3PAR InForm® OS 2.3.1 Concepts Guide (320-200112 Rev B, February 2010)

6.8
The Host Explorer Agent
3PAR InForm OS Concepts Guide InForm OS Version 2.3.1
6.8 The Host Explorer Agent
The 3PAR Host Explorer agent is a program that runs on a host connected to an InServ Storage
Server. The Host Explorer agent runs as a service on Windows and as a daemon on Linux and
Solaris operating systems. No license is required to use the 3PAR Host Explorer agent.
The Host Explorer agent communicates with the storage server over an FC or iSCSI connection
and enables the host to send detailed host configuration information to the storage server.
The information gathered from the Host Explorer agent is visible for uncreated hosts and
assists with host creation and diagnosing host connectivity issues.
When a host is created on the InServ Storage Server, unassigned WWNs or iSCSI names are
presented to the storage server. Without the Host Explorer agent running on the attached
hosts, the storage server is unable to determine which host the WWN or iSCSI names belongs
to and you must manually assign each WWN or iSCSI name to a host. With Host Explorer agents
running, the InServ Storage Server automatically groups WWNs or iSCSI names for the host
together, assisting with creating the host.
The Host Explorer agent collects the following information and sends it to the storage server:
■ Host operating system and version.
■ Fibre Channel and iSCSI HBA details.
■ Multipath driver and current multipath configuration.
■ Cluster configuration information.
You can install the Host Explorer agent from the 3PAR Host Explorer CD. For instructions on
installing and using the Host Explorer agent, see the 3PAR InServ Host Explorer User’s Guide.
Refer to the 3PAR InForm OS Configuration Matrix for a list of supported host operating
systems.