HP StorageWorks HSG80 ACS Solution Software V8.8 for Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 (32-bit) Installation and Configuration Guide (AA-RV1XA-TE, March 2005)

Configuring Windows NT/Windows 2000/Windows 2003 (32-bit) Clusters
234 HSG80 ACS Solution Software V8.8 for Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows Server
2003 (32-bit) Installation and Configuration Guide
These Fibre Channel topologies simplify cluster configurations by eliminating
many of the pitfalls that restrict the SCSI parallel bus when configured with
multiple initiators. Issues such as bus termination, unfair arbitration, restrictive
cable lengths and the ability to address devices are alleviated using the FC-AL
topology. In short, the use of FC-AL or FC-SW in a cluster configuration is much
more intuitive and practical for the NT Cluster solution.
This section discusses the basic Fibre Channel NT cluster configurations and
software installation requirements to support the StorageWorks RAID Array
Subsystems.
A Windows NT/Windows 2000/Windows Server 2003 (32-bit) Fibre Channel
cluster enables two host servers configured with the Windows NT/Windows
2000/Windows Server 2003 (32-bit) cluster software to share a Fibre Channel
storage subsystem through a FC-AL. Should a failure on a server occur, the failure
is detected and the storage I/O is re-routed through to the functioning server. This
process, called failover, requires no resource downtime - ensuring the high
availability of data. The failed component(s) can be warm-swapped or serviced
while functioning components remain active.
Figure 50: Storage RAID Array Fibre Channel Cluster Concept
Fiber Channel Hub