3.1.2 Matrix Server Administration Guide

SAN Maintenance

The following information and procedures apply to SANs used with

PolyServe Matrix Server.

Server Access to the SAN

When a server is either added to the matrix or rebooted, Matrix Server

needs to take some administrative actions to make the server a full

member of the matrix with access to the shared filesystems on the SAN.

During this time, the Management Console reports the message “Joining

matrix” for the server. The message is removed when the administrative

actions are complete and the server is participating in the matrix.

A server can lose access to all or part of the SAN for several reasons:

• Network problems. Matrix partitioning can occur when matrix

network communications are lost but the affected server can still

access the SAN. Matrix Server then removes the server’s access to the

SAN to protect the integrity of the shared filesystems. You will need to

reboot the server to restore its SAN access.

• SAN hardware problems or misconfiguration of a FibreChannel

switch. The server’s access to the SAN will be restored automatically

when the hardware is repaired or reconfigured correctly.

• Repeated I/O errors when the server tries to write to a PSFS journal.

The server then loses access to the affected filesystem. When the disk

experiencing the I/O errors is fixed, the server will automatically

regain access to the filesystem.