Installation guide

StorageWorks Secure Path for Windows NT
6-8 123995-002 EK-WNTMP-MH. D01
6.8 Automatic Failover
When a path fails, (Secure Path software detects the loss of drive I/O due to adapter, cable
or controller malfunction), the Secure Path software will:
•
Perform an automatic failover and move the effected drive/s to the alternate path.
•
Log failover event/s in the Windows NT system Event Log.
•
Report the path failure via a Secure Path Manager pop-up message.
•
Reflect the drive/s reassignment to the failover path on the display.
NOTE
Check the Windows NT system and application Event Logs
for entries generated by the Secure Path software to help in
determining which component(s) of the path have
malfunctioned. Look for entries by the HszDisk and RaiDisk
drivers.
6.8.1 Automatic Failover Detection and Status Reporting
The Secure Path software continuously monitors the operational status of drives
configured on each path. If the Secure Path software detects the failure of an I/O to
complete for a drive, it will immediately move that drive to its alternate path and reroute
outstanding I/O accordingly. Following the occurrence of any drive failure, the Manager
will reflect the updated Secure Path configuration within its 90 second refresh interval, or
sooner if the user depresses the F5 key.
When the Manager discovers the failover of at least one drive, it generates a pop-up
message and designates the path as failed by changing its color from green to yellow or
red. Because the Secure Path software detects path failure through failed I/O operations ,
only those drives with I/O active at the time of the failure will failover . Those without
active I/O will remain on the failed path until I/O is generated to them. When all drives
have been failed-over, the Manager will color the failed path red.
As shown in Figure 6-6, a failover is indicated by the Secure Path Manager in three ways:
1. The failed path changes from green to red, or yellow if inactive drives remain on the
path.
2. The affected disk icons relocate from their primary path to the alternate path,
indicating that disk I/O has been failed-over to the alternate path.
3. On the alternate path, the disk icons that have been failed-over from their primary
path reappear, shaded green.
4. A Secure Path Manager pop-up message appears to report the failure.