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)

Automatic failover
In the event of a failure of any part of a path between the disk arrays and a server, Secure Path
automatically switches to an alternate path, dropping the failed path out of the I/O rotation without
any loss of data. The failover is not visible to applications, so normal operation continues without
downtime.
When automatic failover happens it also triggers active path monitoring across all active paths in the
sub-system, to ensure that all path failures in the sub-system are detected at once.
For troubleshooting information, see Troubleshooting Secure Path for Active-Active disk arrays.
Automatic path recovery
When a path fails, it is no longer used. After the path has been repaired and returned to normal,
Secure Path automatically begins using the path with the designated load balancing policy. No user
action is necessary.
Pro-active path monitor
The pro-active path monitor feature, if enabled, ensures that the status of the path is automatically
changed to Failed state from its original Active state, if path failure has occurred in that path. It
also ensures the correct path status for all the active paths in every path verification interval. You can
set the parameter for the path verification interval using the autopath set command.
Online device discovery
If there are any changes in the SAN configuration such as addition or deletion of paths or devices,
these changes can be updated in Secure Path for Active-Active arrays for maximum and efficient
utilization of resources.
The autopath discover command updates the SAN configuration changes to the list of Secure
Path for Active-Active devices without a system reboot.
NOTE:
Discovery of new path or LUN is effective only if you execute ioscan and insf -e before executing
the autopath discover command.
Installing Secure Path for Active-Active disk arrays
This section describes the minimum system requirements and procedures for installing Secure Path for
Active-Active disk arrays, including:
• System requirements
• Installing Secure Path
• Installing Secure Path on a SAN boot device
Secure Path for Active-Active disk arrays82