NICs and a separate network infrastructure (cables, switches, and MPX200 blades). HP recommends
using separate target ports.
Microsoft MPIO allows the initiator to log in to multiple sessions to the same target and aggregate
the duplicate devices into a single device exposed to Windows. Each session to the target can be
established using different NICs, network infrastructure, and target ports. If one session fails, another
session can continue processing I/O without interrupting the application. The iSCSI target must
support multiple sessions to the same target. The Microsoft iSCSI MPIO DSM supports a set of
load-balance policies that determine how I/O is allocated among sessions. With Microsoft MPIO,
the load-balance policies apply to each LUN individually.
The Microsoft iSCSI DSM 2.x assumes that all targets are active/active and can handle I/O on
any path at any time. There is no mechanism in the iSCSI protocol to determine whether a target
is active/active or active/passive; therefore, the MPX200 supports only multipath configurations
with the P6000 EVA with active/active support. For more information, see the following:
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/technologies/storage/mpio/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsServer2003/technologies/storage/mpio/faq.mspx
http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/0/4/304083f1-11e7-44d9-92b9-2f3cdbf01048/
mpio.doc
Table 12 (page 66)
details the differences between Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server
2003.
Table 12 Differences between Windows Server 2012/2008 and Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2012, 2008
Must be installed separately
Included with operating system
iSCSI initiator
Included with iSCSI initiator
Must be installed separately
MPIO
Table 13 (page 66)
lists the supported MPIO options for the MPX200.
Table 13 MPIO options for the MPX200
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2012, 2008
Multipath support
Supported
Supported
HP MPIO Full Featured
DSM for P6000 EVA
(preferred)
Supported
Supported
Microsoft generic DSM
Installing the MPIO feature for Windows Server 2012, 2008
NOTE:
Microsoft Windows 2012, 2008 includes an MPIO feature that must be installed
separately. It also includes the iSCSI initiator, which does not require download or installation.
To install the MPIO feature for Windows Server 2012, 2008:
66
MPX200 iSCSI configuration rules and guidelines