SC Storage Notification: Consistent LUN Numbering between Storage Center Systems for Live Volume
Summary: LUN numbers must be consistent across both Storage Center systems when using Live Volume.
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Symptoms
Uniform Live Volume Solution:
A single Host or cluster is presented to both storage centers. This means that the same IQNs or WWNs are presented to both storage centers or that the Hosts have designated HBA ports for each Storage Center. A Live Volume would then be presented to the same host/Cluster from two separate Storage Centers.
Non-Uniform Live Volume Solution:
A Live Volume is presented to 2 separate hosts/clusters. This means that the same IQNs or WWNs are not presented to both storage centers, nor is a singular host seeing the same volume from both the primary and secondary storage.
A single Host or cluster is presented to both storage centers. This means that the same IQNs or WWNs are presented to both storage centers or that the Hosts have designated HBA ports for each Storage Center. A Live Volume would then be presented to the same host/Cluster from two separate Storage Centers.
Non-Uniform Live Volume Solution:
A Live Volume is presented to 2 separate hosts/clusters. This means that the same IQNs or WWNs are not presented to both storage centers, nor is a singular host seeing the same volume from both the primary and secondary storage.
Cause
A Live Volume must use the same LUN number on both the Primary and Secondary Storage Centers when using a Uniform Live Volume Solution between Storage Center systems. If the LUN numbers for the Live Volume are not consistent between Primary and Secondary systems, volume availability may be affected when the Live Volume fails over to or restores from the Secondary Storage Center system. Volume availability may also be affected during an automatic or manual swapping of roles of the Live volume.
A Live Volume should use the same LUN number as a Best Practice on both the Primary and Secondary Storage Centers when using a Non-Uniform Live Volume Solution between Storage Center systems. However it is not required to use the same LUN number.
Resolution
If the LUN numbers are inconsistent in a Uniform Live Volume solution, the LUN volume mappings should be corrected to avoid a future outage. See the Dell Storage Manager Administrator's Guide on how to delete a Live Volume and its underlying replication to correct the LUN numbers. Care should be taken to not delete the Secondary Volumes, so that the replication and Live Volume can be started again after making the corrections and not have to re-replicate the entire volumes.
If the LUN numbers are inconsistent in a Non-Uniform Live Volume solution, the Live Volumes can be left as is with the existing configuration and operate without issue. However, in the future consider using LUN consistency for future Live Volume creations. Dell Storage Manager 2016 R3 enforces that LUN numbers be consistent when creating new Live Volumes.
If the LUN numbers are inconsistent in a Non-Uniform Live Volume solution, the Live Volumes can be left as is with the existing configuration and operate without issue. However, in the future consider using LUN consistency for future Live Volume creations. Dell Storage Manager 2016 R3 enforces that LUN numbers be consistent when creating new Live Volumes.
Affected Products
Entry Level & Midrange, Compellent (SC, SCv & FS Series), Dell Compellent SC4020, Dell Storage SC8000, Dell Compellent Series 40, Dell Storage SC5020, Dell Storage SC5020F, Dell Storage SC7020, Dell Storage SC7020F, Dell Storage SC9000
, Dell Storage SCv3000, Dell Storage SCv3020
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Article Properties
Article Number: 000137742
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 21 Aug 2025
Version: 4
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