HP StorageWorks Clustered File System 3.2.1 Windows Storage Server Edition Setup Guide (February 2006)

Chapter 2: Configuration Information 4
Cluster SAN Configuration Guidelines
Following are guidelines for configuring the cluster SAN to be used with
HP Clustered File System:
• When the cluster is configured for fabric fencing, arrays must operate
in fabric or switch-attached mode (not arbitrated-loop-only devices).
This requirement does not apply for non-fabric fencing
configurations. HP recommends using iLO based fencing with
Clustered Gateway.
• The FibreChannel fabric used for an HP Clustered File System cluster
can be shared with other HP Clustered File System clusters or with
non-cluster servers and devices. To protect the cluster SAN devices
from other devices on the fabric, particularly devices controlled by
Windows platforms, HP recommends that you create a fabric zone for
the cluster.
• The FC switches managed by the cluster must be from the same
vendor. Switches that will not be managed by HP Clustered File
System can be from other vendors only if all of the vendors have
approved the configuration.
• Multiple FibreChannel switches are supported; however, they must be
configured in a manner that meets the following requirements:
– Each cluster server must have access to all of the disks to be used
by the cluster.
– Each server must have exactly one path to each of the disks. (This
requirement is not necessary if the disks are being managed by
third-party MPIO software that can handle multiple paths).
See the HP Clustered File System Administration Guide for more
information about supported cluster configurations.
NOTE: You can attach a cluster server to other SANs that are not under
HP Clustered File System control. These SANs can include tape
drives and non-PSFS filesystems. You can use Windows utilities or
other applications to access these devices and filesystems.