Question

Do fiber channel HBAs have to be the same make/model for dual path to work correctly?

Asked by: Ponthecomputer

I've got a windows server 2003 box that has 2 FC HBAs - one Emulex LP10000-M2 and one Emulex LP9802. Both are 2GB cards.

When zoned into a single cisco switch with targets set as a couple of IBM 3592 tape drives, the backup software (veritas backup exec 10.1d) will work and then all of a sudden, not be able to communicate with the tape drives. If I pull one HBA or the other out of the zone, everything is stable.

Is it best practice or necessary to use the same make/model card when using multipath softwae such as Emulex HBAanywhere?

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Asked On
2009-09-16 at 11:08:57ID24737270
Topics

Windows 2003 Server

,

Backup Exec

,

Storage Technology

Participating Experts
3
Points
400
Comments
4

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Answers

 

by: meyersdPosted on 2009-09-16 at 18:19:52ID: 25352076

No, but it *is* a good idea to only expose the tape drive to a single HBA. Check that the HBA BIOS settings are consistent and that you're using your storage vendor's approved firmware and BIOS on the cards, and the appropriate storage vendor approved drivers. Also check that you have all the appropriate Microsoft StorPort hotfixes - there are some doozies of bugs.

 

by: VincedeePosted on 2009-09-17 at 01:41:04ID: 25353910

As Meyers has commented it is best practice to expose only one HBA to the tape drive. Unless your tape library has a dual FC interface it is not intended to be in a Multipath configuration.

You may also want to check your FC Adaptor BIOS's for a FC Tape support option and enable this.

 

by: andyalderPosted on 2009-09-17 at 01:45:51ID: 25353938

With two tape drives you could use one HBA for one and the other HBA for the other, then you wouldn't have to be concerned with multipathing, just have 2 seperate zones.

 

by: meyersdPosted on 2009-09-17 at 17:29:30ID: 25362303

Thanks! Glad I could help.

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