PRODUCT BULLETIN
PB-Multipath_HA_Storage_Introduction-1206
Multipath HA Storage
Introduction
Last Updated: 09 January 2007
Original Date:
|
CONFIDENTIAL |
Revisions History
|
Date of Revision |
Summary of Change |
|
|
Initial release |
|
|
MultiPath HA storage now available
on FAS3020C, FAS3050C, and FAS980C new systems |
|
11/06/06 |
Update to November Storage |
|
12/11/06 |
Add FAS6000 Support for MultiPath |
|
1/9/07 |
Text clarifications and
corrections |
1. Summary
This product bulletin announces the availability of Multipath HA Storage
for First Customer Ship.
Multipath HA Storage provides multiple redundant paths for active/active
systems to enhance data availability and maintain consistent application
performance. By providing dual primary and secondary paths (quad paths),
Multipath HA Storage avoids controller failover due to storage faults such as
shelf I/O module, cable, and disk HBA failures.
2. What's New?
NetApp
customers focused on high availability have often asked “Why does a single
storage failure in an active/active system require a cluster failover? Why
can’t you provide the same dual pathing redundancy in your active/active
systems as you offer for single-controller systems?”
Historically,
some customers have perceived the NetApp active/active systems to be less
resilient than our single-controller systems. Current single-controller systems
have dual redundant paths to ensure storage subsystem fault tolerance and
performance consistency. In contrast, existing active/active (CFO) systems
provide one primary path and one secondary path. As a result, a cable break,
HBA/port failure, or shelf I/O module failure requires a clustered failover,
which can affect system availability and/or performance consistency. Also, when
a failover does need to occur, the partner relies on only one secondary path—if
that path fails, the takeover also fails.
To
solve these problems and provide a more fault tolerant storage back end for
active/active systems, NetApp introduces Multipath
HA Storage. Initially available on Data ONTAP® 7.1.1, this new storage
configuration offers improved data availability and performance consistency.
4 Improved Data Availability
–
Reduced
frequency of problematic failovers (CIFS, long failover times, secondary path
failures) means less unplanned downtime.
–
Dual
primary paths help prevent failover from storage issues; if a storage failure
blocks a storage path (for example, ESH2 failure), the redundant primary path
ensures path availability.
–
Dual
secondary paths help ensure successful takeovers; if a storage failure blocks a
secondary path during failover, the redundant secondary path ensures path
availability.
4 Improved Performance Consistency
–
Avoiding
unnecessary failovers helps ensure that sufficient controller resources are
available for optimal application performance.
–
Multiple
active storage paths ensure that sufficient loop bandwidth is available for
optimal storage back-end performance (for example, predictable performance
during heavy sequential or reconstruct workloads).
3. Sales Tools (Sales Guides, Training Presentations, SE Presentations)
· NetApp Partners (to be posted at a later date)
4. Customer-Ready Tools (Customer Presentations, Datasheets)
· NetApp Partners (to be posted at a later date)
Supported
platforms
The following hardware and software are supported
for Multipath HA Storage:
4 Platform
Hardware*
–
FAS900, FAS3000, FAS6000 platforms
–
Dual Controller (Active/Active)
4 Software
–
Data ONTAP 7.1.1 or 7.2.1 and higher
–
No protocol restrictions (NFS, CIFS, FCP, iSCSI,
etc.)
–
Disk ownership must be used
4 Storage
Hardware
–
Shelves: DS14mk2, DS14mk2-AT, DS14
–
Shelf Modules: ESH2 or later, AT-FCx-R5 or later
–
Drives: 15K RPM FC, 10K RPM FC, 7.2K RPM SATA
What else does the customer need to run Multipath HA Storage?
The customer also needs the following to run Multipath
HA Storage:
4
Disk
Initiator Ports: Each FC-AL storage loop requires two FC
ports from each storage controller (total of four FC ports). These can be
onboard ports or disk HBAs.
4
Optical
LC/LC Cables: Each FC-AL storage loop requires four
optical LC/LC cables to connect from the storage controllers to optical shelf
I/O modules.
