i would not remove IBM SDD because that will cause multipathing issues with IBM LUNs. I would simply present only one path from Celerra, migrate your data. On the cut-over day, un-install SDD, unpresent IBM LUNs, install PowerPath , present additional paths to the server.

Mike,

that's true, PowerPath can manage qualified 3rd pary arrays. Unfortunately PowerPath on Windows does not support ESS series, if you had a Linux/AIX server, you could load PowerPath and manage both vendor arrays using PowerPath. If you go to E-Lab Navigator and just add ESS storage array you will see the different supported combinations.

Thank you for that idea about only presenting one path, that was my plan B

I did read somewhere that power path supported others storage systems such as the ESS 800. That's why I was hoping I could install power path and be able to see multiple paths to each storage system. Can anybody confirm this for me?

How easy is powerpath to install? Are there any special pre-requisites or post installation tasks to do?

Thanks for your time

Mike

PowerPath is very easy to install on Windows, it's a standard msi installer.  While you are installing Powerpath go ahead and install PowerPath Migrator, it's a free utility from EMC that will allow you to migrate without downtime to other Powerpath supported storage arrays in the future. On the cut-over day, once you remove SDD and install PowerPath, zone remaining paths, you will need to follow these steps:

Open Navisphere Manager and verify you're in the Storage Tab.
Expand the array and then the Hosts section.
Right-click the host you are migrating and click Connectivity Status.
You will see the initiators that need to be added as they will show up in ~management.
Click Reconnect to have them added to the Storage Group.

and this point you can run "powermt display dev=all" and make sure that all paths are listed. If you don't see the new paths you might need to reboot the host.

Message was edited by: dynamox

Hi Mike.  PowerPath 5.3 SP1 was just released.  It doesn't support the IBM ESS 800 for multipathing.  You could submit an RPQ through your EMC support representative.

E-Lab Navigator has a wizard that will allow you to enter your configuration parameters to check for support.  Also, each month, a new PowerPath support matrix table is published which also has a section on third-party array support.  The PowerPath User Guide and Windows Host Connectivity Guide have additional information on installing and configuring PowerPath.  Everything you need is here.  (See links below)

PowerPath is a straight-forward installation.  You will have to reboot after installation.  It is recommended that you select "Complete" during the installation process.  This will install advanced features including third-party array support.

Hope this helps.

-Brion

https://elabnavigator.emc.com/emcpubs/elab/esm/pdf/EMC_PowerPath.pdf

http://powerlink.emc.com/km/live1/en_US/Offering_Technical/Technical_Documentation/300-008-780.pdf?mtcs=ZXZlbnRUeXBlPUttQ2xpY2tDb250ZW50RXZlbnQsZG9jdW1lbnRJZD0wOTAxNDA2NjgwNGQ0YzdjLG5hdmVOb2RlPVNvZndhcmVEb3dubG9hZHMtMg__

http://powerlink.emc.com/km/appmanager/km/secureDesktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=servicesDocLibPg&internalId=0b014066800ec090&_irrt=true