FUJITSU Storage ETERNUS Multipath Driver V2 User’s Guide for Linux
Copyright 2014 FUJITSU LIMITED
P2U3-0031-15ENZ0
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Chapter 1
What is Multipath Driver?
This chapter explains the features and operating environment of the Multipath Driver.
1.1
Features
The ETERNUS Disk storage systems, ETERNUS All Flash Array, GR series are storage systems designed to
prevent the loss of data and down time due to a drive failure, thus creating a high-speed, high-capacity
system with high reliability.
Note, however, that even use of a storage system cannot prevent down time if a path failure occurs (HBA, NIC,
cable, CA, etc.).
The Multipath Driver creates a redundant multipath configuration that switches the failed path over to a
standby path, thus allowing continuous operation not only for a disk failure but for a path failure as well.
The Multipath Driver connects a storage system and Linux server, with functions to diagnose the path status,
and control commands.
Even when multiple HBAs are installed in the server and the configured connection between the server and
the storage systems is redundant, an error may occur in the PCI bus of the server depending on the failed
part of the HBA.
If an error occurs in the PCI bus of the server, access to the server may not be possible or the server may
crash.
To prevent this situation from occurring, configure a clustering server to continue the operation by switching
the cluster to save an HBA.
