Installation and Reference Guide HP StorageWorks Secure Path 3.0F Service Pack 4 for HP-UX 11i v1.0 and 11i v2.0 (5697-8001, March 2009)

Figure 1 Basic Secure Path Fibre Channel configuration
Secure Path disk arrays enables dual StorageWorks RAID controllers to operate in an Active-Passive
mode, referred to as dual-redundant multiple-bus mode. Multiple-bus mode allows each controller to
process I/O independently of the other controller under normal operation. A path consists of a unique
connection from adapter to device. I/O is active on one path at a time, and access to storage units
(LUNs) may be moved between paths using the Secure Path Management utility spmgr.
Secure Path takes advantage of preferred path unit attribute. Available storage units are preferred to
one or the other of the two controllers by setting a preferred path unit attribute. This attribute determines
which controller is used for access at storage system boot time. During runtime, storage units may be
moved between paths at any time through the use of the Secure Path Management utility. On
Active-Passive RAID storage systems, storage units may also be accessed on each controller through
either of two available ports.
The Secure Path software detects the failure of I/O operations on a failed path and automatically
reroute traffic to other available paths. Secure Path software gathers alternate paths through available
SAN switches, controllers, controller ports, and HBAs. Path failover is completed seamlessly, without
process disruption or data loss.
Following replacement of a failed adapter, cable, controller, or attached components, storage units
can be restored or failed back to their original path using the Secure Path Management utility.
To protect against drive failure in a Secure Path environment, you can configure your storage units
using RAID levels 0, 1, or 5.
Features
Secure Path for Active-Passive disk arrays has the following features:
• Provides StorageWorks dual-controller RAID systems and host servers equipped with multiple HBAs,
redundant physical connectivity, and Fibre Channel SAN-switched fabric paths
• Monitors each path and automatically reroutes I/O to an alternate path if an HBA, cable, switch,
or controller fails
Secure Path for Active-Passive disk arrays14