dual attached A5X00 and/or D1000 1

[jaSun]

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with dual attaching an A5X00 to two Sun servers (E450's in this case). I need give each 450 the ability to see the same disks as they may be clustered together in the future. Does anyone know if this is possible without cluster software? Thanks!

 

[jimbopalmer]

The unix buffer cache (in RAM) is going to defeat writing from both machines, unless you get cluster software. you could NFS mount it on the second 450 with a dedicated NIC in each 450 I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[jaSun]

Thanks. Hadn't thought of that!

 

[idefix]

Hello,

you don't need Cluster Software to fullfill your request!

We are using different scenarios to get the job done (SPARC StorageArray Model 110/SPARC StorEdge A5000/SPARC StorEdge A5100)! Reading and Understanding Sun's specs is just the key for your question!

Either system will see all disks (using different device paths depending on your controller and system hardware layout!)! But the following problem remains (w/o Cluster Software or special Volume Management Software taking care of the problem): Only one system should have read/write access to the physical disk!!!

Otherwise you are lost with inconsistencies!

Here's is an example (using the ancient SPARC Storage Array):

SPARCstorage Array 110 Configuration
(ssaadm version: 1.20 97/05/14)
Controller path:/devices/io-unit@f,e0200000/sbi@0,0/SUNW,soc@1,0/SUNW,pln@a0000000,XXXXX:ctlr
DEVICE STATUS
TRAY 1 TRAY 2 TRAY 3
slot
1 Drive: 0,0 Drive: 2,0 Drive: 4,0
2 Drive: 0,1 Drive: 2,1 Drive: 4,1
3 Drive: 0,2 Drive: 2,2 Drive: 4,2
4 Drive: 0,3 Drive: 2,3 Drive: 4,3
5 Drive: 0,4 Drive: 2,4 Drive: 4,4
6 Drive: 1,0 Drive: 3,0 Drive: 5,0
7 Drive: 1,1 Drive: 3,1 Drive: 5,1
8 Drive: 1,2 Drive: 3,2 Drive: 5,2
9 Drive: 1,3 Drive: 3,3 Drive: 5,3
10 Drive: 1,4 Drive: 3,4 Drive: 5,4

CONTROLLER STATUS
Vendor: SUN
Product ID: SSA110
Product Rev: 1.0
Firmware Rev: 3.12

And on the twin system:

SPARCstorage Array 110 Configuration
(ssaadm version: 1.20 97/05/14)
Controller path:/devices/io-unit@f,e0200000/sbi@0,0/SUNW,soc@1,0/SUNW,pln@a0000000,XXXXX:ctlr
DEVICE STATUS
TRAY 1 TRAY 2 TRAY 3
slot
1 Drive: 0,0 Drive: 2,0 Drive: 4,0
2 Drive: 0,1 Drive: 2,1 Drive: 4,1
3 Drive: 0,2 Drive: 2,2 Drive: 4,2
4 Drive: 0,3 Drive: 2,3 Drive: 4,3
5 Drive: 0,4 Drive: 2,4 Drive: 4,4
6 Drive: 1,0 Drive: 3,0 Drive: 5,0
7 Drive: 1,1 Drive: 3,1 Drive: 5,1
8 Drive: 1,2 Drive: 3,2 Drive: 5,2
9 Drive: 1,3 Drive: 3,3 Drive: 5,3
10 Drive: 1,4 Drive: 3,4 Drive: 5,4

CONTROLLER STATUS
Vendor: SUN
Product ID: SSA110
Product Rev: 1.0
Firmware Rev: 3.12

(Some information greyed out to protect the innocent!)

Greets,