HP 3PAR StoreServ Concepts Guide: HP 3PAR OS 3.1.3

5 Ports and Hosts
Overview
The HP 3PAR storage system sees a host as a set of initiator port World Wide Names (WWNs)
or iSCSI names. Hosts that are physically connected to ports on the system are automatically
detected. The FC 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 HP 3PAR Command Line Interface
Administrator’s Manual and HP 3PAR Management Console Online Help.
FC over Ethernet (FCoE) connectivity is supported on HP 3PAR StoreServ 10000 Storage systems
and HP 3PAR StoreServ 7000 Storage systems through the use of converged network adapters
(CNA). CNA ports can be configured to be used as FCoE or iSCSI ports.
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. After the virtual volume is
exported to a host, the host can send requests to the LUN. See “Virtual Volumes” (page 44) for
more information about virtual volumes and exporting virtual volumes. For instructions on exporting
virtual volumes, see the HP 3PAR Command Line Interface Administrator’s Manual and HP 3PAR
Management Console Online Help.
Persistent ports (also called virtual ports) allow the HP 3PAR storage system host-facing ports to
assume the identity of partner ports that are automatically designated by the system. For iSCSI,
FC, and FCoE ports, this is achieved by using N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV). For more information
about persistent ports and NPIV, see the HP 3PAR Command Line Interface Administrator’s Manual.
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 FC, Gigabit Ethernet, and iSCSI, and FCoE ports to connect the
storage system to your network, host computers, storage system components, and to other systems.
Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) ports are only used to connect system components. You can use the
HP 3PAR CLI or the HP 3PAR Management Console to view port information and modify port
settings. For instructions on viewing and modifying port configurations, see the HP 3PAR Command
Line Interface Administrator’s Manual and HP 3PAR Management Console Online Help.
• FC ports
Systems use FC ports to connect controller nodes to hosts and drive cages and drive enclosures.
On HP 3PAR StoreServ 7000 Storage systems, FC ports are designated for host connection
and remote copy use only. For information about controller nodes and drive cages, see “HP
3PAR Storage System Hardware” (page 64).
• iSCSI ports
Systems use iSCSI ports to connect controller nodes to hosts. For information about controller
nodes, see “HP 3PAR Storage System Hardware” (page 64).
NOTE: The iSCSI ports in a system controller node can only be used to connect the system
to a host computer.
28 Ports and Hosts