About Multipathing Software

The following table provides a summary of each tool with a pointer to additional information.

TABLE 5-1System Administration Tool Summary

		For More
Tool	Description	Information

Multipathing	Multipathing software is used to define and control	See “About
software	alternate (redundant) physical paths to I/O devices.	Multipathing
	If the active path to a device becomes unavailable,	Software” on
	the software can automatically switch to an alternate	page 64.
	path to maintain availability.
Volume	Volume management applications, such as Solstice	See “About
management	DiskSuite, provide easy-to-use online disk storage	Volume
software	management for enterprise computing environments.	Management
	Using advanced RAID technology, these products	Software” on
	ensure high data availability, excellent I/O	page 65.
	performance, and simplified administration.
Sun Cluster	Sun Cluster software enables you to interconnect	See “About Sun
software	multiple Sun servers so that they work together as a	Cluster
	single, highly available and scalable system. Sun	Software” on
	Cluster software delivers high availability—through	page 69.
	automatic fault detection and recovery—and
	scalability, ensuring that mission-critical applications
	and services are always available when needed.

Multipathing software lets you define and control redundant physical paths to I/O devices, such as storage devices and network interfaces. If the active path to a device becomes unavailable, the software can automatically switch to an alternate path to maintain availability. This capability is known as automatic failover. To take advantage of multipathing capabilities, you must configure the server with redundant hardware, such as redundant network interfaces or two FC-AL host bus adapters connected to the same dual-ported storage array.

For Sun Fire V490 systems, three different types of multipathing software are available:

■Solaris IP Network Multipathing software provides multipathing and load balancing capabilities for IP network interfaces.

■Sun StorEdge Traffic Manager software for the Solaris OS, which is part of the Sun SAN Foundation Suite, automates multipath I/O failover, failback, and SAN- wide load balancing.

64 Sun Fire V490 Server Administration Guide • August 2004

V490 specifications

Sun Microsystems V490 is a robust, high-performance server that was launched in the mid-2000s. It is part of Sun's Enterprise line of servers, specifically designed to meet the needs of businesses requiring reliability, scalability, and efficiency in their computing environments. The V490 is well-regarded for its versatility and ability to handle demanding applications.

At the heart of the V490 is its support for the UltraSPARC IV processor. The server can be configured to contain up to four processors, allowing it to deliver exceptional parallel processing capabilities. The UltraSPARC IV architecture enhances throughput and efficiency, making it suitable for enterprise applications and database management tasks.

One of the standout features of the V490 is its memory capacity. The server can support up to 64 GB of RAM, which allows for extensive caching and improved performance for memory-intensive applications. Coupled with a high bandwidth architecture, the V490 ensures that data can be processed quickly and effectively.

The V490 also emphasizes storage flexibility. It comes equipped with multiple disk drive bays, allowing for a combination of SATA and SAS drives. This flexibility enables businesses to tailor their storage solutions according to their specific performance and redundancy requirements. The V490 supports hot-swappable drives, making maintenance and upgrades considerably easier without taking the server offline.

In terms of connectivity, the Sun V490 features a variety of networking options. It includes multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports, ensuring high-speed data transfer and redundancy. Additionally, the server supports advanced input/output capabilities, making it compatible with various peripherals and external storage solutions.

Sun Microsystems V490 runs on the Solaris operating system, known for its stability and security. This OS enhances the server's performance while providing a reliable platform for mission-critical applications. The V490 also supports virtualization technologies, allowing organizations to run multiple operating systems and applications on a single hardware platform, thus optimizing resource utilization.

Another key characteristic of the V490 is its thermal efficiency. The server is designed with an advanced cooling system that minimizes energy consumption while maximizing performance. This focus on power efficiency aligns with modern data center requirements for sustainability and reduced operational costs.

In summary, the Sun Microsystems V490 is a powerful enterprise server that combines the latest processing technologies, substantial memory and storage capabilities, and robust networking options. Its scalability, along with advanced virtualization support and energy-efficient design, makes it a suitable choice for organizations looking to enhance their IT infrastructure. The V490 remains a testament to Sun Microsystems' commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable computing solutions.

Sun Microsystems V490 manual About Multipathing Software, 1System Administration Tool Summary

Models: V490

TABLE 5-1System Administration Tool Summary