C H A P T E R 2

Installing Switches and HBAs

This chapter provides guidelines for installing FC switches and host bus adapters. It contains the following sections:

- Installing and Configuring Switches

- Installing and Configuring HBAs

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Installing and Configuring Switches

### About Switches for Sun Storage 2500-M2 Arrays

- Most of the switches, as shipped from the vendor, require an update to their firmware to work correctly with the storage array.

- Refer to the switch’s documentation for information about how to install the switch and how to use the configuration utilities that are supplied with the switch.

- If required, make the appropriate configuration changes for each switch that is connected to the storage array.

### Installing Switches

1. Install your switch according to the vendor’s documentation.

2. Refer to the Sun Storage 2500-M2 Arrays Release Notes to obtain this information:

- Current hardware compatibility information

- Models of the switches that are supported

- Firmware requirements and the software requirements for the switches

3. Update the switch’s firmware by accessing it from the applicable switch vendor’s website.

This update might require that you cycle power to the switch.

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Installing and Configuring HBAs

### About Host Bus Adaptors for Sun Storage 2500-M2 Arrays

- For the best performance, HBAs for SAS and FC connections should support the highest data rate supported by the HICs to which they connect.

- For maximum hardware redundancy, you must install a minimum of two HBAs (for either SAS or FC host connections) in each host. Using both ports of a dual-port HBA or a dual-port NIC provides two paths to the storage array but does not ensure redundancy if an HBAfails.

- Refer to the Sun Storage 2500-M2 Arrays Release Notes for information about the supported models of the HBAs and their requirements.

- Most of the HBAs, as shipped from the vendor, require updated firmware and software drivers to work correctly with the storage array. For information about the updates, refer to the website of the HBA vendor.

### Installing Host Bus Adapters

1. Check the Sun Storage 2500-M2 Arrays Release Notes to be sure you have a supported configuration.

2. Install your HBA according to the vendor documentation.

3. Install the latest version of the firmware for the HBA. You can find the latest version of the firmware for the HBA at the HBA vendor website.

4. Reboot or start your host.

5. While your host is booting, look for the prompt to access the HBA BIOS utility.

6. Select each HBA to view its HBA host port World Wide Name (WWN).

7. Record the following information for each host and for each HBA connected to the storage array. A label is important if you need to disconnect cables for any reason. Include the following information:

- Name of each host

- HBAs in each host

- HBA host port World Wide Name (WWN) of each port on the HBA

The following table shows examples of the host and HBA information that you need to record.

TABLE 2-1 Examples of HBA Host Port World Wide Names
Host Name | Associated HBAs | HBA Host Port WWN
--- | --- | ---
ENGINEERING | Vendor x, Model y (dual port) | 37:38:39:30:31:32:33:32 37:38:39:30:31:32:33:33
Vendor a, Model y (dual port) | 42:38:39:30:31:32:33:42 42:38:39:30:31:32:33:44
FINANCE | Vendor a, Model b (single port) | 57:38:39:30:31:32:33:52
Vendor x, Model b (single port) | 57:38:39:30:31:32:33:53

### Configuring Host Bus Adapters

For information about how to configure operating system (OS), failover driver, and host bus adapter (HBA) settings for Fibre Channel (FC) and SAS protocols, see the Sun Storage Host Bus Adapter Configuration Guide.

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