White Paper

Data Availability of Multipath HA and Non-multipath HA Systems

Technical Marketing, NetApp May 2009 | WP-7077-0509

MPHA CAN INCREASE STORAGE SUBSYSTEM RESILIENCY UP TO 50%

This white paper brings together key elements of existing NetApp technical content around multipath high availability (MPHA) and new compelling statistical evidence proving the significant gains in storage system resiliency multipath HA provides. Use multipath HA with active-active storage configurations to improve overall system availability as well as promote higher performance consistency.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE CASE FOR MULTIPATH HA STORAGE........................................................................... 3

ADVANTAGES.............................................................................................................................................................3

2 3

CONFIGURATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................ 4 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION............................................................................................ 5

STORAGE BEST PRACTICES AND RESILIENCY GUIDE (TR-3437) ......................................................................5

Data Availability of MPHA vs. Non-MPHA Systems

THE CASE FOR MULTIPATH HA STORAGE

A recent year-long study of over 15,000 FAS3000 and FAS6000 systems demonstrated increased resiliency of up to 50% when MPHA was deployed. 1 This data looked specifically at well-known, industry-wide resiliency events caused by common storage system components such as host bus adapters (HBAs), cables, connectors, and shelf modules. The multipath HA storage solution significantly improves data availability by providing multiple redundant paths to the storage shelves. This prevents unnecessary takeovers caused by storage-related events. By providing independent primary and secondary paths from each controller to its storage shelves, if a shelf controller or cable fails on one path, the nodes data service automatically gives over to the redundant path, and the node remains up unaffected.

V e r s u s

Figure 1) A simplistic representation of a single-path cluster, or non-MPHA, system

Figure 2) A simplistic representation of a redundant path, or true MPHA, cluster system.

NetApp now ships MPHA cluster configurations as standard practice to provide additional resiliency for common industry-wide storage ailments such as those tracked in the research listed earlier. For legacy systems in the field, especially those that are migrating from tier 2 to tier 1 storage, MPHA becomes an operational imperative.

Previously, on non-fabric or standard non-switched configurations, a single path was used connecting the controller to the storage shelves. Consequently, a cable break, Fibre Channel adapter/port failure, or shelf I/O module failure triggers a takeover, which can affect system availability and/or performance consistency. Similarly, when a takeover occurs, the surviving partner node relies upon a single secondary path: if that path is affected, controller takeover is not possible. MPHA addresses all this with just the simple addition of redundant cables. Note: Data ONTAP 7.1.1 (or later) is required. No additional software is necessary.

ADVANTAGES
Dramatically improves reliability with minimal additional investment. Data path recovery for universal common storage system components helps prevent failover due to storage issues.

1 All data results were compiled by NetApp engineering and customer support teams based on data received from NetApps industry-leading AutoSupport product. AutoSupport monitors all aspects of a deployed storage solution, collects vital sign data, and reports that information back to NetApp as frequently as desired as part of our standard support agreements with customers.

Data Availability of MPHA vs. Non-MPHA Systems

MPHA provides non-disruptive upgrade (NDU) options unavailable in single path configurations. Allows maintenance operations without incurring failover. Ideal for failover-sensitive environments such as CIFS, FCP, and iSCSI. Provides increased resiliency to stretched MetroCluster configurations.

Table 1) Comparison of multipath HA storage configuration options.

Avoids Storage Controller Failover Due To Single controller-to-shelf cable-related event Single intershelf cable-related event (primary) Dual intershelf cable-related event Shelf module hardware- or firmware-related event Disk HBA or port-related event

Non-multipath No No No No No

Multipath Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

CONFIGURATION REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVE-ACTIVE CONTROLLER OPTIONS Supported and highly recommended for all non-switched active-active controller deployments. The fabric-attached MetroCluster configuration inherently provides multipath functionality. Each storage controller must be populated with sufficient Fibre Channel adapters/ports and cables to configure four loops: primary and secondary local, and primary and secondary partner. Primary and secondary loops must use separate Fibre Channel adapters. FAS900 and FAS3020/FAS3050 controllers are supported with Data ONTAP 7.1.1, 7.2.1, and higher. FAS6000 series controllers are supported with Data ONTAP 7.2.1 and higher. FAS3040 controllers are supported with Data ONTAP 7.2.1.1 and higher. FAS3020 and FAS3050 controllers are supported with Data ONTAP 7.0.1. FAS2000 series controllers are supported with Data ONTAP 7.2.1.1L1 and higher. FAS3140 and FAS3170 controllers are supported with Data ONTAP 7.2.5.1 and higher. FAS270c is not supported due to lack of Fibre Channel expansion capability. Storage shelves must be equipped with controller modules providing auto-termination functionality: ESH2, ESH4, and AT-FCX (RoHS compliant). Requires software-based disk ownership (SANOWN). Instead of terminating a disk shelf at the end of the loop, connect the redundant Fibre Channel cable.

Note: For the most up-to-date information, consult the system configuration guides linked below. Multipath and Dual-Path Cabling Information

Data Availability of MPHA vs. Non-MPHA Systems

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

STORAGE BEST PRACTICES AND RESILIENCY GUIDE (TR-3437)

The following technical report contains key MPHA and related storage resiliency best practice recommendations. This report is one of the most highly referenced technical documents in the NetApp library.

www.netapp.com/us/library/technical-reports/tr-3437.html

2009 NetApp. All rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. NetApp, the NetApp logo, Go further, faster, and Data ONTAP are trademarks or registered trademarks of NetApp, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such. WP-7077-0509

Data Availability of MPHA vs. Non-MPHA Systems