Top
ETERNUS SF Storage Cruiser 14.0 User's Guide

6.3.1 What is an access path?

In this software, the logical paths of server node and storage devices are defined as access paths.

Access paths are generated by the following access control functions of the server node, Fibre Channel switch, and storage.


Server node storage affinity

Fibre Channel adapter manufacturers provide host storage affinity. To set the definition of a channel adapter (CA) that can be accessed and the ID of the corresponding server node side, write the world wide port name (WWPN) used by Fibre Channel for the CA on the storage side, in the definition file. Host storage affinity is also called LUN mapping or WWPN binding. This software refers to this function as storage affinity. Define the settings of this function in definition files such as /kernel/drv/sd.conf and /kernel/drv/fjpfca.conf (PW008FC2A, PW008FC2-G, PW008FC3, GP7B8FC1A, GP7B8FC1-G, GP7B8FC1, SE0X7F11F, SE0X7F12F), /kernel/drv/sd.conf (SN10-FC01, JNI), /kernel/drv/lpfc.conf, or lpfs.conf (LP-9000, 9002S, 9002L, 9802, 10000).

Solaris OS environment HBAs supported in this product all support this function (except XSEFC401AF, XSEFC402AF, SG-XPCI1FC-QF2, SG-XPCI2FC-QF2, SG-XPCI1FC-QL2 and SG-XPCI2FC-QF2-Z , which do not). Windows/Linux/HP-UX environment HBAs do not support this function, however. To collect the information described above, Agent must be installed.


Fibre Channel switch zoning

Switch manufacturers provide Fibre Channel switch zoning. Information such as the WWN/port number used by Fibre Channel for the host bus adapter (HBA) on the server node side and the WWN/port number of channel adapters (CAs) on the storage side is combined in a zone unit, and access from ports other than the port defined for the zone are restricted.


Storage host affinity

Storage manufacturers provide storage host affinity. The storage side recognizes the WWPN of the HBA on the server node side in order to restrict access. Associations of WWPNs of HBAs with storage areas (AffinityGroup/Zone) can also be set. ETERNUS8000, ETERNUS6000, ETERNUS4000 (except models 80 and 100), ETERNUS2000 and ETERNUS DX60/DX80 refer to storage host affinity as Set Affinity Group, Set Host-Affinity Group. ETERNUS4000 models 80 and 100, ETERNUS3000 and GR series refer to storage host affinity as Host Table Settings, zone definition, on host affinity.


Integrated access path control

This software integrates and manages these functions to facilitate definition of settings that make use of the characteristics of SAN security and each function.

This software currently supports storage affinity only for the Solaris OS server node and host affinity only for the ETERNUS8000, ETERNUS6000, ETERNUS4000, ETERNUS3000, ETERNUS2000, ETERNUS DX60/DX80 and GR series. An increase in the number of devices supported by this software is scheduled. Without using storage affinity and host affinity, it can control access paths only by using the zoning function of Fibre Channel switches. It controls access paths according to the functions and settings of individual devices.