4
Optical Shelf I/O Modules: Each FC-AL storage loop requires
four optical shelf I/O modules located in the first and last shelf in the loop.
ESH2, AT-FCx-R5, or later modules are required (configured with optical SFPs). The entire loop must be configured with either ESH2
or AT-FCx-R5 shelf modules (or future generations). LRC and ESH modules in the
loop will invalidate the configuration.
4
Disk Ownership: Disk ownership must be used.
Multipath HA Storage does not require a software
license. The only cost is the incremental hardware cost for additional FC HBA
for disk, optical cables, and optical SFPs. Multipath HA Storage requires twice
the number of disk initiator ports and controller-to-shelf optical LC/LC cables
as current active/active system configurations.
The following table lists part numbers that may be required for the Multipath HA Storage configuration as of the date of this product bulletin**. Partners should contact their channel representative for pricing information.
|
Part Number |
Description |
Category |
|
X2050A-R5-C |
|
A |
|
X2050B-R5-C |
|
A |
|
X6518A-R6-C |
5M Optical LC/LC Cable |
A |
|
X6524-R6-C |
2M Optical LC/LC Cable |
A |
|
X5511A-R5-C |
ESH2 Module |
B |
|
X5612A-R5 |
AT-FCx Module |
B |
|
X6529-R6-C |
Optical FC SFP (for shelf I/O module) |
B |
** Key hardware requirements for Multipath
HA Storage are additional disk initiator ports, optical controller-to-shelf
cables, and optical shelf I/O modules. The part numbers in the table represent
compatible options to meet the Multipath HA Storage requirements.
Upgrades
Existing customers with active/active (CFO) systems
can also upgrade to the Multipath HA Storage configuration. Assuming that the
existing system meets the requirements listed in “Supported Platforms,” it can
be upgraded to Multipath HA Storage.
The following table lists the Multipath HA Storage
upgrade bundle part numbers as of the date of this product bulletin. Partners
should contact their channel representative for pricing information.
|
Migration Credit Part Number |
Description |
Category |
|
MPATH-X2050A-2LOOP-UPG-R5 |
Multipath HA Storage Upgrade Kit For Existing 2 Storage |
A |
|
MPATH-X2050A-4LOOP-UPG-R5 |
Multipath HA Storage Upgrade Kit For Existing 4 Storage |
A |
Each bundle part number
includes FC HBAs for disk, 5-meter optical LC/LC controller-to-shelf cables,
and shelf I/O module optical SFPs to ensure a successful upgrade from an
existing active/active system to the more resilient Multipath HA Storage
configuration.
The first bundled part
listed in the previous table targets active/active systems with 2 preexisting
FC-AL storage loops (6 shelves on one storage loop + 6 shelves on the second
storage loop = 12 shelves maximum on 2 loops). The second bundle targets
active/active systems with 4 preexisting FC-AL storage loops (24 shelves
maximum spread across 4 loops).
If customers have
existing onboard initiator ports/HBAs, desire different length controller-to-shelf
optical cables, or have other specific needs, the appropriate parts can also be
ordered “a la carte” from eConfigurator Add Parts. Please be sure to review the
system requirements, published documentation guides, SE presentation, or TOI to
ensure that the correct parts and quantities are ordered for an a la carte
upgrade path. If uncertain, the upgrade bundle provides the necessary hardware
to achieve a successful upgrade. For
example, if customers have fewer than 12 shelves in their solution and do not
require FC protocol then the only additional hardware that will be required to
provide Multi-Path HA capability is 4 additional FC optical cables and 4
additional SFP modules. These can be
added to any solution using eConfigurator Add Parts
section. (See table above for part numbers for the cables and SFPs)
Quoting
For
detailed instructions for how to quote this product or service using the
Product Availability
Starting
with the September release of eConfigurator, MultiPath HA Storage is now
available as an option on FAS3020C, FAS3050C and FAS980C new system
configurations.
With the
November release of eConfigurator the FAS3070 now
offers MultiPath. With the December
release of eConfigurator the FAS6000 series now
offers MultiPath.
Contact Information: Please contact your Network Appliance sales or
channel partner representative with questions about this bulletin.
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2006 Network Appliance, Inc. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to
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