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networker with IBM tape library - is IBM's path failover (CPF, DPF) supported?
hi,
i wonder whether someone can confirm whether this can be utilized or not:
backup software is networker, backup device is ibm tape library, say ts3500 with jaguar (ts1130/1140?) tape technology. when used with ibm's device driver (IBMtape, atape etc.), this library can be controlled/managed in a multipath scenario - control path failover (CPF). likewise, the tape drives themselves may also be used in a multipathed way with this device driver - data path failover (DPF).
can anyone confirm whether we can utilize this IBM multipathing feature (DPF, CPF) with networker?
the networker compatibility guide has only a little to say about the topic: it confirms that on a handful of major server platforms and O/S versions (e.g. AIX, Windows, Solaris as i remember) the IBM tape device driver can be used, on other O/S's it can not be utilized (but O/S native device drivers to be used). it has nothing to say about the path failover feature of the IBM tape device driver.
the other document i found is from IBM's side: it says that the IBMtape device driver can be used with networker on the one bunch of server platforms, and can not be used on the others, and that CPF and DPF can be used.
thanks.
Geza
gbalazs
26 Posts
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November 18th, 2014 04:00
Hi,
in the following ibm doc I found that CPF/DPF works (with IBM's device driver IBMtape/atape, on certain O/S server platforms: AIX, Windows, Solaris):
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/au/resources/lto_isv_matrix.pdf
Geza
ble1
14.3K Posts
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November 13th, 2014 03:00
Failover capability is handled by driver. I never tested it to see how it works, but give it a try - do set of tests while there is idle setup and observe what happens and redo those during activity to evaluate the impact on live stream(s).
CarlosRojas
1.7K Posts
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November 18th, 2014 03:00
Hello @gbalazs
Did you get the information you are after?
If so please mark the question as answered, if not please let us know how we can help you further.
Thank you,
Carlos
gbalazs
26 Posts
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November 18th, 2014 04:00
Hi,
I found this in EMC's docs („Configuring Tape Devices for EMC NetWorker”):
https://developer-content.emc.com/downloads/jive_attach_proxy.htm?ecnCommID=2445&ecnCommName=NetWorker%20Support%20Forum&ecnAttachmentName=docu8123_Configuring-Tape-Devices-for-EMC-NetWorker.pdf&ecnContainerURL=/docs/DOC-36749&reqURL=/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/36749-102-1-117312/docu8123_Configuring-Tape-Devices-for-EMC-NetWorker.pdf
https://community.emc.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadBody/36749-102-1-117312/docu8123_Configuring-Tape-Devices-for-EMC-NetWorker.pdf
It says nothing specific about IBM's path failover solution. Rather, it says, that when there are multiple paths (and multiple logical device files) then Networker does not really do anything with it, can not utilize the multipath capability.
On the other hand, IBM's docs are more helpful regarding this question:
http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/au/resources/lto_isv_matrix.pdf
It says that the path failover is a transparent feature, and whereever IBM's device driver (with this capability built
into it) can be used with Networker (e.g. AIX, Windows, Solaris), CPF/DPF is supported.
Geza
luke_m_edwards
14 Posts
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November 20th, 2017 03:00
Hi Geza,
Did you get your NetWorker tape devices working with the IBM multi-pathing features enabled?
Luke
gbalazs
26 Posts
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November 20th, 2017 07:00
Hi Luke,
I have to admit that this question has never been fully and clearly answered.
This was required not for an actual install, but for an RFx (where path failover was a requirement). And as far as we did not win that project, we neither researched into this question further, nor did actual tests.
Regards,
Geza