3.Make a backup copy of /etc/vmware/esx.conf.
cp /etc/vmware/esx.conf /etc/vmware/esx.conf.orig
4.Identify the QLogic HBA module that is currently loaded.
vmkload_mod
Depending on the model of the HBA, the module can be one of the following:
qla2300_707 (ESX 3.0.x)
qla2300_707_vmw (ESX 3.5)
5.The target port queue depth can now be modified via the service console command line using VMware supplied binaries.
The example shows the qla2300_707 module. Use the appropriate module based on the outcome of Step 4.
The server must now be rebooted for the changes to take effect.
6.Reboot the ESX host.
Upon boot up, the ESX host will now be throttled to a maximum of 42 outstanding commands (as per the example in Step 5) to the target (HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage port).
NOTE: For additional information on changing the queue depth for HBAs, refer to the VMware Fibre Channel SAN Configuration Guide.
ESX/ESXi 4.1, ESXi 5.x Additional Feature Considerations
ESX/ESXi 4.1 and ESXi 5.x introduce new features related to storage I/O control and integration with storage arrays. HP recommends the usage of features SIOC and vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI) with ESX/ESXi 4.1, ESXi 5.x - HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage configurations.
NOTE: This section about VAAI and new additional features applies to all connectivity types: FC, FCoE and iSCSI.
Storage I/O Control
The SIOC feature allows for a new level of monitoring and control of I/O from individual virtual machines to an HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage array at the datastore level and across ESX/ESXi hosts in a VMware cluster.
Further information regarding the SIOC feature and considerations for its deployment may be found in the VMware technical white paper, Storage I/O Control Technical Overview and Considerations for Deployment:
vStorage APIs for Array Integration (VAAI)
In partnership with VMware, HP has developed an ESX/ESXi 4.1 plugin that enables a new set of SCSI commands to be used by ESX/ESXi 4.1 in conjunction with HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage. VMware refers to this newly incorporated set of SCSI commands as the "primitives".
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