PowerPath, CX Disk array, Windows and Backup to Tape Question

Question

All, Am in the middle of configuring a backup environment (NetWorker) for a customer who wants to share HBA connectivity between Windows server, the current CX disk array - dual HBAs with PowerPath installed and now to add the tape library to the same HBAs. Whilst I understand that PowerPath will NOT and is designed NOT to provide resilience to the tape library, my question is what is the best way to configure PowerPath in this environment and if I may be so bold to ask where this configuration may be documented. Many thanks in advance IKP

Conor · Accepted Answer

Simple answer, PowerPath will ignore any device that is not a FC or iSCSI disk drive.

However, EMC does not recommend the sharing of HBA's between EMC storage and tape libraries, as more often then not, each vendor requires specific configuration parameter values for their own hardware to perform to its fullest.

Conor

RRR · Answer

Interesting one. I'd like to know this myself. In the environment where I'm working ATM all hosts boot from SAN, have HBA loadbalancing s/w installed and the media agents (CommVault) talk to the tape library over the same HBA's (well, one of the 2, since the library is connected to only 1 fabric.

PowerPath

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