HP StorageWorks 4x00/6x00/8x00 Enterprise Virtual Array updating product software guide (XCS 6.200) (5697-7958, February 2009)

IBM AIX
Checking or changing timeouts
AIX requires the disk settings shown in Table 7 for the native multipath drives.
Table 7 IBM AIX tim eout settings
Setting
Value
Description
PR_key_value
NA
Sets the key value for persistent reservations. Persistent reservations
are not suppor ted.
Algorithm fail_over
Sets the load balancing algorithm to fail_over. All I/O uses a
single path. The remaining paths are in standby mode. The value
round_robin is not supported.
hcheck_interval
60
Sets the path health feature to check each device every 60 seconds.
hcheck _mode
nonactive
Specifies the I/O paths monitored by the path health checking
feature: nonactive—Checks all I/O paths for Failed status, and
checks standby paths for Used/Opened devices.
queue_depth
8
Sets the queue depth.
reserve_pol
icy
Single path Sets the rese
rve policy to standard SCSI-2 reservations.
rw_timeout
60
Sets the read/write timeout to 60 seconds.
Managing application I /O timeouts for an online upgrade
Applications are t ypically insulated from the online controller firmware upgrade by the operating system
and HBA driver software. Consequently, if the application is running on a properly c onfigured operating
system, the online controller upgrades will be perform ed successfully.
It may be necessary to determine if any applications have timeout requirements that are more stringent
than those of the operating system. Any app lications with more stringent timeouts shou ld be evaluated
to determine if the application timeouts will be exceeded by the resynchronization interval that occurs
during the online upgrade.
Although an application m ay survive the online firmware upgrade successfully, there may be an impact
on per formance. To minimize the performance impact on users, the online upgrade should be per formed
during a period of low user activity.
Back up all storage system data
Estimated time to compl ete: Varies
When to
perform: As close as possible to the upgrade
Before
beginning the upgrade, it is recommended that you per form a full verified backup of all storage
system
data. Although not required, it is always good practice to back up your data before performing
major o
perations such as software upgrades. The backup should be scheduled as close to the upgrade
processaspossible.
For more information about establishing a nd implementing good backup procedures for the EVA, contact
your H
P sales representative.
Upgrading HP Command View EVA
Estimated time to complete: 15–20 minutes
32
Pre-upgrade tasks