The Software Components - HP D7171A - NetServer - LPr Introduction Manual

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Redundant Fibre Channel Array Controllers
SPOFless systems use redundant HP Fibre Channel array controllers. When a pair of these FC
array controllers is installed into an RS/12FC storage cabinet, they operate on two redundant Fibre
Channel loops. The redundant FC loops allow a failover to occur at the storage level in the event of
a controller failure. After failover, the remaining controller supports both FC loops at a reduced
performance capacity. Additionally, the controllers are hot pluggable, and will fail back after a failed
controller is replaced.
Fibre Channel Hubs
For the direct connect solution, Fibre Channel hubs are not required, however for the larger
configuration, redundancy should be added on the FC storage side by using two Fibre Channel
hubs. The FC hubs that NSD supports are the D6976A six-port, and P4459A eight-port Fibre
Channel arbitrated loop hub. These hubs support the use of either copper or optical fiber links
through the use of respective Gigabit Interface Converters (GBICs).
Gigabit Interface Converters
Two different types of GBICs are used in the tested SPOFless solutions. The first is an optical
GBIC, and the second is a copper GBIC. A pair of the appropriate type of GBIC is included when
either type of Fibre Channel cable is ordered.
For the direct connect solution, GBICS with a copper interface are required because the RS/12FC
controllers only accept copper connections. However, if FC hubs are used, optical GBICs may be
installed for the segments between the servers and the hubs to achieve longer distances between
cluster components.
Network Interface Controller
All HP D5013 series network adapters are supported.
D5013B or later must be used.

The Software Components

Network Operating System
There are two choices for the operating system to use in the SPOFless solution. The first choice is
®
Windows NT 4.0 Enterprise Edition. The second choice is Windows
Service Pack
For the NT solution, Service Pack 6a was installed. For Windows
applied during the final phase of the HCT testing. The most current service packs should be re-
applied on each node after installing MSCS.
Microsoft® Cluster Server
®
Microsoft Cluster Server is included with each copy of Windows NT
®
Windows 2000 Advanced Server.
FC Array Assistant
All SPOFless clusters based on the RS/12FC use version A.00.02-5 of the Fibre Channel Array
Assistant. This version of the FC Array Assistant allows the use of mirrored logical unit numbers
(LUNs). It is important to note that both the client and the server parts of the FC Array Assistant
installation must come from the same installation disk.
Fibre Channel HBA Driver
The Fibre Channel HBA driver used for testing was Hhba5100.sys, version 2.06. This same
filename and revision are available for both Windows NT
Documentation
However, for hot-plug support, model
®
2000 Advanced Server.
® 2000, Service Pack 1 was
®
Enterprise Edition, or with
® ®
and Windows 2000.
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