HP 3PAR InForm OS 3.1.1 Concepts Guide

6 Ports and Hosts
Overview
The HP 3PAR Storage System sees a host as a set of initiator port WWNs (World Wide Names)
or iSCSI Names. Hosts that are physically connected to ports on the system are automatically
detected. The Fibre Channel port WWNs and iSCSI port iSCSI Names are displayed by the user
interfaces. You can also add new WWNs or iSCSI Names for unestablished host paths and assign
them to a host before they are physically connected. These WWNs or iSCSI Names do not need
to be associated with target ports on the system controller nodes. This allows for plug-and-play
functionality that avoids the need for manual reconfiguration after connecting new hosts. For
instructions on modifying system ports and host configurations, see the InForm OS CLI Administrator’s
Manual and InForm OS Management Console Online Help.
A virtual volume can be exported, or made accessible, to one or more hosts. The host sees the
exported virtual volume as a LUN connected to one or more ports. Once the virtual volume is
exported to a host, the host can send requests to the LUN. See “Virtual Volumes” (page 43) for
more information about virtual volumes and exporting virtual volumes. For instructions on exporting
virtual volumes, see the InForm OS CLI Administrator’s Manual and InForm OS Management
Console Online Help.
NOTE: See the HP 3PAR Implementation Guides for recommended practices and detailed
configuration information about using your specific host devices with the system.
About Ports
System controller nodes can use Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, and iSCSI ports to connect the
storage sever to your network, host computers, storage sever components, and to other systems.
You can use the InForm OS CLI and the InForm Management Console to view port information
and modify port settings. For instructions on viewing and modifying port configurations, see the
InForm OS CLI Administrator’s Manual and InForm OS Management Console Online Help.
Fibre Channel Ports
Systems use Fibre Channel ports to connect controller nodes to hosts and drive cages. For information
about controller nodes and drive cages, see “HP 3PAR Storage System Hardware” (page 58).
iSCSI Ports
Systems use iSCSI ports to connect controller nodes to hosts. For information about controller nodes,
see “HP 3PAR Storage System Hardware” (page 58).
NOTE: The iSCSI ports in a system controller node can only be used to connect the system to a
host computer. The connection to the host is for iSCSI traffic only.
Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Systems use Gigabit Ethernet ports to enable the Remote Copy over IP (RCIP) solution, and to
connect the primary and secondary systems in the Remote Copy pair. For information about Remote
Copy, see the HP 3PAR Remote Copy Software User’s Guide.
28 Ports and Hosts