either the Server Manager or the command-line interface (mpclaim CLI tool) to perform the installation.
Refer to the following web sites for information about using Windows native MPIO DSM:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/assistsupport
http://technet.microsoft.com
(search the site for “multipath I/O overview”)
• Use the HP Multi-path Device Mapper for Linux Software with Linux servers. To download the
appropriate device mapper multi-path enablement kit for your specific enterprise Linux operating
system, go to http://www.hp.com/storage/spock .
Connecting the enclosure to data hosts
A host identifies an external port to which the storage system is attached. The external port may be a port
in an I/O adapter (such as an FC HBA) in a server. Cable connections vary depending on configuration.
Common cabling configurations are shown in this section. A list of supported configurations resides on the
MSA 1040 manuals site at http://www.hp.com/support/msa1040/manuals :
• HP MSA 1040 Quick Start Instructions
• HP MSA 1040 Cable Configuration Guide
These documents provide installation details and describe newly-supported direct attach, switch-connect,
and storage expansion configuration options for MSA 1040 products. For specific information about
qualified host cabling options, see "Cable requirements for MSA 1040 enclosures" (page 20) .
Any number or combination of LUNs can be shared among a maximum of 64 host ports (initiators),
provided the total does not exceed 1,024 LUNs per MSA 1040 storage system (single-controller or
dual-controller configuration).
MSA 1040 Storage models
MSA 1040 models use Converged Network Controller technology, allowing you to select the desired host
interface protocol from the available FC or iSCSI host interface protocols supported by the system. The
small form-factor pluggable (SFP transceiver or SFP) connectors used in host ports are further described in
the subsections below. Also see "MSA 1040 Storage models" (page 11) for more information concerning
use of these host ports.
Fibre Channel protocol
The MSA 1040 controller enclosures support one or two controller modules using the Fibre Channel
interface protocol for host connection. Each controller module provides two host ports designed for use
with an FC SFP supporting data rates up to 8 Gbit/s. When configured with FC SFPs, MSA 1040
controller enclosures can also be cabled to support the optionally-licensed Remote Snap replication feature
via the FC ports.
The MSA 1040 controller supports Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (public or private) or point-to-point
topologies. Loop protocol can be used in a physical loop or in a direct connection between two devices.
Point-to-point protocol is used to connect to a fabric switch. See the set host-parameters command
within the HP MSA 1040 CLI Reference Guide for command syntax and details about connection mode
parameter settings relative to supported link speeds.