FC compatibility on ESXi 4.1

[sakura7go]

Hi,

The below compatibility list for IBM N6060 FC LUN shows ESX 4.1 but doesn't show ESXi 4.1.

Does it mean it also support ESXi 4.1?

And does anybody explain me what the mode VMW_SATP_ALUA and VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA mean?

I couldn't find appropriate description in manuals.

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?device_cat=san&device_id=4582

Thanks.

[FranckRookie · Accepted solution]

Hi,

ESX and ESXi do support the same storage or SAN configurations.

Taken from different vendors' documents (VMware, NetApp ...) :

"

ALUA (Asymmetric Logical Unit Access) is an industry standard protocol for identifying optimized paths between a storage system and a host computer. The administrator of the host computer does not need to manually select the paths to use.

ESX hosts support ALUA with certain combinations of ESX and storage system configurations.

VMW_SATP_ALUA : supports arrays that use the ALUA protocol

VMW_SATP_DEFAULT_AA : supports active/active arrays

"

So your configuration will support both settings. Either you fix the preferred path, or you activate ALUA mode on your storage and in the host and you let them decide of the optimum path.

Hope it helps.

Regards

Franck

[sakura7go]

Hi, Frank

Thank for your quick and appropriate answer.

As I will configure ESXi and check paths to N series in peace next week. Thanks!

[denizmis1]

Hi,

same here with HP P2000 G3 FC SAN

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/detail.php?device_cat=san&device_id=9570

The compaibility web page only lists ESX but not ESXi.

Kind Regards

Deniz