%META:TOPICINFO{author="ChrisBartram" date="1219016852" format="1.1" version="1.1"}%
%META:TOPICPARENT{name="Hp3000DiscDrives"}%
---+ VA7100 Disc Arrays for the HP3000

> (hooking up a k-class box to a va7100 disc array) and have some questions:
> 1. do i really need a (brocade) switch/hub?  I think the answer is 
> 'yes'.  I think the i/o that this machine (989ks/400) is capable of 
> generating would overwhelm one fw scsi controller....

Yes, I do believe so, since otherwise there would be no way to convert the fc output from the va7100 to the fwscsi input of the k-class. The k-class does NOT support native fibre channel, AFAIK.

>2. is this statement still true?  what is this 8 ldev assertion?  (is 
>that per controller??)

Yes, that's about right, although each FWSCSI device could support up to 16 luns.

>   9x9 Core I/O card (A2372-60004 or A3453-60010) will be
>   supported under the following conditions:
>   . Must disconnect all internal F/W SCSI drives
>   . Must have firmware level of 3636
>   . Up to eight LDEVs will be supported (Tested limit).

FW level 3728 is best, although 3636 should work. In fact most 
vendors are now shipping these cards with fw 3944, which should also 
work fine, although apparently there can be issues with very large 
memory systems. (I don't have the details at hand).

><http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?lang=en&cc=us&objectID=lpg30647>
>3. if the a brocade 2400 (or 2800) is the switch of choice, is one gbic
>per *active* port required?  or do all the ports need gbics?

I think 1 gbic per port is fine. (I've not seen more than 2 on a va7100).

I don't know about the Brocade, but you cannot have ldev 1 as a 
bootable drive if you're using the Crossroads switch/router. I think 
it's okay with the Brocade/HP Router combo - but I'm not positive.

--[[GillesSchipper]]

The K-class box will work best with 8 SCSI channels to the VA... So  yes, you will need to use a brocade switch, if you intend to use the  A5814A fibre/scsi routers.  Make sure those routers are option 003  or else they will not work on MPE.
  
Here is a very helpfull rule of thumb... lots of small LUNS will beat fewer big LUNS everytime.
  
  i.e. make your LUNS between 8 and 12GB.
  
  I have gone past the 8 LUNS per channel, in order to keep the LUNS small.
  
  You only need gbics for the active ports.
  
  Another gotcha is not to allocate all the space available on the VA  into the LUNS... leave as much open space as one physical drive.
  
  i.e. if you are using 36GB drives, leave 36GB of unallocated space.

--[[CraigLalley]]

-- Main.ChrisBartram - 17 Aug 2008