The Importance of Compatibility
Emulex works very closely with storage and system providers to ensure optimal performance of supported systems. As part of that work, both Emulex and the storage and system providers test specific hardware configurations and specific versions of firmware, drivers and other software for all the components of a storage area network (SAN). This testing ensures that each supported configuration performs as indicated and operates successfully in an enterprise installation. Compatibility matrices are available on the Emulex Web site (www.emulex.com/interop/index.jsp) that provide information on which configurations, firmware/software, servers, storage, adapters, switches and other components properly function together.
It is critical to verify that all the components of the SAN, including hardware and firmware/drivers/ software for each component are supported. Storage and system providers’ web sites are the best sources for this information.
Emulex Configuration Parameters
Each Emulex driver has a number of configuration parameters that allow the customization of the behavior of the driver. Because these parameters can significantly change the behavior of the Emulex product, great care must be taken in the setting or changing of the parameters. Storage and system providers put forth great effort in determining what particular configuration parameters must be set to in order to provide optimal storage area SAN performance.
Note: For best results, never change the driver configuration parameters from their default values or the values specified by the storage and systems providers. Doing so can alter performance of the SAN and place the SAN in a configuration that is not supported, or cause it to operate improperly.
How Emulex Device Driver Configuration Parameters Work
Emulex configuration parameters are stored in the server into which the adapter is installed. The device driver acts upon these parameters. Emulex configuration parameters are NOT stored in the adapter flash memory. Unlike other SCSI and Fibre Channel (FC) adapters, Emulex does not store any configuration information such as timers, FC topology or link speed in the adapter flash. When an Emulex adapter is installed into a server, there is no separate configuration step required for the adapter. Proper driver configuration is generally all that is required. The exception to this is if you boot from SAN. In this case, you must use the adapter BIOS utility to configure the boot device. The adapter must be told which FC device contains the boot volume, and that information is stored in the flash. These settings are only in effect at boot time. Once the operating system (OS) loads the device driver, most settings of the driver are used and the adapter BIOS no longer functions.
Emulex Utility Applications
Emulex provides a variety of utility applications that include diagnostic capabilities. Documentation is available at http://www.emulex.com/support/. These utilities are:
•The HBAnyware utility
•The
•DOSLpCfg
•WinLpCfg
•LinLpCfg
Troubleshooting and Maintenance Manual for LightPulse Adapters | Page 3 |