HOWTO INSTALL MSA1500cs RED HAT EL 5

Installing MSA1500cs Red Hat EL 5 HOWTO
Author Cristhian Nunez
Date 2007-06-26

Overview

A storage area network (SAN) is an architecture to attach remote computer storage devices such as disk array controllers, tape libraries and CD arrays to servers in such a way that to the operating system the devices appear as locally attached devices. Although cost and complexity is dropping, as of 2007, SANs are still uncommon outside larger enterprises.

By contrast to a SAN, network-attached storage (NAS) uses file-based protocols such as NFS or SMB/CIFS where it is clear that the storage is remote, and computers request a portion of an abstract file rather than a disk block.

The HP StorageWorks 1500cs Modular Smart Array (MSA1500) is a Fibre Channel storage area network (SAN) 2U controller shelf that connects to HP StorageWorks SCSI and/or Serial ATA (SATA) disk enclosures. Together they provide customers with a flexible low-cost, high capacity storage solution. The MSA1500cs has been designed as a hardware foundation for future solutions to ensure maximum investment protection.

MSA1500cs Features

Increased scalability w/ SCSI drives - Gain increased SCSI capacity with the enterprise-class 300GB U320 SCSI drives now giving a total SCSI capacity of 16.8TB.

Low Cost, Higher Capacity with SATA drives - For less than $.01 per/MB customers can obtain up to 64TB of capacity.

Modular 2U Rack-Mount Disk Array Controller Shelf - Ability to attach SCSI and Serial ATA enclosures.

RAID 6 with HP's Advanced Data Guarding technology (RAID ADG) 2Gb/1Gb Fibre connections to host - Highest level of fault tolerance ADG, allocates 2 sets of parity data across multiple drives while allowing simultaneous write operations. This level of fault tolerance can withstand 2 simultaneous drive failures without downtime or data loss. Ensures customer's 1Gb infrastructure by supporting both 1/2Gb FC fabrics.

Hot plug expansion and replacement support - Hot plug expansion and replacement of hard drives, redundant controllers, for simple, fast installation and maintenance. Fans and power supplies are also hot plug replaceable.

Integrated configuration and management tools - Uses a standard set of management and utility software. These tools consistently lower the cost of ownership by reducing training and technical expertise needed to install and maintain the MSA1500cs.

Ability to upgrade from the MSA1000 to the MSA1500cs - Ability to move the MSA1000 controllers to the empty controller bays in the MSA1500cs while also upgrading the firmware. Provides greater scalability and flexibility with the added benefit of allowing the mixing of SCSI and SATA drives MSA1500cs.

Mix of SATA and SCSI MSA1500cs - Ability to mix Serial ATA enclosures and SCSI disk enclosures behind the same MSA1500 controller she

Implementation

Installing and Configuring the SAN

- Download and install the qla2xxx driver.
Note: The qla2xxx cd drivers are not working correctly. Therefore, we need to download the correct drivers qla2xxx-v8.01.07-1-dist.tgz from qlogic web site.
Unpack and install:
tar -xvzf *.tgz
cd qlogic
./drvsetup
cd qla2xxx-x-yy-zz
./extras/build.sh install
Copy .ko to /lin/modules/2.6xxx/kernel/driver/scsi/qla2xxx

We need create a file to block the default qla2xxx driver and install the new driver.
Create the file HBA_MOUNT.sh
#!/bin/bash
rmmod qla2400
rmmod qla2300
rmmod qla2xxx_conf
rmmod qla6312
rmmod qla2xxx

modprobe -v qla2xxx
modprobe -v qla2300
modprobe -v qla2322
modprobe -v qla2400
modprobe -v qla2xip

ifconfig fc0 10.1.2.3
ifconfig fc1 10.1.2.4

After do this, Make a link to /etc/rc5.d/ like this:
ln -s /root/HBA_MOUNT.sh /etc/rc5.d/S11HBA

We are ready to use the SAN Database
So, now we are gonna install another utilities from the cdrom:
Assuming that the cdrom is installed in /media/cdrom
Install ACU (Array Configuration Utility)
rpm -ivh /media/cdrom/ACU/Linux/x86/cpacuxe-7.50-23.linux.rpm
Install ADU (Array Diagnostic Utility)
rpm -ivh /media/cdrom/ADU/Linux/x86/hpadu-7.50-23.linux.rpm
Install SMH ()
rpm -ivh /media/cdrom/SMH/Linux/i386/hpsmh-2.1.5-146.rpm

Finally activate cpqacuxe and hpsmh.

/etc/init.d/hpsmhd restart
cpqacuxe -R
We can login trhought web browser typing: http://localhost:2381

Now we are gonna configure the array with ACU
Select create array, At the right side, choose the disks you want to the array.
After create the array, We need to create a logical drive. Go to create logical drive, select the array type and size.
Finally, we need to make a presentation the logical drive to operating system. Click in the controller, select “Selective Storage Presentation” , click enable, and the host mode select linux and check the box
Exit ACU and restart the system.

Now, Lets format the partition /dev/sda
mkfs.ext3 /dev/sda
Mount the partition in /oracle
mount /dev/sda /oracle

Expanding array and Logical Drives
To Expand the array and logical drive, Make the following steps
Click over array you want expand, and select option “Expand Array”
Select the disks you want to expand
After do this, Save the configuration, A process will start and it ll take a long time to complete the expand array (4 o 5 hours)
After complete the expand array process, click on the new array and select “Extend Logical Drive” . It will take a long time too.
Finally, we need to tell to the operating system for the changes.
umount /oracle
e2fsck -f /dev/sda
resize2fs /dev/sda