Best Practices for HP StorageWorks MSA2000 G1 or G2 and P2000

• Host ports should be configured for 1 Gb/sec on the MSA2000i G2.

• Host ports should be configured for 3 Gb/sec on the MSA2000sa G2.

• Virtual disks should be balanced between the two controllers.

• Disk drives should be balanced between the two controllers.

•

Cache settings should be set to match Table 4 (Optimizing performance for your application) for

the application.

Highest fault tolerance optimization

The following guidelines list the general best practices to follow when configuring your storage system for highest fault tolerance:

• Use dual controllers

• Use two cable connections from each host

• Use Multipath Input/Output (MPIO) software

Boot from storage considerations

When booting from SAN, construct a separate virtual disk and volume that will be used only for the boot from SAN. Do not keep data and boot from SAN volumes on the same vdisk. This can help with performance. If there is a lot of I/O going to the data volume on a vdisk that shares a boot from SAN volume, there can be a performance drop in the I/O to the Operating System drives.

MSA70 considerations

Dual-domains

When using the MSA70 with dual-domains, dual I/O modules, make sure the following procedure is followed.

MSA70 systems with firmware earlier than 1.50:

If your MSA70 has installed firmware earlier than version 1.50, you must replace the chassis backplane before installing a second I/O module in the chassis. To determine your installed firmware version, use a server-based tool such as HP Systems Insight Manager or your Management Agents.

If installed firmware is earlier than 1.50, do the following:

1.

Contact HP Support and order a replacement backplane:

MSA70: 430149-001

Caution:

Be sure to order the part number indicated in this notice, not the spare part number printed on your existing backplanes.

Be sure to order a quantity of two replacement kits.

2.

3.

Install the replacement backplane using instructions shipped with the backplane.

Install the additional I/O module using instructions shipped with the I/O module.

Firmware versions

If there are MSA70 enclosures connected to the MSA2000fc G2 (24 bay model only), make sure that the firmware on the enclosure is 2.18 or greater. If the MSA70 has a firmware version prior to 2.18, the

MSA70 will be in a degraded state and virtual disks cannot be created or accessed from the MSA70.

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